Cellar Doors
From big-name wineries to boutique beauties hidden away down country back roads, the Hunter Valley has enough cellar doors to keep you coming back time after time. If you want to do it in style, you can also learn more about our wine varieties by booking a wine tasting experience, special masterclass or winery and vineyard tour.
HERE'S TO LEGENDARY DROPS
Here in the Hunter Valley, we don’t make wines en masse. We value quality and character over volume and it shines through in the many extraordinary wines unique to our region. Awarded by the world’s top wine judges and enjoyed by wine lovers across the world, our iconic Semillon is the World’s best.. There’s no denying our highly prized old-vine Shiraz has set an enduring benchmark for quality Australian wines and we lay claim to being the birthplace of classy Chardonnay.
The trailblazer of Australia’s grape growing and winemaking industry for almost 200 years, Hunter Valley Wine Country has cultivated its own, distinctive pedigree of hand-crafted wine styles, and thanks to the rise of a dynamic new generation of producers, the region’s heart continues to beat for adventurous winemaking that inspires and delights.
SEMILLON
You probably wouldn’t find a wine expert in the world who wouldn’t acknowledge that the Hunter Valley is the world’s best Semillon region. It’s our white wine flagship, thriving in the Hunter, especially in those dried up, sandy river beds.
Hunter Valley Semillon has lemon and lime flavours, citrusy crispness and a natural, lively acid. It can be enjoyed as a youngster on a hot day, or you can take advantage of its wonderful ageing potential – 10 years plus easily. With age you get honeyed flavours and some toasty notes. Still delicious, but very different to its youth.
And if you want something different again, quite a few wineries are producing a sweeter, off-dry style of Semillon - drinking at its easiest.
But no matter how old you like to drink your Semillon, there’s one thing you can be sure of: have it with seafood – white-fleshed fish, prawns, crab, lobster – and you’ll see it go to another level.
SHIRAZ
We have to be delicate here but after years of the world going through a phase for big, bold reds, the pendulum has finally swung back the other way. Today, medium-bodied reds of finesse and elegance are back in vogue. We say hallelujah, because that’s us!
Hunter Valley Shiraz is medium bodied, savoury and food friendly. It has an ease-of-drinking quality but at the same time history has shown time and again that Hunter Valley Shiraz can age for decades and are some of the most sought-after wines in Australia. Don’t be fooled by the fact that they’re not big, muscly wines… these guys have wonderful complexity. Learn more about Hunter Valley Shiraz here.
CHARDONNAY
The last 15 years has seen a renaissance in Hunter Valley Chardonnay. These days there are more good examples than ever before. Did you know, for example, that a Hunter Valley Chardonnay recently took out the James Halliday Chardonnay challenge against 600 wines from all around Australia? Or that a Hunter Chardonnay has won the coveted Six Nations Challenge top wine? True.
It’s probably fair to say our Chardonnay has suffered a little because of the international acclaim of our Semillon but make no mistake, top Hunter Chardonnay is a fabulous drink in its own right. Flavours tend to be white peach and citrus, with a slatey acid.
VERDELHO
This variety will never have the same standing as the other two whites, but it’s not trying to. It’s a brilliant starting wine for the occasional drinker. Flavours are bold and lively – a fruit salad in a glass. It’s not a wine to contemplate, but one to sip with friends as you relax. You’ll be surprised how quickly it disappears.
ALTERNATIVE VARIETALS
But in recent years a growing band of winemakers have been stretching their wings, and today there are a host of European varieties that are not just calling the Hunter home, they’re thriving here.
Tempranillo, the top red of Spain is showing great potential. Sangiovese, that savoury Italian red that goes so well with a wide range of foods is also well entrenched. There’s even a Portuguese variety called Touriga Nacional that is still in its early days but which certainly looks the goods. Or maybe the lighter, aromatic Barbera from Italy is more your thing?
In the whites there’s Vermentino and the bigger flavoured Fiano… both from southern Italy. They have that crispy acid freshness that is the hallmark of Hunter whites. They’re going from strength to strength.
Useful Links
State Forests, National Parks, Historic Sites
Please note - some of our national parks, state forests and historic sites are by nature, wilderness areas and we suggest you travel to these areas prepared with appropriate clothing, water, food, footware, maps etc. In some areas, mobile phone reception is not available.
- Watagans National Park
- Werakata National Park
- The Old Great North Road
- Dharug National Park
- The Convict Trail
- Wollombi Valley Aboriginal History
- Wildlife Rescue Service - 0418 628 483
Local Associations and Business Chambers
- Around Hermitage Association
- Hunter Boutique Olive Growers
- Hunter Olive Association
- Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
- Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber Inc
- Wollombi Valley Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Local Councils and Tourism Centres
- Cessnock City Council
- Singleton Council
- Broke Fordwich Wine & Tourism Association Inc
- Maitland Tourism
- Newcastle Tourism
- Muswellbrook Tourism
- Scone Tourism
- Port Stephens Tourism
- Tourism Hunter
- Visit Hunter
Wine Resources
Educational & Training Services
Sustainability in the Hunter Valley
Here in the Hunter Valley our connection to the natural environment runs deep and sustainability is top of mind in everything we do. We’ve made firm commitments to organic growing, biodynamic methods and carbon neutral certification. This means that you can enjoy a taste of the good life that we live knowing you can eat in our restaurants, drink our wines and bask in our pristine country air, with a clear conscience.
We’re about doing things in ways that fortify the land that is our livelihood, and reducing our carbon footprint for the greater good, all while enhancing the exceptional quality of the guilt-free goodness we put on your plate and into your glass.
The wisdom of generations has been poured out on our premium producing vineyards and our viticulturists are fastidious about going easy on the delicate eco-system that sustains their precious vines. We look to biodynamic methods, like cultivating native insectary plants, or running guinea fowl or sheep to eat down weeds beneath the vines that would otherwise be sprayed with chemicals.
Where there’s agriculture, water is highly prized and practices that preserve it top our list. Our wineries strive to recycle waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in solar power and electric forklifts.
At the heart of the farm-to-plate ethos of Hunter Valley food culture is the seasonality, regionality and sustainability of estate-grown and locally-sourced produce. Composting and organic fertilisers dial-up the nutrients and flavours in what we grow, with minimal impact on the earth we turn, and we’re passionate about eliminating single use plastics.
When you visit, you can rest assured that our growers have done the hard work for you, so that you’ll be doing your bit for the environment just by sipping, swirling and savouring the sublime food and wine that Hunter Valley Wine Country is renowned for.
Info Sheets
Contact Us
Wineries
Hunter Valley Semillon is Australia’s unique gift to the wine world” Jancis Robinson MW - jancisrobinson.com
"Hunter Semillon and Shiraz is something not replicated in any other wine region" Anthony Gismondi – Gismondi on Wine
“Hunter Valley Semillon is Australia’s greatest white wine” Matt Kramer – Wine Spectator
Restaurants
The Hunter Valley has fast established itself as one of Australia’s outstanding culinary destinations and a fine Hunter Valley dining experience is a must when visiting the area.
From degustation menus and romantic dining to tapas and casual pub meals, the region can offer it all. Our chefs are proud of the local produce which is reflected in the vibrant menus brimming with local cheeses, olives, breads and, of course, wines.
Weddings
There is no setting more romantic to begin your married life than to be surrounded by the impeccable beauty and breathtaking views of the vineyards, mountains and valleys of Hunter Valley Wine Country.
Things to See & Do
Whilst Hunter Valley Wine Country is famous for its great wines, there are also a number of other activities to discover and enjoy.
From beautiful art galleries, gardens, bicycle tours & hot air ballooning, there are a myriad of things to do.
Services
Support local service providers.
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Conferences, Meetings & Incentives...
Hunter Valley Convention Bureau is the official and accredited Convention Bureau for the Hunter Valley. We have a dedicated Conference, Meetings and Incentive division with staff who have the experience and expertise to assist you in planning a memorable conference, meeting or event.
For Free Venue Finding Assistance, please contact our Conferencing Department on 02 4990 0936 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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