12 Best Hunter Valley Wineries & Vineyards

Australia is pretty famous for its wine, and there is no better place than the Hunter Valley region to select from Australia’s best home-grown wines.

So if you live here or are just visiting, why wouldn’t you take advantage of what we have right in our own backyard? We’re giving you a definitive rundown in our list of the best wineries in the Hunter Valley.

Best Hunter Valley Wineries At a Glance:

• Best Hunter Valley winery for white wine tasting: Ivanhoe Wines
• Best Hunter Valley winery for red wine tasting: Brokenwood Wines
• Best dog friendly hunter valley wineries: Pepper Tree Wines
• Best for organic wine tasting: Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard
• Best overall cellar door experience: Harkham Wines
• Best family friendly winery: Briar Ridge Vineyard

1. Brokenwood Wines

• Address: 401-427 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4998 7559
• Opening Hours: 9.30am – 5pm

The bar is set high here, with Brokenwood Wines being one of the best vineyards in the Hunter Valley region (if not Australia as a whole). You are guaranteed to be delighted by ‘Brokenwood Wines‘ famous chardonnays, Shiraz and Semillon chardonnay. If you’re a die-hard oenophile, become a member and you’ll get the chance for a ‘tour and taste’ and it also gives you the chance to see the winemaking process.

2. Audrey Wilkinson Winery

• Address: 750 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4998 1866
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Possibly one of the most famous wineries in the Hunter Valley and one of Australia’s most reputable wineries, Audrey Wilkinson Winery is an unforgettable wine tasting experience (I mean, it’s been operating since way back in 1866). With 360 degree views from the vineyard of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, you’ll be in for a real treat as you’re sipping on one of their wines straight from the cellars.

Audrey Wilkinson Winery

3. Briar Ridge

• Address: 2325/593 Mount View Road, Mount View NSW 2325
• Phone:+61 2 4990 3670
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

If you’re looking for a boutique Hunter Valley winery, then Briar Ridge is a quality producer to check out. It’s known especially for its Shiraz and Semillon but also offers an impressive variety including a crispy Pinot Gris, a fruity Verdelho and more. Not to mention the scenic surrounds of the Mountain View area of the Hunter Valley will have you pulling out the camera more than once.

Briar Ridge

4. Harkham Wines

• Address: 266 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4998 7648
• Opening Hours: Fri 12pm – 5pm/ Sat – Sun 10am – 5pm

Harkham Wines offers it all, where you can drink, eat and stay as long as you want. The family-owned and operated Hunter Valley winery has just about all you could want in a winery. Fruit that’s handpicked for quality, sustainably farmed and a process that features no chemical additions or flavour adjustments.

Harkham Wines

5. Pepper Tree Wines

• Address: 86 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone:  +61 2 4909 7100
• Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

With stunning gardens and a quaint timber cabin as its base, the scene is set for the perfect wine tasting escapade. This Hunter Valley winery’s location alone is enough to warrant a visit and is best visited in the autumn months for those beautiful gold and red hues tinting the countryside hills. Pepper Tree Wines also offer a wine club so you can receive and taste their wines year-round.

Pepper Tree Wines

6. Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard

• Address: 712 Wollombi Road, Broke NSW 2330
• Phone: +61 2 6579 1322
• Opening Hours: Fri- Sat 10am – 5pm

If you’re into your organics, then Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard has you covered. As you can guess from the name, the winery produces certified organic wines right out of their sustainable and holistic vineyard. Set amongst French inspired Provencal gardens you’ll find the Wollombi Brook and the Brokenback Range serving as the perfect backdrop for sipping on some wine.

Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard

7. De Iuliis

• Address: 1616 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4993 8000
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Another Hunter Valley Boutique Winery, De Iuliis grows some quality grapes from their vineyard and doesn’t carry a hefty price tag. Unbound by tradition and a driving force to push boundaries, De Iuliis implements some innovative ways of making their wine. Check out their signature Shiraz, rosé and Semillon for a taste of what De Iuliis is all about.

De Iuliis

8. Gartelmann Wines

• Address: 701 Lovedale Road, Lovedale NSW 2321
• Phone: +61 2 4930 7113
• Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9am-5pm / Sat – Sun 10am-5pm

Founded in 1996, Gartelmann Wines has become a staple in the circuit of boutique wineries in the Hunter Valley. Taste a selection of wines from the multi award-winning Semillon and Shiraz to the Verdelho, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet and more. After some wine tasting, head on over to The Deck Café for a tasty breakfast or lunch just across from the cellar door.

Gartelmann Wines

9. Bimbadgen Winery

• Address: 790 McDonalds Road, Polkobin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4998 4600
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Bimbadgen, indigenous for ‘Place of good view’ really lives up to its name. Overlooking the Hunter Valley with its distinctive bell tower, it stands out amongst the Hunter Valley wineries. Bimbadgen Winery produces some pretty incredible wines not just from their own cellar but from selected vineyards. For a real idea of how they get the grapes in the bottle, get up close with the winemaking action and take a tour through the open plan winemaking facility.

Bimbadgen Winery

10. Tempus Two Wines

• Address: Broke Road & McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4993 3999
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Since 1997, Tempus Two Wines has been a unique wine producer amongst the Hunter Valley wineries with sophistication and commitment to great wine. Sourcing fruit from Australia’s premium vineyard regions means their wines are crafted using the best ingredients with substance and style. The perfect place to spend the day tasting delicious wine and taking in all that the Hunter Valley has to offer.

Tempus Two Wines

11. Oakvale Wines

• Address: 1596 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: +61 2 4998 7088
• Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm

Oakvale Wines has been grape stomping since 1893, and as one of the oldest working wineries in the Hunter Valley, they must be doing something right. Their vast catalogue of wine styles are crafted with the finest fruit selected from regional vineyards and are sure to offer something for every palate. Oakvales wines are sold exclusively from their cellar door, so pop down for a taste. It’s a $5 per person tasting fee which helps the winery fund their work with Meals on Wheels.

Oakvale Wines

12. Tyrrell’s Vineyard

• Address: 1838 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
• Phone: 1800 045 501
• Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Tyrrell’s Vineyard has won many awards both international and domestic throughout their 160 years in operation and in 2010 was named winery of the year in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion. Come and sample some of the award-winning wines from the cellar door and explore the winemaking experience. It’s not just a place to taste some incredible wine but it’s a piece of Australia’s history and a must-see the next time you’re driving through the Hunter Valley.

Tyrell’s Vineyard

Things to Consider When Visiting Hunter Valley Wineries

• Booking in Wine Tastings: Some wineries/cellar doors offer walk-in wine tastings, but it’s always best to book so you don’t miss out!
  
• Wine Tasting Costs: Wine tasting costs vary – sometimes they’re free, other times they might cost $15-$20 per head. Often this fee is waived if you buy wine from the cellar door.
  
• Kid-Friendly: Most wineries are kid-friendly, but some may also have activities to keep kids occupied, like outdoor games or picnic areas.
  
• Pet-Friendly: Many wineries are pet-friendly, but it’s always a good idea to check their pet policy in advance.
  
• Food: Some wineries offer food options like cheese platters, while others have full-service restaurants. During peak seasons, make sure you make restaurant reservations in advance as they tend to book up quickly.

Alternatives to Hunter Valley Wineries

Wine not quite your thing? Don’t worry – here are some alternatives!

• Best Places to Stay in the Hunter Valley
• Best Hunter Valley Restaurants
• Best Farm Stays in NSW
• Best Breweries in Sydney
• Most Romantic Getaways in Sydney

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