- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
Keeping the Legacy Alive
It’s been named one of ‘Australia’s Best Winery Experiences’, was named ‘2017 Winery of the Year’ by James Halliday and is one of the most awarded wineries in Australia.
Established in 1921 by an icon of the Australian wine industry, Maurice O’ Shea, the historic Mount Pleasant winery is one of the Hunter Valley's most popular wine destinations, with some of the earliest vines planted in the region and offering tastings of some of Australia's most respected wines. When the McWilliams family acquired the property in 1941, Maurice O’Shea was retained as Chief Winemaker and went on to make some of Australia’s most highly regarded wines – a legacy that has been kept alive by Mount Pleasant winemakers ever since.
Mount Pleasant primarily specialises in two varietals – Semillon and Shiraz. The Lovedale Semillon is their finest expression, followed by the Phil Ryan Signature and the ever-popular Elizabeth. When it comes to Shiraz, the Maurice O’Shea sits at the top of the quality ladder, closely followed by the single vineyard Old Paddock and Old Hill, Rosehill Shiraz.
For those visiting the cellar door, the strong sense of history at Mount Pleasant is so evident that it is almost tangible. The recently renovated cellar door is themed to highlight the wineries rich history and celebrate its numerous accolades which include an incredible five Championships, 128 trophies and 2100 medals since the late 1970's! More recent awards include the 2017 1880 Vines Old Hill Shiraz winning five trophies at the 2018 Hunter Valley Wine Show and the iconic Old Paddock and Old Hill Shiraz taking home the NSW Governor’s Trophy for Best in Show at the 2018 NSW Wine Awards.
The knowledgeable team at the cellar door provide for an unforgettable tasting experience by drawing on some of the Hunters finest wines and the ability to choose from a range of wine flights allowing wine lovers to explore, in-depth, the different styles of wines while enjoying the stunning panoramic views. In summer, visitors are encouraged to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio or the garden terrace, and in the cooler month’s enjoy the new cellar door atmosphere, complete with a library of books and board games, sipping a glass of exquisite wine while lounging in front of an open fire.
For those keen to explore behind the scenes, the winery offers tours daily at 10:30am, during which visitors can discover the story of one of the Hunter Valley’s first wineries and the legacy of Maurice O’Shea. Tours cost $5 pp Monday–Friday and are free on weekends. Bookings are essential – call 4998 7505.
