Head to the Hunter to find stunning wines, a vibrant culinary scene and incredible natural beauty just begging to be explored.
The Hunter Valley. It’s the region where it all began – ‘it’ being the Australian wine industry. No big deal. With breathtaking scenery, a fascinating history and a rich winemaking culture, there’s so much to experience and enjoy in this small pocket of the world. Just over two hours’ drive north of Sydney, the Hunter has earned a reputation for world-class wines, especially its exceptional semillon, chardonnay and shiraz. The Hunter Valley is a crucial destination on any wine pilgrimage.
Home to more than 150 wineries, wine-trippers are certainly spoilt for choice. Here, stunning cellar doors stud the rolling hills, throwing open their tasting rooms for visitors to sample their delicious wines (and pick up a few fun facts to impress your friends back home). And with some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff waiting to welcome you, you can rest assured you’ll be in good hands.
Wine is not the only thing this region does well. With breathtaking scenery, friendly country townships, a thriving local foodie culture and a range of exciting local attractions – from hot air ballooning and helicopter rides to luxurious spas – it’s not the kind of place where you run out of things to do. So, whether you’re an avid foodie, an outdoor adventurer or just keen to uncover some viticultural gems, the Hunter has something for everyone.
Elevation – 0–1,597m
Total vine area – 2,605ha
Average annual yield (grapes crushed) – 4,100 tonnes
Soil – Deep loam and sandy alluvial soils in the Lower Hunter; silty loam soils and clay in the Upper regions
Climate – Warm subtropical climate with humid summers and cooling sea breezes
Mean temp (Jan) – 23.1°c
Average growing season rainfall – 527mm
White grapes – 70%
Red grapes – 30%
1. Semillon – 27%
2. Shiraz – 24%
3. Chardonnay – 23%
4. Verdelho – 15%
5. Tempranillo – 2%
The Hunter Valley is considered the birthplace of Australian wine and was the location of the country’s first vineyards and wineries. The first vines were planted around the Dalwood area in the 1820s and spurred the development and spread of commercial winemaking in Australia. Today, the Hunter is still considered the spiritual home of Australian wine and, with more than 150 wineries, it’s responsible for much of the hard work and innovation to which our thriving wine industry owes its success.
Semillon is the region’s signature grape, capable of producing an impressive spectrum of styles. Its ability to morph over time from a zesty, crisp youngster into a deep golden, nutty, honey-scented old-timer makes Hunter semillon one of Australia's truly unique styles, and it’s recognised around the world. Did we mention it also makes a lusciously sweet and tangy dessert wine?
On paper, the Hunter Valley shouldn’t work ‒ but it does. The Hunter’s warm, humid climate, frequent summer storms and risk of extreme weather events make this a difficult region for growers. But Hunter’s growers are clever – careful attention to clean viticulture and a focus on quality over quantity sees them consistently produce some of Australia’s finest wines.
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