Tourism leaders and businesses have been honoured at the 2025 Hunter Valley Legends Awards.

Trailblazers of the Hunter Valley were recognised at the 18th annual Legends Awards, held at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.

More than 330 guests from across the wine and tourism industries gathered to celebrate the region’s most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars.

Hunter Valley Tourism Operator of the Year was awarded to Our Italian Table, a destination cooking school that has grown from a passion project for owners Jen and Vince Nicita to a thriving visitor experience in the Hunter Valley.

Known for its warm hospitality, small class sizes, and hands-on cooking experiences, the business draws visitors from across Australia and internationally. Our Italian Table operates with strong community and environmental values—sourcing local produce and supporting local artisans.

The 2025 Hunter Valley Accommodation Operator of the Year was awarded to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.

Welcoming more than 260,000 visitors annually, Rydges Resorts champions the Hunter Valley through locally focused food and wine experiences, curated tours, and major event partnerships that drive regional visitation.

Its upgraded conference facilities feature state-of-the-art AV, hybrid meeting capabilities, and wellness-focused breakout options. Significant investments in solar energy and waste reduction reflect a commitment to sustainability with a goal to become 100 per cent renewable by 2027.

Brokenwood Wines was named as 2025 Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year.

This is the third time Brokenwood Wines have been awarded Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year showcasing their commitment to premium wine, exceptional hospitality, and tailored tasting experiences.

Guests can enjoy Brokenwood wines, immersive tastings and dining award-winning onsite restaurant The Wood.

Margan Wines owner Lisa Margan has been named a Tourism Industry Living Legend.

Lisa Margan has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley’s food, wine and hospitality scene, playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community.

With a background spanning teaching, nutrition, and fine dining—including training under Hunter Valley Tourism Legend and Head Chef at Bistro Molines, Robert Molines and time spent as a chef in Bordeaux—Lisa brought her vision of agri-dining to life in Broke.

Margan now features a five-star winery, a sustainably run vineyard, a hatted restaurant, and a cellar door that has received national acclaim.

Beyond the business, Lisa has been a strong advocate for the industry, serving as Deputy Chair of the Hunter Culinary Association, a founding board member of WOHO (Women of Hospitality), and a mentor to countless emerging professionals. Among her many accolades are the Women in Foodservice Leadership Award and Outstanding Contribution by an Individual from the Hunter Culinary Association.

Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association President Chris Tyrrell said: “These awards not only honour the legends of our industry—they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today."

Lisa Margan's husband Andrew was also inducted at the event as this year’s Wine Living Legend, in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley’s place among the world’s great wine regions.

A winemaker, viticulturist and passionate advocate for sustainable farming, Andrew co-founded Margan Wines in Broke Fordwich in 1996 with Lisa, building it into one of the Hunter Valley’s most respected wine brands.

A former President of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association from 2011 to 2013, Andrew has led industry advocacy on land use, coal seam gas and vineyard protection.

With a winemaking philosophy shaped by 20 vintages at Tyrrell’s and time in European vineyards, Andrew continues to craft wines alongside his son Ollie that reflect their unique site and soils.

In 2015 he was named Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the year and in 2021 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, joining a long list of accolades recognising his leadership and legacy.

Andrew has also served on the Board of Australia’s wine industry peak body Wine Australia and is currently a Board member of the NSW Wine Industry Association.

Chair of the Living Legends Iain Riggs AM said: “Andrew Margan is a true Hunter Valley Wine Living Legend for his tireless work in the promotion of the Hunter Valley, for tackling the wine industry’s political foes head-on and for an undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia”.

“Lisa’s resume is a blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must go to destination. The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan”.

2025 Hunter Valley Legends Awards recipients

  • Riedel Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year: Alisdair Tulloch, Keith Tulloch Wine & Aeon Wines
  • PKF Hunter Valley Tourism Operator of the Year: Our Italian Table
  • Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association Hunter Valley Accommodation Operator of the Year: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
  • Jurds Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year: Louise Eather, Tyrrell’s
  • Wine Selectors Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year: Brokenwood Wines 
  • First Creek Winemaking Services Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year: Liz Silkman, First Creek & Silkman Wines
  • Hunter Valley Tourism Industry Living Legend: Lisa Margan 
  • Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend: Andrew Margan