NOW EXPERIENCING:5 Hunter Valley wines we're loving right now
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5 Hunter Valley wines we're loving right now

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 08 Sep 2022

By
Madeleine Horrigan

These aren’t your grandma’s wines. Check out our five Hunter wines of the moment.

The Hunter Valley is considered the birthplace of the Australian wine industry and as our oldest wine region, has earned a reputation for world-class wines. Semillon, chardonnay and shiraz may be what the Hunter is best known for, but a new wave of wines and styles from alternative varieties have started to emerge and we’re here for it. From Italian varieties like fiano and barbera to Portugal’s delicious verdelho, dry white blends to refreshing rosé, here are five exciting wines from the Hunter that we’re absolutely loving right now.
Tulloch Verdelho bottle

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Tulloch Verdelho

This wine is a testament to Tulloch’s vision as Hunter Valley producers. First planted back in 1990 when alternative varieties were just a twinkle in the eyes of many Australian producers, the Tulloch Verdelho is a pioneering wine and the standard to which many aspire. Originally from the subtropical island of Madeira, this Portuguese grape thrives in the warm and humid climates of the Hunter. In the glass, it's a crisp and refreshing fuller-bodied white with a lush tropical fruitiness, floral perfumes and a zesty seam of acidity. With a little more weight and roundness than semillon or fiano, it’s an absolute stunner paired with intensely spiced asian dishes.

Hungerford Hill Fiano

Originally from the south of Italy, fiano is an ancient grape that has found a new home in and around the Hunter Valley. As a wine it can range from thrillingly taut and mineral to boldly flavoured and textured. In the right hands it’s pure magic, and we can’t think of better hands than Bryan Currie and the team at Hungerford Hills. Intensely aromatic with notes of mandarin and fresh garden herbs, the palate is lithe and textural with zinging lemon acidity. Fantastically food friendly, you can bust out this wine for almost any occasion: picnics, over cheese and nibbles or even for a long luxurious dinner with friends. In fact, it’s so popular we recommend having a second bottle in the fridge on standby.
Hungerford Hill Fiano bottle

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Brokenwood Cricket Pitch SBS

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Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Fun fact: the site on which Brokenwood now stands was originally destined to be a cricket ground, hence the Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. A second fun fact: it’s everything you want in a dry white – it's fun, fresh and historical to boot! Unlike the typical varietal wines of the Hunter, this is a blend of sauvignon blanc (67%) and semillon (33%) and pays homage to the great whites of Bordeaux. Bright and refreshing with a touch of minerality, it gives beautiful citrus pith and florals on the nose with a clear sauvignon blanc lift. The palate is light and juicy with melon fruit, zesty acidity and featherlight alcohol at 11.5%. We love this wine as a summer drop, straight from the fridge and paired with fresh seafood.

Audrey Wilkinson Rosé

We don’t know about you, but we love a good rosé. It’s a fantastically versatile wine style that pairs with pretty much any cuisine and occasion. So, when selecting our five Hunter wines of the moment, we couldn’t go past the Audrey Wilkinson Rosé. Made from Hunter Valley shiraz, merlot and tempranillo, this wine’s pretty pale pink colour belies its natural concentration of flavour. The nose is bursting with aromas of strawberries, cranberries and hints of rose petals, while the palate gives ripe red berries matched by a zesty acidity that keeps this rosé refreshingly dry.
Audrey Wilkinson Rosé

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David Hook Barbera

Time to dust off your pizza stone – we’re drinking barbera. Native to the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, this is a joyous little variety that should definitely be in your vinous rotation. And this is not just any barbera, but David Hook Barbera; a juicy little number, brimming with cherry and plums, pops of spice, fine soft tannins and bright, mouth watering acidity. Like all of David’s wines, it shows outstanding regional and varietal character that reflect its origins and vintage. Allow it some time in the glass to open up and reveal its true nature – trust us, you won’t regret it.
Want more Hunter Valley goodness? You’re in luck! Plan the rest of your Hunter escape using Dan's Vine Guide. We've got everything you need to know about wineries, breweries, activities and adventures.
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Authour image
Madeleine HorriganMadeleine Horrigan is a Melbourne-based writer and all-round drinks enthusiast. When her nose isn't in a glass, it's in a travel guide planning her next adventure in a wine region.
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Vine GuideTravelRed WineRoséWine RegionsSemillon Sauvignon BlancVine GuideWineryAustralian regionWineVerdelho
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