Musica Viva Australia - Untold Stories: Huntington Estate

'A Harmony of Wine, Craft, and Community'

At Musica Viva Australia events around the country, from Brisbane to Melbourne, Sydney to Canberra, audiences, artists and supporters are often greeted with a glass of Huntington wine.

Whether it’s a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Semillon, it’s a gesture that speaks to the warmth and generosity at the heart of this partnership. Mathew Jordan sat down with General Manager Maddi McFarlane and Winemaker-Owner Tim Stevens to reflect on what it takes to create something lasting and beautiful in both wine and music.

Wandering through the barrel hall at Huntington Estate in Mudgee a visitor can still hear the echoes of music, laughter and celebration. The space, now cool and serene, once played host to world-class string quartets and chamber ensembles.

'There’s a real symmetry between the two,' Tim reflects. 'In both, there’s the structure - the science, the practice, the hours of preparation. But then there’s the artistry. That little spark that gives a wine, or a performance, its x-factor. The leap of faith. The ego, even.'

That little spark that gives a wine its x-factor

That balance between science and creativity runs through everything at Huntington Estate. It’s a full-service winery that not only produces its own wines but also supports neighbouring vineyards with bottling and other services. Consistency and quality are its hallmark, but beneath that steady surface lies a quiet thread of innovation, intuition, and risk-taking – all grounded in respect for the land, the vines, and the people who work with them.

Tim Stevens first arrived in Mudgee with long hair, a journalist’s background, and a dream to make wine. In 1996, he bought a vineyard next door to Huntington Estate and founded Abercorn – a small but mighty label that, within just a few years, was sweeping local wine show awards. In 2005, he purchased Huntington Estate from his mentor Bob Roberts and became its custodian.

Vines at Huntington Estate. Photo Credit: Huntington Estate

'I’ve been here nearly 20 years now,' he says with a grin. 'And I feel like I’m just finding my feet.' There’s some awe in his voice – at the shifting seasons, the hard-won lessons, and the sheer resilience of the 56-year-old vines that have endured drought, flood, frost, fire, and even the odd mouse plague.

Tim still remembers the night he proposed to his now-wife Nicky – and the elaborate ruse he orchestrated so that the big news could be announced on stage at the Huntington Festival.

'We may have forgotten to tell the families first,' he laughs. 'They were a little surprised to find out they weren’t the first to know. But it was such a special moment, and the festival was our family too.'

For Tim, winemaking isn’t just a creative pursuit – it’s a long-term responsibility. Huntington Estate has embraced sustainability as a guiding principle, not a marketing buzzword.

'It’s not a checklist,' he says. 'It’s a mindset. It’s about leaving things better than we found them.'

It’s about leaving things better than we found them

Huntington Estate wine. Photo Credit: Huntington Estate

That mindset shows up across the business: in solar-powered infrastructure, soil regeneration, cover crops, composting, minimal packaging, and the planting of hardy varietals like Grenache that are built to withstand the harsher seasons ahead.

'We live among these vines,' Tim says. 'They’re part of the family.'

As Musica Viva Australia celebrates its own 80-year history, it’s a pleasure to celebrate our partnership with Huntington Estate. Just as we have championed the transformative power of live performance across generations, Huntington has nurtured its vines, its people, and its wines with integrity and vision. It’s a partnership that feels as natural as it is enduring – a shared celebration of art, connection, and the things that get better with time.

This is part of a series of Untold Stories, about the people behind the music at Musica Viva Australia. Play your part in the future story of Musica Viva Australia by making a gift in our 80th anniversary year. To discuss making a gift, please contact Zoë Cobden-Jewitt: zcobden-jewitt@musicaviva.com.au