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The Hunter Valley's best-kept secret (until now)

First Creek Wines, founded by Greg and Jenny Silkman in 1998, has built a strong reputation for elegant, expressive wines sourced from the best sites across regional New South Wales with a particular focus on the Hunter Valley which is home. With Liz and Shaun Silkman now at the helm as chief winemaker and CEO respectively, their range includes the highly acclaimed suite of 96+ point Halliday rated Single Vineyard and Winemaker Reserve wines as well as the smart and stylish Botanica label, crafted with a focus on sustainable practices and regional expression.

Liz Silkman is regarded as one of Australia's leading winemakers - is the only Hunter Valley Winemaker to ever be named Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year and is the only winemaker to be named Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year title four times. 

Founder

Greg Silkman

Greg Silkman is a pioneer of the modern Hunter Valley wine industry and together with his wife Jenny, a visionary founder of First Creek Wines.

Greg has played a vital role in shaping the Hunter Valley's wine industry while building a reputation for producing premium, regional wines of finesse, purity, and consistency. In recognition of his contribution to the local industry, Greg was inducted as a 'Living Legend' at the Hunter Valley Legends awards in 2019.

It was Karl Stockhausen whose wines can be credited for Greg's early interest in Hunter Semillon and Shiraz that he discovered during his formative years working in his family hotels business while studying science at Newcastle University.

Greg moved to the Hunter Valley in 1985 when he purchased Tamburlaine Wines with a group of friends, shares which he held in that thriving business until 1996.

He and wife Jenny established First Creek Wines in 1998 with a clear mission: to craft outstanding regional wines using premium fruit from across New South Wales, while fostering a legacy of winemaking excellence in the Hunter Valley for future generations.

Under Greg’s leadership, First Creek has grown into one of the most awarded and respected wine producers in the country, with multiple Red 5-Star ratings from James Halliday as well as recognition from domestic and international wine critics. 

Together, the Silkman family has built First Creek into a beacon of regional pride in the Hunter Valley and a leader in Australian winemaking.

CEO

Shaun Silkman

Shaun began his journey in the wine industry in 1999, working as a cellar hand in his family’s business while studying for a Bachelor of Business & Commerce at the University of Newcastle. Although a career in wine wasn’t his original plan, he soon recognized an opportunity to apply his business skills to the rapidly growing company. His strategic vision and leadership have since helped shape it into one of Australia’s most successful contract winemaking and bottling operations.

In 2004, Shaun met Liz, whose passion for wine was contagious. Inspired by her enthusiasm and deep knowledge, Shaun pursued further studies, completing a Bachelor of Wine Science through Charles Sturt University.

Shaun took over the reigns of the First Creek family business in 2024 from his founder father Greg Silkman.

Chief Winemaker

Liz Silkman

Liz Silkman (née Jackson) is one of Australia’s most respected winemakers, with a career that blends scientific intrigue, a creative instinct, a love of Chardonnay and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her winemaking journey began in 1999 as a Lab Technician at Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley, following a Bachelor of Science from the University of Newcastle and a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from the University of Adelaide. What followed was a decade of experience across renowned wineries in Australia, the United States, and New Zealand—building a deep foundation in both technique and terroir. Returning to the Hunter, Liz took up the role of Winemaker at Tempus Two, working closely with industry icons Lisa McGuigan and Sarah-Kate Dineen. After six years, she stepped into her current position as Chief Winemaker at First Creek Wines, where her leadership and vision have shaped the brand into one of the Hunter Valley’s most awarded and respected. 

In 2006, Liz was selected as a Scholar for the highly exclusive Len Evans Tutorial—often described as the “Harvard of wine education”—and was named Dux of her year, a testament to her sharp palate and technical brilliance. From there, the accolades kept coming. In 2025, Liz made history as the first Hunter Valley winemaker to be named Halliday Winemaker of the Year—a national recognition of outstanding craftsmanship. She was also the first person ever to be awarded Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year three times, taking the title in 2011, 2016, 2022. 

Her name is now synonymous with benchmark winemaking in Australia—quietly redefining what the Hunter Valley is capable of, one exceptional vintage at a time.

Senior Winemaker

Annabel Holland

Annabel, who describes herself as ‘one who happily flies under the radar’, has been one of the most significant players in First Creek’s winemaking history. Annabel has worked alongside Chief Winemaker Liz Silkman for more than fifteen years at First Creek, at first as cellar hand and over the years earning the title Senior Winemaker, sharing a mutual love of Chardonnay.

Born and bred in Scone, NSW, Annabel studied winemaking at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and started her winemaking career at Tyrrells in the Upper Hunter. Having spent time roving wine regions of the world and doing vintages in Canada, Western Australia as well as working for Eden Road in Canberra, she then followed somewhat in Liz’s footsteps working at Tempus Two before joining First Creek. Annabel has judged at many of the key wine shows including the Hunter Valley Wine Show, Hunter Boutique Wine Show, NSW Wine Awards, National Cool Climate Wine Show, Canberra Regional Wine Show and NSW Small Winemakers Show.