Our Story
A Family Legacy
Nestled beneath the Brokenback Ranges, Montvalley has grown from a dream into an award-winning family vineyard. Discover the vision, the people and the defining moments that continue to shape our story.
The story begins
Montvalley's story began in January 1998, when John and Deirdre Colvin purchased 150 acres of untouched land on Mitchells Road at Mount View in the Hunter Valley. After searching for the perfect property for almost a decade, they knew they had found something special. Careful soil analysis confirmed the site's potential to produce premium-quality grapes, and inspired by both its breathtaking location and the Colvin family heritage—where "Col" means valley and "Vin" means vines—Montvalley was born. Nestled beneath the Brokenback Ranges, the property was transformed into a thriving vineyard while preserving its natural beauty as a sanctuary for native wildlife, including kangaroos, bellbirds, wombats and abundant birdlife.
1998
1999
The planting of the vines
The journey truly began in 1999, when the first vines were planted at Montvalley. Over the following three years, nearly 15 acres of Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz were carefully established, laying the foundations for the wines that would define the vineyard for decades to come.
A defining year
2002 marked a pivotal chapter in the Montvalley story. The vineyard gained its long-term custodian, bottled its first wine and began building the family home that would become the heart of the property.
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Chris joins Montvalley
In 2002, Chris Hunt joined Montvalley as Vineyard Manager. For more than two decades, he has cared for every vine as though it were his own, developing an intimate understanding of every block, every row and every season. His dedication ensures each vintage begins with the healthiest fruit possible, providing the foundation for Montvalley's reputation for quality. Alongside his wife Pauline and children Madaleine, Oliver and Gilby, Chris and his family have become an integral part of the Montvalley story.
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The first drop is bottled
Also in 2002, Montvalley's very first Semillon was bottled. It represented years of planning, careful vineyard management and an unwavering belief that the vineyard could produce wines of exceptional character and quality. Every vintage since has built on that first bottle.
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The family home takes shape
That same year, John and Deirdre began building the family home that would become the heart of Montvalley. Over the years, it has welcomed hundreds of guests and provided the backdrop for countless celebrations, making Montvalley as much a place to create memories as it is to produce exceptional wines.
2002
2003
The First Red
In 2003, following the success of our inaugural Semillon, Montvalley bottled its first Shiraz—a milestone that marked the beginning of what would become one of the winery's defining wines. That first vintage reflected our commitment to producing elegant, regionally expressive Shiraz with depth, balance and longevity.
Dreams of golf
As the vineyard matured, so too did the vision for Montvalley. In 2004, John designed and built an 18-hole par-three golf course, thoughtfully integrated amongst the vineyards and rolling hills of the property. The course added another dimension to the Montvalley experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Hunter Valley while sharing in the relaxed lifestyle that has always been at the heart of the vineyard.
2004
Growing the Montvalley Experience
2005
As Montvalley continued to evolve, 2005 marked another important chapter, with the launch of the inaugural Golf Classic and the release of the vineyard's first Chardonnay.
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Time to tee off
Following months of planning and preparation, John and Deirdre welcomed more than 150 family and friends to the inaugural Montvalley Golf Classic. Played on the newly completed 18-hole par-three course, the day celebrated not only the opening of the course, but also the friendship, hospitality and community that have always been at the heart of Montvalley. What began as a simple gathering quickly became one of the vineyard's most cherished traditions.
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The arrival of Chardonnay
Also in 2005, Montvalley expanded its portfolio with the release of its first Chardonnay. Crafted to showcase freshness, elegance and balance, it reflected the vineyard's belief that great Chardonnay should express both varietal character and the unique qualities of the Hunter Valley.
Summer drinking at its finest
In 2006, Montvalley expanded its portfolio once again with the release of its first Rosé, crafted from estate-grown Shiraz grapes. Responding to a growing appreciation for lighter, more vibrant wine styles, the Rosé brought a fresh dimension to the Montvalley range. Elegant, refreshing and beautifully balanced, it quickly became a favourite for relaxed afternoons and shared celebrations around the family table.
2006
Record-breaking rains
2008 & 2009
The 2008 and 2009 growing seasons brought record-breaking rainfall across the Hunter Valley, creating some of the most challenging years the region's vineyards had experienced. Persistent summer rain and high humidity led to widespread bunch rot and disease, leaving Montvalley with no harvest in either year. While there was no vintage to bottle, it reinforced an enduring truth of winemaking—that great vineyards require patience, resilience and a willingness to work with nature, even when it has other plans.
A new variety
In 2011, Montvalley welcomed another addition to its growing portfolio with the release of its first Semillon Chardonnay. Crafted to be crisp, fresh and vibrant, the blend combined the bright citrus character of Hunter Valley Semillon with the softness and texture of Chardonnay, offering a wine that perfectly complemented relaxed gatherings and everyday celebrations while remaining true to Montvalley's commitment to quality and regional expression.
2011
2012
When nature strikes
In 2012, just weeks before harvest, a devastating hailstorm swept across the vineyard, destroying every variety and leaving Montvalley without a single grape to pick. It was one of the most difficult moments in the winery's history. Yet while the fruit was lost, our commitment to the vineyard remained unchanged. The vines were carefully restored, the damage repaired, and preparations began for the following season. It was a powerful reminder that winemaking is shaped not only by the great vintages, but also by the resilience to overcome the challenging ones.
A new winemaking era
A new chapter in the Montvalley story began in 2013 with the appointment of acclaimed winemaker Daniel Binet. Bringing both international experience and a deep understanding of the Hunter Valley, Daniel partnered with the vineyard team to guide every stage of the winemaking journey—from nurturing the fruit in the vineyard to crafting wines that faithfully express the character of each vintage. His passion for quality and meticulous attention to detail have played an important role in shaping the modern Montvalley style and building the winery's reputation for producing elegant, award-winning wines.
2013
A Year of Recognition
2014
2014 marked an important milestone for Montvalley, with a new retail partnership bringing the wines to a wider audience and the winery's commitment to quality recognised with a prestigious Gold Medal and Trophy.
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Joining The Wine Society
After years of supplying individual restaurants, Montvalley partnered with The Wine Society (now The Wine Collective), giving the winery greater retail exposure and access to a nationwide community of engaged wine lovers. The partnership helped introduce Montvalley to a broader audience while remaining true to its commitment to quality over quantity.
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Gold Trophy success
That same year, Montvalley's 2014 Shiraz was awarded a Gold Medal and Trophy at the Hunter Boutique Winemakers Show. Judged alongside some of the region's finest wines, the award recognised the winery's dedication to crafting premium Hunter Valley Shiraz and marked a proud milestone in the Montvalley story.
An exciting new partnership
Montvalley enters an exciting new partnership with Australia's leading customer funded wine business, Naked Wines. Naked Wines customers, or "Angels" as they are referred to, fund independent wine makers like Montvalley, in return for exclusive access to delicious wines at wholesale prices. This means that Montvalley can focus on growing the best quality grapes, so that Dan can turn them into award-winning wines.
2017
Investing in Excellence
2018
In 2018, Montvalley's commitment to continuous improvement was rewarded with its largest harvest on record, reflecting both world-class vineyard practices and ideal growing conditions.
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Learning from the best
Always looking for ways to improve, John and the team attended a pruning workshop led by renowned Italian master pruner Marco Tessari of Simonit & Sirch. The techniques they learned continue to support the long-term health, resilience and longevity of the vineyard.
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A record harvest
The 2018 vintage delivered Montvalley's largest harvest on record, producing an outstanding 42 tonnes of premium fruit. Favourable growing conditions, combined with meticulous vineyard management, resulted in exceptional quality and yield.
Celebrating Through Challenge
While Montvalley welcomed friends, customers and wine lovers for a memorable day on the estate, the vineyard was also facing one of the most severe droughts in its history—a reminder that winemaking is shaped as much by resilience as it is by celebration.
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Montvalley + Naked Wines Golf Classic
In September 2019, Montvalley hosted the inaugural Montvalley + Naked Wines Golf Classic on the estate. Guests enjoyed a day of golf, vineyard tours, wine tastings, live music and a long lunch featuring Montvalley wines, celebrating the friendships and hospitality that have always been at the heart of the vineyard.
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Severe drought hits the region
At the same time, the Hunter Valley was enduring its worst drought in decades. Record-breaking temperatures and the lowest rainfall on record left Montvalley's dam critically low, requiring weekly water deliveries simply to keep the vines alive. Despite the team's efforts, the harvest was around half the vineyard's usual yield—a powerful reminder of the resilience required to work with nature.
2019
January bushfires threaten the vines
2020
The January 2020 bushfires in the Hunter Valley posed a significant threat to vineyards, with many properties either under threat or dealing with smoke taint from surrounding fires. The fires were approximately 10km away from Montvalley but the property did experience smoke from the fires. Fortunately, they were far enough away not to do any damage to the berries with smoke taint but all the wines from that vintage had to be tested to make sure they passed certain tests. Most of the vineyards in Broke – 20km away from Montvalley had their crops wiped out entirely so it was a close call.
After the drought, came the rain
If it's not drought, it's rain, with winemakers being at the mercy of the weather gods. Rain in the weeks before harvest is always a risk to grape yield and quality. The ripening berry becomes increasingly susceptible to bunch rot, as sugar levels increase and fruit softens. The Montvalley team worked hard to scramble enough pickers to get the Semillon and Chardonnay off the vines before the rain came in right at harvest time. This wasn't easy as there was limited access to the usual crew of overseas backpackers due to Covid restrictions, but Chris the Vineyard Manager called in everyone he knew and made it happen.
2021
2022
Looking to the Future
After more than two decades of winemaking, 2022 saw Montvalley embrace change—refreshing its brand while adapting to unprecedented growing conditions, without compromising its commitment to quality.
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A refreshed look
After more than 20 years of producing premium Hunter Valley wines, Montvalley embraced a new chapter with a refreshed brand identity. The reimagined labels reflect the elegance, heritage and craftsmanship that define the winery today, honouring its past while looking confidently to the future.
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A Montvalley first
After several years of drought followed by excessive rainfall, Montvalley was unable to produce estate-grown Shiraz for consecutive vintages. To fulfil customer demand, the winery sourced premium fruit from McLaren Vale for the first time in its history. It was a fitting connection, with John having first discovered his love of wine in South Australia after emigrating from Scotland as one of Australia's "Ten Pound Poms". The 2022 Cabernet Shiraz and Shiraz became a special vintage, celebrating both Montvalley's resilience and John's adopted home state.
Another outstanding harvest
The 2023 vintage delivered another exceptional harvest, with the vineyard once again producing a bumper crop of premium fruit. More than twenty years after our first vintage, the season reflected the maturity of the vines and the cumulative benefits of careful vineyard management, producing outstanding yields without compromising quality. It was a rewarding reminder that great vineyards continue to evolve with age, and that consistency is earned through years of patience, experience and an unwavering commitment to the land.
2023
The Montvalley Vision
The Story Behind the Label
Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, John Colvin was one of Australia's post-war "Ten Pound Poms", emigrating with his parents and six siblings in search of new opportunities and a brighter future. The family settled in Adelaide, where John embraced Australian life, graduating with a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide. It was there he also met Deirdre, the woman who would become his lifelong partner in both life and, many years later, the Montvalley journey.
John built a distinguished business career spanning more than four decades, including over 25 years as a management consultant and almost 20 years leading major professional services firms as Chief Executive Officer. His work took him across Australia and around the world, but throughout those years a dream quietly endured—to one day create a vineyard producing wines of exceptional quality.
That dream became a reality in the late 1990s when John and Deirdre discovered the property that would become Montvalley. Inspired by the belief that truly great wines are born in the vineyard, they set out to build everything from the ground up. Every decision—from selecting the site and planting the vines to investing in modern vineyard technology, sustainable irrigation and leading viticultural expertise—was driven by a single philosophy: never compromise on quality.
Today, Montvalley reflects not only John's vision, but also the shared commitment of John and Deirdre to create wines that express the unique character of the Hunter Valley while bringing family and friends together around the table. More than twenty-five years after that vision first took shape, Montvalley remains a family story built on passion, perseverance and a belief that the very best things in life are worth taking the time to create.
The Family
For John and Deirdre, the greatest reward has never simply been producing wine—it has been creating wines that bring people together around the table and are enjoyed with family and friends. That philosophy has shaped Montvalley from the very beginning and remains at the heart of everything the vineyard represents today.
Together with their children, Sean, Scott and Kristy, and their eight grandchildren, they hope the Montvalley story will continue for generations to come, with future members of the Colvin family carrying forward the passion, values and traditions that have defined the vineyard for more than two decades.
