HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Dr Harry Tulloch's early involvement in the Wine Industry came from his Diploma in Viticulture which led him to the position of Manger of the Nuriootpa Viticulture Research Centre within the South Australia Department of Agriculture. After further studies Harry was responsible for refining and concluding various clonal selection trials determining the best clones available for commercial release from the Research Centre. Two of these clones selected by Harry were released and have become premium quality clones across the country. Since the release, the Clone Shiraz 1964 has become the most widely planted Shiraz clone in the Australian Wine Industry. 

In 1969 returned to the Hunter Valley and become more involved in the region, developing the Hollydene Vineyard in 1969 and Mount View Estate in 1971. Harry also devoted his time to championing Verelho as a grape variety in the Hunter with Semillion Blends. Harry's Verdelhos, Muscats and Vintage Ports dominated the Fortified Classes inthe Small Winemaker's Show and for many years through this time.  

In 2002  Harry received an honorary PhD Doctorate in Philosophy (Science) for his work in Viticulture Research. 

Harry was inducted as a Legend in 2023.

Where luxury meets environmental consciousness and sustainability. Explore the Eco-Tourism certified businesses of the Hunter Valley. 

The Eco Certification program is a world first and has been developed to a provide a structure to identify genuine ecotourism operators. By incorporating eco-certified businesses into your travels you can be sure the product you receive is backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices.  

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

John Davis has forged a reputation as an astute viticulturist with an unerring eye for matching soil types with their most suited grape varieties. 

In 1982 he bought his first vineyard and by 1988 his first winery, now known as Briar Ridge Vineyard. His purchase of Pepper Tree in 2002 completed his vision of merging his own vineyards with a compatible high-quality not to mention highly-awarded boutique winery, where each vineyard’s terroir can be fully expressed. John is hands-on in all aspects of the business and his house is situated in the middle of his Hunter Valley vineyard at Mount View also known as Tallavera Grove.

In 2019 John won the Champion of Diversity & Equality award at the 2019 Australian Women in Wine Awards held in New York for his tireless work for women, diversity and equality in the wine industry. 

John owns and runs 3 successful idyllic wineries and vineyards located in the Hunter Valley. With John at the forefront of these businesses he has shaped and molded them to be must see destinations of the Hunter Valley.
- Pepper Tree Wines – Halls Road Pokolbin
- Briar Ridge Vineyard – Mount View
- Tallavera Grove and Carillion Wines – Mount View, also home to Bistro
Molines

John Davis was inducted as a Legend in 2023.

Where Australia's oldest wine country meets the leaders of innovation and sustainability. 

Making Changes

In the Hunter Valley wine producers are constantly assessing their practices and making changes to become more sustainable. Hear from Jerome Scarborough and Liz Riley from Scarborough Wines Co about the important projects and processes they have been trialing to build a more sustainable future.

 

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia 

The Hunter Valley Wine Industry is proud of creating steps forward to a more sustainable future. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) is a national program administered by Australia's peak research body The Australian Wine Research Institute in collaboration with Wine Australia. Scarborough Wines and Tyrrell's Wines have recently joined 12 other Hunter Valley certified SWA members who's sustainable philosophies an environmental management practices are now nationally recognised by the program.

List of Hunter Valley SWA Certified Members

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard

Brokenwood Vineyard, Brokenwood Wines

Margan Family Winegrowers Winery and Vineyard 

Marsh Vineyard and Soldiers Settler Vineyard of Agnew Wines

Pooles Rock Winery and Vineyard 

Scarborough Wine Co Vineyard and Scarborough on Hermitage Winery

Tyrrells Ashmans Winery and Tyrrells Hunter Valley. 

 

List of Hunter Valley SWA Members

Drury Lane Estate

Glenesk Vineyard

Mercer Wines

Mount Pleasant Estate Winery and Mount Pleasant Wines Vineyard

The Little Wine Company

Tamburlaine Hunter Valley Winery

Thomas Wines Winery

Tinklers Wines

Going Beyond 

Sustainability is a journey with continuous improvement at its heart. It’s a commitment to improving the environmental, social and economic aspects of a business and its impacts on the community around it – Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (2021 Impact Report)

As Sustainable Winegrowing Australia says it's not just about achieving what today's standard are, it is about constantly growing. Winemakers in the Hunter Valley are constantly looking to evolve and improve, just as we have done for almost 200 years. 

 "With cleaner and greener messaging, supported by an ethic of continuous improvement, wine businesses that adopt a culture of sustainability stand to benefit the most. The SWA program sets the foundations on which we can build Sustainability, or more aptly a pivot on which we can improve on our Sustainable outcomes as a wine business."

-Aaron Mercer, Mercer Wines

Read Aaron's article published by Wine Australia as part of the Future Leaders program