Brokenwood Wines Winery of the Year and Hunter Valley Icon
- Liane Morris
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Few names in Australian wine carry the weight, respect, and recognition of Brokenwood Wines.
A cornerstone of the Hunter Valley since 1970, Brokenwood has evolved from a humble weekend venture into one of the country’s most awarded and admired wineries, all while staying true to a simple guiding philosophy: make great wine and have fun.
That philosophy has never felt more fitting than now, as Brokenwood celebrates an extraordinary run of accolades, including Winery of the Year in the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards and Cellar Door of the Year at the 2025 Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Together, they confirm what locals, members and wine lovers have long known: Brokenwood is a must-visit destination and a benchmark for excellence in Australian wine.
Brokenwood’s story began in 1970 when three Sydney solicitors, James Halliday, John Beeston, and Tony Albert, purchased ten acres in Pokolbin, paying a then-record $970 an acre. Originally earmarked as a cricket ground, the site instead became the foundation of what would grow into one of Australia’s most respected wine labels.
“They didn’t know much about viticulture at the time,” says Chief Winemaker Stuart Hordern. “It was a passion project, something they worked on during weekends. But from the very beginning, there was curiosity, ambition and a willingness to learn.”
The first vintage was made in 1973 and famously transported to Rothbury Estate in the boot of Len Evans’ Bentley. By 1975, the original winery and cellar door were built, and Brokenwood had begun its steady ascent. Although James Halliday sold his share in the early 1980s, the vision set by the founding team - a focus on quality, regional expression, and curiosity about winemaking has remained central to Brokenwood’s identity.
“Brokenwood has always been more than just a winery,” Stuart reflects.
“It’s been a training ground for so many talented winemakers and hospitality professionals over the years. We’ve invested in every aspect of the business, and a number of people who’ve spent time here have gone on to become some of Australia’s most highly acclaimed wine industry leaders, including several Masters of Wine. It’s something we’re really proud of, knowing that our commitment to excellence and mentorship helps shape the next generation while also strengthening our own team and culture.”
A cornerstone of Brokenwood’s success is the Graveyard Vineyard, the winery’s crown jewel and a symbol of its enduring pursuit of excellence. Originally planted by Hungerford Hill in 1968 and purchased by Brokenwood a decade later, the 15-hectare site was once intended as a cemetery for the Parish of Pokolbin - a plan that never came to fruition but gave the vineyard its evocative name. Today, it is planted entirely to Shiraz, grown in heavy clay soils that produce wines of remarkable depth, structure, and longevity, earning it a Langton’s 1st Classified rating - the highest possible recognition for an Australian vineyard.
Brokenwood released its first single-vineyard selection from the Graveyard in 1983, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues today, with close attention to detail in both vineyard management and winemaking. Long-serving vineyard manager, the late Keith Barry, who was appointed to the role in 1991 after joining Brokenwood earlier, played a pivotal role in guiding the vineyard to its current standing through more than three decades of careful stewardship.
Today, that responsibility sits with Katrina Barry, Keith’s daughter, who now leads vineyard management across Brokenwood’s Hunter Vineyards. Having grown up around the Graveyard and worked alongside her father for many years, Katrina brings deep site knowledge and continuity to the role, ensuring the character of the vineyard is preserved while meeting the demands of modern viticulture.
“The Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz isn’t just our signature wine,” Stuart says. “It’s a benchmark for the Hunter Valley and for Australian Shiraz.”
That reputation is backed by an extraordinary list of accolades, including Wine of the Year at the 2021 Halliday Wine Companion Awards for the 2018 vintage and Best Australian Shiraz at the International Wine Challenge in London for the 2017 vintage.
Excitement is also building around a new Graveyard planting, using genetic material taken from the original vineyard, with the first crop expected in 2027.
“Anyone in agriculture has to think long-term,” Stuart says. “Some of the vines we work with date back to 1899. Our role is stewardship, leaving Brokenwood in a better place than we found it.”
Success at Brokenwood has always been about more than vineyards; it’s about people and continuity. That philosophy is embodied today by Chief Winemaker Stuart Hordern, who joined Brokenwood in 2009 and has become only the second chief winemaker in the winery’s history. Working closely with long-time winemaker Kate Sturgess, who joined in 2015 and was promoted in 2019, Hordern has led the next chapter of Brokenwood with a steady hand, deep regional understanding and a collaborative mindset.
While Iain Riggs laid the foundations over nearly four decades, championing Hunter Valley Semillon and establishing benchmarks such as the ILR Reserve Semillon, Hordern has built confidently on that legacy, refining style, maintaining precision, and guiding the wines into a modern era without losing their DNA. Described by Halliday Wine Companion as a “winemaking dream team,” Stuart and Kate were both finalists for Halliday Winemaker of the Year 2026, a powerful endorsement of their shared vision, consistency and leadership at one of Australia’s most respected wineries.
“Our success isn’t down to one person,” Stuart says. “It’s about the team, past and present. Everyone leaves a little stamp, and our job is to build on that legacy year by year. We’re not chasing revolution; we’re focused on evolution.”
That philosophy extends to how Brokenwood approaches its wines.
“We source fruit from the Hunter Valley, Orange, McLaren Vale, Beechworth, Coonawarra, and the Central Ranges - all the right regions, for all the right reasons,” Stuart explains.
“Multi-region blending allows us to choose the site that best suits the style of wine we want to make. Our house style is all about varietal expression, fruit-forward elegance, and persistence - gentle winemaking so the region can shine through. It’s a careful balance of precision, patience, and respect for the grapes, and it’s central to everything we do.”
While Brokenwood has long been highly regarded for its wines, 2018 marked a defining moment in its visitor experience. An $8 million cellar door redevelopment transformed the estate into a contemporary, immersive destination capable of welcoming up to 250,000 visitors a year. The 1,400-square-metre building opened in December 2018 and won Best Cellar Door at the Hunter Valley Legends Awards just five months later.
“The goal was to create something experiential,” says Venue Manager Susie Daniels.
“We wanted guests to feel relaxed, welcomed, and genuinely connected to the wines. Our circular tasting pods create immersive, guided tasting experiences, while the Terrace Wine Bar offers a more casual option, with self-guided wine flights, cheese boards, oysters and ciabatta, all to be enjoyed in the sunshine!”
The visitor experience is anchored by The Wood Restaurant, led by Executive Chef Sean Townsend, whose menu is built around seasonal, local produce. Recently renovated, the restaurant now features an open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the chefs at work. State-of-the art wood-fired grills and live flames have been added to build flavour and complexity in the food, which complements the Brokenwood wines.
Together, the cellar door, wine bar, and restaurant create a destination where guests can spend an entire day, or return again and again, without ever feeling rushed.
The announcement of Brokenwood as the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year in August 2025 marked a pinnacle moment. Of the 18 wines reviewed, 16 scored 95 points or above, including the 2023 Graveyard Shiraz, which received 99 points and was described as “a benchmark of the region."
“Our success isn’t down to one person,” Stuart says. “Quality never goes out of style. There’s something very satisfying when recognition comes with time.”
Brokenwood has also been shortlisted for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW President’s Medal, a national award recognising excellence across agriculture, sustainability, and business operations.
“It’s a national award that looks at the whole business, not just the wine,” Stuart says. “The judges go through everything from vineyard practices, sustainability, energy use, financials, to how you engage with your community. We’re the only wine company shortlisted, alongside producers from cheese, oysters, fruit juice and beef. It’s incredibly humbling and tells us we’re getting the fundamentals right, not just in the glass, but across every part of the business.”
Brokenwood’s dominance has also been felt across regional and capital wine shows, particularly for Hunter Valley Semillon, with multiple trophies, gold medals, and best-in-show awards reinforcing the winery’s mastery of the variety.
Beyond tasting rooms and awards, Brokenwood is defined by its people and the experiences it offers. Hands-on member events such as Get Your Hands Dirty in February, and the legendary Graveyard Launch in May bring guests into the heart of winemaking, with grape picking, stomping, long lunches and live music creating memories as enduring as the wines themselves.
“Brokenwood is a place where everyone can connect, whether it’s through the wine, the food, or the history,” Stuart says. “We want people to leave feeling part of something special, knowing they’ve experienced the estate, the wines, and the people behind it all.” For those visiting the Hunter Valley, Brokenwood isn’t just a stop along the way; it’s a destination in its own right.
From world-class wines and award-winning hospitality to immersive experiences and deep rooted history, Brokenwood Wines continues to set the standard for what an Australian winery can be, where excellence feels effortless, and everyone is welcomed as part of the story.
Right now, if you’re looking to visit the best winery in Australia and the best cellar door in the Hunter Valley, there’s no other answer other than to head straight to Brokenwood! Visit www.brokenwood.com.au.
