The Hunter Valley region has had another night of celebration this week, with the 12 annual Hunter Valley Legends & Wine Industry Awards, which were held at the newly renovated Ben Ean, Lindeman’s Estate.
This year’s prestigious Wine Legend award was presented to Greg Walls, a 40-year stalwart of the industry. Walls established the Hunter Valley Wine Society in 1975, later evolving to Wine Selectors, which has helped to take Hunter Valley wines all over Australia.
The Tourism Legend award went to Robert and Sally Molines, who have supported the wine industry with their restaurants for over 45 years, most recently at their one-hatted restaurant Bistro Molines at Tallavera Grove in Mount View.
In the evening’s other awards, Stuart Hordern (pictured) of Brokenwood Wines was named Winemaker of the Year; Neil Stevens of Glen Oak Wines was named Viticulturist of the Year; Aaron Mercer of Tamburlaine Wines was named as the Rising Star of the Year; Margan Wines won Cellar Door of the Year and the 2018 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Heritage Award was given to Drayton’s Bellevue Wine Label.
Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association Vice President, Brian McGuigan congratulated all the winners, noting their contributions to an industry which had reaped international recognition as a premier wine and food destination because of the hard work of its many passionate custodians.
‘The Hunter Valley is the oldest and most visited wine region in Australia by overseas tourists and its incredible wines have found their way into the homes of many others, thanks to the hard work and vision of all our winners,’ Mr McGuigan said.