Today the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association has announced the launch of the Heritage Cairn Trail, a new trail acknowledging the landmarks or items of historical importance which have made a significant contribution to the Hunter Valley Wine Industry.
Recognising the influence of these landmarks upon Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley Heritage Cairn Trail was awarded the 2021 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Heritage Award at the 2021 Hunter Valley Legends & Wine Industry Awards on 20 May.
The trail covers 12 areas of historical significance including:
- Edward Tyrrell’s Slab Hut – Tyrrell’s Vineyard
- Old Winery- Drayton’s Family Wines
- Old Vats at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyards
- Maurice O’Shea Mount Pleasant Label – Mount Pleasant
- Tulloch Wines Pokolbin Dry Red Label
- The Old Still House – Ben Ean Winery
- 1973 Vintage Festival Poster
- Halls Cottage Circa 1876, Roberts Restaurant Circa 1876
- Marthaville Homestead
- Rothbury Cemetery
- Drayton’s Bellevue Wine Label – Drayton’s Wines
- Pokolbin War Memorial Gates
Commenting on the launch, Brian McGuigan, AM and Fay McGuigan said “This new trail salutes those people, wines and sites, that have been instrumental in creating the vibrant Hunter Valley wine country that we all enjoy today. This industry would not have existed if our pioneers had not had the stamina and dedication to develop vines and winemaking within our region. We have lived and worked in the Hunter Valley all our lives and we greatly appreciate the leadership and determination that our forebears made to the success of the industry”.
Amy Cooper, CEO of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, added ‘We offer our sincere thanks to the sponsors of the Heritage Cairns, Fay & Brian McGuigan. Their long-term dedication to preserving our unique history is valued across our whole industry’.
The trail brochure can be downloaded here or is available at the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre.
