Hope Estate was founded by Michael Hope who describes himself as 'just a country boy from Young'. A pharmacist by trade, he built up a prosperous chain of pharmacies in rural NSW and Sydney before deciding to move out of Sydney. He wanted to follow His dream of establishing a premier destination and winery in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Hope Estate, established in 1994, began when Michael gave up his pharmacy career to do something he loved – to make wine. Together with his wife Karen they purchased their first vineyard at Broke in the Hunter consisting of 30 acres of vines on a 250 acre property. The quality of fruit produced from these vineyards was exceptional. Being ideally suited to whites this was then followed up with a second purchase, 200 acres of the famed red basalt soil at Fordwich. This has since been planted with 100 acres of Shiraz and Merlot. The winery was purchased in 1996 and occupied the site of the former Saxonvale Winery. Renamed the Hill of Hope, the winery became operational for the first vintage of Hope Estate in 1997. When a coal mine decided to mine under this Broke winery, Michael knew it was time to fulfill a long term dream and move to the heart of Pokolbin. In 2006 Michael purchased the Rothbury Estate property which meant this Hunter winery was finally back in family hands. This 420 acre winery is a Hunter icon and that symbolises the best of the Hunter. Hope Estate remains a premier destination with; world class wines and staff with a deep love and knowledge of wine. Hope Estate has since risen to a new level, creating an amphitheatre that holds 20,000 guests, becoming the Hunter's premier wine and entertainment destination.
Source: Homepage
Springsteen did 3 performances, excl. rehearsals, at this venue.
