THE GRAPEVINE BLOG
Looking for the latest news, stories, tips and local knowledge to help plan your trip? Discover what is happening on the Hunter Valley Grapevine.
Sommeliers from leading Sydney restaurants and hospitality groups descended on the Hunter Valley for a hands-on, immersive two-day “Backstage” vintage experience. Kicking off with a masterclass hosted by industry legends Andrew Thomas, Andrew Spinaze and Iain Riggs, flagship Semillon vineyards including Thomas Braemore Vineyard, Mount Pleasant Love
The 2026 Hunter Valley Vintage opened at Mount Pleasant, where 80 local wine industry members joined Wonnarua Elder, Warren Taggart for a Smoking Ceremony - deeply rooted in 60,000 years of indigenous culture. As the first wine region in Australia to adopt the practice, sacred ancient symbols were used to bless the vintage with smouldering eucalypt
On paper, this might be the worst possible time to launch a new wine brand. Economic pressures, shifting drinking habits and a wine glut all should ring alarm bells. Yet at the inaugural “Valley Rising” festival, thirteen emerging Hunter Valley producers gathered to show that invention, belief and ambition are alive and well in Australia’s most his