Five Hunter Valley producers have made the Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2027 shortlist.
One of them - Adrian Sparks, chief winemaker at Mount Pleasant Wines - is in the running for winemaker of the year.
The other Hunter Valley finalists are Louise Eather (Tyrrell's, viticulturist of the year); Thomas Wines (best value winery); and Mercer Wines and Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard (dark horse winery of the year).
Interestingly, this year tiny micro-producers are going head-to-head with established, household-name wineries for the top prizes. Small-batch winemakers make up roughly half of the shortlist.
The Halliday tasting team reviewed 7520 wines from 1033 wineries to determine this year's shortlist. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on August 19.
Mount Pleasant general manager Phil Ryan said the shortlisting of Adran Sparks for winemaker of the year "speaks to more than 25 years of dedication, a deep love of the Hunter Valley, and achievements that include Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, multiple NSW Wine of the Year titles, and a string of near-perfect scores from Australia's most respected critics".
"For those of us at the heart of Mount Pleasant, it comes as no surprise, Adrian has been consistently making some of the best wines in the country," he continued.
"Adrian has been the steady hand through some of the most challenging years the estate has ever faced. He made the hard calls, held the line on quality, and had the courage to strip things back and focus on what truly sets Mount Pleasant apart.
"What he's built here over the last decade is something genuinely special."
The Dark Horse award celebrates producers "that are not as commonly talked about as they should be, yet are wildly deserving of recognition". Krinklewood was recognised by Toni Paterson MW, who praised both the quality of the wines and the clarity of the estate's winemaking philosophy.
"Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard is a name that all wine lovers should know," she said.
"Its high-quality wines speak with clarity and confidence, expressing the land in which they are grown and the skill and insight of the winemaker, Valentina Moresco, who makes thoroughly modern styles with flair.
"The wines are immediately inviting from the first pour, with fruit freshness at the fore, enhanced by astute winemaking decisions that add depth and interest without clouding the inherent essence of the fruit."
Krinklewood owner and sustainability advocate Oscar Martin said the nomination was a proud moment not only for Krinklewood, but for the wider Hunter Valley wine community.
"We're incredibly proud to be representing a region that continues to produce some of Australia's most exciting wines while demonstrating that organic and biodynamic farming can stand alongside the very best in the country," he said.
"We hope recognition like this inspires more producers to embrace regenerative practices, care for the land and continue pushing Australian wine forward."
The Hunter Valley's other Dark Horse finalist was Mercer Wines.
"In a region defined by legacy, tradition and established names, Aaron and Alison Mercer have forged a distinctive and progressive path, championing alternative varieties and exploring the sites where they best flourish," Halliday tasting team member Shanteh Wale said.
"Their innovation, sustainability and commitment to producing site-driven wines makes Mercer Wines my nomination for Dark Horse Winery of the Year."
Alison and Aaron Mercer founded Mercer Wines in 2020.
"Six years in, and moments like this remind you why you started," said Aaron.
"This is not just about one wine or one winemaker. It is about everything the team has built together, and we are incredibly proud of that."
Added Alison: "To be shortlisted alongside Krinklewood and other more established brands is humbling. We are a small team, in a region full of legends, and we do not take that lightly."
The shortlist adds to a strong period of recognition for Mercer Wines, including Best Single Varietal Red in Australia for the 2024 Tempranillo at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, and Top Gold for their Limited Release Chardonnay at the 2026 National Wine Show. The winery has collected more than 45 trophies in five years of competition.
The Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is less than a fortnight away and could be the biggest and best yet.
It's all happening at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Lovedale, on Saturday, July 11.
This year the festival starts a night early, with the inaugural Beyond the Pour Dinner on July 10 featuring the talents of chefs Matt Dillow (Deck Cafe), Ran Kimelfeld (Gather) and Frank Fawkner (EXP. restaurant). Yarra Valley wine influencer Brenden Robnik will emcee the three-course dinner which includes sparkling wine and canapes on arrival. Tickets are $149 and on sale now at huntervalleywinefestival.com.
The list of winemakers attending on the Saturday keeps growing. More than 35 have now been confirmed, including Allandale Winery, Brokenwood Wines, First Creek Wines, Hungerford Hill Wines, Margan Wines, Petersons Family Wines, Bimbadgen, Gartelmann Wines and Gundog Estate.
Brewers and distillery representatives will also be present, and there will be plenty of food options to choose from.
Masterclasses are available as add-ons to general tickets and must be booked in advance. These will include a dumpling and wine pairing hosted by Latitude 32 Wines; a beer and cider pairing with Sydney Brewery and Hunter Belle; and an interactive cocktail masterclass with Pants Off Distillery. There will also be live entertainment throughout the day and children can enjoy train rides, a jumping castle, face painting and much more.
Have a swing with Golf Daze and you could win the $50,000 Hole-in-One Challenge.
There's plenty of parking on site, or you can leave the car at home and let Sip & Trip pick you up from various locations in Newcastle and East Maitland.
Festival accommodation packages are available for the Friday and Saturday nights, including accommodation, breakfast, entry to the festival and a tasting glass.
If you're a woman and you work in the wine, tourism or hospitality industries, Hunter EmpowHER Association wants to hear from you.
This grassroots, not-for-profit association is run by a committee of local volunteer women and raises money to help remove the financial barriers preventing women from advancing their careers through education and professional training.
Funding of up to $3000 is available, which can be used to fund courses, workshops or certifications, attendance at industry conferences or events, or professional development programs.
The grants can also help with staff development during challenging trading conditions for small business in the hospitality, wine and tourism industries.
Applications close on Monday, July 6. Go to hunterempowher.org.
Sunday roasts are back in style. Gravy, potatoes, the works.
Every Sunday during winter at The Del on Newcastle's Darby Street, for example, you can choose from porchetta, roast grass-fed sirloin or a half-rotisserie chicken served with all the trimmings for $30.
Martha at Belmont 16s has a Sunday porchetta deal, at Jimmy Joans in Lovedale roasts fly off the pass on a Sunday (especially when the locals pop in for a feed), and The Colliery Inn at Wallsend has long been famous for its roasts. Other options (and there are many) include The Stag & Hunter at Mayfield, Customs House Hotel in Newcastle, The Lucky Hotel and The Albion Hotel. I'm told Gallipoli House and Newcastle's Grand Hotel are worth visiting, too.
Blanca on Newcastle's Honeysuckle strip has introduced a Mediterranean take on the traditional Sunday roast. At the centre of the feast is a slow-cooked 3.5kg Tasmanian lamb leg, seasoned with Blanca's signature Mediterranean spices and served with roasted peppers, charred eggplant, zucchini, lemon potatoes, whole-roasted garlic, charred lemon, roasted pepper and Blanca's signature tzatziki. Bookings require 24 hours notice.
McLeish Estate, renowned for its award-winning semillon, is celebrating all things Scottish at the vineyard's annual Hunter Highland Lunch on September 12.
The festivities begin at 11am with performances by Maitland Pipes and Drums, highland dancers, and a traditional caber-tossing competition, followed by a three-course lunch paired with current and museum release wine from McLeish Estate.
An event at McLeish Estate is always a lot of fun.
Tickets are $240 per person and on sale now at mcleishestatewines.com.au. A bus transfer is available from Newcastle.
