40 years of enjoying great Australian wine!
From small beginnings in the Hunter Valley in 1975, Wine Selectors now proudly delivers the very best in Australian wine to over 200,000 customers throughout the country.
Recently we celebrated our 40th birthday by exploring our journey through the decades.
1975
Hunter Valley Wine Society is born
In 1975 there were only 45 wine producers in the Hunter Valley and there was no real tourism industry in the area.
The Hunter Valley Wine Society became a one-stop-shop to promote the wines of the region, including brands such as Tyrrell’s, McWilliam’s, Drayton’s, Tulloch Wines and Hungerford Hill.
1980
Expert Tasting Panel formed
Quality control became increasingly important for the Hunter Valley Wine Society team, so a Tasting Panel was formed with the two original members being Greg Walls and Rob Jones.
Since the beginning, the Tasting Panel has used Australian Wine Show judging standards.
1983
Tasting notes accompany each case we deliver
To help Members learn more about their wines, tasting notes started being included in deliveries.
Members still enjoy their tasting notes for the descriptions they provide on the wines, as well as the helpful (and delicious!) food suggestions.
1985
A new name for a new direction
With the launch of Societe de Vignerons (now known as Regional Series), the company spread its wings into the major wine regions of Australia, bringing Members a whole new, more diverse range of wines. With this fresh direction going beyond the Hunter Valley came the need for a new name and (Australian) Wine Selectors was born.
Endeavour Industries starts packing our wine
Since 1985, every case of wine we’ve sent out the Wine Selectors door has been packed with care by Endeavour Industries Limited, an organisation providing employment to people living with disability in our community. You can find out more about this inspiring enterprise at endeavourgroup.org.au.
1991
Wine Hunter and Le Vigneron are launched
To add even more to the wine experience of members including recipes and travel features, Wine Selectors launched two magazines: Wine Hunter for Hunter Valley Wine Society members; and Le Vigneron for Societe de Vigneron members.
1994
Our first contact centre opens in Newcastle
In line with Wine Selectors’ commitment to providing great customer service, the first contact centre opened in the Newcastle suburb of Lambton. Now located in Hunter Street, Newcastle, this team is one of the few Australian-based contact centres left and you’re guaranteed to speak to a real person, never a machine!
2000
The launch of Australian Wine Selector magazine, now Selector
Wine Hunter and Le Vigneron were amalgamated into Australian Wine Selector magazine, which today is known as Selector. This award-winning publication has a readership of over 92,000 and features some of Australia’s best loved foodies.
2007
Wine Selectors opens in domestic airports
What makes the wait for a flight more interesting? A wine tasting, of course! The first Wine Selectors Airport Cellar Door opened at Melbourne and Sydney domestic airports in 2007 and can now also be found at Brisbane and Perth domestic airports.
So next time you’re flying within Australia, we’d love you to drop by and say hi!
2008
The Tasting Panel welcomes new faces
Since 1980, the Tasting Panel had evolved to include Karl Stockhausen (Chairman, winemaker and wine show judge), Keith Tulloch (winemaker and wine show judge), Trent Mannell (wine show judge), Chris Barnes (wine educator and wine show judge). In 2008 they welcomed two new members, Dave Mavor (winemaker and wine show judge) and Nicole Gow (wine show judge).
2012
The Tasting Panel grows again
Phil Ryan, Hunter Valley Living Legend, wine show judge and McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker, joins Karl Stockhausen as Co-Chairman, while Adam Walls, Wine Educator swells the expert ranks of the Panel.
Your online experience is enhanced
Recognising the need for a smooth online shopping experience, Wine Selectors expanded and enhanced its website.This saw an increase in the range of wines, an improvement in the search feature and a friendly format for mobile and tablet.
We also increased our Cellar Door Release programme to include the Varietal Series, Taste of Australia Series and the Sparkling Splendour Series to offer more range to members.
2015
The present and beyond
Wine Selectors sources wines from over 500 producers Australia wide and has 200,000 happy customers. In 2015 we turned 40, we look forward to delivering more exciting wines to you for many years to come!