THE who’s who of the Hunter Valley food and wine world came together on Thursday night at the Cypress Lakes Ballroom for a gala event celebrating the highly-anticipated announcement of the 2017 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend.
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Now in its 11th year, the prestigious honour is awarded to a winemaker who has been contributing significantly to the Hunter Valley Wine Industry for at least 30 years.
In 2017, the revered ‘Living Legend’ status was given to Ian Tinkler, who has been growing grapes and producing premium quality wines on his Pokolbin family properties for more than 35 years.
He is also the 2009 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year, an award recognising vineyards as reaching iconic status under the quality care of the recipient.
As a Living Legend, Mr Tinkler is in prestigious company, with past winners including Ian Scarborough, Brian McGuigan, Bruce Tyrrell and Jay Tulloch.
Hosted by Australian food and wine luminary Lyndey Milan OAM, this year’s event was once again an incredible night of fine wine, mouth-watering food and sparkling conversation as the industry gathered to honour its legends – past, present and future – who make Australia’s oldest wine region the very special place it is today.
Hunter Valley Legend Jay Tulloch presented Mr Tinkler with his award and thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the industry.
“Hunter Valley Wine Country - right on the doorstep of the gateway to Sydney – has gained international recognition as a premier wine and food destination thanks to the hard work, research and caretaking by industry stalwarts like Ian and we thank him for that,” Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association chairman George Souris said.
“The Hunter Valley is the oldest and most visited wine region in Australia by overseas tourists, supporting almost 3000 jobs and contributing $594million annually to the local economy.
“It certainly has a lot to boast about.”
Other award winners on the night were:
Rising Star of the Year - Rauri Donkin (Bimbadgen Estate)
Viticulturist of the Year - Andrew Pengilly (Tyrrell’s Wines)
Cellar Door of the Year - Thomas Wines
Winemaker of the Year - Mark Richardson (Tyrrell’s Wines)
Heritage Awards – Rothbury Cemetery
HV Award for Excellence - Bruce Tyrrell – (Tyrrell’s Wines)
