The Hunter Valley is one of the best wine regions in both Australia and the world.
The Hunter Valley is famed for its semillons but also cabernets, chardonnays, and shirazs. Wine tasting experiences are a must for anyone who likes a fine drop or seeks a delightful time.
While bookings are highly recommended and preferred, you can still try your luck with a walk-in! Booking ahead saves yourself from disappointment and guarantees you an opportunity to taste some of the finest vintages.
The bubbly, juicy vino in the Hunter Valley is what makes the region one of Australia’s and the world’s top wine regions. With over 150 different wineries to visit, here are some of the legendary ones you should book ahead for a wine tasting.
Sobels Wines
Sobels Wines offers fresh and fruity wines, along with classic reds, delicious dessert and fortified wines, and sophisticated dry wines. Visit the cellar door for a wine tasting, and grab a bottle of wine. At the cellar door, there is an extensive range of wines to taste, and also a behind the scenes tour if you want to know more about what goes at the back of the cellar door.
McGuigan Wines
When a winery wins the International Wine and Spirits Competition’s International Wine Maker of the Year award almost three years in a row, then it must be pretty good. McGuigan Wines is that winery, having taken out the honour in 2009, 2011, 2012 and once again in 2016 for good measure.
The winery is beloved for its wonderful cellar door experience, where seasoned professionals talk you through their tantalising varieties of merlot, semillon, and shiraz.
Garden Cellars
Located within the Hunter Valley Gardens, Garden Cellars is home to not only wine, but also beer and spirits. You can book your tasting online or over the phone, with bookings essential for groups of five or more. Tastings usually go for about half an hour and you can try wines or spirits.
Savannah Estate
Another beautiful property serving up the very best wine, Savannah Estate is renowned for its wonderful chardonnay, shiraz and semillon. At their cellar door, you can even have a wine tasting perfectly paired with some delicious pies!
Gartelmann Wines
Gartelmann Wines is a smaller producer, with its wines not gracing the shelves of every B WS and Dan Murphy’s across the country. However, the cellar door offers a delightful, family-run experience that visitors always enjoy.
Husband and wife duo Jan and Jorg Gartelmann will guide you through their superb drops, with everything from semillon, shiraz, merlot, and chardonnay on the tasting menu.
Iron Gate Estate
Iron Gate Estate is one of Australia’s most beautiful wineries, hands down! This Napa-style estate was revamped in 2018 and produces some of the country’s very best Chardonnay and Shiraz. The Spanish-style villa is the perfect backdrop to an incredible cellar door experience that combines fine wine with gorgeous surroundings.
Capercaillie Wines
When in the region, you must stop by Capercaillie Wines for a wine tasting and learn more about the premium wines here. Since 1996, Capercaillie Wines have won over 950 wine show awards. The award-winning winery gives you the option of a standard wine tasting or a premium. The premium tasting includes seven wines to try from the premium range along with a cheese platter.
Tempus Two
Tempus Two wines are great for wine lovers and even casual drinkers. The staff at Tempus Two are passionate about the wine, and the brand doesn’t follow the traditions of other brands.
Enjoy tasting award-winning wines at the Tempus Two cellar door! The cellar door offers a range of tasting experiences, from general tastings to luxury and indulgence. Book ahead to ensure you get the wine tasting experience you desire!
Whenever exploring any wine region where you plan to do a few wine tastings, we always recommend booking a wine tour. A tour allows you to enjoy the wines and a delightful day out.
Related article: Which is the Best Hunter Valley Wine Tour?
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.