The much-anticipated line up of finalists for the 2018 Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Awards has been announced.
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The winners will be announced at our Hunter Valley night of nights at Ben Ean on Thursday, May 24.
The wine and tourism industries will come together at this annual black-tie event to celebrate and honour our Living Legends and all those who help make our Hunter Valley great.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association is proud to announce the 2018 finalists in the categories of Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year and Cellar Door of the Year and wish all involved the best of luck!
A Hunter Valley Wine Legend and Tourism Legend will also be inducted this year and both are in recognition for the significant contribution of individuals to the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Industry. It is the first time that the Tourism Legend Award will be announced at these awards.
A record 12 cellar doors are named finalists this year (judged by mystery shoppers) while the rising star, viticulturist and winemaker of the year are all judged by industry, media and guest judges.
The 2018 finalists are:
Cellar Door of the Year: Audrey Wilkinson, Bimbadgen, Cockfighter’s Ghost, Hungerford Hill Wines, Leogate Estate Wines, Margan Family Wines, Mount Pleasant Wines, Saddler’s Creek Wines, Small Winemakers Centre, Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Two Rivers Wines and Vinden Estate Wines.
Rising Star of the Year: Shannon Burgess-Moore (De Iuliis Wines), Aaron Mercer (Tamburlaine Organic Wines), Kate Sturgess (Brokenwood Wines), Angus Vinden (Vinden Estate Wines) and Brett Woodward (Saddler’s Creek Wines and Woodward’s Wines).
Viticulturist of the Year: Edward (Ted) Nicolai (McLeish Estate), Neil Stevens (Glen Oak Wines) and Philip Swannell (Pokolbin Estate and Belebula Vineyards).
Winemaker of the Year: Stuart Hordern (Brokenwood Wines) and Brett Woodward (Saddler’s Creek Wines and Woodward’s Wines).
- Jo Thomas is general manager of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association