Hunter Valley NSW

HUNTER VALLEY - A boozy weekend, eating fine food made from locally grown produce, and adding to your wine cellar at home

Australia encountered one of the worst bushfires in history toward the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020. It devastated our wildlife and decimated homes within its path without a care. Upon entering the Hunter Valley in March of 2020 it was a relief to see that the downpour in February had helped to revive some of the land in all its green and luscious glory. Full, abundant pastures home to grazing cattle and horses, the Hunter Valley is a site of beauty only a two hour drive north of Sydney. Grab your gal pals or significant other and escape for the weekend, tasting home grown wine and local fresh seasonal produce.

The Hunter offers an array of accommodation options, from hotels, villas, resorts, serviced apartments and Airbnb, so whatever floats your boat. On this occasion I stayed at the Cypress Lakes, my third time so I can confirm it’s a popular and enjoyable experience. The property is vast with wildlife roaming the grounds. Thankfully they have a shuttle service which arrives at your villa and escorts you to the main reception and dining area.

I highly recommend a personalised wine tasting experience. I recently used the application Airtasker where I asked for a driver to shlep us around the Hunter and for $190, this lovely man drove us to the wineries. I prefer this to the regular tourist wine tours because of the flexibility in planning your own tour, visiting old favourites and taking your time at lunch.

Everyone has their favourite wineries and these are some of mine –

Audrey Wilkins

Audrey Wilkins definitely offers one of, if not the best, views of the Hunter Valley. The winery itself has a long standing history and you certainly feel it as you wind your way up the main driveway to the cellar door. They do beautiful whites, the Verdelho being my favourite, and dessert wines. Definitely go to see the view!

Margan Estate

About fifteen minutes away from Pokolbin, Margan Estate hosts a cellar door, gorgeous restaurant and freshly grown produce on the premises. Their reds are delicious! I highly recommend the restaurant for lunch during your wine tour. They offer a tasting menu, two courses or three courses and all the fresh produce is home grown for a delicious blend of flavours.

Piggs Peake

More of an up close and personal taste testing, you’re out back in their warehouse where it’s all being made so you feel as if you're receiving the experience firsthand. Very knowledgeable staff who lead the tasting to ensure that you try an array of their wines from their extensive range. I enjoyed this, it was a little more personal and they were incredibly generous with their offerings.

Peterson House, Broke Rd

Okay, so this is where you taste their sparklings. I mean, full bodied reds made in sparkling, pinot noir sparkling, whites and rose sparkling. It’s a very odd, yet enjoyable experience and you’re guaranteed to be sold on a bottle by the end. Their motto is “Life’s Flat Without Bubbles”, so super cute! Although their merchandise range is a little overkill, I almost walked out with a pink sparkly USB…

Oakvale

This is my go-to winery whenever I’m visiting the Hunter Valley. I particularly love their 2017 Apple Cider (in a champagne bottle) and their Sparkling Bellini - delicious! Their property and cellar door are quite beautiful, and they house EXP. Restaurant, serving up Australian cuisine and is highly rated on TripAdvisor.

Bistro Molines

If you want to indulge in a boozy yet classy lunch one Sunday while you’re in the Hunter, I highly recommend assembling your people and booking a table at Bistro Molines. The luscious green views are stunning as you dine either inside or out (I prefer out) and are served a spectacular French menu of hardy classics and favourites. Serving sizes are substantial. They also boast an extensive wine and drinks menu. Honestly, this establishment is the epitome of a classy Sunday sesh amongst the vineyards.

Hunter Valley Gardens

I’ve only ever visited the Hunter Valley Gardens during Christmas time, but if you’re like me and decorate your entire home to Christmas music in the background, invite friends over for ginger bread making nights and are...well...simply nuts about Christmas, then this is right up your alley. They host a spectacular light show! Lights everywhere! Christmas themed! All over the entire gardens! Wonderful for families and couples alike, make the drive to see it one year, it’s truly worth it.

Otherwise for the rest of the year, the gardens have a range of themed areas to sit and relax, wander around and even a Story Book Garden where children are whisked away in a fantasy land of nursery rhyme character statues and murals.

Entry has a fee.