Hall is Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year.

McGuigan Wines’ senior winemaker Peter Hall is Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year.

The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association in south-east Australia, last week recognised the winemaker for 33 award-winning Hunter Valley vintages.

Recently announced results at two of the world’s most prestigious wine competitions – the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards – saw Hall’s signature Bin 9000 Hunter Valley Semillon 2005 awarded the International Semillon Trophy, Australian Varietal White Wine Trophy and Hunter Valley Semillon Trophy.

This is the third time that vintages of Hall’s Bin 9000 Hunter Valley Semillon have won the title of ‘World’s Best Semillon’ in the past three years.

Hall’s success also includes McGuigan Wines being named International Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine & Spirits Competition a record three times in 2009, 2011 and 2012, as well as White Winemaker of the Year in 2009 and 2012 by the International Wine Challenge. 

Hall said: “I’m both humbled and proud. It’s always great to be recognised, however my motivation to make wine is because I love what I do; nothing could be better than that….day in, day out, it’s fun.

“Since 1979 I’ve processed more than 106,000 tonnes of Hunter Valley fruit, something of which I’m extremely proud. The Hunter Valley is a unique wine region, and my commitment to the region is unwavering.”

McGuigan Wines chief winemaker Neil McGuigan added: “For Peter to be crowned Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year is a fantastic achievement. He’s one of the most passionate, skilled and innovative winemakers I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”