“Growing their tourist facility and encouraging the training of young people in the hospitality industry are two of the passions of this year’s Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Rising Star recipient Belinda Stapleton. Belinda is the managing director of Spicers Vineyards Estate, Pokolbin, a luxury 12-room guesthouse that also operates a 50-seat restaurant and…
“IN 2009, during the global financial crisis, 24-year-old chef Troy Rhoades-Brown and wife Megan made the bold decision to open their own fine-dining establishment, Pokolbin’s Muse Restaurant. Despite having few savings, no financial backer and limited business, the couple were buoyed by a passion for food. The chef’s experience was also in their favour: he…
“Like many of the illustrious wine family names known throughout the Hunter, Pokolbin’s Philip Helé is part of a strong family legacy. For the past three decades the fourth-generation hotelier has been at the forefront of shaping the Hunter wine and tourism industry and promoting it to an international market. Now, for his service to…