The Hunter Valley’s best wineries: a guide to the region’s finest labels

From Newcastle, the Hunter Valley makes an easy change of pace: a region of old vineyards, cellar doors and very different wine styles across Pokolbin, Lovedale and Broke-Fordwich. It is Australia’s oldest wine region and NSW’s largest, with more than 150 wineries. Vines were first planted at Wyndham Estate in 1828, and the warm climate still shapes the area’s ripe, full-bodied wines.

Semillon is the Hunter’s signature. Young bottles are bright and citrusy, with lemon, lime and apple notes, while well-aged examples can develop honeyed and toasty flavours over a decade or more. Shiraz is generally medium-bodied and savoury rather than heavy, with plenty of structure for the cellar. Chardonnay, Verdelho, sparkling wine and alternative varieties such as Vermentino, Fiano, Barbera and Touriga Nacional also appear across the region.

Pokolbin is the traditional centre, and the easiest place to build a full day of tastings. Tyrrell’s Wines brings five generations of family winemaking dating from 1858, with historic plantings including the Four Acres Shiraz block from 1867. Its Vat 1 Semillon remains one of the labels associated with the Hunter’s classic style. Nearby, Brokenwood Wines combines tasting pods with the Terrace Wine Bar and The Wood Restaurant. Its Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz and ILR Reserve Semillon are among the better-known wines, and the site has step-free access through the main entrance and to its restaurant, bar, function spaces and outdoor paths.

For a more history-focused visit, Mount Pleasant Wines was established by Maurice O’Shea in 1921 and is linked to some of the Hunter’s most important old vineyards, including Old Hill. Tastings range from the 45-minute Discovery option at A$25 per person to longer experiences such as the Heritage Experience at A$100 and the Mothervine Experience at A$200. The cellar door is at 401 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin, and is listed as open seven days from 10am to 5pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Bookings are recommended. Gundog Estate, at the historic Pokolbin School House, focuses on premium Riesling, Semillon and Shiraz, with Riedel glassware tastings and a verandah where visitors can bring their dogs. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with reservations strongly recommended.

Pokolbin also has plenty of variety beyond the established names. Audrey Wilkinson is known for its 360-degree views, while Peterson House concentrates on sparkling wines and De Bortoli is associated with Noble One Botrytis Semillon. Keith Tulloch Wine was the Hunter’s first carbon-neutral winery, Tamburlaine makes organic, sustainable and vegan wines, and Glandore Estate offers a two-hour look at the journey from grape to bottle. For a broad introduction, Wine House pours wines from several producers, alongside mystery flights and wine by the glass.

In Lovedale, the cellar doors tend to be smaller and more personal. Wandin Estate, at 12 Wilderness Road, has a cellar door open daily from 10am, with a A$10 tasting fee. Its Wandin Kitchen operates on selected days, but the winery itself is the focus here. Gartelmann Wines pairs tastings with The Deck Cafe, while Capercaillie Wines draws on its Scottish heritage through labels including Ghillie Shiraz and Angus Durif. Molly Morgan Wines, opened in late 2024, offers a pet-friendly cellar door and is known for its rosé. Allandale is another option for Chardonnay or rosé, with views towards the Brokenback mountain.

The quieter Broke-Fordwich area has a strong sustainability thread. Margan is a single-vineyard winery and agri-dining destination established by Andrew and Lisa Margan in 1996. Its rammed-earth cellar door and kitchen garden sit at 1238 Milbrodale Road, Broke; the cellar door is open seven days, while the restaurant serves lunch from Thursday to Monday. Krinklewood follows a biodynamic and organic approach, Winmark Wines combines Chardonnay with an outdoor sculpture park and contemporary gallery, and Whispering Brook makes both wine and olive products. With Semillon, Shiraz and a growing range of other varieties, the Hunter offers enough contrast for repeat visits without making every cellar door feel the same.