Offering a rich history, cultural attractions, fresh local food and more than a few great wines, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region. Covering an area of just under 30,000 square kilometres or 11,583 square miles, the Hunter Valley is located an hour’s drive inland from Newcastle or a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Sydney.
The region, dotted with many quaint towns and villages, is home to over 100 wineries and is well worth a visit. Spend a week or a long weekend exploring the region and visit some of the many villages and cellar doors. The biggest challenge for wine-lovers will be resisting the urge to stock up on too many bottles of semillon, shiraz or chardonnay that the area is famous for.
If you are short on time, a day tour from either Sydney or Newcastle will still provide access to half a dozen vineyards. Extra attractions like the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, Smelly Cheese Shop, Hunter Distillery or local olive farms and craft breweries will also be included in the tours.
Organised day tours of the valley
Best Tours are a family run business offering day tours from Newcastle. Friendly local guides provide pick-up and drop off from your hotel. The price of 85–120 AUD (62.9–92.6 USD) per person, includes tastings at five or six vineyards, a visit to the chocolate and/or cheese factory with the option of a two-course lunch at one of the wineries.
Ernest Hill Wines
Opting for the full day tour, departing from Newcastle, our first stop was Ernest Hill Wines, located on the aptly named ‘Wine Country Drive’ in the Pokolbin district.
Growing four varieties of white grape and two red, this family run vineyard produces a range of limited edition wines that include semillon, chardonnay, verdelho and a selection of dessert wines.
The cellar door is situated atop a hill and you can take in the impressive view of the Broken Back Ranges, while sampling a selection of premium wines, alfresco style on the front veranda.
McLeish and Blaxlands Estates
Driving north, we headed to the multi-awarded McLeish Estate, which offers a sample of current and aged releases as part of their tastings, complemented by some homemade nibbles. From there we headed to Blaxlands Estate where we stopped for a two-course lunch consisting of fresh and locally produced fare, accompanied by a glass of wine from the estate.
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Harkham Estate
Producing small batches of quality preservative-free wines, the socially conscious Harkham Estate hand-picks fruit from their sustainably farmed vineyards. 1 AUD (0.74 USD) from every bottle sold goes to support Harkham’s charitable projects. In addition to the wine, Harkham Estate craft a bespoke chocolate liqueur and a meade (honey wine) is made with 24 carat gold flakes.
Constable Estate and Lucy's Run
Set on seven hectares or 17.3 acres, Constable Estate is as popular for its beautiful gardens as it is for its fabulous wines. Explore the Oak Walk, Camellia Garden, Millennium Walk among others and the more recently added lookout that provides broad views across the Pokolbin region. Maps of the walks and gardens are available at the cellar door.
Last stop before heading back to Newcastle was at Lucy’s Run, a boutique winery based in Rothbury. Lucy’s Run produces cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, which partners well with their great selection of tasty Dukkah spice mixes. Washed down, of course, with one of their award-winning wines.
Activities and annual events
If food, wine and sunshine just aren’t enough, the Hunter Valley is host to numerous annual events and activities, from horse-riding, golf or hot air ballooning to concerts, festivals and interactive adventures.
Peter Drayton Wines host the annual STOMP, where you can enjoy a continental breakfast with bubbles, pick and stomp the harvested grapes and bottle your own wine.
For the mountain bike enthusiast, there is the Port Stephens, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle staged race that takes place every year towards the end of May.
History
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10 Best Secluded Cabins In Hunter Valley, Australia - Updated 2024Plarlene Juliane -
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