HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS

Ken Bray - Widely regarded as the Hunter Valley’s leading viticulturist, Ken has been responsible for tending some of the regions’ most cherished vineyards for almost 40 years.

Born and raised in the Hunter, Ken has been committed to the industry since beginning his career at Penfolds as a picking tally clerk.

In 1970 when Wyndham Estate was re-founded, Ken was one of the first three employees, which also included Brian McGuigan and Claude Lennard (Fay’s father).  Over the next few years Ken carried out a diverse range of vineyard and winemaking tasks.  Ken was then contracted in 1973 to carry out his first winemaking Vintage at Pokolbin Winemakers (today known as Wynwood).  In the latter part of ‘73, as part of the Wyndham consultancy team, the Chateau Douglas, Saxonvale and Hunter Estate wineries were built. 

In 1974 Ken started working at Hunter Estate until it closed 4 years later. At this time, Ken returned to Wyndham Estate as the Production Manager.  In 1980 Ken and his wife Chris started their own viticulture contracting business, and purchased the Braemore Vineyard in 1992. Ken still manages this business today as well as guesthouse, the Grange on Hermitage. 

Ken has been a committee member to both the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association and the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association from 1997 to 2013.  He served as Secretary to the Association in both 2012 and 2013, and has served on the Viticulture Sub-Committee from 1997 to 2013, where he has had involvement in a multitude of large and small seminars and workshops, and the procurement of research funding grants.

Ken Bray was inducted as as a Legend in 2015.