The Graham Gregory Award is a highly coveted citation, named after wine-industry pioneer and former Deputy Director-General of NSW Agriculture Graham Gregory, recognising outstanding lifetime contributions to the New South Wales wine industry.

Mr Tyrrell has a long history of being highly active in the wine industry, holding numerous key roles.

A fourth generation winemaker, he joined the family company on a full-time basis in 1974 at the age of 23.

In 2006 Mr Tyrrell made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the Australian wine industry, and three years later he became a Hunter Valley Living Legend at the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards.

He is the third Graham Gregory winner from Tyrrell's, following his father Murray Tyrrell in 1993, and long-serving cellar door private bin host Murray Flannigan in 2007.

Past victors include Christopher Barnes in 2014, Phil Ryan (2006), Iain Riggs (2002), Brian McGuigan (2001) and Len Evans in 1997.

Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association chairman George Souris AM described Mr Tyrrell as "a tireless advocate of Australian wine and embodies the essence of the industry itself.

“His knowledge and understanding of the history of the industry is profound and he has played a pivotal role in the shaping of the Australian wine industry's enviable position on the world stage,” Mr Souris said.

Many Hunter Valley producers toasted success at the 2016 NSW Wine Awards, which were held at Pier One Sydney Harbour on October 28.

First Creek, Tulloch Wines, Tyrrell’s and Tamburlaine each picked up two trophies and Pokolbin Estate and De Iuliis a trophy each.

Hunter Valley producers won a staggering 20 gold medals out of a possible 40.

The winners of the Restaurant and Catering Association’s Wine List Awards were also announced as part of the NSW Wine Awards.

Legends Grill at The Vintage took home two awards – best regional wine list featuring NSW wines, and best wine list for a restaurant or caterer in a licensed venue.

HUNTER VALLEY TROPHY WINNERS

NSW DPI Trophy for Best Young Semillon – First Creek 2016 SV Murphys Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Longfellow's Trophy for Best Young Chardonnay – First Creek 2014 Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)

Trophy for Best Young White Other Varieties – Tulloch Wines 2016 Cellar Door Release Pinot Gris (Orange)

Trophy for Best Mature Dry White – Tyrrell's 2009 Vat 1 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

Trophy for Best Light Red – Tulloch Wines 2016 Cellar Door Release Sangiovese Rose (Orange)

Trophy for Best Young Other Red Varieties – Tamburlaine 2015 Reserve Malbec (Orange)

Trophy for Best Young Red Blend – Pokolbin Estate 2014 "Phoenix" Shiraz Tempranillo (Hunter Valley)

NSW DPI Award for Best Organic Wine – Tamburlaine 2015 Reserve Malbec (Orange)

CiSRA Canon Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine – De Iuliis 2011 Sparkling Chardonnay (Hunter Valley)

Trophy Best Dry White of Show – Tyrrell's 2009 Vat 1 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

HUNTER VALLEY GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

McWilliam's Wines Group Ltd 2014 842 Chardonnay

McWilliam's Wines Group Ltd 2013 Single Vineyard Chardonnay

Tamburlaine Wines 2015 Reserve Malbec

Tamburlaine Wines 2016 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Cellarmasters 2013 Bin Maturation Bennetts Bonanza Semillon

De Iuliis Wines 2011 De Iuliis Sparkling Chardonnay

De Iuliis Wines 2016 De Iuliis Semillon Single Vineyard Love in the Dale

First Creek Wines 2016 SV Murphys Semillon

First Creek Wines 2014 Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay

First Creek Wines 2011 Winemakers Reserve Semillon

First Creek Wines 2010 Winemakers Reserve Semillon

George Wyndham 2009 Wyndham Black Cluster Hunter Valley Shiraz

Pokolbin Estate Vineyard 2014 Pokolbin Estate "Phoenix" Shiraz Tempranillo

Silkman Wines 2014 Reserve Shiraz Pinot Noir

Tulloch Wines 2016 Tulloch Cellar Door Release Pinot Gris

Tulloch Wines 2016 Tulloch Cellar Door Release Rose

Tyrrell's Vineyards Pty Ltd 2012 Vat 47 Chardonnay

Tyrrell's Vineyards Pty Ltd 2009 Vat 1 Semillon

Tyrrell's Vineyards Pty Ltd 2005 Vat 1 Semillon

Tyrrell's Vineyards Pty Ltd 2015 Belford Chardonnay