Paolo Zegna, left, with Superfine Wool Trophy winners, David and Angie Waters.

NEW South Wales superfine and ultrafine wool growers have dominated the prestigious 2018 Zegna Merino wool awards.

Tarrangower Merinos principals David and Angie Waters from Hillgrove in NSW won the 2018 Superfine Wool Trophy, the second consecutive year they have won the bale award.

Their 117kg 15.6 micron bale of ewe fleece was valued at 4244c/kg or about $3800. The bale’s wool had an average staple length of 81mm, a yield of 76.5pc, a tensile strength of 49 Newton/kilotex and 0.5pc vegetable matter content.

Mr Waters said it was “awesome” to win the trophy for the second consecutive year. Second place in the award was won by Allan and Carolyn Phillips of ‘Glen Stuart’, Deddington, Tasmania, and NSW producers Ed and Jill Hundy of ‘Windradeen’ at Pyramul, placed third.

Paolo Zegna left, with Zegna fleece award winners, Walcha wool growers Ross and Rebecca Blake.

The Vellus Aureum fleece trophy was won for the first time by Ross and Rebecca Blake of ‘Allandale’ at Walcha, NSW, with a 12.2 micron fleece. They won a trophy and 500gms of gold currently valued at about A$28,000.

Victorian ultrafine Merino wool producers David and Susan Rowbottom at ‘Rowensville’, St. Helens, placed second with an 11.1 micron fleece weighing 1.09kg. Third place went to Mrs Annie Hutchinson of ‘Kentucky Station’, Kentucky, NSW.

The wool growers were presented with the awards by Ermenegildo Zegna Group chairman Paolo Zegna at an exclusive celebration dinner at Pier One Sydney Harbour on April 26.

“We’ve been honouring the best quality wool for over 50 years now, and it is always a pleasure to give out these awards as a solid demonstration of our support for the commitment and successes of these incredible woolgrowers,” Mr Zegna said.

“Congratulations to both the winners and each of the entrants, and deep thanks to the Australian Superfine Wool Growers’ Association and to everyone who has contributed in making this year’s edition of the trophies a great success.

“Superfine wool is a fundamental material for our collections and I am confident our ability to transform it into luxurious fabrics and clothing will continue to convince clients around the world of its importance,” he said.

“In raising appreciation for this precious fibre, we can therefore help ensure a bright future to the wool growers who are involved with us in the process.”