Maintaining a Strong Family Tradition

Savannah Estate lies at the gateway to beautiful Mount View, which boasts some of the most stunning views of the Hunter Valley.

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The Savannah Estate story began in 1964 when Ian and Shirley Peterson purchased an old dairy farm at Mount View intending to farm cattle. In 1971, ten acres of Semillon were planted to supply the nearby McWilliams winery. As they say – the rest is history.

As the vines flourished, new varieties were planted, and by 1981, 40 acres of vines had been planted consisting of Semillon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. In 1981, Petersons Wines was formed, and the cellar door in Mount View opened that same year, cementing the Peterson family as one of the early contributors to the Hunter Valley wine renaissance, which continues to this day. Today, Ian’s son, Colin, runs and manages the business, maintaining and building on his father’s legacy.

Savannah Estate was later established on a neighbouring property and named after Savannah Peterson - third-generation winemaker, granddaughter to Ian and Shirley Peterson and daughter to Colin and Judy Peterson, who involved their daughter Savannah in winemaking from an early age.

Savannah has since taken the helm of Savannah Estate, involved across all areas of the business and producing quality wines from small select parcels of premium fruit grown in renowned viticulture areas that best reflect their regionality and character.

Savannah embraces wine and food with the same intensity and passion as her forbears and is always hard at work with Gary Reed, who has been the Chief Winemaker across Savannah Estate and Petersons Wines for more than 30 years, to produce new and alternate varieties and styles that include Semillon, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Marsanne, Rose, Chambourcin, Durif, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz as well as a Sparkling White and Sparkling Malbec.

When you get to know the Peterson family history, it’s clear their wine isn’t produced in the pursuit of money, although it is profitable. Instead, it’s derived from the family’s passion and love for the winemaking industry and their close ties to the Hunter wine region.

“I can confidently say that I truly love what I do, and it never feels like work,” says Savannah.

“Making wine is less about business than it is a passion or a hobby. The fact that people buy our wine to take home and enjoy it – that’s our reward.”

Well positioned to keep the Peterson family wine legacy alive with fresh ideas, love and hard work – Savannah is uncompromising when it comes to consistency and quality.

“Consistency is key at Savannah Estate; wine trends may come and go, but quality will forever be in fashion.”

Maintaining her grandfather and father's tried and tested traditional techniques, Savannah is now focused on the 2022 vintage and steering the winery towards better and better wines with every vintage.