2017 HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The much anticipated line up of finalists for the 2017 Hunter Valley Legends & Wine Industry Awards has been announced.
This year's gala black tie Awards dinner will be held at Cypress Lakes Resort on Thursday, 25 May at 7pm.
The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association (HVWTA) is excited to announce this year's finalists in the categories of Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year and Cellar Door of the Year - Finalists listed in alphabetical order:
Cellar Door of the Year
• Bimbadgen Estate
• Briar Ridge Vineyard
• Glandore Estate Wines
• Gundog Hunter Cellar & Gourmet Pantry
• Hungerford Hill
• Margan Wines
• McWilliams Mount Pleasant
• Saddler's Creek Wines
• Thomas Wines
• Vinden Estate
• Wynwood Estate
Rising Star of the Year
• Rauri Donkin, Bimbadgen Estate
• Frank Fawkner, EXP Restaurant
• Annabel Holland, First Creek Winemaking Services
• Jessica McLeish, McLeish Estate Wines
• Brian Rooney, Pokolbin Village & Agnew Wines
• Ebony Tinkler, Usher Tinkler Wines
• Brett Woodward, Saddler's Creek Wines & Woodward Wines
Viticulturist of the Year
• Belinda Kelly, Briar Ridge Vineyard
• Andrew Pengilly, Tyrrell's Wines
Winemaker of the Year
• Matthew Burton, Gundog Estate
• Jim Chatto, McWilliams Mount Pleasant
• Stuart Hordern, Brokenwood Wines
• Mark Richardson, Tyrrell's Wines
• Mark Woods, Leogate Estate
A Hunter Valley Legend will also be inducted along with a winner from each of the above categories.