Meet Pierre Durand: A New Chapter for Hungerford Hill

When Pierre Durand first visited Australia at 17, he spent time exploring the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. The first vineyard he ever visited was Dalwood Estate. At the time, he couldn't have imagined that decades later he would return to the region as General Manager and Chief Winemaker of Hungerford Hill, overseeing not only Hungerford Hill itself but also Sweetwater Estate and Dalwood Estate. 

Born in the South West of France and raised in a farming family in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Pierre's passion for wine began long before his career. 

As a child, he watched and listened to his Belgian grandfather bottle his own wine in the family garage. Later, as a teenager, he followed his father on visits through some of France's most renowned wine regions. These experiences ignited a fascination not only with wine itself, but also with the land, the people and the economies that surround it. 

That fascination would ultimately become a career spanning more than 20 years across Australia and France, encompassing viticulture, winemaking, management and sales. 

While his roots may be French, Pierre's connection to the Hunter Valley runs deep. 

After completing his studies in Biology, Plant and Seed Technology, and Agronomy in France, Pierre moved to Australia in 2003 to study Viticulture at Kurri Kurri TAFE. It was here in the Hunter Valley that he built both his career and family life. Today, he proudly calls the region home, where he lives with his wife and three children. 

For Pierre, great wine begins with understanding the unique character of a vineyard. 

One of the aspects he finds most exciting about the Hungerford Hill family of wines is the diversity of the vineyard sites themselves. 

From the distinctive vineyard sites of Hungerford Hill to the red loamy soils of Sweetwater Estate and the historic vines of Dalwood Estate, each site offers its own personality, expression and sense of place. 

"It's all about the fruit," Pierre explains. This philosophy of fruit-first winemaking and minimal intervention is one that resonates strongly throughout the wines currently being crafted across the portfolio. 

When asked what excites him most about the wines being produced at Hungerford Hill, Pierre speaks passionately about their future. “Bryan has crafted wines destined for the wine landscape of tomorrow. While many of the wines offer immediate enjoyment, they have also been made with longevity in mind. Designed to be enjoyed around the table with family and friends, the wines offer generosity and approachability in their youth, while retaining the structure, elegance and depth to evolve beautifully over time.” 

Hungerford Hill, Dalwood Estate and Sweetwater are now in a strong position to continue the drinkability and style that have rewarded loyal members and customers over the past 60 years. 

The three estates also sit at a generational crossroads, extending an invitation to a younger generation of wine lovers seeking alternative varieties, different styles, new sensory experiences, a sense of place and belonging, sustainability, and genuine value for money. All of these qualities are already offered by Hungerford Hill, and Pierre intends to continue bridging this gap, ensuring all wine lovers feel welcome around the table. 

Pierre is quick to acknowledge the strength of the existing team around him. He also speaks with enormous respect for the legacy that has shaped Hungerford Hill into the winery it is today. 

As he steps into the role, his focus is not on changing direction but on building upon the strong foundations already in place, continuing to celebrate the unique character of the Hunter Valley and the exceptional vineyard sites that define the portfolio. 

With a deep respect for the region, a passion for vineyard expression and a genuine love for Hunter Valley wine, Pierre is looking forward to guiding Hungerford Hill into its next chapter. 

And if you're wondering whether he prefers Semillon or Shiraz?