Local viticulturist Ken Bray is this year’s the Hunter Valley wine industry’s Living Legend.
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The annual Legends Awards dinner was held on Thursday night at Brokenwood Wines with a record number of people (250) in attendance, all excited to rub shoulders and celebrate with their industry colleagues & friends.
Not only was the newest Hunter Valley Wine Industry Legend inducted, but winners in five categories were also announced.
The awards are a celebration recognising the outstanding achievements of those who have made a major contribution and excelled within the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Industries.
This year’s Living Legend, Ken Bray is a significant addition to the “hall of fame” style award which for the first time recognises the industry contribution of a viticulturist rather than a winemaker. Ken, the owner of Braemore vineyard, has contributed over 40 years to the Hunter Valley Wine Industry. Vice President of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA), Andrew Margan gave special recognition to the record number of entries and the high calibre of this year’s finalists.
He went on to explain that the annual awards are a celebration of, and give recognition to individual achievements.
It recognises the skill, hard work, dedication and excellence of the region’s winemakers, viticulturists and industry professionals, and reflects on the successes of the year that has passed.
“Ken Bray has been inducted as our newest Hunter Valley Legend for his enormous contribution to viticulture in the region spanning over 40 years.
It’s terrific to see someone who still actively contributes to the region through their own vineyard management business, as well as through our Viticultural Sub-Committee being recognised in such light, and joining the long list of names which we salute,” said Andrew Margan.
“What stands out to me as this year’s highlight is the extremely high calibre of new blood that have excelled and taken out this year’s top awards.”
The 2015 Award Winners are: 2015 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend: Ken Bray The Living Legend award is bestowed to honour a Hunter Valley grape grower or winemaker who has been involved in the Hunter Valley Wine Industry in excess of 30 years and who has been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry.
Widely regarded as the Hunter Valley’s leading viticulturist, Ken has been responsible for tending some of the regions’ most cherished vineyards for almost 40 years.
As owner and director of Hunter Vineyard Management Services, and a committed member of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, Ken was born and raised in the Hunter Valley.
Ken has committed to the industry since beginning at Wyndham Estate in the mid 1960’s and has worked in all facets of the industry for his entire career spanning winemaking, viticulture, packaging, distribution, sales and marketing.
Ken and his wife Chris own the famed Braemore Vineyard and have done for over 20 years, continually producing award-winning wines each season.
Other awards include:
2015 Winemaker of the Year sponsored by First Creek Winemaker of the Year Michael De Iuliis, De Iuliis Wines, 2015 Rising Star of the Year sponsored by Riedel: Joint Winners:- Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant & Muse Kitchen and Gwyn Olsen, Winemaker, Briar Ridge.
2015 Viticulturist of the Year, sponsored by Laffort was Andrew Margan, Margan Family Wines
2015 Cellar Door of the Year, sponsored by CBA Local Business Banking: Tyrrell’s Wines
2015 Hunter Valley Award for Excellence Melissa Romeyn