It’s no secret that Hunter Valley is the birthplace of delectable Australian wine. But while that may be the area's biggest claim to fame, there are a bunch of exciting things to do to complement your wine experience. And our favorite choice of activity is what we consider to be the perfect pairing: golf and wine.
The Charm of Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley is a beautiful part of the country. Aside from the spectacular wines right at your fingertips, it’s home to a thriving and dynamic culinary scene (of course, can’t have wine without the food!), and a range of outdoor attractions in some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever lay eyes on.
You’ll be spoilt for choice here, not just with wine. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a chilled adventurer, there’s something for you to do here, and whatever your tastes, you’ll find the perfect culinary delight to indulge in after your activity.
It’s the ideal mix of beautiful, fun, and tasty. Plus, the weather’s great, there’s a ton of choice, and it’s also rich in Aboriginal cultural sites. Could you find a more well-rounded leisure spot?
Golfing in Hunter Valley
In keeping with what we consider to be the perfect pairing of golf and wine, let’s dive into some of the loveliest golf courses Hunter Valley has to offer.
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley Golf
Rydges Resort Golf features an 18-hole, par-71 golf course stretching to around 6300 meters. It’s fairly flat, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a boring course. Tight doglegs, smartly-placed bunkers, tree-lined fairways, and tricky water hazards abound, so you’ll need to bring your A-game.
When your round is over, there are 3 amazing cellar doors within a 10-minute drive that we highly recommend stopping in at (maybe not all on the same day!):
- Hungerford Hill is a can’t-miss experience with the country's oldest operating vineyard.
- Savannah Estate’s Pie and Wine Tasting experience melds together comfort food and delectable sipping.
- De Bortoli Wines is a wonderful place to taste, learn, and enjoy an educational and entertaining chat about wine.
The Vintage Golf Course
The Vintage Golf Course is a Greg Norman-designed course that’s ranked as one of the best in Australia. It's also one of the few public-access Norman courses, so it’s well worth spending a few hours on the par-71 course. It’s a varied layout, with enough exciting twists and turns to keep experienced golfers interested without being intimidating for new golfers.
Golfers with a powerful drive could almost land their ball in at least 2 vineyards within 4 or 5 minutes drive of the course.
- Bimbadgen Cellar Door is a worthwhile stop featuring an award-winning restaurant and modern-style wine-tasting rooms.
- Blueberry Hill Vineyard offers magnificent views and an opportunity to taste 6 different home-grown wine varieties.
- John Wallace Wines offers you the chance to taste and learn from a master winemaker with a Master's Degree in Wine Science and Viticulture.
Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club
The Cypress Lakes Golf Course stretches close to 6,500 meters long, with dramatic undulations, unique fairway layouts, and pristine greens. With 60 bunkers scattered across the course, it’s a challenge that won’t soon be forgotten, although the spectacular views of surrounding vineyards and the Brokenback mountain range might distract you.
Head to one of the nearby cellar doors after your round to relax, enjoy the local wine and have a unique, one-of-a-kind experience.
- Wine House Hunter Valley showcases more than 20 premium winemakers in a number of different wine-tasting experiences.
- Tempus Two Cellar Door offers a range of unique tasting experiences that are well worth spending a few hours on.
- McGuigan Wines Cellar Door has an amazing Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate tasting that every wine-lover should experience!
The Perfect Pairing: Golf and Wine
Familiar with the curves and dips of a golf course but not with the aromas and tastes of wine? Here’s a quick guide to some of Hunter Valley’s most popular wines for the tasting.
- Sémillon: Light, zesty, and considered Hunter Valley’s most iconic wine. It pairs well with light meals after a round of golf.
- Chardonnay: The tropical, citrusy notes are perfect for warm, sunny days after a round on a beautiful golf course.
- Shiraz: A richer wine with dark, fruity tones and bold, spicy notes that are ideal for a cooler day or after an evening round.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: This robust wine is a great complement to a hearty meal after a long few hours on a walking course!
- Verdelho: Light, crisp, and aromatic, this wine pairs nicely with light snacks. Cheese and wine after a 9-hole round would be perfect.
- Merlot: Smooth, sleek, and rich, merlot’s red berry flavors are a wonderful way to relax after an enjoyable round.
Other Activities for Wine/Golf Lovers
If you want something totally different to take your mind off wine and golf for a while, you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride or helicopter flight, watch a live concert, visit a market, go horse riding, relax in the Hunter Valley Gardens, or indulge at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Factory.
For the die-hard wine and golf fans, though, there are a few exciting experiences off the course and outside of the cellar doors that are coming up.
- Paws for Wine at Misty Glen: Enjoy the beautiful scenery and delectable wine with your favorite furry friend and browse interesting market stalls. Dogs get in free!
- Hunter Valley Gardens Aqua Golf: Test your precision by hitting one of the floating targets. Great fun and great prizes to be won!
- The Cessnock STOMP Festival: This is how great wine begins! Support local businesses and have a bunch of fun at this unique festival.
Conclusion
We love the sophisticated pairing of golf and wine, especially in a place like Hunter Valley, with such a rich wine history. After all, wine is known as one of the most elegant drinks out there, and golf is a gentleman and gentlewoman’s game.
If you love the pairing as much as we do and choose to indulge in some of the country’s finest after your round, don’t forget to drink responsibly. And if you choose to do your wine tasting before your round of golf, remember… You can’t blame the course for your score afterward!
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.
