The hunter Valley is one of Australia’s premium wine regions with some exceptional wineries to visit. however discovering the ones that the locals truly like takes a bit more than just getting off that beaten track.
You requirement to understand somebody who lives there.
So thanks to our good friends in the Hunter wine industry, right here are the hunter Valley wineries to see that locals love.
In the past, we’ve shown up in the hunter Valley as well as just guessed which wineries to visit. Or taken tips from good friends right here in Sydney.
It’s been a bit hit as well as miss.
But since making good friends with not only locals of the hunter Valley however actual winemakers here, we’ve got a totally different view of this amazing wine region.
The Scarborough family, who’ve been making amazing hunter wine for two generations, have shared their favourite wineries to see with us. You can’t get more regional or knowledgeable in the hunter Valley than that.
So here’s the insider’s scoop on where to go in the hunter Valley if you want to truly experience the region with its wine:
15 hunter Valley wineries only locals understand about
1. Silkman Wines
In spite of its newness (1st vintage released in 2013), Silkman is producing some instantaneously lovable wines. had by husband-and-wife team Shaun as well as Liz Silkman, this small-batch winery is already taking house awards.
Good for: Semillon, Chardonnay as well as their Shiraz Pinot Noir blend.
2. Lakes Folly
Started by Dr Max Lake in 1963 as well as since bought by the Fogarty family. A welcoming bit cellar door with wine made of grapes only grown on the estate.
Good for: Chardonnay as well as Cabernet blend
3. Scarborough Wines
Started by Ian Scarborough as well as his household in the ‘80s the 2 cellar doors they have are homely as well as welcoming, as well as unlike most cellar door experiences, you’re served free cheese as well as antipasto board with your sit-down tasting. extremely civilised.
The Hermitage cellar door likewise has the most amazing views out over the Brokenback mountain variety – a spur of the excellent Dividing Range.
Good for: the view however likewise Chardonnay (the variety right here is amazing), a lovely light Pinot Noir as well as new to the line, a extremely drinkable Vermentino.
I should mention Scarbie as well as the household didn’t include themselves in this list. That was our idea!
4. Audrey Wilkinson
Planted in 1866 this is one of the oldest vineyards in Australia as well as named after the guy (yes, it confused me too) that started it all.
Good for: award winning hunter Semillions.
Book your charming picnic as well as tasting master class at Audrey Wilkinson here.
5. First Creek Wines
First Creek have been making wine right here for over 20 years as well as have established a solid reputation for high quality wine. The cellar door may not be the most fascinating however the wine you get to taste right here is well worth it.
Good for: the range. They source the very best fruit to make whatever from Merlot as well as Shiraz to sparkling Moscato as well as Botrytus.
6. Bimbadgen Estate
Set on a hill overlooking the Valley, this striking estate creates some excellent wine with fruit from its own vines as well as chosen contract vineyards. however it likewise has an award-winning restaurant Ian vouches for too.
Good for: its exceptional array of whites as well as reds however likewise its restaurant Esca.
Why not book a picnic amongst the Bimbadgen vines?
7. Peterson House
A lovely cellar door overlooking the winery’s lake, Peterson’s is always a prominent spot. The sparkling wine choice right here is amazing as well as we always surface off a see to the hunter with a quick tasting as well as a box of six.
Good for: bubbles. Their sparkling rosé as well as sparkling Shiraz are a great deal of fun.
Book a helicopter flight around the hunter as well as a stop at Peterson’s home for some breakfast bubbles here.
8. Thomas Wines
Owned by Andrew Thomas, who was named hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year twice so far, this quirky bit winery creates some benchmark wines.
Good for: little however cult-forming variety of Semillons as well as the DJV Shiraz.
9. Littles Winery
Formed by 2 households – the Kindreds as well as the Littles – in 1997, the estate is now solely had as well as run by the Kindred family. open Friday to Sunday their cellar door is extremely homely as well as welcoming.
Good for: aged Semillon, Chardonnay as well as Daisy hill range.
10. De Iuliis Wines
Pronounced “de oo-lee-iss” the De Iuliis household work on bringing a fresh, small-batch approach to producing their hunter wines. The cellar door is a large, contemporary building however the welcome as well as the service you get shows the family’s Italian heritage.
Good for: the view, the two Fat Blokes cheese & wine experience. For wine, go for Semillon as well as hunter style Shiraz.
11. Oakvale Wines
One of the oldest working wineries in the hunter (since 1893), Oakvale only offers their wines with their cellar door, which is a lovely country estate style wood build. Interestingly the $5pp tasting charge goes towards the winery’s work with meals on Wheels.
Good for: Their restaurant EXP. is well worth a look. Their wine variety is enormous so there’s plenty to try.
12. Tyrrell’s Wines
The long household history (which you can checked out about on the website) brings us – among many other things – over 150 years of hunter Valley winemaking. The Tyrells are extremely proud of their household history as well as the cellar door is steeped in the stuff.
Good for: personal tasting space (between $5 as well as $25pp), a few of the best-known Australian wine.
13. Tulloch Wines
Family-run since 1838, when James Tulloch – then owner of the regional store – agreed to take a financial obligation settlement of 43 acres. The contemporary cellar door offers tastings of the full variety of Tulloch wines.
Good for: Verdelho – though the variety special to the cellar door looks extremely tempting.
Book your Wine-maker’s Table experience with Kieth Tulloch himself here.
14. Brokenwood
We’ve been drinking their wines for years, as well as like their unoaked Chardonnay as well as Semillon. started by John Beeston, the late Tony Albert as well as James Halliday himself in 1970, Brokenwood is now a home name.
Good for: Graveyard block Shiraz, Semillon as well as Chardonnay.
Book this amazing behind-the-scenes wine tour with Brokenwood here.
15. McGuigan Wines
One of the hunter Valley huge hitters, McGuigan’s has really been a family-run attire since 1880. We discover it one of the more approachable cellar doors, perhaps since it’s more like a supermarket inside. The personnel are friendly as well as practical though, as well as the wine is extremely well priced.
Good for: a starting point to cellar door experience, Semillon as well as reasonable variety of reds.
Bonus: wine home hunter Valley little winemakers centre
Just opposite Brokenwood in the heart of the Hunter, the wine home hunter Valley is where a great deal of the vineyards who are as well little to have a cellar door go to have their wares marketed as well as showcased.
Good for: amazing client service as well as a possibility to try wine you’re not likely to discover anywhere else.
I don’t understand about you, however I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to look at the hunter Valley in the exact same method once again after these amazing tips from the Scarboroughs.
It’s truly opened my eyes to what’s offered in this unique part of the Australian wine landscape.
What’s your favourite hunter winery? Do you have a top tip for a winery we haven’t mentioned here? tell us in the comments.