Hunter Valley Wine Region, NSW, Australia - full travel guide
The Hunter Valley had been on our radar for years. Two hours north of Sydney, Australia's oldest wine growing region, famous for a style of Semillon that doesn't exist anywhere else on earth. When Leanne's family gave her a luxury trip to Sydney for her 60th, they included a private wine tour with Matt from Sydney Prive a Polish-born sommelier who has worked in some of Sydney's best restaurants and knows exactly which cellar doors are worth your time. Needless to say, it was a very good day.
If you want a luxury day tour from Sydney then this is perfect for you.
Hunter Valley Wine Tour
Tyrrell's Wines Where Our Wine Tasting Begins
Pull into Tyrrell's and you immediately feel the history. Stone buildings, old outbuildings, the Australian bush stretching out behind you and the Brokenback Range sitting in the background. Founded in 1858 by English immigrant Edward Tyrrell, this is one of Australia's oldest family-owned wineries and it has been run by the same family ever since and now in its fourth generation. Harry Tyrrell produced Australia's first commercial Chardonnay in 1971 and the VAT 1 Semillon is widely regarded as the most awarded white wine this country has ever produced. We did the VIP tasting, which meant we got our own spot at the end of the bar with a dedicated host and though Matt, being a sommelier with no fear, was soon asking for wines that weren't even on the tasting sheet. Leanne, meanwhile, was quietly working her way through the purchase list. We came home with a case. Then a few months later we ordered another 24 bottles. That tells you everything you need to know.
Hungerford Hill , The Barrel, The Food, The Enthusiasm
You'll spot Hungerford Hill before you arrive as it's shaped like a half wine barrel, sitting right on Broke Road in Pokolbin. Established in 1967 and now owned by Sam Arnot of Iris Capital, it's won multiple awards for both its Hunter Valley classics and cool climate wines from Tumbarumba and Hilltops. We did the Epic Tasting, which pairs a curated selection of wines with small gourmet bites from the Muse Restaurant. We had the ocean trout roulades with Semillon, pork croquettes with Chardonnay, venison sliders with Shiraz. The food was outstanding. Our host was so enthusiastic he was practically vibrating, and once again Matt was there pushing the boundaries of what we were allowed to taste. The only slight problem? We had lunch coming so we took our time so we didn’t overdo it.
Bristo Molines and the Lunch that Made The Day
You drive along a country dirt road wondering where on earth you're going, and then Bistro Molines appears on the top of a hill, perched above the vineyards with a view that stops you in your tracks. Owner and chef Robert Molines has been creating sophisticated French provincial dishes in the Hunter Valley since the 1980s and has held a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chef's Hat from 2009 through to the present day. The pergola and brick paving create a space that feels like you're almost sitting outside in the vineyard even when you're indoors, and on a warm day with a light breeze coming through, it is genuinely one of the nicest places you could sit for lunch. Leanne had the French onion soup. Lyle had the foie gras and the twice-cooked duck. They shared a creme brulee and a bottle of Tyrrell's Semillon. Robert came out to introduce himself. Nobody wanted to leave. Book months ahead at this place is fully booked well in advance and it earns every reservation.
Beyond the Wineries - What Else Does the Hunter Valley have to Offer?
The Hunter Valley is more than just cellar doors, though there are over 150 of them so you could spend a very long time working through those alone. The Hunter Valley Gardens on Broke Road are a highlight with 25 hectares of themed gardens with roses, waterfalls and seasonal displays that change throughout the year. Balloon Aloft offers hot air balloon flights at sunrise over the vineyards, followed by a champagne breakfast, and it's one of those experiences that people rave about consistently. The Hunter Valley Wildlife Park in Nulkaba is great for families, the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company and the Smelly Cheese Shop are perfect for stocking up on supplies, and The Vintage Golf Club was designed by Greg Norman and is one of the most scenic rounds you'll find in New South Wales. The region also has a serious claim to having pioneered the outdoor winery concert format, with Hope Estate and Roche Estate hosting major acts like Rod Stewart, Elton John, Jimmy Barnes and Day on the Green in their vineyard grounds across the year. If you're staying for a weekend, the hop-on hop-off wine bus is a great option for getting around without worrying about driving. There's also no shortage of accommodation, from luxury boutique retreats like Spicers Vineyards Estate and voco Kirkton Park through to family-friendly resorts and self-contained apartments. The region is also well worth combining with a night or two in Newcastle, which has grown into a genuinely lovely city, or exploring the surrounding countryside through Maitland, Cessnock and the Hawkesbury River area.
The Hunter Valley delivered everything we hoped for and then some. A private tour with a knowledgeable sommelier makes all the difference and you get inside access, you taste things that aren't on the standard list, and you understand why each winery is worth stopping at. If you're based in Sydney and looking for a day trip that actually delivers, this is it. And if you can stay for the weekend, even better. There is so much more to explore, and luckily, there are a lot more bottles of Tyrrell's VAT 1 to enjoy