Reviews, Awards & Accolades

Margan Semillon 2017

Andrew Margan looks for Lime Splice in his Semillon. He has hit the target with this 2017 release.  Continue »

Aged Release Semillon 2012

The suggestions of maturity are starting to whisper, yet elegance and undeniable Hunter are present: Lemon curd, lime pips, pineapple core and a whiff of a neighbour’s cooking toast, while in the mouth it’s seems but a babe. The Margan slightly richer style there but the way it manages to close ranks when you think it’s about to spill forth fruits like a cornucopia and the rattle of the acidity around the teeth beg for further cellar time. A class act. Still great value  Continue »

White Label Semillon 2016

A richer fruit profile with plenty of lemon/lime splice and grapefruit citrus character, verbena soap, chalk and apple skin. The body undeniably Hunter semillon, all straight bones and acid. Yet, the small amount maturation time starts to whisper adamantly what will be: almost rich lemon, lime butter and a hint of toast. That chalkiness on the nose returns on the palate with a soft, textural crunch. Will no have no problem lasting the distance in the cellar. Semsational.  Continue »

Breaking Ground Barbera 2015

Damp tobacco, moist blackberries and cherries, chalk, varietal thick rose petals and drying tar. Fleshy, meaty body with a briny, ferrous oyster presence. Bursts of blood orange pips: both flavour and acidity. Fruit sweet enough to be swarthy but finishes with a wash of fine chalky tannins. Drinkability plus.  Continue »

Spanish varieties making their mark

The second release of this albarino suits the Hunter Valley for the same reasons that regional hero semillon also does: quick ripening, low sugars and high acidity. This wine delivers lime tart and baked lemon citrus, white floral characters and a nutty afternote. Fleshy and textural with a mineral line parallel to bracing acidity.  Continue »

Lip smacker of a wine

And it’s a lip-smacker because, as Chief Winemaker Andrew Margan points out, the Tempranillo provides it with rich fruit flavour, the Graciano with necessary acid, and the Shiraz its tannin. “And as the vineyard is planted on the red volcanic soil of the Fordwich Sill, this gives the wine a Hunter earthiness along with savoury fruit and rustic tannins, and which all actually make it quite typical of a Spanish wine.”  Continue »

Breaking Ground Tempranillo Graciano Shiraz

Earthy, fruity, come-hither aromas with thick rose petals, smoky blue fruits, dusty gravel and just-sweet chocolate. Full palate, with juicy blood orange acidity under pinning sumptuous red and blue fruits. While the alcohol is creeping up there, it stays balanced. A finish of dusty tannin wraps up a very neat drinking wine.  Continue »

Hunter Valley Wine Show medals

1 Trophy and 15 Medals  Continue »

The Best of the Hunter Valley

With their refreshing take on wine and food, Andrew and Lisa Margan are the king and queen of Broke. Their barbera exudes blueberry and riberry fruits, with a pleasing balance of acid and tannin. Pair it with the pork belly on their restaurant’s menu.  Continue »

Your complete guide to the Hunter Valley

Located in Broke, the Margan estate is anything but. Owners Andrew Margan (winemaker, viticulturist) and Lisa Margan (chef, nutritionist, organic farmer, restaurateur) have coaxed a bounty of riches from the earth. The ethos at the restaurant, which is headed by Lisa and head chef Thomas Boyd, is “estate grown, estate made”.  Continue »