MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 JUNE 2022
Mount Pleasant embarks on its next chapter, with significant investment, a new cellar door and a renewed focus on the legacy of Maurice O’Shea
After quietly marking its centenary in 2021, renowned Hunter Valley winery Mount Pleasant has plenty to celebrate in 2022 with the imminent opening of an expanded and refurbished cellar door, enhanced wine tasting experiences, a renewed focus on the legacy of founder Maurice O’Shea and significant investment from new owners across all aspects of the business.
Founded in 1921 by Maurice O’Shea – Australia’s “father of modern winemaking” – Mount Pleasant has always been regarded as one of the most important wineries in Australia. Under O’Shea’s direction Mount Pleasant gained, and has retained to the present day, a reputation for wines of longevity, elegance and balance that express the beauty and individuality of their unique vineyard sites.
Since taking control from McWilliams in 2021, the new owners, Medich Family Office, have invested in all areas of the business from the vineyards to the winery, new branding, and a significant refurbishment of the cellar door which is set to become an unmissable Hunter Valley wine tourism destination.
Designed by award-winning architects and interior designers, Luchetti Krelle, and set within the original homestead buildings, the new cellar door is a personification of Maurice O’Shea himself, who was generous of spirit, passionate about art and culture and who loved bringing people together in his home to enjoy great food and wine.
Reoriented to maximise the stunning vineyard views to the north, the new cellar door offers an expanded tasting area, a private tasting room, a separate members’ lounge in the adjacent barn and a bottle shop described as “a Disneyland for wine lovers” housing some of Mount Pleasant’s oldest and most significant wines, where aficionados can purchase rare museum bottles.
Designer Rachel Luchetti says: “We have reimagined the historical Australian homestead in an authentic, contemporary way. Showcasing wine is at the heart of the endeavour, from the arresting display in the wine store through to the cellar door where an impressive overscale blackbutt and zinc counter is a staging area for the winemaker to tell stories and share insights into his craft. The experience is pure, stripped back and focused.”
One of the most notable features of the building is the art within it, including an important contemporary photography collection and newly acquired works by renowned Australian artist Garry Shead, a nephew of O’Shea, who was a regular visitor to Mount Pleasant as a child. His ethereal series “Love on Mount Pleasant”, displayed in the private O’Shea tasting room, are recollections from his childhood visits.
Mount Pleasant has also elevated its wine tasting experience to showcase its four historic vineyard sites and the styles of wine produced from each. Visitors can choose from one of five themed tastings, including the Mount Pleasant Experience, which celebrates the history, evolution and diversity of Mount Pleasant’s unique vineyard sites, the Maurice O’Shea Flight, highlighting four of the best vintages of Mount Pleasant’s flagship Shiraz, and the Lovedale Semillon Flight, showcasing the perfect fruit from one of the greatest Semillon vineyards in the world and the transformation of those wines in the bottle with age.
Newly appointed head chef, Kyle Whitbourne, has designed a share plate menu that focuses on locally sourced produce to complement the wines, and in collaboration with renowned chef Justin North from Concept Hospitality, who has worked alongside the team with the conceptualisation of the cellar door experience.
The philosophy of Mount Pleasant – to create elegant, balanced wines that stand the test of time and which express their unique terroir – hasn’t changed since the days of Maurice O’Shea. Chief winemaker Adrian Sparks says the impact of the new investment in Mount Pleasant has been swift and notable, from additional staff to updated equipment.
“We’re now able to perform tasks when they need to be done, working around the weather and around the clock to achieve greatness in the winery,” says Sparks. “Being able to harvest fruit at the most perfect opportunity gives us the best chance to make the greatest wines. New sorting equipment allows us to select only the best berries. Every one of those one percenters goes a long way in producing incredible wines on a more consistent basis.”
Sparks is only the fifth winemaker in Mount Pleasant’s history, which he regards as a true honour. “Maurice O’Shea and Phil Ryan were winemakers who changed the dynamic of the Hunter Valley. To be given an opportunity to follow in their footsteps, to walk those same vineyards, it’s daunting, exciting, scary and thrilling all in one.”
One of Maurice O’Shea’s greatest legacies is the wine named after him, a 100 per cent Shiraz that is made from Mount Pleasant’s best grapes but only in exceptional years. The next Maurice O’Shea release, in June, is the 2019 vintage, the last of the drought years which produced reduced crops of fruit with amazing intensity.
“We only make O’Shea in the great years, and 2019 was no exception,” says Sparks. “This wine speaks of the place and time, rich and vibrant with beautiful tannin structure and natural acidity - the backbone of wines that have the pedigree to outlive their makers.”
Mount Pleasant’s new owners acquired the winery and its vineyards because of what it represented for the Hunter Valley as a region and the Australian wine industry as a whole. One of Australia’s most iconic brands is in good hands.
For all media enquiries please contact Stephanie Airlie at Mount Pleasant Wines: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mobile 0406 489 345.
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ABOUT MOUNT PLEASANT
At Mount Pleasant we watch over some of Australia’s most historic and precious vineyards. Founded in 1921 by the legendary Maurice O’Shea, whose contribution to Australian wine cannot be understated. Widely recognised for setting the standard for modern Australian winemaking. His ‘fanatical perfectionism’ saw him create Mount Pleasant’s signature style of elegance, balance and exceptional longevity.
For 100 years, Mount Pleasant has produced iconic, elegant and expressive wines championing the fruit and individual character of our four vineyard sites. Our rare ancestral vines include some of the oldest clone plantings in the country and along with Shiraz make our Old Hill vineyard the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Australia.
Mount Pleasant wines let you discover the unique Hunter Valley signature: wines with an ‘old world’ elegance and exceptional balance.
ABOUT CHIEF WINEMAKER, ADRIAN SPARKS
Chief Winemaker Adrian Sparks is a highly respected and awarded Australian winemaker who has always held a deep appreciation for the Hunter Valley and its extraordinary, unique terroir. With more than twenty five years experience and an innate appreciation for the winemaking’s interplay between art and science, he creates wines that illustrate a true sense of place.
In 2014 he joined the Mount Pleasant winemaking team and in 2018 was promoted to the position of Chief Winemaker. As only the fifth Chief Winemaker in Mount Pleasant’s long history, Adrian upholds our commitment to expressing the beauty and individuality of our unique and historic vineyard sites. Creating with every vintage, wines of longevity, elegance and balance, that capture an honest, true story of place and time long after they’ve been bottled.