This is not a list of the most popular, biggest or oldest producers in the Hunter Valley. Nor is it a list of cellar doors with 5 star James Halliday ratings, although most of them receive great reviews from the wine critics. The ’15 Best Wineries Hunter Valley’ focuses mostly on boutique producers with great wines, served by friendly and knowledgeable people.
The Hunter Valley is the most popular and oldest wine region in Australia. There are around 150 cellar doors ranging from iconic brands to lesser-known, boutique producers. Remember, wine is a personal thing, just like art and music. My ’15 Best Wineries Hunter Valley’ may not be yours… the fun part is finding it out for yourself!
diVine tours is a local tour company, established in 2006 that specialises in wine tours. As a result, we have grown alongside Hunter Valley producers and built great relationships. Our Gourmet Wine Tour visits some the best wineries in the Hunter Valley like these listed below.
15 best wineries Hunter Valley
Blueberry Hill
A cellar door surrounded by their vineyard and a beautiful backdrop, the Brokenback Range. Blueberry Hill grow and produce wines from your classic Hunter Valley grape varieties along with Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. A relaxed wine tasting experience in their cosy cellar door or outside amongst the vines.
999 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin
02 4998 7295
www.blueberryhillwines.com.au
Briar Ridge
Capercaillie Wines
deIuliis Wines
Ernest Hill
Glenguin Estate
Gundog Estate
Hart and Hunter
Hart & Hunter was formed around the idea of sourcing the best parcels of fruit from the best possible vineyard sites to make a Single Vineyard Wine. Our fruit has come from some amazing parcels of land in Pokolbin that year after year turn out incredible wines truly indicative of their terroir. Our aim is to always credit the wine to the vineyard, to let it stand on its own. Lifted primary fruit, tannin structure and fresh natural acidity form the backbone of our wines.
Ivanhoe Wines
Keith Tulloch Wine
Petersons Wines
Petersons Wines have been at the forefront of the wine industry in the Hunter Valley since 1971 when it was established by Colin Peterson and his parents, Ian and Shirley. Since the first vintage in 1981, Petersons have become recognised for producing premium, award-winning wines; a tradition that continues today.
Piggs Peake
Tinklers Wines and Farm
Tinklers is a family-owned and operated vineyard, winery and cellar door in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley. With over a 100 years farming experience, we produce award-winning wines in small batches from fruit grown on our Pokolbin vineyards. Our hardwood cellar door, nestled beneath century-old peppercorn trees resonate with a long family history in Pokolbin. We offer a variety of estate-grown produce throughout the year.
Tintilla Estate
Vinden Estate
Established in 1998, Vinden Estate is now under the guidance of the second generation winemaker Angus Vinden. Since taking over in 2015 has maintained the original label ‘Vinden Estate’ which possess a traditional Hunter style as well as producing his offshoot label allowing a more experimental approach ‘The Vinden Headcase’; balancing tradition with innovation.
138 Gillards Road, Pokolbin
02 4998 7410
www.vindenestate.com.au
Common cellar door questions
How many wineries are there in the Hunter Valley?
There are about 150 cellar doors in the Hunter Valley. Wineries are where the wine is made. Some brands don’t own a winery and pay someone else to make their wine for them.
Do all cellar doors charge wine tasting fees?
No, although it is becoming more common over time. It used to be just for larger groups but know it’s we’re seeing tasting fees applied to all customers. Wine tasting fees in most cases will be refunded with the purchase of wine. The cost is usually about $5 per person and some cellar doors may charge more for their premium wines.
What is your number 1 favourite?
How many cellar doors would you visit in a day?
Generally, I would say no more than four. Two before lunch and two after. But this depends on how many wines you try at each place and your lunch (or long lunch) of course. Other factors like your alcohol tolerance and using the spittoons or not, also make a difference.
