Raise a glass to the Hunter’s female winemakers at Muse
In celebration of International Women’s Day this March, Muse Restaurant shines a spotlight on the women shaping the Hunter Valley wine scene.
Ladies of the Hunter is a curated wine pairing by Head Sommelier Melinda Beswick, toasting to the innovation, skill, and stories of the region’s incredibly talented female winemakers.
A menu of female-led flavours
On a recent visit, we were fortunate to experience this one-of-a-kind menu. Hosted by Muse Restaurant chef-owner Troy Rhoades-Brown, the relaxed Saturday lunch service – now back on Saturdays – was both indulgent and entirely deserved.
Head Sommelier Melinda Beswick kindly took care of all our pours, which complemented Muse’s seasonal menu, along the way sharing the processes and story of each wine.
There’s a wine for everyone to enjoy, and likely something you’ve yet to try. Expect a mix of precision-driven classics, minimal-intervention experiments and bold expressions of alternative varieties, as Melinda explains.
“Working closely with local producers is an important part of what we do at Muse. This pairing shares the wines of women whose work is helping shape the Hunter today – innovative, expressive and progressive.”
What can you expect from the menu?
It was impossible to narrow the autumn menu down to just one or two highlights. There were seven outstanding courses, each bringing distinct flavours and vibrant colour to the plate, with some ingredients picked straight from Troy’s extensive kitchen garden.
The Northern Rivers duck breast, with slim jim eggplant, fig, wild rice ragu, cranberry hibiscus, and kvass glaze was a definite star, as was the woodfired wagyu, Stu's golden enoki mushrooms, leek, puffed buckwheat and black garlic gravy had us wanting more.
When it comes to show stoppers, the best was left for last. Fig leaf cream, olive oil and Armagnac cake, walnut, grape, verjuice and honey snow, dolloped into your glass, were an incredible collaboration of flavours and artistry that brought the afternoon to a memorable close.
Thanks to Melinda's intimate knowledge of wines, and winemakers, each course was complemented by a wine crafted by one of the Hunter Valley's talented female winemakers. Each pour allowing the story behind the wine to come to life, delivered in Melinda's effortless manner.
Meet the women behind the wines
Emily Spinaze, Glover Wines | 2023 ‘Oakey Creek’ Semillon, Hunter Valley
Emily brings international experience from Burgundy and Napa Valley to reinterpret Hunter classics with precision and drinkability.
Liz Silkman, Silkman Wines | 2024 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay, Hunter Valley
Known as the “Chardonnay Queen,” Liz Silkman balances purity and refinement, creating wines celebrated across the Hunter Valley and beyond.
Kate Sturgess, Bani Vino | 2025 Tempranillo, Hunter Valley
With a decade at Brokenwood under her belt, Kate’s single-vineyard wines focus on minimal additions, structure, and storytelling in every bottle.
Allanna Wells, Thea Wines | 2023 Shiraz, Hilltops
Co-founder of Thea Wines, Allanna blends elegance, balance, and narrative, crafting small-batch wines that bring people together.
Peta Kotz, Sabi Wabi | Nomu Shiraz, Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley native Peta embraces minimal-intervention winemaking, letting each wine express natural character with freshness and vibrancy.
Suzanne Little, The Little Wine Company | 2022 Malbec, Northern Victoria
Championing alternative varieties, Suzanne creates wines that combine regional expression with exploration and approachability.
Alessa Margan, Margan Wines | 2024 Botrytis Semillon, Hunter Valley
Returning to her family vineyard with a sustainability focus, Alessa balances environmental stewardship with thoughtful, expressive winemaking.
Ladies of the Hunter
Where: Muse Restaurant, Hunter Valley
Time: Lunch l Sat from 12pm. Dinner l Wed - Sat from 6pm
To book visit Muse Dining
Muse is open for dinner from 6pm Wednesday to Saturday, and newly opened for lunch from 12pm on Saturdays – the perfect chance to taste the region through the lens of its leading female winemakers.
Launching in March, the Ladies of the Hunter menu continues to be available, and is your chance to celebrate female winemakers while indulging in a refined, flavour-packed experience.
