Briar Ridge Vineyard | Melding Together the Old and the New
Located in one of the most picturesque areas of the Hunter Valley, Mount View, boutique winery Briar Ridge is quickly gaining a reputation for innovative winemaking.
Winner of the 2022 Young Achiever of the Year at the Hunter Legend Awards, Briar Ridge winemaker Alex Beckett is steering a bright future for the winery. This innovation is firmly supported by a foundation in tradition and well-established vines that enjoy a long history. It is these vines, planted 50 years ago in 1972, that the winery is celebrating this year.
The winery's history began in 1972 when Murray Robson planted the first vines - Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, in what was then called Squire Vineyard. In 1987 John Davis purchased the property because, as a geologist, he recognised the unique climate, topography, and soil that the area offered winemaking.
In 1991 Hunter Valley legendary winemaker Karl Stockhausen joined Briar Ridge, releasing his first vintage in the same year, which won the best wine in show at the Hunter Valley Wine Show for his Shiraz.
Fast forward to 2022, and at the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Briar Ridge was presented with not only the trophy for 'White (& Blends) Wine of the Year with the 2021 Limited Release Albariño but also a red star winery rating.
In addition, the 2021 'Briar Hill' Chardonnay also won the 'Hunter Valley Best of Region' trophy in the James Halliday Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge. The winery also won gold at the recent Hunter Valley Wine Show for their 2013 Stockhausen Signature Semillon.
Currently studying in the Institute of Masters of Wine Study Program, winemaker Alex Beckett is passionate about his innovative work at Briar Ridge and excited about the recognition he has been receiving.
"It was an honour to have our Hunter Valley Albariño recognised as the best other white in Australia," said Alex. "The last few years have seen our team work tirelessly into evolving the viticulture and winemaking behind our wines, so to have that quality recognised is a wonderful feeling.
"It's the melding together of the old and the new that makes Briar Ridge so interesting – it's certainly why I enjoy doing what I do. I have the creative freedom to play and experiment and build upon that tradition, respecting what has been done but also improving it as we move on."
The 50th Jubilee will be celebrated with several members-only events, including a gala lunch held in the cellar door with the 2-hatted Muse Restaurant catering, a charity auction, a smorgasbord of entertainment, and wine-tasting masterclasses with Alex.
Briar Ridge is also home to the longest continually running wine club in the Hunter Valley, and as part of the 50th celebrations, the winery is launching a brand-new wine club called Club Radica - a Single Vineyard wine club by invitation only.
"This is more than a wine club; this is all about access," said Briar Ridge General Manager Michael Bentley. "Access to our most unique and exclusive products, access to other people who share their passion for our wines and access to our winemaker, Alex. Being invitation only, there is an air of exclusivity, but this group is as carefully curated as a personal cellar, and it's all about getting back into corks and conversations."
The cellar door experience now also includes Osteria, a restaurant specialising in home-style Italian cooking and perfect for a relaxed lunch on the deck.
On Sunday afternoons, solo musicians provide chilled-out tunes, and there's plenty of room for the kids to run around in the idyllic landscape. You can even book a private picnic in your own corner of the grounds or bring your furry friend, with Pooch Platters available to keep your pet dog happy.
Owner of Briar Ridge, Jaclyn Davis, is excited at the trajectory of the winery. "We are so lucky to have Alex as our winemaker," said Jaclyn. "We are proud to be at the forefront of innovative wine techniques firmly supported by traditions that go back 50 years this year.
We are a destination cellar door, a place to reward those who are curious about Mount View, a place where you can come and spend a few hours at a time exploring wines, eating delicious food with family, friends or your partner and enjoying the surrounding landscape. We've made it our mission to redefine the Hunter Valley wine experience, and I'm confident we're on our way!"
Briar Ridge Cellar Door is located at 593 Mount View Road, Mount View and is open seven days with tastings daily from 10am to 4pm. Osteria Kitchen is open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 4pm.
