Everyone who visits the Hunter Valley should enjoy a full day of wine tasting. The Hunter’s big four are their: semillon (which is crisp and citrusy in its youth and honeys with age); a peachy chardonnay; lively verdelho; and a medium-bodied, savoury shiraz.
And while it’s true you could spend weeks adventuring around the hills knocking on cellar doors, we know not everyone’s got time for that. So, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite spots to check out. Come thirsty, book a group tour (we went with Grape to Glass wine tours and they were ace) and get ready to drink some seriously good vino.
Margan Wines and Restaurant in Broke is a must-visit, with owners Andrew and Lisa Margan committed to sustainable winemaking processes. Kick things off with a tasting, stroll around the working kitchen garden, and then sit down to an incredible, fresh and bright veg-forward meal.
Housed in the original Pokolbin Church that was built in 1905, Usher Tinkler Wines is a picture-perfect place to stop for a tasting. We love the glass back wall, which allows sunshine to pour through while showing off the lush countryside in all its glory. Tinkler’s wines are funky, interesting and blur the lines between traditional and contemporary winemaking, like the 2022 Death By Semillon drop. The team also does a banging salumi and cheese platter, too.
Stop by Mount Pleasant to sip award-winning shiraz by highly regarded winemaker Adrian Sparks overlooking lavender and vines. The historic winery has recently undergone a luxe refurbishment, and now boasts eclectic art and colourful furnishings.