How Many Wineries Are In Hunter Valley?
Written by: Cameron Ward
Published: 10/01/2018
Reading time: 4 mins
Thousands of people yearly visit the Hunter Valley to taste some of Australia’s best wines.
The Hunter Valley is a landscape full of lush valleys, rocky mountains, and a cool breeze from across the sea. This is the home place for some of Australia’s best wines, with over 150 wineries sprinkling the land!
The Hunter Valley is a wine lover’s oasis, with plenty of cellar doors, restaurants, and stunning views to last the whole weekend. Book a wine tour of the Hunter Valley and experience the range of wineries made by the local winemakers.
History of the Hunter Valley
Located about a three hour drive from Sydney, the birth of Hunter Valley’s vineyards began in the 1820s. Initially slow to develop, their growth accelerated with the introduction of around 500 vine cuttings from Europe. Over time, the region solidified its reputation as one of Australia’s premier wine regions.
The variety of wines in the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley offers a diverse selection of wines catering to various palates. Among them, three varieties stand out: chardonnay, semillon, and shiraz.
Chardonnay, one of Australia’s earliest produced in the Hunter Valley, is characterised by its rich, oaky flavour complemented by notes of light white peach and acidic citrus.
Semillon, celebrated globally for its crisp citrus taste, is a prominent varietal in the region.
Shiraz reigns as the valley’s top red wine, featuring a savoury, gamy flavour profile with vineyards dating back as far as 120 years.
The Hunter Valley’s wineries
Unwind at one of the 150 wineries to choose from for a wine tasting. As there are many wineries in the region, we are just only to list some of our favourites that are worth checking out during your visit!
– Iron Gate Estate
Iron Gate Estate was first created by Roger Lilliott who was a self-taught winemaker. He first planted some grape vines in 1996 which later transformed the landscape into a vineyard’s dream, resulting in Iron Gate Estate wine.
The winery is influenced by the European wine regions, and the wine style and atmosphere is influenced by the grand province of the Mediterranean. You’d start thinking you took a flight all the way to Europe!
– Tulloch Wines
Tulloch Wines has been around for over four generations and about 130 years crafting some of the best wines in the Hunter Valley. Here you can visit the winery and taste some flavour-filled wines from one of the wine tastings. Tulloch Wines also offers tastings for the kids and teenagers, so the whole family and join and do a tasting!
– Ernest Hill
Ernest Hill is one of the many boutique wineries in the Hunter Valley, and it is also the perfect place to go for a break from the crowds. Although it may look small, this family-owned winery is bursting with incredible varieties to choose from.
Sitting at the top of a hill, you can enjoy sipping on this delicious wine as you marvel at the impressive views of the Broken Back Ranges and Lovedale.
– McGuigan Wines
McGuigan Wines is one of the most popular wine producers in the Hunter Valley. The winery is renowned for focusing on the traditional winemaking methods which has seen their wine selling throughout the world.
It was listed as the International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. Now that’s impressive!
– Tyrrell’s Wines
For five generations, the Tyrrell family has been producing some incredible Hunter Valley wines. Tyrrell’s Wines is certainly worth the visit with over 160 years of experience and one of the most-awarded wineries in Australia!
Tyrrell’s Wines is the proud owner of Australia’s most awarded white wine, the Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon. This wine has won thousands of medals and hundreds of trophies!
– Savannah Estate Winery
Not only does Savannah Estate Winery have some amazing wines, but the winery offers some of the best views of Mount View. The winery was named after the family’s granddaughter, Savannah is renowned for its sweet charm and friendly nature.
You’ll feel at home when you visit this winery that has a personalised touch to the delicious wine favourites.
Ways to see the Hunter Valley
Embark on a wine tour to experience the best of the Hunter Valley’s local wineries. Various tours allow guests to sample an array of wines from some of the region’s top wineries, making for an unforgettable experience.
Related article: Popular Wine Varieties of the Hunter Valley.
