Thunder Ridge

The business is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Peter and Susan Moore. Susan's family have lived in Armidale for six generations, Peter's family for five. The vineyard lies on part of a farm where Peter's family has run sheep and cattle enterprises for the past 50 years. They say the vineyard was the love child of a perfect Hunter Valley hangover after celebrating Susan's 40th birthday in May 2003. A month later the site was chosen, and by November the vines were planted, and there was no turning back. The first vintage was '06, but in '10 they decided to change winemakers, with the aim of reducing their carbon footprint by using a local winemaker, also allowing them to become involved in the winemaking. -JAMES HALLIDAY