Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Hunter Valley has done it again. We all know the Hunter produces the best wine in the country and, I would argue, the best wine anywhere in the world. Now we've got another award to prove it. I want to give a massive congratulations to my mate Aaron Mercer, from Mercer Wines, on being named Rising Star of the Year Australia at the Real Review's Top Wineries of Australia Awards 2026. This is a huge achievement. The Real Review is one of the most respected wine authorities in the country. For a local Hunter winemaker to take this title out tells us a lot about the quality that's coming out of our region. Anyone from the Hunter already knows that. We know how hard the work that goes into every vintage is. We know the passion our local winemakers and growers put into what they do, and we know the Hunter keeps producing wines that stand up against the very best in the world. The Hunter has the trophies and awards to back it in. This recognition is a credit to Aaron, Alison, their whole team and everybody that has supported Mercer Wines along the way, from growers to customers to trade partners, friends and the wider Hunter community. It's another proud moment for Mercer Wines and another proud moment for the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley has so much to offer. We have the world's best wines, as I've said thousands of times in this place. To every other winemaker, wine producer, cellar door and grower in the Hunter Valley: thank you for what you do, for what you do for our area and for what you do for the people of Australia every single day.