Hunter Valley De Iuliis winemaker and owner, Michael (Mike) De Iuliis has been announced as the new Chair of Judges of the Sydney Royal Wine Show tonight, at the 2024 award ceremony in Sydney.
As a fourth-generation wine enthusiast, Mike’s passion for the Australian wine industry started at a young age and only blossomed when his parents purchased a 20-hectare property in the Hunter Valley and planted the winery’s first vines.
A Bachelor of Science degree and post-graduate degree in Oenology later, De Iuliis is now the Winemaker and Owner of his family business, De Iuliis Wines. Unafraid of change, De Iuliis has continuing to drive his family legacy forward during his time at the helm, expanding the winery with new and alternative varieties, and in turn earning the business countless accolades.
In addition to being an award-winning winemaker, De Iuliis completed the Len Evans Tutorial in 2004 and has extensive experience as a Chair of Judge and a Panel Chair, both nationally and internationally. De Iuliis has been part of the Sydney Royal Panel since 2017.
“The opportunity to be Chair of Judges at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show is a massive responsibility, and one I do not take lightly,” newly appointed Chair of Judges, Mike De Iuliis said.
“Sarah Crowe has done a fantastic job over the past three years, successfully guiding, and protecting the integrity of the competition. She has made sure producers are receiving the vital feedback they require while equally celebrating those who are creating extraordinary wine.
“I have some big shoes to fill.”
When asked about the opportunity and what it means to be named Chair, De Iuliis said he looks forward to giving back to both his industry and the next generation.
“The ability to give back to an industry that has been so wonderful to me is something I am quite excited for, not a lot of people get the opportunity,” De Iuliis said.
“It is also a great honour to help lead the next generation of wine judges and provide them with a platform to gain experience at one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wine shows. Looking back, it does not feel it was long ago that I was an aspiring up-and-coming wine show judge. I think it will be a lot of fun.”
Boasting an impressive career in the Australian wine industry, De Iuliis has been successfully managing his family vineyard for the past twenty years and says competitions like Sydney Royal have a vital role to play within the industry.
“My vison for the next three years is to see the ongoing success of the show system, not only Sydney Royal but also the national show system, to ensure it continues to give back and provide important feedback not only to producers but also to the industry and consumers, including trade. It offers a place to look and see what the most exciting producers in Australia are doing,” De Iuliis said.
“If you are a winner at Sydney Royal it resonates through the industry quite loudly. As a winemaker there is no greater feeling than winning at Sydney Royal.”
As for the 2024 results and any future changes, Mike said he encourages consumers to enjoy the trophies but also explore the results at a deeper level. He also has a bone to pick with green apples.
“This year there were many standouts, particularly the young riesling, grenache and grenache blends; there was some really approachable wines and diverse styles shown,” De Iuliis said.
“Also notable was the strength of those traditional varieties like chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon. Australian chardonnay is in a really nice place at the moment and there are some exciting wines being created. My advice to consumers would be to look at the results and don’t be afraid to explore the wines that also took home a gold and silver medal as well as the trophy winners.
“And another, personal, standout for me was the lack of peoples love for green apple, I think I was the only one to eat a green apple to cleanse my palate throughout the entire show. That might be my first change.”
Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Show and RAS Councillor, Angus Barnes said he was delighted to have De Iuliis join the team as the new Chair of Judges.
“Mike is a very well-respected judge and winemaker. He is also a fantastic communicator and leader, which will be of great benefit to the competition, not only in the selection of the best wines to win trophies, but also through the encouragement of the next generation of wine judges through the system.”
The 2024 Sydney Royal Wine Show results are now available at www.rasnsw.com.au with this year’s 2023 Bream Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir taking home the coveted Tucker Seabrook Perpetual Trophy for Best Wine of Show.
To taste-test all medal winning wines including the 27 trophy winers, tickets to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s Grape, Grain & Graze Festival are on sale now. The festival will take place at Sydney Showground on Saturday, 21 September. Visit www.rasnsw.com.au to learn more.