Must-Visit Wineries in Hunter Valley

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

You can visit Hunter Valley the biggest and oldest wine region of Australia by taking a two-hour drive from Sydney. Here you can find the greatest number of cellar doors than any other wine region in the country. So, it’s common that tasting the wine to meet their flavor and character is a privilege sought by visitors here. The story of Hunter Valley wineries dates back to the early 1820s and over 150 wineries stand there today. This article will guide you to find the best of the best Hunter Valley wineries among that vast collection. So, you could get the best experience of a Hunter Valley wine tour.  

This article on the best Hunter Valley wineries will first introduce you to the Hunter Valley and will provide a Hunter Valley wineries list by LGAs. Then, it will look at the famous grape varieties you can find in the Hunter region. Following that will be the section where will discuss wineries. However, the word ‘BEST’ is subjective to the reader to reader and a good winery for me not good for you. Therefore, we have decided to provide a criterion for the ‘BEST’.

• James Halliday Wine Companion best Hunter Valley wineries
• Best Hunter Valley Winery with outdoor wine tasting
• Best kids friendly Hunter Valley winery
• Hunter Valley wineries with best ecofriendly practices
• Hunter Valley wineries with restaurants   

History of Hunter Valley Wineries

The beginning

The 1800s mark the beginning of a spectacular moment in wine history. A glorious reputation precedes the Hunter Valley region in Australia, which houses many wineries. The boom in popularity dates back to the 18th century when Lieutenant John Shortland of the British Empire discovered the Hunter River, then a flourishing site for timber and coal. Vast acres of grapevines started crowding the adjoining areas by 1823, with names like George Wyndham, James King, and William Keldham slowly gaining currency among the public. However, it is sometimes a hassle to investigate who planted the first vineyard, the name of James Busby, without much strain on the nerves, surfaces in our mind.

James Busby’s return to Hunter Valley

Busby’s return to the Australian countryside is celebrated even now, for it marks the monumental entry of Semillon, France, and Spain’s famous grapes. Hunter Valley expanded in size down the lane as 500 acres of registered vineyard started to grow under strenuous labour. In 1850, Dr Henry Lindemann, a connoisseur of fine wine, earned the laurel for the exceptional quality of the wine. As a benefactor, Lindemann supervised and celebrated the development of the wine industry at its infancy stage back in the day. Lindeman paved the way for others to follow in his footsteps with Semillon, Verdelho, and Shiraz. Audrey Wilkinson, Maurice O’Shea, Murray Tyrrell, and other well-known Australian winemakers, along with Drayton and Tulloch, have revolutionized the practice of winemaking. All of their products in Hunter Valley are delectable in taste.

Tyrell’s HVD Vineyards and history

In 1908, Tyrell’s HVD vineyards introduced the oldest vineyards dabbling in top-notch Chardonnay in the world. Following his footsteps, Maurice o Shea of Mount Pleasant introduced new wine styles. His ever-growing penchant for Semillon acted as the catalyst for the setup of the infamous Lovedale vineyard. The Hunter Valley’s wine industry was booming by the end of the century, and the area became well known for superb Semillon, which Master of Wine Jancis Robinson referred to as “Australia’s gift to the world.” In the present times, alternative varietals like Tempranillo, Fiano, and Barbera have graced the stage while still maintaining the age-old charm of Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Semillon.

Climate, Soil, and Viticulture of Hunter Valley NSW

The Hunter Valley is about 160 kilometres north of Sydney, New South Wales’ capital. It exists in the foothills of the Brokenback Range, which is part of the magnificent Great Dividing Range. The region enjoys spells of hot, sultry days and cold nights in summer and winter. The Hunter Valley is lucky with a medium amount of rainfall in terms of rainfall, with the Lower Hunter region getting more than the Upper Hunter. Summer showers are a common occurrence, along with thunderstorms both of which are bad news to the local folks as it causes property damage or destruction of crops. However, it does mitigate the effects of high temperature. Winemakers capitalize on the warm climate for maximum productivity.

The region is not plain or homogenous in terms of soil texture and quality. The soils in the Lower Hunter Valley vary from sandy alluvial plains and dense loam to friable red duplex soils. The rivers and creeks in the Upper Hunter contribute to the area’s black, silty loam soils, which mostly overlay on top of alkaline clay loam. Shiraz thrives in friable red duplex and loam soils, while Semillon favours sandy alluvial flats.

Flanked by 2,300 hectares of vines, the Hunter Valley produces a small percentage of Australia’s overall annual grape crush. It prioritizes quality over quantity and thus has only ever produced wines of supreme quality. It boasts a massive number of 100 vineyards and 150 wineries and contributes to Australia’s winemaking reputation and wine tourism. Semillon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz are the region’s signature varieties, accounting for slightly more than half of the wine produced.

Full list of Hunter Valley Wineries

The region of the Hunter Valley will be identified by local government areas (LGA) and districts bisected for categorizing the wineries. Broke, Lovedale, Mt View, Pokolbin (means ‘A Very Hot Place’ according to Aboriginal people), and Rothbury are the areas where you will find most of the cellar doors located.

Wineries and Growers based on Hunter Valley Local Government Area (LGA)

Broke wineries

Lovedale wineries

Mt View wineries

Pokolbin wineries

Rothbury wineries

What grape varieties you can taste in Hunter Valley wineries? 

Let’s talk about the wine and the grape varieties they come from before we move to Hunter Valley wineries. Below are four classic grape varieties of Hunter Valley you must have a slip in your wine tour.

Semillon {she-mee-yon}

This wine is with qualities unseen in any other wine in the world. So, Hunter Valley pride itself on it. However, Semillon grape came to Australia in the early 1800s from the South West of France. But now this white grape from Bordeaux has made a home in Australia. This rich, creamy, lemon-flavored wine wonderfully pairs with rich seafood like fish pies and tuna carpaccio.

Chardonnay {shar-duh-nay}

Wine verities produce through this versatile grape under different styles can match with any food. So, this grape is among the most planted white varieties in Australia. Chardonnay also came to Australia from France. It came in 1832 with the James Busby collection. The flavors of this wine range from apple and lemon to papaya and pineapple.  

Shiraz {sheer-as}

This dark-skinned grape is from the Rhone wine-growing areas of France. But today it is the most celebrated red grape in Australia while representing 40% of red grapes in the country. This also came to Australia in 1832 with the James Busby collection. This is with a peppery, minty, or spicy flavor. So, it is better when pairing with spicy Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.

Verdelho {ver-dell-oh}

This grape is from the Portuguese island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. It came to Australia around 1820. But now it thrives in the warm climate of Hunter Valley. This wine is with flavors ranging from tropical fruits such as guava, pineapple, and paw paw. This wine is better when paired with salads or spicy Thai foods for its rich texture.

What are the best Hunter Valley wineries?

James Halliday Wine Companion best Hunter Valley wineries

Below are four of the best Hunter Valley wineries based on Halliday Wine companion to visit on a wine trip. If you are not familiar with the wine rating guideline, please read here. Each and every one of them has a history and a story of their own.

McGuigan Wines

McGuigan Wines are famous as one of the top Hunter Valley wineries today. It started in 1880 with Owen McGuigan who made Hunter Valley his home. McGuigan Wines became the Australian producer of the year once. It also became the International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2009. The winemakers of McGuigan Wines celebrate the traditional production methods every one loves. So, their collection of labels are in high demand too.

Opening hours;     Open 7 days from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 

Address;                Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin NSW 2320

T.P.;                      +61 (0)2 4998 4111

Email;                   [email protected]

Halliday Winery ratings of Mcguigan wines

Excellent winery producing very high quality wines and scored 4.5 stars in the latest rankings. A winery with 4.5 stars usually have wines that scores 90 to 95 or above.

Brokenwood wines

Brokenwood Wine is mostly famous for its Chardonnay, and this fame dates back to its very opening in 1970. This is also listed as a 5-star winery among the Hunter Valley wineries. The tasting room of Brokenwood wines offers its visitors a causal or private tasting experience as for the demand. You can also join in on the tour, which lets you explore the varieties of the Winery if you wish. 

Opening hours;     11a.m. to 5p.m. (Monday to Friday) and 10a.m. to 5p.m. (Saturday & Sunday)

Address;                401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin, NSW 2320

T.P.;                      (02) 4998 7559

Email;                   [email protected]

James Halliday Winery ratings of Brokenwood wines Hunter Valley

5 Red Stars winery shows its exemplary quality and typicity of wines. To reach this level, at least 2 wines required to reached 95 or above in the wine ratings. The 2018 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz is at the top of the list and won the ‘Wine of the Year 2021’ award too. Find on the below video where James Halliday (Judge) and Iain Riggs (winemaker) explains the story behind this award-winning wine.

Tyrrell’s Wines

English immigrant Edward Tyrrell added this winery to Hunter Valley wineries in 1858. Now, this winery is in the hands of his fourth-generation family member Bruce Tyrrell. Tyrrell’s is also the home of Australia’s most awarded wines. Tyrrell’s has been awarded over 5,600 trophies and medals Since 1971. In 2010 it also became the “Winery of the Year” in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion. Tyrrell’s hopes continue its philosophy of producing high-quality wine that people love to drink for many more generations too.

Opening hours;     Open 7 days from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. 

Address;                1838 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320

T.P.;                      (02) 4993 7028

Email;                   [email protected]

Halliday Winery ratings of Tyrrell’s Wines Hunter Valley

Undoubtedly Tyrrell’s is one of the most successful wineries in the Hunter Valley which shows by their 5 Red Star rating from the wine companion ratings. Tyrrell’s are well-known for their single vineyard Semillons and Vat 1 Semillon is a winner of a number of wine competitions around the world.

Thomas wines 

Relatively young Thomas wine entered the Hunter Valley wineries in 1997. But it currently pioneers the two signature varieties of the Hunter Valley, Semillon, and Shiraz with other giants. It also became the Hunter Winemaker of the Year in 2008 and 2014. Thomas also became the Most Successful Exhibitor in 2011and Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year 2017. Apart from them, Thomas wines have also got nearly 500 trophies and awards since 1997. You can get a tasting experience at Thomas wines under two main branches. So, ask for “The Discovery” or “The Journey” when you book it. 

Opening hours;     Open 7 days from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 

Address;                28 Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin NSW 2320

T.P.;                      (02) 4998 7134

Email;                   [email protected] 

Halliday Winery ratings of Thomas wines Hunter Valley

Andrew Thomas, a well-know name to wine industry having deep routes to McLaren Vale, then with Tyrrell’s wines. The 5 Red star winery shouldn’t miss on a tour to Hunter Valley if you are a serious wine drinker. Try Kiss Shiraz and Braemore Semillon which are the benchmark wines of Thomas winery.

Best Hunter Valley Winery with outdoor wine tasting

We know that even there are over 130 plus wineries in Hunter Valley, only a few of them has perfect outdoor settings. That’s why we have chosen Gartelmann wines from Lovedale. This Hunter Valley winery offers both an outdoor deck and indoor air-conditioned sitting for wine tasters. Having a glass of wine in your hand, sitting at the outdoor deck gives you the perfect unobstructed near 360 views of the countryside overlooking a very small lake. What else you expect!!!

You can contact them via their Facebook page here – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gartelmann-Wines/652800601559819

The best kids friendly Hunter Valley cellar door

Even though mom and dad love to have a date away from kids, it is not always possible if you have an extended family. So, you would be like to find out what are the ‘kid-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley’. We have already covered this topic extensively in one of our articles. However, the best of the family-friendly winery in the Hunter Valley is Tulloch Cellar Door located at 638 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin. They are one of the only wineries that offer Junior Tasting Sessions that combines with Kombucha.

Best organic and biodynamic winery in Hunter Valley

Organic food is a concept appearing around the world rapidly and it is not a strange word for people who love sustainable crops. Winegrowers also started using organic practices in their cultivation and production practices as the trend of biodynamic wines started to get popular. Hunter Valley is not a strange place for Organic wines and there are many renowned biodynamic wineries such as Krinklewood, Macquariedale, and Tamburlaine you can find for a wine tasting session. However, our pick is Tamburlaine wines led by chief winemaker Mark Davidson. Give a try on 2019 Reserve Hunter Syrah which gives a character of candied cherries and raspberries or 2017 single vineyard Malbec with the spiced plum palate. The Reserve Aged Liqueur Muscat is a perfect add on for your Christmas plum pudding as well.

Hunter Valley wineries with restaurants    

If you are looking to visit the best cellar door in Hunter Valley with an award-winning restaurant, you cannot miss Margan wines at 1238 Milbrodale Road, Broke. Located at a tranquil side of the Hunter Valley, this restaurant offers dining experiences for the most important life occasions. The indulge Valentine’s day menu is our favorite that begins with a refreshing Bramble Spritz Cocktail.

Margan’s restaurant is certified by Green Table Australia for their best environmental sustainable practices and gained ISO14000.

Tips when doing wine tasting 

Testing wine is something more than just having a slip of wine with your friends. It’s an occasion one lives and an art one loves. It’s always important that you dress for the event and avoid wearing fragrance. This is because the smell is a big part of the testing. So, you don’t want to ruin that with the aroma of perfumes. However, you will not be able to enjoy the occasion at all if you get drunk quickly. So, remember to take a break to eat and drink water in between tastings. 

How to hold a glass professionally if you visit Hunter Valley wineries

Did you know there is a right way and a wrong way to hold a wine glass too? Always hold the glass by its stem. So, the heat of your hand will not warm the liquid quickly.

How to taste  

The tasting procedure has four steps in it.

• Look; The appearance gives a variety of clues about a wine. So, spend 5 seconds to observe the wine.
• Smell; The smell can tell you a lot from the ingredients, winemaking practices to the aging process. 
• Taste; Feel the taste, texture, and length of time that taste stays with you.
• Think; Think about the uniqueness of the slip you took and find the facts that impressed you.

Don’t forget to have fun in between all of this too and enjoy the moment with your friends. After all, that’s what matters most.

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• Hunter Valley Australia – The Oldest Wine Region of NSW Australia