THE 2017 Hunter Valley Living Legend has been awarded to leading viticulturist Ian Tinkler for his significant contribution to the Hunter Valley wine industry for more than three decades. Tinkler worked for the Primary Industry Department and was instrumental in helping to form the first Hunter Valley Viticultural Improvement Society before moving into wine production with his own winery at Pokolbin. “We built a winery and stuffed our weekends!” he quipped during his acceptance speech at the black tie dinner in the Hunter in late May. Also recognised were the local stars of the wine industry. Rising Star of the Year went to Rauri Donkin of Bimbadgen Estate; Viticulturist of the Year was Andrew Pengilly (Tyrrell’s Wines); Cellar Door of the Year went to Thomas Wines; Winemaker of the Year was awarded to Mark Richardson (Tyrrell’s Wines) and the Hunter Valley Award for Excellence was awarded to Bruce Tyrrell (Tyrrell’s Wines).
The Rothbury Cemetery, the final resting place for so many of the valley’s pioneering men and women, was awarded the Heritage Award.
LEGEND STATUS
by production / Comments Off on LEGEND STATUS / 81 View / September 1, 2017