HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Christopher Barnes AM has worked in the Hunter Valley Wine Industry for 45 years. He began as Manager of Saxonvale Wines which planted 260 hectares of vineyard and built a 2000 tonne winery in the early 1970s, and in 1972 purchased Drayton’s Happy Valley cellar door sales.  He later planted his own vineyards in Pokolbin, and established Blaxlands Restaurant and wine sales.

Christopher was elected to the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association for 32 years and held the position of President for eight years.  He was President of the NSW Wine Industry Association for nine years, and represented NSW on the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia Executive.

He was also a founding member of the Hunter Tourism Organisation, Chairman of the NSW Licensing Committee for ten years, and a Director of the Hunter Economic Development Corporation.

He was awarded the Order of Australia AM in 2003, made the Hunter Living Legend in 2010, and awarded the NSW Government Graham Gregory Wine Award for 2014.

Christopher Barnes was inducted as a Legend in  2010.