First Creek Wines is a family owned and operated winery located in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
First Creek Wines founders Greg and Jenny Silkman purchased a parcel of land bordered by First Creek in the Hunter Valley in 1998, with great plans to create one of the region’s leading family wine brands. Being Shortlisted for Winery of the Year by James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2024, is a testament to the Silkman’s having realised this goal.
Respecting the traditional land holders - the Wonnarua people who were the first inhabitants of Coquun, now known as the Hunter Valley, and the area being rich in history and culture, the Silkman’s set about making incredible wine combining both tradition and innovation.
Taking its name from an important water course which borders the property where the cellar door lies today, First Creek supplies high quality fresh water to many of the most significant vineyard sites in the Hunter Valley. Several vineyards from which many of First Creek’s highly awarded wines are grown, are fed by First Creek which runs from East of Wine Country Drive, starting at Black Creek and winds through to the western side of McDonalds Road just by the Broke Road corner. It was only fitting that the all-important water supply gave its name to this rising brand.
The Silkman’s had a vision to improve the quality and perception of Hunter Valley wines with a sensitive bespoke approach supported by upholding traditional winemaking values, being respectful to the traditional land upon which their vines are grown and using state of the art technology. The early years saw remarkable innovation and success and the first wines were released in 2005 under the First Creek label which were made by Greg Silkman and winemaker son Shaun Silkman.
First Creek has been on an incredible journey, with Liz Silkman, the then recent Dux of the world-famous Len Evans Tutorial joining as Chief Winemaker in 2008, significant expansion in production and the addition of a second bottling line. Fast forward through several years of making great wine and Liz is named Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year three times in 10 years, the first person in the Hunter Valley to do so, along with many other firsts, trophies and accolades all of which they attribute to having access to some of the best vineyards in one of the best wine growing regions of the world.
A stay in the world-renowned Hunter Valley really must include a visit to one of its most awarded wine producers. Open 7 days a week for informative tastings and bookable wine experiences where you decide if you’d like to take in a birds eye view of a busy working winery from our cellar door viewing window, or relax on the veranda and enjoy wide open spaces where kangaroos graze.
Come and see for yourself why First Creek is consistently rated 5 Red Stars by James Halliday Wine Companion since 2010 and why we’ve been shortlisted for Winery of The Year in 2024.
We recommend you reserve your place by clicking below.
Open 7 Days
Please call our Cellar Door on (02) 4998 7293.
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