$25m luxury hotel to overlook Hunter Valley winery
The Hunter Valley is set for new five-star lodgings after a luxury hotel group spent $25 million for two landmark Hunter Valley wineries.
The HVL Hotels acquired some of Australia’s oldest vineyards from Ben Ean and one of the Drayton family estates the money, to consolidate the 68-hectare site in tourist hotspot Pokolbin, about a two-hour drive north of Sydney.
Wine veterans Brian McGuigan and Col Peterson, who sold the properties have long had plans for a luxury tourist destination. McGuigan purchased Ben Ean – formerly known as Lindeman’s – from Treasury Wines in 2017, to create a similar experience touted by HVL.
“It’s a fantastic old vineyard that we’ve maintained, and we’ve done a tremendous amount of work on the old winery itself,” McGuigan told The Australian Financial Review. “They [the vines] are old and gnarled – a bit like me.”
Wine will continue to be produced, with the proposed hotel boasting 65 rooms overlooking the 180 year old vines, a wedding and function centre, a 25-metre swimming pool, rejuvenation spa and a gym.
“As a crowning glory to the winemaking, we have a unique bit of land on the property, which is a pretty sharp ridge, and it gives beautiful views both ways over Pokolbin and over Broken Back Ridge,” McGuigan said.
“The Hunter Valley has not had a large new hotel built here for about 17 years and that’s simply too long.”
Hotels in the area currently include Rydges Resort – formerly Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Château Elan and boutique hotel The Convent, which opened in 1991.
HVL managing director, Dominic Lambrinos is looking to tap the Hunter Valley’s proximity to Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.
“We believe there is a strong demand for a five-star plus hotel in the region,” Lambrinos said.
“We have received approval for the development of the hotel and some commercial facilities and expect them to open in the summer of 2026.”
HVL Hotels chairman is former Liberal Party leader John Hewson. He said the project would be run by a “first-class team” including wine experts such as McGuigan, Peterson and Jon Osbeiston.
Former Spicers Retreats managing director David Assef will oversee hotel operations, while renowned restaurateur Justin North, known for Becasse, will manage the food and beverage offerings.
The resort will also feature custom artwork by Gillie and Marc Schattner, the artists behind the whimsical bronze rabbit and dog sculptures seen throughout Sydney's eastern suburbs.
This announcement follows news that the McWilliam winemaking family, after the collapse and sale of their original company three years ago to Calabria Family Wines and the Medich family, are rebuilding their legacy nearby.
David McWilliam recently purchased 95 hectares in Pokolbin for $4.23 million and launched David McWilliam Wine, a new venture focused on premium wines.
Jonathan Jackson, 11th February 2025
