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The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and best-known wine regions, just a couple of hours from Sydney and packed with cellar doors worth visiting. Whether you’re into bold reds, crisp whites, or certified organic drops, there’s something here for every palate.
Start with the classics at Brokenwood Wines or Tyrrell’s Vineyard, both known for standout Semillon and Shiraz. After something boutique and biodynamic? Krinklewood and Harkham Wines are leading the charge. If you’re looking for a cellar door with views, Audrey Wilkinson has one of the best in the region. And if you’re bringing the dog along, Pepper Tree Wines and Briar Ridge are both pet-friendly.
These are our top picks for the 12 best wineries in the Hunter Valley, including where to go, what to try, and what makes each one worth the trip.
Quick Guide to the Best Wineries in the Hunter Valley
- 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
12 Best Hunter Valley Wineries
1. Brokenwood Wines – Best for premium red wine tasting
- Address: 401-427 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4998 7559
- Opening Hours: 9.30am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Shiraz, Semillon, Chardonnay
- Why visit: One of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic wineries, known for consistently top-rated reds and whites. Wine club members can also book behind-the-scenes tours.
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 – Best for historic charm and vineyard views
- Address: 750 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4998 1866
- Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Semillon, Shiraz, Rosé
- Why visit: It’s one of the oldest wineries in Australia, operating since 1866, and the hilltop setting is unbeatable. You’ll get 360-degree views of the Brokenback Range while sipping straight from the cellar.
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.
3. Briar Ridge – Best for families and relaxed boutique vibes
- Address: 2325/593 Mount View Road, Mount View NSW 2325
- Phone:+61 2 4990 3670
- Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Shiraz, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Verdelho
- Why visit: A boutique winery tucked into the scenic Mount View region with friendly staff and plenty of variety on the tasting list. There’s space to roam, so it’s great if you’ve got kids or pets in tow.
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.
4. Harkham Wines – Best for natural wines and a laid-back cellar door
- Address: 266 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4998 7648
- Opening Hours: Fri 12pm – 5pm/ Sat – Sun 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Unfiltered, minimal-intervention natural wines
- Why visit: Family-owned and refreshingly unpretentious, Harkham focuses on hand-picked fruit and sustainable practices.
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.
5. Pepper Tree Wines – Best for pet-friendly tastings
- Address: 86 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4909 7100
- Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon
- Why visit: A cosy timber cabin cellar door set among beautiful gardens, especially stunning in autumn.
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.
6. Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard – Best for organic wine lovers
- Address: 712 Wollombi Road, Broke NSW 2330
- Phone: +61 2 6579 1322
- Opening hours: Fri- Sat 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Organic Verdelho, Shiraz, Rosé
- Why visit: This fully certified organic and biodynamic vineyard is set among French-style gardens with views of Wollombi Brook and the Brokenback Range.
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 – Best for boutique wine
- Address: 1616 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4993 8000
- Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Shiraz, Rosé, Semillon
- Why visit: Known for pushing boundaries, this boutique producer combines heritage grapes with innovative winemaking. It’s fresh, modern, and surprisingly affordable.
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.
8. Gartelmann Wines – Best for brunch and cellar door sips
- Address: 701 Lovedale Road, Lovedale NSW 2321
- Phone: +61 2 4930 7113
- Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9am-5pm / Sat – Sun 10am-5pm
- Wine specialties: Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Merlot
- Why visit: Friendly and down-to-earth, Gartelmann offers a full tasting experience followed by a proper feed at The Deck Café next door.
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.
9. Bimbadgen Winery – Best for panoramic views
- Address: 790 McDonalds Road, Polkobin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4998 4600
- Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Chardonnay, Sparkling, Shiraz
- Why visit: Bimbadgen means “place of good view”, and it delivers. With its bell tower and open-plan winery, it’s ideal if you’re keen to see the winemaking in action.
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.
10. Tempus Two Wines – Best for unique wine
- Address: Broke Road & McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4993 3999
- Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Premium blends, Sparkling, Rosé
- Why visit: Slick, architect-designed cellar door with a polished wine lineup to match. Fruit is sourced from across Australia, so you’ll get variety and quality in every pour.
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.
11. Oakvale Wines – Best exclusive wines
- Address: 1596 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: +61 2 4998 7088
- Opening hours: 10am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Wide range of small-batch wines
- Why visit: One of the oldest working wineries in the region, with a commitment to small-scale winemaking and local community.
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.
12. Tyrrell’s Vineyard – Best for award-winning Semillon
- Address: 1838 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- Phone: 1800 045 501
- Opening hours: 9am – 5pm
- Wine specialties: Semillon, Shiraz
- Why visit: A true legend of Australian wine. Family-run since 1858, with a cellar door that’s both historic and full of top-shelf drops.
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.
Things to Know Before You Visit 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.
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FAQs
Semillon and Shiraz out here. The Semillon is crisp and citrusy when young, but gets buttery and rich as it ages. The Shiraz is medium-bodied with that earthy, peppery thing going on (very drinkable).
In most cases, yep. Some places do take walk-ins, but plenty of cellar doors ask you to book ahead, especially on weekends or if you’re going with a group. It’s worth locking it in so you don’t miss out.
A bunch of them are! Pepper Tree, Briar Ridge, Krinklewood, Oakvale and Harkham all welcome pups. Just keep them on a lead and out of the actual wine-making areas and you’ll be sweet.
Absolutely. Most places are family-friendly, and a few even have space outside for the kids to run around. Wineries like Briar Ridge and Gartelmann are a good bet if you’re after somewhere a bit more relaxed.
Autumn is pretty hard to beat — the vines turn gold, the weather’s perfect, and the reds are in top form. Spring is also a great time to visit if you’re into whites and want to avoid the crowds.
Not all of them, but plenty do. Some have full-on restaurants (Bimbadgen, Harkham, Gartelmann) while others do great cheese boards or snacks. If you’re planning lunch, it’s smart to book ahead as spots fill up fast.
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