The best Hunter Valley wine tours

The guys at Two Fat Blokes want to showcase more than just wine on their Hunter Gatherer’s Tour. They show off the region’s chefs and local produce at lunch, take you on a  brewery tour, and help you spot some local wildlife. But grown-up grape juice is certainly a prominent feature. You visit at least four wineries, take a stroll around a vineyard and get two wine-tasting courses matched with cheese and chocolate. The full-day experience accommodates up to 14 guest every day of the week from $169 per person, and they’ll deliver you to and from your accommodation in wine country.

A trot through the vineyards in a horse-drawn carriage might be the quaintest way to experience the Hunter Valley. Meet your guide and trusty steed at the Small Winemakers Centre at 10.30am, before trundling to cellar doors, and getting to know the region’s produce tasting olives, cheeses and chocolate. You can make it a private experience or join an open group and meet more wine (and horse) enthusiast friends. A lunch stop at Baxter’s Inn is included in the itinerary, at an additional $30 a head. A full day tour finishes at 4pm, and costs $88.

This private tour with Tastes of the Hunter does transfers as far as Newcastle, Maitland and Singleton, as well as local round-trips running Sunday-Tuesday. Your chariot will arrive between 8-10am, ready to visit three boutique wineries, a cheese shop, chocolaterie and the choice between a vodka and schnapps tasting at Hunter Distillery or something sweet (at your own expense) from Sabor Dessert bar. You’ll also get to decide where to lunch during the tour, but it isn’t included in the cost. Pay $115 as an individual wine-lover, or groups can gather $650 for a 13-seat bus and $830 for up to 20 passengers.

An evening tour in the Hunter Valley is hard to come by, but you can experience the region by moonlight on this degustation tour. With this iHop Hunter Valley night tour you’ll visit a local boutique brewery and start with a tasting paddle of craft beers and ciders paired with an entré course, then move on to a main of woodfired pizza with your choice of local wine or beer. Finish with another drink and a selection of cheeses or something sweet. The iHop vehicles will ferry to and from local accommodation for this three-and-a-half hour experience on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for $120 per diner.

The founder of Wine Country Tours Richard Everret will share more than 40 years experience as a winemaker on this city-to-vineyard experience. After your Sydney pick-up, you’ll arrive in the Hunter to a morning tea at around 10am. Richard will then introduce you to the area’s renowned long-ageing dry semillons and other regional varieties, conducting all the tastings personally at various wineries, vineyards and a working wine cellar. Lunch is served at either Muse Kitchen or Esca at Bimbadgen, but not included in the $200 bill for Sydney transfers or the $125 for guests staying locally. Sydneysiders can expect to get home around 7.30pm.