The Maurice O'Shea Legacy

Winemaker's Table with Adrian Sparks

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Step into the legacy of Australia’s greatest winemaker with this exclusive hosted experience at Mount Pleasant.

Led by Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year and Chief Winemaker Adrian Sparks, this immersive journey blends history, storytelling, and exceptional wine in a setting that honours the pioneering spirit of Maurice O’Shea.

Begin with a 60-minute walk and talk through the Old Vineyard, planted by O’Shea in 1921, followed by a behind the scenes exploration of the winery. Here, Adrian shares insights into the evolution of Pinot Noir winemaking and the art of blending with Shiraz — a technique O’Shea famously championed.
Taste directly from tank and barrel as you discover how tradition and innovation continue to shape Mount Pleasant’s winemaking philosophy.

Then, retreat to our private dining room for a curated 90-minute tasting featuring rare and distinguished wines sourced from O’Shea’s original vineyards — including our flagship 2023 Maurice O’Shea Shiraz (rated 98 points).

These wines, some valued between $325 and $2,500 per bottle, represent the pinnacle of Australian winemaking and are rarely opened outside of this experience.

Conclude with a shared-style lunch hosted by Adrian Sparks, where he offers personal reflections on the vineyards, the blends, and the enduring legacy of Maurice O’Shea. This experience is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the timeless connection between wine, place, and people.

Location

Mount Pleasant Cellar Door

When

Monday to Friday at 10am (subject to availability)

Cost

$1000 per person

Includes: guided vineyard and winery tour with Adrian Sparks; wine tasting of iconic Mount Pleasant wines including current and museum; shared lunch with Adrian Sparks; take-home bottle of current vintage Maurice O’Shea Shiraz

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Nestled in Pokolbin beneath the Brokenback Range, Mount Pleasant offers visitors a rich heritage experience through its beautifully renovated cellar door and curated tastings that showcase over a century of winemaking excellence.

Mount Pleasant Wines is one of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic and historic wineries, founded in 1921 by Maurice O’Shea, widely regarded as the father of modern Australian winemaking. O’Shea’s pioneering approach to table wines, his meticulous blending techniques, and use of French oak set new standards for quality at a time when fortified wines dominated the market.

Today, Mount Pleasant continues to craft elegant, expressive wines from its four significant vineyard sites, including Lovedale, Rosehill, Old Hill, and Old Paddock—home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, dating back to 1880.

Known for producing benchmark Hunter Valley styles such as Semillon and Shiraz, the estate has earned countless awards and remains celebrated for wines of longevity, balance, and a true sense of place.