A harvest of Hunter wine history

Come along this Saturday to Newcastle Museum for a day-long celebration of Hunter winemaking for the whole family.

Stomp some grapes with Inner City Winemakers, take a curator tour of the exhibition Vines, Wine and Identity, and join us for the official book launch of Hunter Wine: A History by University of Newcastle researchers Dr Julie McIntyre and Dr John Germov.

"Grape vines have been planted in our region for generations," said Museum Director Julie Baird. "Yet the history of Hunter winemaking was not well known when Julie and John began their four-year research project, which resulted in both the book and the exhibition.

"This important book not only adds to the Hunter's knowledge about its own history but is also nationally significant. I found it a fascinating read."

Hunter Wine traces through six generations of wine producers in the Hunter Valley, from when the first vines were planted in 1828 to the changing tastes and rising interest in wine of the 1980s, introducing the reader and viewer to the changing historical conditions and the many personalities, both famous and forgotten, that helped shaped the region.

Activities on the day

10am-12noon - Grape stomping and pressing with Inner City Winemakers
1pm - Curator tour with Dr Julie McIntyre through the Vines, Wine & Identity exhibition
2pm - Official book launch of Hunter Wine : A History - book signing, cheese and wine
3pm - Film Screening of Squeeze A Flower (1970), shot in the Hunter wine region in the 1960s

The book Hunter Wine will be available for purchase on the day in The Newcastle Shop and the authors will be available for informal book signing.

Wine writer Max Allen says Hunter Wine "sets a new benchmark for writing wine history in Australia".

According to writer Jeni Port this is "an important Australian wine book that uncovers new truths, challenges old myths and moves at a cracking pace with a delicious wine tale just right for the present".