The Best Wine Tasting Tours in Hunter Valley

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Best wine tours in Hunter Valley

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Discover the Hunter Valley, one of Australia's major wine regions, with a viticultural history dating back to the early 1800s, with this wine tasting tour. Visit four boutique wineries and ... See More

Why Visit Hunter Valley?

The Hunter Valley in New South Wales is Australia's oldest wine-producing region, beloved by wine tourists the world over. Despite the fact that this relatively tiny region only produces around 1% of Australia's total wine volume, it's nevertheless a bustling hotspot for visitors thanks to its proximity to Sydney (just a couple of hours in the car, the briefest of journeys for the average Australian!) and pleasant sub-tropical climate. The region is impressively well prepared to receive visitors, with luxury accommodation and welcoming cellar doors at every turn.

There is so much going on here at all times of year - one of the highlights is the various different ways that visitors can enjoy the beauty of the vineyards before settling in for a pleasant afternoon of wine tasting. From the air, a helicopter or hot air balloon tour offer the most incredible panoramas of Australia's most northerly wine region, or if you prefer to stay a little closer to the ground then an adventure on horseback, Segway or electric bike may be just up your street!

When the time comes to settle in for a drink or two, you'll be spoilt for choice. The Hunter Valley was the birthplace of Australian wine and nearly 200 years of history is reflected in the passion and enthusiasm of the region's winemakers. There are around 150 wineries and cellar doors to choose from, offering every kind of vinous experience imaginable. Most can be booked online, and plenty offer luxurious accommodation and dining options alongside wine tasting and vineyards tours to make your visit even more special.

Wine aside, the food in Hunter Valley is excellent, with a wide range of options from award-winners to bring-your-own wine affairs catering for every culinary taste. Cheese is a particular speciality of the region, and the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory is well worth a visit for a tasting and even the opportunity to have a go at making your own! What's more, it lies at a crossroads in close proximity to some of the region's most well-known wine producers, including McGuigan and Tyrell's, so it's very easy to spend an indulgent day in the area!

Plan Your Visit

Best Known Grapes

The most prolific white grape of the Hunter Valley region is Chardonnay. Many French grape varieties have been trialled here with varying degrees of success, but none have reached the top in quite the same way as as the gloriously full-bodied Chardies redolent with ripe stone fruit and oaky, spicy aromas. This is in fact the home of Tyrell's Vat 47, the iconic Chardonnay which made just as much impact as its red cousin Penfolds Grange. Just as beloved by wine drinkers is Hunter Valley Semillon, one of the most well-known and yet often least appreciated white wine styles of Australia. The dominant red grape here is Shiraz, which can tend to be lighter in style than those of the Barossa Valley, leading producers to pursue more delicate European styles in their red wines.

Best time to visit

The sub-tropical climate of New South Wales can feel a little oppressive in the height of summer, with extensive cloud cover and humidity often masking the best of the sunshine. Visit in either Spring (September to November) to see the region start to bloom with life, or enjoy the warm autumn sunshine between March and May - the most popular time of year for many visitors. Hunter Valley is also a huge draw for live music events, and it is well worth checking your travel dates to see what's on - the region attracts some amazing live music acts (previous visitors include Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones!) and there is something very special about enjoying a live artist against the beautiful backdrop of the valley's vineyards.

How long to stay

The Hunter Valley is an ideal destination for a weekend break from Sydney, or a 2-3 day stop on a longer tour of Australia's East Coast.

How to get there

Sydney Airport is approximately 2 hours drive from Hunter Valley. The airport is one of the main transport hubs in and out of Australia, and has excellent connections with both domestic and international destinations. Most major airlines including Qantas, British Airways and Emirates operate here, and the cost of travel between Australia and both Europe and the US is becoming ever-more affordable.

Hunter Valley wine tasting tours and winery visits