The Wine Awards is expected to attract more than 800 entries from across the state.

The judging will take place from September 11 to 13 and will involve 10 judges and six associate judges from across Australia.

NSW Wine Association executive officer Angus Barnes said the association was continuing with its plans to take the NSW Wine Awards each year out to the regions that make up Australia’s first state of wine.

“The Southern Highlands’ focus and specialty in cool climate wine such as sparkling wine, pinot gris and pinot noir is representative of the diversity of NSW wine regions and the magnificent range of quality wines that are produced across NSW,” Mr Barnes said.

Dave Brookes, the 2018 chief judge of the show, will lead three panels for three long days of vigorous judging for the second year.

Mr Brookes is one of Australia’s leading wine writers and judges with regular contributions to to Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine and the Wine Companion magazines. 

He is also the lead consultant at the Wine Marketing Labs company in South Australia.

Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association president Mark Bourne said he was thrilled the region would host the awards for its first time.

“We are keen to showcase to the judges and the NSW wine industry the local wine industry’s professionalism and drive for excellence and the regions great natural beauty and generous hospitality,” Mr Bourne said.