OUR HISTORY
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine producing area, with wine made continuously in the region since the 1830’s. However the region languished during the early 20th century until a new generation of wineries was established in the 1960’s. One of the most prominent of these was Hungerford Hill, established in 1967, deriving its name from the Hungerford family’s grazing property on which the vineyard was planted.
Hungerford Hill made its first vintage in 1970, and went on to build Australia’s first wine tourism complex in 1972. Hungerford Hill became one of the largest grape growers in the Hunter Valley, with varieties including Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir. Hungerford Hill then expanded to Coonawarra in South Australia, planting one of the biggest vineyards in the region, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.
During the 1980’s and 90’s the Australian wine industry gained international recognition, but several changes in ownership and the sale of the winery complex as well as the Coonawarra and Hunter vineyards left Hungerford Hill without a vision and without a home, and sales languished.
In 2002 the Hungerford Hill brand was acquired by the Kirby family, best known for their James N Kirby engineering business. In 2003 the Kirby family purchased a new home for Hungerford Hill - a stunning new complex at the gateway to the Hunter Valley. Incorporating a state of the art partially underground winery, a tasting room, Restaurant & Cafe as well as 11 acres of Shiraz and Cabernet vineyard. With its new home as a graphic symbol of its new direction, Hungerford Hill is now recognised as an icon of the Hunter Valley wine landscape.
In 2008 Hungerford Hill partnered with another Australian icon as the official wine partner of Sydney Opera House.
“We welcome you to share in our passion for wine.”
James Kirby
