A note from Chief Winemaker – Xanthe Hatcher

Your exclusive look at Audrey Wilkinson Vintage 2024 from our Chief Winemaker, Xanthe Hatcher.

The 2024 Halliday Australian Wine Companion Awards results are in and the medals bestowed upon our wines are a true testament to the exceptional skills and passion of our first-class winemaking team, led by Chief Winemaker, Xanthe Hatcher.

We have also retained  our 5 underlined Red Star Winery rating, that signifies “a winery generally acknowledged to have had a long track record of excellence, typically having held a 5-star rating continuously for 10 years – truly the best of the best.”

See below our full list of Audrey Wilkinson wines included in the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion;

Audrey Wilkinson Museum Release The Lake Shiraz 2014 Hunter Valley – 97 Pts

“The colour is an extraordinary bright crimson, moving into an extremely expressive bouquet of poached plum, red cherries and spices. Has just reached maturity, but the changes that the next decade will bring will result in a graceful wine that speaks of the variety and place. As of now, certain of its place in the world.”

Audrey Wilkinson Museum Release The Ridge Reserve Semillon 2010 Hunter Valley – 97 Pts

“Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 2005 has crashed through the price sound barrier at $150 (for Landmark Vintage releases), so $100 here doesn’t seem as improbable as it once might have. The bouquet is good and the palate is exquisite with its purity and perfect balance. It retains its acidity, but it’s no more than a polite reminder of the variety and the skill of the winemaking team that was responsible. Flavours? Well, citrus/lime, honeysuckle, apple and grapefruit, all in lockstep and harmony of a high order.”

Audrey Wilkinson The Oakdale Chardonnay 2022 Hunter Valley – 96 Pts

“Hand-picked fruit, solely from 145yo estate vines; whole-bunch pressed to 100% new French puncheons for fermentation; no mlf; matured for 9 months with fortnightly bâtonnage. Very well made and balanced, its bouquet and palate complex but perfectly balanced, the finish likewise. Elegant, and with finesse.”

Audrey Wilkinson Museum Release The Oakdale Chardonnay 2014 Hunter Valley – 96 Pts

“From a block of vines that were 40yo at vintage (thus almost 50yo now); fermented and matured in French oak (50% new). There’s a line of grapefruit running through a challenging and complex wine with more than a hint of Burgundy in its make-up. Travelling well.”

Audrey Wilkinson The Ridge Semillon 2022 Hunter Valley – 96 Pts

“Hand-picked old vines; whole-bunch pressed, cold settled for two days, clear juice racked and cool fermented for 15 days; lightly fined and bottled early to retain freshness. The wine has still to pick up any colour, but it has a juicy element that sets it apart. Ready to enjoy now or in a decade, with progressive changes of lime/lemon on lightly browned toast, the finish with steely acidity that provides the backbone.”

Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Verdelho 2022 Hunter Valley – 95 Pts

“It’s difficult to raise expectations with verdelho, and if that limitation has been dealt with, even more difficult to live up to them. Ok. So what is the downer? You might guess this wine is an exceptional example, and you’d be right. This is the best Hunter verdelho I can remember: it’s got a lovely cage of grapefruit zest cage that draws you back again and again, freshening the mouthfeel as it does so.”

Audrey Wilkinson Marsh Estate Semillon 2022 Hunter Valley – 95 Pts

“Dry-grown vines approaching 50 years of age; standard Audrey Wilkinson vinification. The balance between the citrus-oriented flavour and its minerally acidity is first-class, immediately signalling the cool vintage. The interplay between lemon, grapefruit and Granny Smith apple is particularly attractive.”

Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Gewürztraminer 2022 Hunter Valley – 95 Pts

“Stares you down with its relentless assault of gewürztraminer no backing down. If ever a gewürztraminer can be described as medium bodied (on the back label) this is one – aromas and flavours of yellow peach, this is it, plus.”

Click here to view our complete range of Audrey Wilkinson award-winning wines today.

We are delighted to have hosted the Hunter Valley’s inaugural Vintage Smoking Ceremony on January 19 2023, conducted by Uncle Warren, Elder of the Wonnarua People.

Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association President, Stuart Hordern, opened the ceremony and commented:

“It gives me great pride to be here today to hold what we believe is to be the first pre-vintage smoking ceremony held anywhere in Australia. It is only fitting that the Hunter Valley which is Australia’s oldest continually growing wine region and the birthplace of Australian wine.”

“Smoking ceremonies help to cleanse bad spirits from the land and will help to bring a good harvest for Vintage 2023.”

After the tough conditions over the last few years, it is hopeful that this blessing helps protect the Hunter Valley vineyards, bringing the perfect mix of sunshine and rain, resulting in a bountiful harvest.

“This ceremony will help local wine producers and growers to connect with the land by having mother nature and the spirits of Baiame and Kawal on their side to provide protection to the vineyards and their roots over this Vintage” said Uncle Warren.

We expect to commence harvesting our fruit in late January this year, weather permitting.

Our 2022 Honour Roll

With the recent release of the Halliday Australian Wine Companion Awards 2022, the Audrey Wilkinson Winery is honoured to be awarded 5 Red Stars. This is the highest winery classification in Australia and is an acknowledgement of 10+ years of winemaking excellence, which now rates Audrey Wilkinson as ‘truly the best of the best’.

Over the past ten years the Audrey Wilkinson ‘The Ridge’ Semillon has also seen incredible success scoring consistently 95 or 96 points over these years. Grown on the 40-year-old Semillon vines on the Western Ridge of our Audrey Wilkinson vineyard, the 2011 Audrey Wilkinson ‘The Ridge’ Semillon scored 96 points in the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards making it no different than the other outstanding vintages including our 2013 and 2019 vintage that are available to purchase today.

The results from this years Halliday Wine Companion Awards reinforce the winemaking team’s combined experience, dedication, and passion to producing outstanding premium wines.

Below is the full list of Audrey Wilkinson wines included in the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion:

• 2011 Audrey Wilkinson ‘The Ridge’ Semillon – 96 points
• 2009 Audrey Wilkinson Reserve Malbec – 95 points
• 2011 Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Semillon – 94 points
• 2018 Audrey Wilkinson Marsh Vineyard Semillon – 94 points
• 2014 Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Tempranillo – 93 points
• 2019 Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Malbec – 93 points
• 2019 Audrey Wilkinson ‘The Lake’ Shiraz – 93 points
• 2009 Audrey Wilkinson ‘The Lake’ Shiraz – 93 points
• 2019 Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection Shiraz – 91 points
• 2018 Audrey Wilkinson Marsh Vineyard Chardonnay – 89 points

Click here to view our complete range of Audrey Wilkinson award-winning wines today.

A note from Chief Winemaker – Xanthe Hatcher

I am extremely pleased to see our 2021 Audrey Wilkinson whites released and on sale to our members.

Vintage 2021 began with ideal conditions – after the horror bushfires of 2019/2020 and four consecutive years of drought, the rain started falling!  Above average rainfall meant that ground water levels were back up and our dams were full.  Budburst began in early August and signalled the start of a new growing season and the opportunity to put the past year behind us.  The rainfall continued and the valley was a beautiful lush green throughout the season.  By late December and early January there was some anxiety amongst our team that the rain would not stop and it would again jeopardise our vintage, but then a miraculous thing happened,  in the second week of January the skies cleared and we had near perfect conditions for the following 3 weeks.   Our vintage began on the 18^th of January with Verdelho the first fruit off our vineyard, the rest of the fruit came in steadily throughout January and early February.  wrapping up a very rewarding season for our vineyard team.

The cooler conditions means that the wines from 2021 retained good acid levels and lower alcohol levels that we have seen over the past few drought years.  They are in my opinion back to the style of traditional Hunter wines – medium weight and elegant.  They are wines that we are very proud to release and we hope that you all enjoy!

To ensure the health and safety of all our customers and staff, we have updated our cellar door procedures.

Please ensure that you have read these prior to your visit and refer back to this page just before your booking to ensure things have not changed.

BEFORE ARRIVAL

Please ensure you are well and not displaying any signs or symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Please note that you we suggest you book for tastings BEFORE arrival to avoid disappointment.

As we are capacity limited within our venue bookings are essential to guarantee a place.

BOOK NOW

ON ARRIVAL

Please see our concierge desk on arrival and you will be shown to your seat.

We will have ample hand sanitiser available and are deep-cleaning every used surface and common areas in between tastings with commercial grade disinfectant.

TASTINGS

We are pleased to be able to offer our full range of tasting options.

Your booked session will be held for 15 minutes, if you arrive late we will do our best to accommodate you in the remaining time allocated for your tasting.

GROUPS

Groups are limited to 8 or less. Please note all members of each group must select the same tasting experience. We do not accept any themed groups.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our cellar door and these new procedures please contact us at: cellardoor@audreywilkinson.com.au or call us on (02) 4998 1866.

Winners List….

Winners of our recent competitions are listed below – are you a winner? Be sure to email us to claim your prize if your name is listed.

2021 Valentines Day Love-ly Prize Winner – drawn Feb 16 2021
Kristy @the_blonde_wine_addict

2021 Bubble Buddy Promo – drawn Aug 3 2021
Our 5 winners were; @jodyryan1, @maria_orbe, @A-lily07, @emcoxx, @alwayshungry_Jen & @maria.flea

2021 Grazing Box Promo – drawn Sep 2021 (Sydney)
Our 5 winners were; @mel_mitrevski, @liz_stanley97, @drunkandgrey @anj_02 & @davidtunners

2021 Grazing Box Promo – drawn Oct 2021 (Central Coast)
Our 5 winners were; @jenz_, @mag_faunce, @nursekellie23xx, @michelle_stone_54 & Bec Mackenzie

2021 Grazing Box Promo – drawn Oct 2021 (Newcastle)
Our 5 winners were; @cheree15, @reneefrancesjane, @Briana Sampson, @Sarah Phillips & @katetjones

2022 Luxury Hunter Escape Prize Winner – drawn May 2022
Haley @haleycota

Mailing List Monthly Promotion Winners List – be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, we’ll email your voucher for 1 x Picnic Among the Vines experience to the email address used on sign up;
November 2021 winner – Katina Mitre
October 2021 winner – Pradeep Sen
September 2021 winner – Sarah Roberts

CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
We’ll always notify winners via social media or the method of entry (never by direct message) – if you think you might be a winner, please drop us an email: marketing@agnewwines.com.au