Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA) has announced the addition of Mount Pleasant Wines, one of the Hunter Valley’s most celebrated and historic producers, to its prestigious wine tourism collection.

Founded in 1921 by acclaimed winemaker Maurice O’Shea—often recognised as the father of modern Australian winemaking, Mount Pleasant has long been synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship, and a distinctive approach to blending and the use of French oak during an era dominated by fortified styles. Its legacy remains a cornerstone of the Hunter Valley’s global reputation for quality wines.

Located in Pokolbin beneath the dramatic Brokenback Range and just two hours north of Sydney, Mount Pleasant offers visitors an immersive connection to more than a century of winemaking heritage. Its recently renovated cellar door, unveiled in 2022, blends historic charm with contemporary design. Housed within the original homestead buildings and reoriented to capture sweeping vineyard views, the space features an expanded tasting area, a private tasting room, and an exclusive members’ lounge set within the adjacent barn.

There’s also wine store described as “a Disneyland for wine lovers” housing some of Mount Pleasant’s oldest and most significant wines, where aficionados can purchase rare museum bottles.

Guests visiting the winery can choose from three Ultimate Winery Experiences ranging from A$100 – A$1000 per person.

Hosted by Chief Winemaker Adrian Sparks, ‘The Maurice O’Shea Legacy’ experience is an immersive journey featuring a guided vineyard and winery walk, tank and barrel tasting, private tasting of rare wines and a shared-style lunch at the winemaker’s table.

‘The Mothervine Experience’ is a captivating journey through the origins of Australia’s finest Pinot Noir, which reveals how 70% of the country’s greatest Pinot Noir vineyards trace their lineage back to a single vine still thriving in Mount Pleasant’s historic Mothervine vineyard. A guided vineyard walk is followed by a Pinot Noir-focussed winery tour and tasting followed by a generous charcuterie lunch.

‘Love on Mount Pleasant’ includes a self-guided tour of the estate’s private art and photography collection, which include pieces by renowned Australian artist and Archibald Prize winner Garry Shead, before a guided tasting of eight Mount Pleasant Wines accompanied by olives, cheese and lavosh.

Ultimate Winery Experiences Executive Officer Sarah Myers affirmed she was thrilled to welcome Mount Pleasant to the collective.

“Mount Pleasant is a prestigious winery renowned for producing benchmark Hunter Valley styles such as Semillon and Shiraz, and with its stylish new cellar door and incredible art collection, it’s an unmissable Hunter Valley wine tourism destination,” she said. “The site is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, dating back to 1880, so there’s an incredible amount of history for guests to unearth when they visit,” she said.

According to Mount Pleasant’s Chief Winemaker & General Manager, Adrian Sparks, joining Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia has been “a long-term ambition”.

“Over recent years, we’ve transformed our business to focus exclusively on premium wines and world-class experiences. With a beautifully renovated cellar door and a passionate team leading the way, we’re proud to share the new, refined Mount Pleasant with Australia and the rest of the world,” he said.

Mount Pleasant joins nearby Hunter Valley winery Audrey Wilkinson, and fellow New South Wales wineries Printhie Wines and Swinging Bridge – both located in Orange – as members of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective.

The two regions can be connected by the Hunter Valley and Orange Wine trail, which includes a stopover in the famous Blue Mountains.

Mount Pleasant is open seven days from 10am – 5pm, and is located at 401 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin.