Hunter Valley Legends Awards

Celebrating our past, our present and our future, the Hunter Valley Legends Awards recognises and honours those who have made major contributions and excelled within the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries.

 

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

This award recognises an individual, or group, for honourable contributions benefiting the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Industries generally.

• 2019 Brian McGuigan AM
• 2021 Liz Riley & Scott Bartlett

 

WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR

This award is to recognise a Hunter Valley winemaker who has achieved success on the show circuit and has made major commitments to the promotion of not only their own wines but the Hunter Valley and its wines in general.

• 2007 Andrew Spinaze - Tyrrell's Vineyards
• 2008 Andrew Thomas - Thomas Wines
• 2009 Jim Chatto - Pepper Tree Wines
• 2010 PJ Charteris - Brokenwood Wines
• 2011 Liz Jackson - First Creek Wines
• 2012 Nick Paterson - Dugliani Winemaking & Consulting
• 2013 Peter Hall - McGuigan Wines
• 2014 Andrew Thomas - Thomas Wines
• 2015 Mike De Iuliis - De Iuliis Wines
• 2016 Liz Jackson - First Creek Wines
• 2017 Mark Richardson - Tyrrell's Wines
• 2018 Stuart Hordern - Brokenwood Wines
• 2019 Adrian Sparks - Mount Pleasant Wines
• 2021 Andrew Margan - Margan Wines and Restaurant
• 2022 Liz Silkman - Silkman Wines & First Creek Wines
• 2023 Andrew Thomas - Thomas Wines
• 2024 Stuart Hordern - Brokenwood Wines
• 2025 Liz Silkman - Silkman Wines & First Creek Wines

 

 

VITICULTURIST OF THE YEAR

This award is to recognise an outstanding viticulturist involved in the management of Hunter Valley vineyards. The award recognises that any outstanding wine starts with good vineyard management resulting in quality grapes.

• 2007 Mt. Pleasant Lovedale Vineyard
• 2008 Ken Bray - Hunter Valley Vineyard Management
• 2009 Ian Tinkler - Tinkler's Vineyard
• 2010 Brett Keeping - Two Rivers
• 2011 Liz Riley - Vitibit Pty Ltd
• 2012 Carl Davies - Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
• 2013 Katrina Barry & Keith Barry - Brokenwood Wines
• 2014 Louise Eather, Pernod Ricard Winemakers - Wyndham Estate
• 2015 Andrew Margan - Margan Wines
• 2016 Paul Harvey - Mount Pleasant Wines
• 2017 Andrew Pengilly - Tyrrell's Wines
• 2018 Neil Stevens - Glen Oak Wines
• 2019 Brett Keeping - Two River Wines
• 2021 Steve Ferguson - Mount Pleasant Wines
• 2022 Jerome Scarborough - Scarborough Wine Co.
• 2023 Nicolas Looby - Margan Wines & Restaurant
• 2024 Thomas Hordern - Glenesk Vineyard
• 2025 Louise Eather - Tyrrell's Wines

 

YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR (Previously: Rising Star of the Year)

This award recognises an individual, less than 35 years of age, working in a Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism business and their contribution to the development of a vibrant and professional wine and tourism industry.

• 2007 Christina Tulloch - Tulloch Wines
• 2008 Usher Tinkler - Pooles Rock Wines
• 2009 Sarah Crowe - Brokenwood Wines
• 2010 Matt Burton - Wandin Valley Estate
• 2011 Jeff Byrne - Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
• 2012 Chris Tyrrell - Tyrrell Vineyards
• 2013 Sally Scarborough - Scarborough Wine Co.
• 2014 Belinda Stapleton - Spicers Vineyards Estate & Restaurant Botanica
• 2015 Joint Winners: Troy & Megan Rhoades-Brown - Muse Restaurant & Muse Kitchen | Gwyn Olsen - Briar Ridge 
• 2016 Belinda Paterson - Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley
• 2017 Rauri Donkin - Bimbadgen Estate
• 2018 Aaron Mercer - Tamburlaine Organic Wines
• 2019 Angus Vinden - Vinden Estate Wines
• 2021 Nicole Wilson - Margan Wines and Restaurant
• 2022 Alex Beckett - Briar Ridge Vineyard
• 2023 Jenna Vaughan - De Iuliis Wines
• 2024 Emily Glover - De Iuliis Wines
• 2025 Alisdair Tulloch - Aeon Wines & Keith Tulloch Wine

 

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL

This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism industries generally. It is to acknowledge those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry.

• 2022 Christina Tulloch - Tulloch Wines
• 2023 Liz Riley - Vitibit
• 2024 Brad Russ - Tulloch Wines

 

CELLAR DOOR OF THE YEAR

This award is to recognise a cellar door with outstanding public relations, sales technique, presentation and attitude.

• 2007 Tulloch Wines
• 2008 McWilliam's Mount Pleasant
• 2009 Scarborough Wine Co.
• 2010 Brokenwood Wines
• 2011 Pepper Tree Wines
• 2012 Hungerford Hill Wines
• 2013 Margan Family Wines
• 2014 Tulloch Wines
• 2015 Tyrrell's Wines
• 2016 De Iuliis Wines
• 2017 Thomas Wines
• 2018 Margan Family Wines
• 2019 Brokenwood Wines
• 2020 Glandore Estate
• 2021 Scarborough Wine Co.
• 2022 De Iuliis Wines
• 2023 Winmark Wines
• 2024 Margan Wines & Restaurant
• 2025 Brokenwood Wines

 

TOURISM OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

This award recognises excellence provided by a Hunter Valley Tourism Operator.

• 2022 Beyond Ballooning
• 2023 Stay n' Sip
• 2024 Stay n' Sip
• 2025 Our Italian table

  

ACCOMMODATION OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

This award recognises excellence provided by a Hunter Valley Tourism Accommodation Operator.

• 2022 Spicers Guesthouse
• 2023 Spicers Guesthouse
• 2024 Hunter Valley Stays
• 2025 Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

 

HERITAGE AWARD

As the oldest commercial wine region in Australia, it is incumbent on the Hunter Valley Wine Industry to recognise and preserve the great history that the Hunter Valley has. This Heritage Award is about just that, iconic touchstones of our 193 year old industry that remain to constantly remind us of the Hunter’s forebears.

• 2009 Edward Tyrrell's Slab Hut - Tyrrell's Vineyards
• 2010 Old Cellar - Drayton's Family Wines & Old Vats at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyards
• 2011 The Old Still House - Ben Ean Winery & Maurice O'Shea Mount Pleasant Label - Mount Pleasant Winery
• 2012 Tulloch Wines, Pokolbin Dry Red Label
• 2013 Halls Cottage circa 1876 - Roberts Restaurant circa 1876
• 2014 Marthaville Homestead & the 1973 Vintage Festival Poster
• 2017 Rothbury Cemetery
• 2018 Drayton’s Bellevue Wine Label - Drayton Wines
• 2019 Pokolbin Memorial Gates
• 2021 Hunter Valley Heritage Cairn Trail

 

HUNTER VALLEY WINE & TOURISM ASSOCIATION PATRON

The HVWTA Board is bestowing an Honorary Patron position in recognition of an extraordinary contribution and dedication of service over 50 years to the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association.

• 2022 Brian McGuigan AM

 

Wollombi Valley

Meaning ‘meeting place’ travellers have gathered here at the junction of convict-built Great North Road since the days of bushrangers. The magnificent Watagan Mountains are now the domain of mountain biking and 4WD trails. Journey back in time to the old-world shopfronts of historic Wollombi Village and rally the troops at the tavern for a local ale. Fine wines and muscats have been hand-crafted here since the 1850’s, and Colonial charm is blended beautifully with contemporary comforts at charming cottages and homestead stays. A hive of Hunter Valley artists, its well worth taking in an art installation, or show by local thespians at Laguna Hall.

Hunter Valley via Tourist Drive 33

Take the scenic route to Wollombi from Sydney and arrive refreshed in under 2 hours. Popular with day-trippers and exhilarating for motorcyclists, Tourist Drive 33 is the adventurer’s gateway to Wine Country.

Trace the convict-built Great North Road through picturesque countryside, sighting heritage-listed dry stone walls and culverts along the way. Pass through the villages of Peats Ridge, Kulnura and Bucketty, over Fernances Crossing, and once you hit Laguna, you’re minutes from Wollombi.

Where else but Wollombi?

It’s easy to imagine stage-coaches rattling down the main street when you stop in at the old trading post in historic Wollombi Village. A watering hole for travellers since the 1800’s, its Georgian inn was an overnight stop on the 2 day journey from Sydney along the convict-built Great North Road trading route. These days you can re-charge your Tesla and carry on exploring more of the spectacular countryside, welcoming cellar doors, fascinating heritage sites, and charming shopfronts of a bygone era.

Discover more than 300 ancient Aboriginal sites of significance, watch for heritage-listed remnants of the original convict trail along Tourist Drive 33, and explore Australia’s wild Colonial past on an easy 1km Historical Wollombi Village Walk.

Feeling adventurous? Wollombi is bordered by national parks with no end of nature walks, mountain biking trails and 4WD tracks through spectacular terrain and convict ruins. Follow Wollombi Valley Wine Trail to boutique cellar doors with real character, try an impressive range of wine styles and rare grape varieties, and stock up on farm fresh produce. Pre-booking a personalised tour during vintage will get your closer to the winemaking action for a fuller understanding of what makes our Chambourcin, Muscat, Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay wines wonderfully unique.

Prefer to stay put and enjoy your cosy country cottage, romantic barn, or rural homestead? Let local foodies bring the catering to you! Generous picnic hampers are a local specialty. Village ambience is best enjoyed over a lazy café breakfast or lunch and a scoop of gelato from the General Store. Kick back with live music and a pub meal by the brook, and try a tapas pop-up afer dark.

A haven for artistic talent, from painters and playwrights to performers, there’s always an exhibition or installation, supper club or smokeout, theatre show or Sunday sesh, happening here in Wollombi.

CESSNOCK

Cessnock has a history firmly linked with mining and boasts a streetscape of historical buildings, bookended by grand old pubs where you can enjoy a cold beer and hearty pub grub. 

Named in the 1820s after Cessnock Castle in Scotland, today the lively country town is Wine Country’s hub for business and shopping, the place to go for all your essentials - from groceries and petrol to banking. 

You might not know, but Cessnock has one of Australia’s longest main streets so make sure you take a stroll down it and while you’re at it check out the community art in the decorated laneways.

The CBD has a mix of entertainment options with a range of cafes and cuisines - Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, tapas, and sushi – it’s all there. There are plenty of options for a great coffee and all-day-breakfast, traditional bakeries and takeaways, as well as fashion and gift stores. 

You can also browse the well-respected art gallery, which showcases local talent, see a show at the 466-seat theatre at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre or admire the traditional architecture of the Heritage-listed Marthaville Arts and Crafts Centre. 

It’s a great base camp with lots of affordable accommodation options, only 6km from the vineyards.  

Its signature event is the annual Cessnock Stomp Festival, held each April to celebrate the city’s unique culture, lifestyle and people. Fancy a mad hatter’s tea party? How about some squishy squashy grape stomping? And that’s just for the grown-ups. You should see what’s in store for the kids! 

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HUNTER VALLEY VISITOR CENTRE

The accredited Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre is just outside Cessnock on Wine Country Drive in Pokolbin, next door to Cessnock Airport, and across the road from the Crowne Plaza.

It’s your one-stop shop for all information about the region with the friendly staff also on hand to help with booking accommodation, tours, restaurants and other experiences.  

The Centre also sells local produce such as olive oil and honey, handmade goods, artisan products and souvenirs, along with authentic Aboriginal cultural items and local artwork.

You can also enjoy a tasting of local wines at the tasting counter, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in the onsite café - Lovedale Café. 

Whether you’re just driving through, having a romantic getaway, or looking for something to entertain the whole family, the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre can help.

The Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre is seven days.

Located at 455 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin (02 4993 6700)

BROKE FORDWICH

The trail less travelled! That little bit more remote, with a microclimate all its own, this pretty little valley punches well above its weight for multi-award winning wines. Stay on an olive grove or working farm and relax into village living, where good times and great wines bring people together. You’ll be warmly welcomed at family-run cellar doors and eateries down quiet country roads. Taste the biodynamically-farmed flavour difference in hatted dining, cooking classes, and catering that comes to you, and be completely won over by festivals in the park, caves with ancient paintings, and more stars than you can count in our clear night skies.

A scenic drive

Forget the freeway! Travelling North from Sydney, exit the F3 toward Calga/Peats Ridge to find yourself in scenic countryside all the way into tranquil Broke Fordwich. Tour the backroads through Bucketty, tracing winding Wollombi Brook, to arrive in just over 2 hours. From Pokolbin, just 15 minutes to the West, along Broke Road. 

An outlying gem

So close to Sydney, a village experience like Broke is something special. With around 650 locals, and even less in nearby Fordwich, this premium-producing sub-region truly is the tranquil side of the Hunter Valley. Breathtakingly beautiful, its olive groves and vineyards hug the sandy banks of Wollombi Brook and Wollemi Forest Foothills.

Family growers here have a heart for leaving the fertile, former dairy lands in even better shape than they found it, and the care they invest bears fruit of exceptional quality. Our seasoned local winemakers win a lion’s share of trophies and awards for their artfully crafted, single-estate wines. Get to know the nuances to be appreciated in each individual style, talking night harvests and open ferments at intimate cellar door sessions.

Expect world class Semillon, Shiraz with real finesse, delightfully fragrant Verdelho, full-bodied Chardonnay, seriously good Cabernet and Merlot, adventurous Barbera, Sangiovese and Tempranilla, and even Pinot Noir. Should you feel so inspired, you can get hands-on with the action, from vine to wine lending a hand at vintage, or paddock to plate with a chef session to spice-up your home cooking repertoire.

You won’t know yourself after a few days winding down in these wide-open spaces. It’s the simple pleasures, like twilight aperitivo, waking to birdsongs at your cosy vineyard cottage, pulling on the gumboots at a fun farm stay, or foraging farmgates for a poughmans board to devour by the open fire of your chic contemporary homestead.

Browse galleries, sculpture walks and handmade finds, take a bush walk to majestic Yellow Rock and heritage listed caves rich in Aboriginal art. Be as laid-back as you like and take back the stories of your special time in Broke Fordwich.