The top rated winery in Australia, an Italian cooking school and a family friendly resort are among those recognised for their excellence. Find out the latest on Hunter Valley’s awarded experiences.
Brokenwood Wines
The Hunter Valley is proudly home to the top winery in Australia. Brokenwood Wines has been crowned Winery of the Year at the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion Awards, one of the most respected honours in Australian wine. Selected ahead of 945 wineries from across the country, the award recognises over five decades of hard work, innovation, and a focus on producing wines that truly reflect their vineyard origins. Their Hunter Valley winery is a destination within itself offering wine tastings in their architectural tasting pods, a Terrace Wine Bar where you can enjoy a glass of wine with small bites, and their award-winning The Wood Restaurants serving modern Australian cuisine. This year’s award follows another major milestone for Brokenwood, having been named Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association Cellar Door of the Year in 2025.
Balloon Aloft
Balloon Aloft secured securing gold in both the Adventure Tourism and Excellence in Accessible Tourism categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the prestigious awards ceremony that celebrates the nation’s top tourism businesses. Balloon Aloft offers scenic hot air balloon rides over the Hunter Valley, where passengers can marvel at vineyards and olive groves below, seeing it in all its beauty at sunrise. In 2023, Balloon Aloft launched their innovative Accessible Hot Air Balloon Flights over the Hunter Valley, the first of its kind for NSW and only the second of its kind in Australia. The accessible hot air balloon basket features a custom door for passengers with limited mobility and wheelchair users to experience the magic of a hot air balloon ride.
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley was awarded Hunter Valley Accommodation Operator Of The Year at the Hunter Valley Legends Awards. From poolside hotel rooms to resort villas nestled among the fairways of the golf course, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is a great home base for a Hunter Valley adventure. Their expansive resort includes multiple restaurant options, including the newly opened Gather, an adults-only 25 metre pool, large main pool and an on-site waterpark, championship golf course, Ubika Day Spa, kids club, tennis and pickleball courts, multiple conferencing and events rooms and more. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is a popular place for families, keen golfers, couples, wine lovers and conferencing and incentive groups.
Our Italian Table
Learn the traditional art of Italian cooking at Our Italian Table. Learn how to roll your own dough, make various handmade pastas, sauces, traditional Italian breads, dessert and biscotti all with stunning panoramic vineyard views that will transport you right to the Italian countryside. Recently awarded the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Operator of the Year at the Hunter Valley Legends Awards, Our Italian Table is all about enjoying chatter and laughter with friends and learning something new. Choose from pasta-making classes, masterclasses or learn how to cook a full Italian feast. At the end of the class enjoy your cooking with lunch overlooking the vineyards.
Palmers Lane Estate
Palmers Lane Estate was recently awarded silver in the Self Contained Accommodation category at the NSW Tourism Awards. Across 50 acres in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Palmers Lane Estate offers 10 private lodges ranging from 1 to 6 bedrooms. The lodges are reminiscent of warm and welcoming holiday homes with modern bathrooms, cosy fireplaces for a winter getaway, fully equipped kitchens and plenty of opportunities to spot a Kangaroos of an afternoon from the balcony. On the property you will also find a swimming pool, large campfire area, tennis courts, a kids playground and plenty of grassy space to enjoy ball sports.
This blog was created by the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.
