Thirty Years of Good Taste: Gartelmann Celebrates Three Decades
- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
There are wineries that make good wine, and then there are wineries that make a place feel like home. Gartelmann Wines and The Deck Café Lovedale, huddled side by side along Lovedale Road in the heart of the Hunter Valley, have always been both, and as Gartelmann marks its 30th anniversary in 2026, the estate is doing so with the kind of quiet confidence that only comes from decades of doing things right.
Founded in 1996 by Jan and Jorg Gartelmann, the winery has grown from a boutique family operation into one of the Hunter Valley's most celebrated wine producers, collecting awards, loyal members and admirers along the way. Now, six years into the stewardship of chef, restaurateur and Managing Director Matt Dillow, Gartelmann is not just honouring its past, it is building boldly on it.
"I bought their dream," says Matt, who also owns and operates the beloved Deck Café.
"I'm incredibly proud to keep that legacy alive and to build on what Jan and Jorg created. We've kept the family naming tradition for the wines and added my own family members to the growing list. Everything we do is about respect - for the people who came before us, for our team, and for the guests who walk through the gates." That respect is embedded in every detail, from the award-winning wines bearing the names of real people to the warmth that greets visitors at the cellar door.
The 30th anniversary will be marked in style. On October 10, Gartelmann will host its official anniversary celebration, and the centrepiece promises to be something truly spectacular. A brand-new magpie sculpture created by original artist Chris Fussell, who has come out of retirement especially for the occasion, will be unveiled on the day, installed on a pole rising three to four metres above the water at the centre of the dam. The work honours the iconic magpie that has long stood at the estate's entrance on Lovedale Road, and speaks to the winery's ongoing sense of identity and evolution. A preview of the sculpture will take place at the Mid-Winter Festival for members and their guests on July 25 and 26.
On the wine front, the anniversary year is bringing with it a wave of new releases and fresh energy. Operations Manager Jimmy Smith, who brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the role, has been instrumental in guiding the winery through a period of significant growth, expanding the range with new varietals, regions and styles while maintaining the approachability that has always defined Gartelmann's character.
"We're creating wines that are palate-pleasing and food-friendly, "Jimmy explains. "They have the complexity to win awards, but they're also immediately enjoyable with softer tannins, great balance and no need to cellar them for years."
The results speak for themselves. The 2024 Lisa Reserve Chardonnay claimed the trophy for Best 2024 Chardonnay at the 2025 Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show, and if early whispers are to be believed, the best may still be to come.
Then there is the Del's Picpoul, a wine that has been turning heads and collecting gold medals in equal measure. The 2024 vintage won a Gold Medal at the NSW Wine Awards, a Gold Medal at the 2025 Australian Winewise Championship, and received a 95/100 rating from James Halliday, the highest in Australia for the variety. Celebrated wine writer Toni Paterson MW called it "one of the most interesting wines of the year." The 2025 vintage is now available in the cellar door and online at $50 RRP.
Beyond the wines themselves, Gartelmann's 2026 calendar reflects a winery deeply engaged with its community and audience. July brings Duck Sensations, a four-course degustation with matching wines held fireside at the cellar door, limited to just 20 guests per session each Friday evening throughout the month.
On July 30, Gartelmann joins forces with Bistro Penny in Newcastle for a wine dinner that carries particular personal meaning for Matt. “We’ve got several wine dinners in the planning, but one I’m most excited about is at Bistro Penny. It’s Newcastle’s latest hatted restaurant, and my daughter Brittany is an apprentice chef there. Bistro Penny will be doing the food, and we’ll be showcasing the wines – I’m pretty proud of this event and my daughter’s involvement. It’s really special.”
Further afield, Gartelmann's reach extends all the way to southern France. Twenty-four cases of wine have been sent to accompany a river cruise from Lyon to Arles in August, where Gartelmann's Hunter Valley wines will be poured alongside French wines for guests aboard an AmaWaterways vessel hosted by Matt himself in a partnership that came at the cruise line's invitation and one the team is understandably delighted by. Following the cruise, Matt will host tours of European destinations in Avignon, Spain and Italy. In 2027, he’ll be hosting tours to Tasmania, South Australia and Malta.
Back at Lovedale, there’s a growing suite of tasting experiences at the cellar door - from standard and extended tastings to blending masterclasses, and a new Chocolate and Fortified Tasting, pairing Gartelmann's fortifieds with bespoke chocolates from local maker Donarch. For those who would rather bring the experience home, Gartelmann to Your Door delivers wines, cheese platters and a personal wine expert direct to your door - a format that has found a devoted following among over-55 communities across the region.
The Deck Café, open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, remains as vital as ever, with Sunday mornings regularly welcoming up to 280 guests and a menu built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with breads, sauces, and pastas still made on-site. The grounds, with their ever-expanding gardens, open spaces and much loved farm animals, remain a destination for families and visitors of all ages.
Through it, the philosophy that drives Gartelmann Wines remains disarmingly simple. As Matt puts it: "All I've ever wanted to do is serve people good food and wine and join them in having fun. Make good food and fabulous wines part of everyday life."
Thirty years on, it seems fair to say the dream Jan and Jorg Gartelmann started is in very good hands indeed. For more information, visit www.gartelmann.com.au and www.deckcafelovedale.com.au.
