Scarborough Wine Co leads the way at Hunter Valley wine awards

Scarborough Wine Co was awarded the inaugural 2021 Hunter Valley Award for Innovation at the 2021 Hunter Valley Legends & Wine Industry Awards on Thursday evening for its clever and market leading winery experiences created as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. 

The winery was also awarded Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year, an award judged by a mystery shopper and rated against its peers on the shopper’s experience across all areas of service, compliance, staff knowledge and visitor experience. it is the first time in more than a decadeScarborough previously won Cellar Door of the Year in 2009.

Head of the winery,  Merralea Scarborough was named 2021 Hunter Valley Tourism Industry Living Legend for her more than 30 years service to the local industry and their viticulturist Liz Riley tied with Scott Bartlett from Tyrrell’s for the 2021 Hunter Valley Award for Excellence.

The 2021 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend is Ian Riggs AM who has recently retired after more than 30 years at the helm of Brokenwood as managing director and winemaker and worked.

Andrew Margan of Margan Wines was named 2021 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year having consistently produced outstanding wines year upon year. Margan Wines has been recognised as 5 Star winery by James Halliday every single year since 2009.

“What I like to think I bring to the table in this ultra-competitive wine world is the important connection between growing our own grapes and making our own wine. Over more than 40 vintages I have developed my own unique style of winemaking. I make wines of structure, balance, elegance and texture. Wines that speak of their variety and the soil in which they are grown. And importantly, wines with their own sense of place.” says Andrew Margan.

“What I like to think I bring to the table in this ultra-competitive wine world is the important connection between growing our own grapes and making our own wine. Over more than 40 vintages I have developed my own unique style of winemaking. I make wines of structure, balance, elegance and texture. Wines that speak of their variety and the soil in which they are grown. And importantly, wines with their own sense of place,” said Margan.

Nicole Wilson was named 2021 Hunter Valley Rising Star of the Year and the Viticulturist of the Year was awarded to Steve Ferguson of Mount Pleasant Wines. Steve has displayed a commitment to restoring vines that were planted as early as 1880 which earned him this recognition.