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Legends Honoured: Icons and Innovators Celebrated at 2025 Hunter Valley Legends Awards
Trailblazers of the Hunter Valley were recognised last night at the 18th annual Legends Awards, held at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Over 330 guests from across the wine and tourism industries gathered to celebrate the region’s most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars. Husband and wife, Andrew and Lisa Margan, were inducted as this year’s Wine Living Legend and Tourism Living Legend.
“These awards not only honour the legends of our industry—they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today,” said Chris Tyrrell, President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association.
Andrew Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley’s place among the world’s great wine regions.
A winemaker, viticulturist and passionate advocate for sustainable farming, Andrew co-founded Margan Wines in Broke Fordwich in 1996 with his wife Lisa, building it into one of the Hunter Valley’s most respected wine brands. A former President of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association from 2011 to 2013, Andrew has led industry advocacy on land use, coal seam gas and vineyard protection. With a winemaking philosophy shaped by 20 vintages at Tyrrell’s and time in European vineyards, Andrew continues to craft wines alongside his son Ollie that reflect their unique site and soils. In 2015 he was named Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the year and in 2021 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, joining a long list of accolades recognising his leadership and legacy. Andrew has also served on the Board of Australia’s wine industry peak body Wine Australia and is currently a Board member of the NSW Wine Industry Association.
Lisa Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Industry Living Legend. Lisa has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley’s food, wine and hospitality scene, playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community.
With a background spanning teaching, nutrition, and fine dining—including training under Hunter Valley Tourism Legend and Head Chef at Bistro Molines, Robert Molines and time spent as a chef in Bordeaux—Lisa brought her vision of agri-dining to life in Broke. Margan now boasts a five-star winery, a sustainably run vineyard, a hatted restaurant, and a cellar door that has received national acclaim. Beyond the business, Lisa has been a tireless advocate for the industry, serving as Deputy Chair of the Hunter Culinary Association, a founding board member of WOHO (Women of Hospitality), and a mentor to countless emerging professionals. Among her many accolades are the Women in Foodservice Leadership Award and Outstanding Contribution by an Individual from the Hunter Culinary Association.
Acknowledging their significant contributions, Iain Riggs AM, Chair of the Living Legends commented:
“Andrew Margan is a true Hunter Valley Wine Living Legend for his tireless work in the promotion of the Hunter Valley, for tackling the wine industry’s political foes head-on and for an undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia”.
“Lisa’s resume is a blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must go to destination. The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan”.
The First Creek Winemaking Services 2025 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year was awarded to Liz Silkman. Liz, Chief Winemaker at First Creek Wines and co-owner, with husband Shaun, of Silkman Wines has been recognised as Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year for the fourth time. Her commitment to producing true-to-style Hunter Valley wines has resulted in a string of prestigious accolades, including being the first Hunter Valley winemaker to be awarded the nationally acclaimed Halliday Winemaker of the Year in August 2024, multiple varietal and winery awards, and 27 wines scoring 95 points or more across her Silkman and First Creek labels. Over the last year, Liz has led First Creek Winemaking through a complex sustainability certification process, showcasing her commitment to future-focused winemaking. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were Bryan Currie, Mike De Iuliis, Richard Done, Brendan Kaczorowski, Valentina Moresco and Liz Silkman.
The Jurds 2025 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year was presented to Louise Eather, Assistant Vineyard Manager at Tyrrell’s. Through her science and viticultural studies, Louise brings deep technical knowledge and practical expertise to her role at Tyrrell’s. Louise is a champion of sustainable viticulture, contributing to Tyrrell’s Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, their participation in the EcoVineyards Program and as an active member of Hunter Valley Wine Country Landcare. She pioneers practices such as precise pest monitoring, regenerative floor management, and block redevelopment to optimise canopy performance and fruit quality. Widely respected in the industry, she has contributed to technical committees, mentored young professionals, and is currently working on national research into fungicide resistance. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were Louise Eather, Brent Hutton and Jeremy O’Brien.
Alisdair Tulloch, Vineyard & Operations Manager at Keith Tulloch Wine & co-owner of Aeon Wines was awarded the Riedel 2025 Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year. As Vineyard & Operations Manager at Keith Tulloch Wine, Alisdair has championed sustainable practices, secured Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, and maintained the winery’s carbon-neutral status—placing it among Australia’s Top 50 vineyards (Young Gun of Wine awards). He launched his own label, Aeon Wines, with his wife in 2024, producing 100% Hunter Valley wines that have received critical acclaim and export success. Passionate about the future of the region and preserving its legacy for generations to come, Alisdair mentors emerging talent through the HVWTA Young Winemakers Group and currently serves as HVWTA’s inaugural Board Youth Advisor. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were Nathan Allen, Riley Curtis, Bianca Fraser, Hannah Joliffe, Alisdair Tulloch and Allana Wigley.
The PKF 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Operator of the Year was awarded to Our Italian Table, a destination cooking school that has grown from a passion project for owners Jen and Vince Nicita to a thriving tourism business and standout visitor experience in the Hunter Valley. Known for its warm hospitality, small class sizes, and hands-on cooking experiences, the business draws visitors from across Australia and internationally. Our Italian Table operates with strong community and environmental values—sourcing local produce and supporting local artisans. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were iHop Hunter Valley, Our Italian Table and Wine Fairy Events.
The HVWTA 2025 Hunter Valley Accommodation Operator of the Year was awarded to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Welcoming over 260,000 visitors annually, Rydges Resorts champions the Hunter Valley through locally focused food and wine experiences, curated tours, and major event partnerships that drive regional visitation. Upgraded conference facilities now boost state-of-the-art AV, hybrid meeting capabilities, and wellness-focused breakout options. Significant investments in solar energy and waste reduction reflect a commitment to sustainability with a goal to become 100% renewable by 2027. With award-winning accessible facilities, inclusive practices, and a local team of over 400, Rydges has earnt its reputation as a leading Hunter Valley destination for leisure, corporate, and event travellers. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were Hunter Valley Stays Australia, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley and The Lane Retreat.
Brokenwood Wines was named as Wine Selectors 2025 Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year. This is the third time Brokenwood Wines have been awarded Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year showcasing their commitment to premium wine, exceptional hospitality, and tailored tasting experiences. Offering a premium experience, guests can enjoy iconic Brokenwood wines including the ILR Reserve Semillon and Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz and enjoy immersive tastings, and dining at their award-winning onsite restaurant, The Wood. Regional collaboration with local partners to enhance regional tourism through packages, campaigns, and events has contributed to continued growth in visitor numbers over the last year. Announced on the night, the finalists in this category were Bonvilla Estate, Brokenwood Wines, McCaffrey’s Estate, Saddlers Creek, Scarborough Wine Co, Thomas Wines and Winmark Wines.
The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association extends congratulations to the 2025 Hunter Valley Legends Awards recipients.
- Riedel Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year: Alisdair Tulloch, Keith Tulloch Wine & Aeon Wines
- PKF Hunter Valley Tourism Operator of the Year: Our Italian Table
- Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association Hunter Valley Accommodation Operator of the Year: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
- Jurds Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year: Louise Eather, Tyrrell’s
- Wine Selectors Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year: Brokenwood Wines
- First Creek Winemaking Services Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year: Liz Silkman, First Creek & Silkman Wines
- Hunter Valley Tourism Industry Living Legend: Lisa Margan
- Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend: Andrew Margan
For further comment, images or interviews, please contact Elizabeth Preston at Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association; elizabeth@hvwta.com.au or 0499 053 655.