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

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Merralea Scarborough - The mother hen, chief cook, gardener, cellar door manager and so much more. Merralea defines the hard work ethic behind the Scarborough business. Originally from South Australia, she moved to the Hunter Valley in the 70's, with her husband Ian.

In the mid-1980's, Merralea worked in the hospitality industry, this experience helped hone her attention to detail and she fastidiously applied this in the Scarborough Cellar Door. Together, Merralea and Ian laid the groundwork for Scarborough Wine Co., and her continued vision and commitment to building a strong brand has contributed to its success.

A sports nut as much as a gardening nut, it she's not watching a test match, she's experimenting in the kitchen or playing canasta with the girls. She has a weakness for fine Champagne.

Merralea Scarborough was inducted as a Living Legend in 2021

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Philip Hele, OAM - His family have owned & operated the Hunter Valley Resort since 1991.

In 1994, he was an inaugural director of the Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation (HRTO) and chaired the organisation for a number of years.

Much of the 90's was spent overseas in the US, Europe and UK marketplaces ensuring the Hunter Valley was included in travel agent itineraries for visitors to Australia. Through the 2000's he did the same thing in the emerging Asian markets making sure there was significant international visitor dispersal from the Sydney source market into regional NSW, especially the Hunter region.

In 2001, he with 3 other Hunter business people, established the Bluetongue Brewery, the first truly regional craft brewery in NSW, Bluetongue going on to become the 6th largest brewery operation in Australia.

The Governor of NSW appointed him to the board of Tourism NSW in 2007. For the next 5 years whilst on the board, he represented the interests of Regional NSW businesses, securing a record $40 million for Regional NSW marketing. He was also a member of the Regional NSW Flagship Events board and Chairman of AVIC (this body responsible for the accreditation and marketing of all 176 Visitor Information Centres across NSW).

In 2011, he was appointed chairman of the Regional NSW Reference Group for the inaugural Visitor Economy Taskforce report to government recommending a completely new strategic direction for regional NSW visitor economy, and how regional NSW should be marketed through to 2020.

At the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards in Sydney, he was recognised with the award for Significant Contribution to NSW Tourism by an Individual.

In 2013, he rejoined the board of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association and remains a director to this day.

In the 2014 Queens Birthday Honours list, he was awarded an Order of Australia for Services to Australian Tourism and the Hunter Valley Community.

His latest venture is the new 4 Pines at the Farm taproom facility and associated Hunter Farm and Adventure Centre at his family's Hunter Valley Resort on Hermitage Road.

Philip Hele, OAM was inducted as a Living Legend in 2022.

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Iain Riggs, AM - Managing Director, Chief Winemaker and part owner of Brokenwood Wines, has taken Brokenwood from a small 'hobby' winery to the national and international arena. Iain's skills in white winemaking revolutionized Brokenwood, which, when he joined, only produced red wines. Brokenwood Wines is in its 35th vintage with Iain at the helm.

Born in Burra, South Australia, Iain took an early interest in winemaking. He studied at Roseworthy College between 1972 and 1975, followed by stints at both Bleasdale and Hazelmore in McLaren Vale. It was here that sparked his interest in varietal blending, soon becoming a pioneer of that now famous combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. At Hazelmore, the ambitious winemaker focused on white wines, and was crowned McLaren Vale Bushing King in 1982 with his multi trophy winning Chardonnay.

Iain’s strong interest in ‘improving the breed’ of Australian wine has seen him in many judging and chair roles. Some of his highlights include Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine Show and Associate Judge with the Sydney Royal Wine Show. He was an inaugural Board member of the Winemakers Federation of Australia, Vice President of the Australian Winemakers Forum, and Chair of the Technical Sub-committee. In late 2016, the Australian Women in Wine Awards recognised Iain and Brokenwood Wines as the Workplace Champion of Change for a long history of promoting women within the workplace.

In June of 2018, Iain was named as a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his significant service to oenology as a Winemaker, to the development of the Australian wine industry, and to the promotion of the Hunter Valley region.

Iain is the driving force behind Brokenwood's flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz and its promotion as a unique Single Vineyard Shiraz. Rated as Exceptional in the Langton's Classification of Australian Wine, it is still the only Hunter Valley Shiraz to feature. Iain is also a great promoter of Hunter Valley Semillon with the highly acclaimed Iain Leslie Riggs Reserve Semillon as the Brokenwood flagship white.

Iain Riggs was inducted as a Living Legend in 2021.