THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

Here in the Hunter Valley we invite you to take things at a gentler pace, to relax and unwind. . Maybe it’s the calming rhythm of rolling vines, or the simple pleasure of watching the sun set over the Brokenback Range with a glass of something local

Fire up your winter weekends with What's on this Winter and June long weekend in the Hunter Valley The Hunter Valley doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops, in fact winter is one of the most exciting times to visit. With a packed calendar of ev

With the ocean just an hour away, Hunter Valley’s menus are infused with coastal influence, bringing fresh, high-quality seafood to the table. From freshly shucked oysters to kingfish with fresh lime, seared scallops and Spanish-style crispy oct

Semsational Hunter Valley Semillon  It could be that the critters and molluscs that littered the ancient sea floor more than 250 million years ago can be credited for some of the spectacular soils which now adorn the golden circle of Semillon pr

Whats is Semillon?   Semillon is a white grape variety that originated in France and is primarily grown in Bordeaux, where it plays a key role in both dry and sweet wines. However, it has found a second home in Australia, particularly in the Hun

From exploring the largest Christmas light display in the Southern Hemisphere to family-friendly wineries, horse riding adventures and more, there's plenty of great ways to spend family time in the Hunter Valley. Here’s some of the best things to do

Here in the Hunter Valley we’ve decked the halls with over 4 million lights, prepped our kitchens for extravagant Christmas Lunch feasts and have the bubbles ready to pour. Here’s your extensive guide to what’s on this Christmas and New Years.  

Here are some of the top places to kick-back to live music each weekend in the Hunter Valley. Whether you’re after sunshine, vine side acoustic blues in the afternoon or a sun-drenched beer garden with a band covering all the classics, sometimes ther

The Hunter Valley is becoming a vibrant destination for gin and spirit enthusiasts. Our expanding Hunter Valley distillery scene features unique spirits that showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of local distilleries. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this trail offers a journey through boutique distilleries of the Hunter Valley. Here are some standout producers and their exceptional products you must try.

FAR Distilling

FAR Distilling is a small, family owned distillery in the heart of the Hunter Valley. With a family background of winemaking spanning five generations, they are intricately connected to the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. They’ve taken this legacy of craftsmanship and poured it into a new venture. Their range mixes traditional craftsmanship with innovative approaches, pushing the boundaries of flavour profiles and techniques. Their Hunter Valley Shiraz Gin, Hunter Valley Limonchello, Hunter Valley Dry Gin and Hunter Valley Barrel Aged Gin are some of their popular favourites. Taste it for yourself, you can taste FAR Distilling’s range at the Keith Tulloch winery in the Hunter Valley.

Small Mouth 

Small Mouth is celebrated for their organic, glittery spirits. The distillery is built from a family dedicated to creating extraordinary organic spirits that sparkle in both flavour and appearance. Small Mouth Distillery’s fun, glittery collection of handcrafted gin, vodka and liqueurs are infused with edible glitter, made from premium, locally sourced ingredients and are 100% Australian made. Plus, they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. Explore the range including the zesty and festive Blood Orange Gin, Shimmering Bubblegum Gin which adds a playful and eye-catching sparkle to cocktails and the Shimmering Elderflower Gin with floral flavours. 

Hunter Distillery

Hunter Distillery is known for its extensive range of organic spirits. Explore their impressive range of gins, vodkas, liqueurs and schnapps with a fun tasting at Hunter Distillery where the spirits are served out of test tubes. Their Copperwave Distilled Gin is a popular choice, offering a classic dry gin with a smooth finish. Each is crafted with a commitment to organic production, ensuring a clean and refined taste. Another must-try is their Botanica Gin, which incorporates a variety of locally sourced botanicals to create a complex and aromatic spirit. 

Tower Whiskey Distillery

Open 7 days, the Tower Whiskey Distillery is the first of it's kind in the Hunter Valley. Their Single Malt Whiskey wash is made from 100% malted barley, coming in at 7% alcohol. The fresh, clean Whiskey wash is then distilled straight away, with the first distillation, called the stripping run, getting to 28% alcohol. A spirit run is then done for the second distillation to make it 68% distiller strength, which creates the new make spirit.

Pokolbin Distillery

Pokolbin Distillery offers an impressive array of spirits. All of their range is made in-house, starting with a high-quality base spirit made by their award-winning distiller, produced in small batches in copper pot stills, using local botanicals to create unique and aromatic spirits. This is then combined with naturally sourced ingredients that are inspired by the family's Polish heritage and Australia's native botanicals.

Night Merchant by Bimbadgen

Night Merchant is Bimbadgen's exciting contribution to the Hunter Valley spirit scene. Crafted with a blend of traditional and native botanicals, this gin offers a balanced and aromatic spirit that is both unique and flavourful. The Night Merchant Gin is perfect for those seeking a distinctive gin experience that highlights the innovative spirit of Bimbadgen.

Hope Estate

Hope Estate has successfully ventured into the world of spirits with the Hope Distillery. One of their standout products is the Pokolbin Dry Gin, a premium small-batch gin infused with botanicals like coriander, fennel, and cardamom. Also in their collection is the Passionfruit vodka which uses fresh passionfruit in the basket to produce a botanical style with sweet and sour fruity characters. Explore their impressive range of vodkas, gin and schnapps at their winery in the Hunter Valley. 

Wild Ren

Primarily known for their wines, Wild Ren Wines also produces delightful gins. Their focus on quality and local ingredients results in a refreshing and enjoyable gin experience. The Wild Ren Classic Gin is a perfect example of their craftsmanship, offering a smooth and well-balanced gin that complements their renowned wine offerings.

Pepper Tree Wines

Step into The Loft at Pepper Tree Wines for a tasting of their handcrafted gins which are infused with botanicals and distilled using their very own estate-grown grapes. Each gin is paired with a tasty savour treat as part of the experience. For tradition gin lovers, you'll love their Traditional Dry Gin with native finger limes and limes for extra dimension while the Citrus Dry Gin with Yuzu, goji berry and orange peel is made for summer drinks. In the tasting experience, you will also get to sample the Ultra Dry Gin which is a blend of the sweet and savoury.

Gundog Estate

Gundog Estate, another winery diversifying into spirits, have teamed up with a local Newcastle Distiller to produce a gin infused with Hunter Valley Semillon. Drawing inspiration from the unique personality of Hunter Semillon, the Gundog Dry Gin is a bright, Semillon-esque spirit with a citrus-led nose and palate. You’ll also get a hint of green apple peel, angelica root, lime peel, lemon myrtle, star anise, coriander seeds, cloves, almonds, honeycomb botanicals. A gin for Hunter Valley wine lovers.

This blog was created by the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. 

When most people think of Shiraz, they picture big, bold, brooding red wines. But in the Hunter Valley Shiraz is getting noticed as people veer away from big bold and high in alcohol wine styles. Some say Hunter Shiraz is Shiraz for Pinot Noir drinke