Here's to coming together
Enjoy more of what we do best, at one-of-a-kind wine and food events, festivals with real regional flavour, live performances in vineyard ambiance, markets you’ll delight in foraging, and fun with a wow-factor for kids.
With budburst comes concert season in Spring – Thrill to the air of anticipation that arrives with Spring sunshine, grape vines bursting to life, and the return of the concert season. Think beer and blues, gin and jazz, seeing rock legends under starlit skies, and symphonies alfresco with a signature Hunter Valley Semillon in hand.
The vintage buzz brings Summer alive – Arguably the most exciting time to immerse yourself in intimate events hosted by local vineyards in the throws of vintage, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Summer. Our holiday season highlight is the Southern Hemisphere’s most extravagant display of Christmas lights.
Exhilarating outdoor Autumn events – As the vine leaves turn, a time of celebrating starts, with harvest lunches, must-do masterclasses and cooking workshops that will have you hungering for Hunter-grown produce.
We’re in our element over Winter – That chill in the air is a sure sign it’s time for epicurean adventures in Hunter Valley Wine Country! The allure of a crackling woodfire and iconic Shiraz is made all the more irresistible by the wine and food experiences you’ll warm to, all Winter.
VINTAGE 2023 SHARED BY HUNTER VALLEY WINE COMMUNITY
It's vintage time! Follow the hashtags #huntervalleywine, #v23 and #vintage23 to get the inside scoop on how Hunter Valley vintage 2023 is progressing. Below is a sneak peak of all the action.
Want to get amongst the harvest action with grape picking, foot stomping and behind the scene tours of wineries? Watch this space for upcoming Picking and Stomping events!
UNCORKED BALMORAL 2024
The Hunter Valley is returning for Uncorked Balmoral on the 20th October 2024.
Stay up to date by signing up to our mailing list and following on socials @huntervalley @uncorkedbalmoral
Segways
HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS
Neil McGuigan - CEO and Chief Winemaker. Neil is passionate about delivering innovative, quality wine to the world, and his commitment and dedication to winemaking is evident in the entire Australian Vintage portfolio and is paramount in his role as Chief Winemaker for the McGuigan brand.
Neil McGuigan first rose to fame in 1985 when restaurateur and wine merchant, Jonnie Walker referred to Neil as "the most brilliant young winemaker of his time".
Neil has lived up to these expectations by leading the McGuigan Wines Team to the prestigious title of International Winemaker of the Year and Australian Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, London in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2016, becoming the first and only winemaker in the competition's 48 year history to win this award four times. Alongside this, Neil and the winemaking team were also crowned International White Winemaker of the Year in 2009, 2012 and 2013 at the International Wine Challenge, London.
Neil McGuigan is one of Australia's foremost winemakers and brings over 30 years' experience in the wine industry to Australian Vintage and McGuigan Wines.
Growing up in a family of winemakers in the Hunter Valley, naturally led Neil to pursue a career in winemaking and viticulture. After studying and graduating with a degree in Oenology in South Australia, Neil joined his eldest brother, Brian as a winemaker at Wyndham Estate where he established his career, eventually moving into the role of Group Production Director.
From there, he worked with Brian and his other brother, Ross, to establish the McGuigan Bothers label. Neil then stepped out on his own, becoming part owner and winemaker for Briar Ridge Vineyard, building on of the most sought-after vineyards in the Hunter Valley. His next challenge took him to Rothbury Estate in the role of General Manager/Chief Winemaker for four years, before he re-joined his brother Brian at McGuigan Simeon Wines (now Australian Vintage) as General Manager of Production and Wine Supply in 2004.
As an internationally acclaimed winemaker with extensive experience and insight into the wine industry, Neil is a respected wine judge at national and international competitions and events.
Neil was appointed CEO of Australian Vintage in July 2010, and was named President of the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2015 - the fourth Australian in the Competition's history.
Neil's passion remains winemaking and his philosophy has always been; 'make the wine the hero'.
Neil McGuigan was inducted as a Living Legend in 2022
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