Discover the Hunter Valley wine region, Australia’s oldest wine-growing region, dating back to the early 1820s. Today, this well-established region just two hours north of Sydney offers more than 150 wineries and cellar doors, acclaimed restaurants, stunning scenery, and an endless number of experiences.

Visitors to the Hunter Valley can enjoy unique experiences at award winning cellar doors, dining at some of Australia’s best restaurants, hot air balloon rides, horse riding and hiking in national parks. The Hunter Valley also has a calendar packed with lively events and music festivals. Accommodation options range from luxury resorts with golf courses and spas to boutique accommodation, nature retreats and farm stays.

Winery Experiences of the Hunter Valley

The region is home to some of Australia’s most distinctive and outstanding wines, most notably Hunter Valley Semillon, and is also famous for producing outstanding Shiraz, Verdelho and Chardonnay.

Audrey Wilkinson: This 150-year-old vineyard, perched on the foothills of the Brokenback Range, has stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. Audrey Wilkinson is a family-run cellar door that offers tastings, picnics among the vines, behind-the-scenes tours, and fortified wine and cheese pairings. There is also a free museum and guest accommodation in modern cottages.

Brokenwood Wines: One of Australia’s most reputable premium wine labels and a must visit in the Hunter Valley. Key offerings include the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, ILR Reserve Semillon and Cricket Pitch Range. The venue in Pokolbin is a state-of-the-art tasting facility and offers a museum, cafe and restaurant and function space for 20-400 people. Brokenwood’s VIP Soil-to-Cellar experience is a rare opportunity to gain exclusive access to one of Australia’s most iconic vineyards whilst enjoying a unique and personalized experience. It includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery, a degustation menu with matched wines, barrel tasting and a bottle of current release Graveyard Shiraz.

McGuigan Wines: A name synonymous with Australian winemaking. Steeped in rich Hunter Valley tradition, the wines are the product of four generations of McGuigan family winemakers who have become renowned for producing some of the finest wines in Australia. The Winery & Produce Tour provides guests with an opportunity to immerse themselves in McGuigan history and flavors and includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery, a horse and carriage tour of the vineyards and a selection of local cheese and chocolate to try with iconic McGuigan wines.

Scarborough Wine: Established in the 1970s, this family-owned winery specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot. There are two cellar doors: Gillards Road and Scarborough on Hermitage. Guests can choose from a range of unique experiences, including tour and tasting experiences with food pairings, or try their hand at the Sensory Workshop, a fun and educational way to help identify aromas and flavors in wine.

Tulloch Wines: Over four generations and 125 years, Tulloch has been crafting wines and experiences that celebrate ‘the good life’ of wine, food, family, and friends. Tours include a Chocolate and Wine pairing, a Mystery Wine Tour and the Museum Experience. Their newest experiences include Hunter Heroes & Global Flavours, where guests can immerse themselves in the history of the Hunter Valley by tasting the iconic Hunter wines and the Hunter Wine, Seafood & BBQ, a half-day experience that includes an afternoon at the cellar door tasting premium wines and cooking a decadent barbecue with the Tulloch chef.

Tyrrells: This much-loved wine brand has been family-owned since 1858 and home to some of Australia’s most awarded wines, including the iconic Vat 1 Semillon. Guests can take a tour and experience the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation. For avid wine lovers, the Sacred Sites experience includes a private vineyard tour with a Tyrrell family member, followed by a tasting of wines from the family’s private cellar.

Wine House Hunter Valley: This one-stop cellar door and restaurant offers a choice of over 40 of the best local wines in the Hunter Valley. Wine House offers a range of tours including the Hunter Discovery Tasting and a Connoisseurs Wine & Chocolate Tasting. Visitors can book a table for lunch or enjoy The Grand Sensory Adventure that features four premium wines and food pairings.