Cheers to 10 Years: Looking back at the last decade!

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. For me, B&G has always been about helping Hadyn fast track his winemaking and the creative control that comes with having your own brand; building a brand around values that matter — autonomy, sustainability, friendship, wine, the outdoors, pushing the Grampians as a region and supporting the community.

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.

Black & Ginger is about 2 mates with a love of camping, 4×4 driving and fishing… What was your favourite adventure in the last decade?

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. Epic.

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. Great food, people and beaches!

The Grampians is a pretty special part of the world… What are your top 3 places to visit?

Darcy: The dinner at Seppelt Wines with all the wine people, drinking back vintages with friends. Paper Scissors Rock for a beer or wine. The Bunyip Hotel Cavendish for a meal.

Hadyn: Paper Scissors Rock — great beer, delicious food and awesome people. Lake Fyans — best place to cool off on a hot day and wakeboard with an awesome view of the mountains. And going for a 4×4 drive on the tracks through the Grampians — every season is different so you’ll always see something new.

The Party

The “Cheers to 10 Years” celebration was part of the 2025 Forage & Feast Festival, in partnership with the Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub. The dinner featured matched wines including back vintages, paired with a cocktail style menu crafted by guest chef Lindsay Fush from Hamilton. Incredible live music from Dave Nicholson and Dirty Country. Saturday, 15th February 2025, at Barney’s Bar & Bistro, Pomonal, Victoria.

We love looking back, but we’re even more pumped for what’s ahead. Cheers to the next chapter!