The 2015 finalists of the annual and esteemed Hunter Valley Legends Awards have been announced. The awards, now in their ninth year, celebrate and recognise those who have made major contributions and excelled within the region’s wine and tourism industries.

Finalists of this year’s awards fall into four categories – Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year and Cellar Door of the Year.

Gwyn Olsen from Briar Ridge Vineyard; Liz Jackson, First Creek Wines; Matt Burton, Gundog Estate; Michael De Iuliis, De Iuliis Wines; and Rodney Kempe, Lakes Folly are this year’s finalists for the Winemaker of the Year title. The award will acknowledge just one of these finalists’ outstanding work as winemaker. Last year’s Winemaker of the Year was awarded to Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines for his passion and success in winemaking.

Alongside Winemaker of the Year, Rising Star of the Year recognises an aspiring star of the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries. The Rising Star of the Year will be someone from winemaking, vineyard management, marketing or sales, who has made an outstanding contribution over the last 12 months, showing results and achievements in their work. Finalists for this award are repeated finalist Gwyn Olsen from Briar Ridge Vineyard; Rauri Donkin, Bimbadgen; Stuart Hordern, Brokenwood Wines; and joint finalists Troy & Megan from Muse Restaurant & Muse Kitchen.

Similarly, Viticulturist of the Year recognises the outstanding work of a viticulturist from the region. The winner of this award must have worked with vineyards that have achieved single vineyard status and undertaken research and development to improve the quality of their land. Finalists include Andrew Margan, Margan Family Wines; Belinda Kelly, Tallavera Grove Vineyard – Davis Premium Vineyards; and Paul Harvey, McWilliams Mt. Pleasant.

Awarded to Tulloch Wines in 2014, Cellar Door of the Year recognises a winery that provides excellent customer service at its cellar door, in particular a winery that influences customers’ perceptions of the region through its premise. This year’s finalists for the award include Bimbadgen; De Iuliis Wines; McGuigan Wines; McLeish Estate; Pepper Tree Wines; and Tyrrell’s Wines.

Finally this year’s awards will additionally see the induction of the 2015 Living Legend into the Hunter Valley Hall of Fame. This prestigious title recognises an individual who has contributed a lifetime of service to the Hunter Valley in their career. In 2014, Kevin Sobels was inducted as a Living Legend at the awards.

Winners of each of the categories will be announced later in May (28) at a black tie awards presentation at Brokenwood Wines, judged by a panel of past winners, industry leaders and guest media judge, Mike Bennie.

Above: Kevin Sobels, 2014 Living Legend.