Bruno Brombal named 2022 Riverina legend as Calabria sweeps wine show awards

Hanwood grape grower and industry leader Bruno Brombal was presented with the 2022 Legends Award, while Calabria Family Wines took out seven trophies, at the annual Riverina Winemakers Association wine show at the Yenda Memorial Hall on 23 September.

The association, which represents winemaking families across the region, invited producers from all over Australia to participate in a series of wine shows. More than 600 entries were assessed by a judging panel headed by leading Melbourne-based wine critic Gabrielle Poy. All up, 17 of the 27 trophies were handed out to wineries in the Riverina.

Mr Brombal, who owns and operates three vineyards and has been a grape grower industry representative for 43 years, took out the special Riverina Legends award, which acknowledges and celebrates the contributions made by individuals working across any sector of the local wine industry.

“Bruno was recognised by the awards committee for his years of service and dedication to the industry. He is well respected by our association for his honesty and integrity. We greatly admire his commitment to support the local industry over the past 40-plus years. A very deserving winner,” Riverina Winemakers executive officer Carrah Lymer said.

Nobody was more surprised than the recipient.

“I was shocked. I have never expected to win an award for anything,” Mr Brombal said.

“They did the whole presentation and then at the end of the night [winemaker] Andrew Calabria mentioned my name in a speech and it twigged … I had no idea until then … it’s great for us growers to get some recognition.”

Since 1998, Mr Brombal has been chair of the Riverina Winegrape Growers, a statutory authority that represents the interests of winegrape growers in the region. He attributes his longevity to being a straight shooter.

“If you’re honest, you’ll never be caught out … and I haven’t been caught out yet. When times are good you’ve got to let the growers know and when times are bad you’ve got to let them know too.”

He also paid tribute to his most important supporter.

“My wife, Gloria, has been fantastic … I’ve been travelling a lot these past 30 years and she’s always packed my bags.”

Jeremy Cass, CEO of Riverina Winegrape Growers, paid tribute to his colleague.

“It was great to see Bruno receive the Riverina Legend award, and even better to be sitting next to him at that moment and seeing his look of surprise when he realised that he was the recipient that they were talking about,” he said.

“This award is well-deserved recognition of all the hard work Bruno has done over many decades for winegrape growers and the Riverina region and his dedicated commitment to the wine industry in general.”

FULL LIST OF RIVERINA AWARD WINNERS

Open Wine Show 2022

Best Chardonnay – Calabria Family Wines 3 Bridges 2021 Chardonnay
Best Sauvignon Blanc – Berton Vineyards Metal Label 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
Best Dry White Other – Trimboli Family Wines Saverio 2022 Vermentino
Best White Wine of Show – Calabria Family Wines 3 Bridges 2021 Chardonnay
The Sean Hampel Trophy for Best Shiraz – Yarran Wines A Few Words Whole Bunch 2020 Shiraz

Riverina GI Show

Best Riverina Dry White – Trimboli Family Wines – Salvatore 2022 Trebbiano
Best Riverina Dry Red – Calabria Family Wines Richland Shiraz 2021
Best Riverina Durif – Trimboli Family Wines Black Duck 2021 Durif
Most Successful Exhibitor – Calabria Wines

Australian-Italian Varieties Wine Awards 2022

Chief Judges’ award for Most Exciting Wine – Calabria Family Wines Belena Sangiovese 2021

Australian Sweet Wine Challenge 2022

Best Sweet Fruity – Mino + Co A Growers Touch 2018 Semillon
Best Museum Class – Lillypilly 2002 Noble Sauvignon Blanc
Australian Sweet Wine of the Year 2021 – Mino + Co A Growers Touch 2018 Semillon

Tumbarumba Wine Show 2022

Best Young White – Calabria Family Wines 3 Bridges 2021 Chardonnay
Best Mature White – McWilliam’s Wines 2018 660 Reserve Chardonnay
Wine of Show – Calabria Family Wines 3 Bridges 2021 Chardonnay