HILLTOPS DECANTED

Brian Freeman one of the Hilltops winemakers featured...The global wine magazine Decanter has recently published an in-depth profile on dual NSW wine regions – the Hilltops and Orange – 'fast proving their cool credentials.'The…
FREEMAN Vineyards, Hilltops NSW

HIGH FIVES FOR HILLTOPS VINEYARDS

 TWO HILLTOPS VINEYARDS FINALISTS IN VINEYARD OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2024 The vignerons of the NSW Hilltops are mid-harvest Vintage 2024, filling bins with top-quality flavour-packed ripe grapes destined for myriad wines. It’s…

HILLTOPS WINE OF THE YEAR 2023

 The HILLTOPS WINE OF THE YEAR 2023  has been awarded to Moppity Lock & Key Shiraz 2022 a wine that also impressed the judges of the 2023 Canberra & Region Show where it won the highly contested Shiraz Trophy.  The same…
FREEMAN Vineyards, Hilltops NSW

HILLTOPS WINES HERALDED AT DUAL WINE SHOWS 2023

Making your mark at wine shows can be an elusive challenge for winemakers but those glittering medals do matter, even more so the ‘Best of Class’ trophies. And there is plenty that sparkles for happy Hilltops vignerons and winemakers…

BARWANG IS BACK

One of the Hilltops region's pioneering vineyards BARWANG has just launched a quartet of wines from the excellent 2022 vintage. The Barwang vineyard was originally established in the late 1960's by Peter Robertson and hosts some of the oldest…
FREEMAN Vineyards, Hilltops NSW

Heading to the Hilltops?

Planning a wine discovery road trip? Well, we can't think of a better destination than the NSW Hilltops wine region around Young. And to prime your palate we recommend listening to this Winederlust Podcast with Jeanene Kennedy who interviews…
FREEMAN Vineyards, Hilltops NSW

ABC BREAKFAST RADIO TOASTS HILLTOPS WINE

It might be cherry season but there are many other memorable wine and food diversions if your destination is the NSW Hilltops region near Young.ABC presenter Sally Bryant speaks to Jane Adams about Hilltops cool climate wines and local produce…
Hilltops Wines NSW

NEW WINE BAR RESTAURANT – YOUNG NSW

Not long now till The Cranfield swings open its grand front door to reveal Young’s new go-to ‘love local’ destination - wine bar, restaurant and providore store.Named after significant Young citizen, one-time mayor and…

HILLTOPS WINE OF THE YEAR 2022

Hats off and loud clapping for Hungerford Hill Hilltops Tempranillo 2022, winner of the Peter Robertson Perpetual Trophy  for Hilltops Wine of the Year 2022 and winner of the Best Hilltops Region Wine Trophy at the Canberra and…

TWO MORE TROPHIES

 Hilltops Associates keep the Hilltops flag flying high with dual Trophy wins at the 2022 Australian Highlands Wine Show.The Best Cabernet Trophy was won by the already applauded Corang Estate Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, while…

HILLTOPS PERFORMS AT 2022 NSW WINE AWARDS

NSW Wine has just announced the 2022 Wine Award Winners... among them several Hilltops Wine members and Hilltops Associates (who source their tip-top quality grapes from the region).Drum roll for Gold Medallists: * Corang Estate Cabernet…

NEW HILLTOPS WINE PRESIDENT

At the recent annual AGM the members of Hilltops Wine elected Brian Mullany of Grove Estate the incoming President of Hilltops Wine to replace Brian Freeman, of FREEMAN Vineyards.Brian Mullany is a strong advocate of the Hilltops region…

HILLTOPS TAKES TWO TROPHIES

NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show 2022 celebrates the state's best wines and their artisan makers. Corks are popping for two Hilltops Associates Trophy Winners – Corang Estate Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 and Hungerford Hill Wines Hilltops…
Hilltops Wine Region

TOP AUSTRALIAN WINERIES

The Real Review crew annual TOP AUSTRALIAN WINERIES ratings are just out.  The list is impressive and long and includes three Hilltops wine companies – FREEMAN Vineyards, Grove Estate and Moppity Vineyards.  That's punching high considering…

SAVOUR HILLTOPS WINE 2022

SAVOUR HILLTOPS WINE 2022 has been postponed due to current public health concerns.Hilltops Wine will monitor the situation and is committed to hosting several 'Savour Hilltops’ Canberra activities this year.Check back here for more…
Freeman Cellar Door

TOP CELLAR DOOR AWARD 2022 – FREEMAN VINEYARDS

Gourmet Traveller Wine has just announced its annual national awards for Australia's TOP CELLAR DOORS.Winner of STAR CELLAR DOOR and BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE goes to... FREEMAN VINEYARDS a family winery that specialises in wines made from…

TALKING HILLTOPS GRAPES – THE ITALIAN STALLIONS

 The Hilltops Region (near Young) in NSW is increasingly seen as Australia's 'Little Italy'...for grapes. Think Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, Rondinella and Corvina - and most recently Fiano. Hear more about the origins of the region’s…
Hilltops WIne 2021 Winners Corang Estate

2021 HILLTOPS WINE OF THE YEAR

Hilltops Wine Awards 2021:  Winners of Peter Robertson Trophy - Jill and Michael Bynon, Corang Estate.HILLTOPS HERO2021 WINE OF THE YEAR - CORANG ESTATE HILLTOPS SHIRAZ 2019The Hilltops wine region is arguably best known for its…

HILLTOPS OPENING CELLAR DOORS

Heading to the NSW Hilltops for fresh air, wide open spaces and some wine exploring?  Wine Tastings for all NSW residents (and hopefully soon all interstate travellers) recommence at our friendly Cellar Doors during November.  All require…

TIPTOE THROUGH THE HILLTOPS

Seeking alternatives for a NSW mini-break?  Well, DELICIOUS magazine has a suggestion. And it hasn't anything to do with tulips... The 20th birthday edition features a come hither travel story entreating readers to head to the #HilltopsRegion...…

HILLTOPS TOPS REAL REVIEW TOP VALUE WINE AWARDS

The Real Review has just published its annual TOP VALUE Australian Wine List... and loud clapping is deserved for several Hilltops wine producers. The big gongs go to FREEMAN Vineyards and Grove Estate for topping their varietal categories,…

HILLTOPS WINE PARTNERS ANNOUNCED

HILLTOPS WINE announces a new partnership with both ACT and NSW based wine companies that feature Hilltops GI wines in their portfolios.  The new Wine Associates all market wines from the Hilltops Region.  Eligible wines are required to be…

HILLTOPS ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Hilltops Vineyards Association AGM this week re-elected Brian Freeman, founder of FREEMAN Vineyards, as President.  His report highlighted both the achievements and challenges of 2021 - characterful wines from the 2021 vintage, followed…

HILLTOPS HIGHLIGHTED

The Hilltops Region may constitute just 2% of NSW vineyards but according to sommelier Samantha Payne the region is nothing less than “small but mighty.”  Punching enough weight to score a double-page spread in this month’s Australian…

HILLTOPS TRIO IN AUSTRALIAN TOP WINERIES

Loud clapping deserved for the three NSW Hilltops wine companies that made the top tier grade in the just announced prestigious 2021 Real Review AUSTRALIAN TOP WINERIES collection.  They are FREEMAN Vineyards, specialising in Italian inspired…

TOP CELLAR DOORS

Gourmet Traveller Wine annually awards Australia's Top Cellar Doors... and the 2021 Hilltops NSW winners are:STAR Cellar Door:  BallinaclashBEST TASTING EXPERIENCE:  Freeman VineyardsBEST LARGE Cellar Door:…

HILLTOPS WEATHER REPORT

Fortunately the recent severe weather system largely skirted the NSW Hilltops Region.  The white varieties had already been harvested, with vignerons reporting good quality and yields for pinot gris, chardonnay and prosecco. And…

FINDING FIANO

Hilltops vignerons are among grape growers innovating to accommodate changing climate. And one white variety that is showing serious promise is Fiano [fee-ah-no].  An immigrant from southern Italy, it is acknowledged as a versatile variety…

BALLINACLASH BOUTIQUE SHOW TROPHY

The year is ending on a high for Ballinaclash. Yes, another trophy for the Ballinaclash Tom Cabernet Sauvignon 2019! This time at the 2020 ANZ Boutique Wine Show where it topped the jam-packed Cabernat Sauvignon class that attracted over 80…

HILLTOPS FIANO FEATURES

Rhymes with piano... Fiano is a southern Italian grape variety that is tweaking curious wine palates, and inevitably those of innovative grape growers.  A recent industry seminar focused on Fiano, and its impressive suitability to Australian…

HILLTOPS WINES RANKED TOP VALUE

Drum roll... Hilltops Wines make their mark in the just announced 2020 Real Review Top Value Australian Wines. The Real Review team has tasted thousands of wines over the past year and selected those that represent best value based on quality…

HILLTOPS CABERNET IMPRESSES JUDGES AGAIN

The 2020 NSW Wine Awards have just been announced and Chair of Judges Dave Brookes has given the nod to the top quality of Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon.The Riedel Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded to Ballinaclash Tom Cabernet…

STONKING GOOD SHIRAZ WINS 2020 HILLTOPS WINE OF YEAR

Every year the vignerons and winemakers of the NSW Hilltops celebrate the excellence of the wines of their region at the Hilltops Wine Show and the Wine of the Year is recognised by the award of the Peter Robertson Trophy.The 2020 Hilltops…

GOING FOR GOLD

The 2020 NSW Wine Awards have tallied the scores and just announced the Gold Medal winners. From the HILLTOPS the bling goes to...Ballinaclash 2019 Tom Cabernet SauvignonBallinaclash 2018 John ShirazHungerford Hill 2018 CorvinaMcWilliam’s…

SIR GEORGE HOTEL LAUNCHES WINE TOURS

Regional champion the Sir George Hotel in Jugiong is determined their guests take home happy memories (and some wine) when they head to the Hilltops region for a break away...

HILLTOPS NEBBIOLO TOP RATING

The Hilltops region may be best known for its Shiraz and Cabernet, but increasingly its Italian varieties are shining bright.  Latest top performer is FREEMAN Nebbiolo 2016 rated No.4 in Australia’s Top 2016 Nebbiolos by The Real Review.‘A…

HILLTOPS WINE NEW PRESIDENT

Hilltops Inc., the representative organisation for the NSW Hilltops wine region, has a new President, Brian Freeman, vigneron, winemaker and proprietor of FREEMAN Vineyards.Brian was previously professor of wine science at Charles Sturt…

GROVE ESTATE AWARD

Grove Estate Wines has received national recognition in a wine magazine for a fifth straight year.Owners Brian and Suellen Mullany were hugely pleased to receive the Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine's award for the star cellar…

BALLINACLASH SHIRAZ WINE OF THE YEAR

Young vignerons Peter and Cath Mullany from Ballinaclash orchard and cellar door have won the coveted Peter Robertson Trophy for the ‘Hilltops Wine of the Year’.Click to read article in the Young Witness