At less than two hours drive from Sydney the Hunter Valley has become one of Australia's most visited wine regions. It is also one of the oldest. The buttery Chardonnays and well aging Semillons are the regions most successful wines, and as for reds the region seems to produce big tannin heavy Shirazes.

Most of the wineries are in the lower Hunter between Cessnock and Branxton centring around Polkolbin, where the premium vineyards own land, while the upper Hunter has vineyards nestled into the curves of the valley and shaded by thin lines of gum trees along the four rivers that keep the region so green.

The Hunter has always been an important region for Australian wines and many of the most recognisable names in Australian wines have wineries here including Brokenwood, McWilliams, Rosemont, Tyrells and Lindemans, but the really interesting tastings are at the smaller boutique wineries here where different grape varietals are being tested and you've got a better chance of touring the winery and speaking to wine makers.

As well as the great wines produced here in summer there are a series of annual music concerts, with both "Opera in the Vineyards" and "Jazz in the Vines"; offering a perfect picnic with plenty of good food, drink and music at the end of a long days tasting. There are also some well known spas providing luxury accommodation and hot air balloons full of sightseers are a common sight in the crisp still morning and evening skies.

Hunter Valley Guide.

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address