In 2015, high school friends Hadyn Black and Darcy Naunton (aka the Ginger) embarked on a winemaking journey by producing their first vintage under the Black & Ginger label. A decade later, they are celebrating this milestone with a special event: "Cheers to 10 Years".
In anticipation of this celebration, Hadyn's wife Lucy sat down with Hadyn and Darcy to reflect on their decade-long journey in winemaking, adventure and their passion for the Grampians region!
10 Years is a huge milestone for a small wine producer... What are you looking forward to most about celebrating?
Darcy:
10 years of great wine. In that whole time, Hadyn’s only ever made one I didn’t like (pet lamb)
For me, B&G has always been about a handful of things:
- Helping Hadyn fast track his winemaking and creative control that comes with having a brand and pushing it in directions that are most interesting to us.
- Building a brand around values that are important to us: autonomy, sustainability, friendship, wine, the outdoors, pushing the Grampians as a region & supporting the community.
- Looking forward, continuing to build upon the above, with our supporters, friends, customers, champions, family; creating a livelihood out of a business and brand we love!
Hadyn:
I can't wait to catch up over a drink with our mates, family, and all the legends who’ve supported us along the way. It’s a great excuse to crack open some of the older wines in our range and take a trip down memory lane. For us, it’s always been about more than just the wine—it’s about good times, good people, and staying true to what matters most: doing things our way, looking after the land, backing our community, and putting the Grampians on the map. We’re stoked to share this journey and can’t wait for what’s next!
Below: The boys watching as the wine is pressed before going into barrel
Black & Ginger is about 2 mates with a love of camping, 4x4 driving and fishing... What was your favourite adventure in the last decade? Why?
Darcy:
In 2018 I set myself a challenge to drive from Alaska to Argentina in a Landrover Discovery. Hadyn joined me in Central America; in Guatemala, we Climbed Mt Acatenango and enjoyed a bottle of B&G at the top. Then at Sambo Creek in Honduras we chartered a local fishing boat for a day. It was an epic trip!
Hadyn:
Travelling through Mexico with Darcy on his long drive down. I’ve been to Mexico a couple of times, it’s one of my favourite places to travel outside of Australia. It’s got great food, people and beaches!
Below: A bottle of 2016 B&G Shiraz on Mount Acatenango, Guatemala.
The Grampians is a pretty special part of the world... what are your top 3 places to visit? Whether they are for food, wine, nature or an attraction?
Darcy:
- The dinner we had in the drives at Seppelt Wines with all the wine people, drinking back vintage wines and enjoying a lovely dinner with friends.
- Paper Scissors Rock for a beer or wine
- The Bunyip Hotel Cavendish for a meal
- Going for 4x4 drive on the tracks in the Grampians. It's a great place to get lost driving and exploring nature. Hadyn and I bush bashed our way down a snowy trail in my Range Rover way back when (circa 2014).
Below: The boys outside The Bunyip Hotel Cavendish
Hadyn:
- Paper Scissors Rock – Great beer, delicious food and awesome people!
- Lake Fyans – Best place to cool off on a hot day, have a swim and a wake board plus it has an awesome view of the mountains.
- Going for a 4x4 drive on the tracks through the Grampians. Every season is different so you’ll always see something you haven’t before.
Above: The boys stop to check the map whilst 4x4 driving and enjoying a beer around a campfire whilst on a 4x4 adventure. Below: Hadyn on the wakeboard at Lake Fyans with the sun setting behind the Grampians.
Join the Party:
The “Cheers to 10 Years” celebration is part of the 2025 Forage & Feast Festival, in partnership with the Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub. The dinner will feature matched wines, including back vintages, paired with a menu crafted by guest chef Lindsay Fush (aka Fushy) from Hamilton, highlighting local produce. There will be live music by local legends Dave Nicholson and Dirty Country. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 15th February 2025, at Barney's Bar & Bistro in Pomonal, Victoria.
We love looking back, but we’re even more pumped for what’s ahead. As we raise a glass to the next chapter, we invite you to dive into our photo gallery below and relive the ride with us.