5 Best Hunter Valley Wineries We Loved Visiting

Last Update: October 2026

Well, we’ve finally made it to the Hunter Valley! As wine lovers, we’ve been slowly making our way through the Australian wine regions and we’d had the Hunter Valley high on our list for a while, waiting to be ticked off. On our way up to Queensland, we finally got a chance to check it out and we were certainly not disappointed. As we’d hoped, the wine is fabulous, and the region is oh so stunning!

Home to over 150 wineries, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region. It is also a clear favourite with interstate and international visitors. They flock to the region every year to indulge in the exciting range of wines on offer.

With so many wineries in the valley, it’s obviously impossible to see them all in a few days, as hard as you might try (and try we did!). But we did sample quite a few in our four-day stint. Here are our favourites.

1- Ivanhoe Wines

Ivanhoe is an 80-acre vineyard nestled in the small town of Pokolbin, right at the foot of the Brokenback Ranges. The setting is spectacular and of course, so are the wines.

Ivanhoe produces premium quality, boutique wines that are only available at their cellar door. We booked their cheese and wine tasting experience and were seated downstairs in their tasting room, beside glass windows overlooking the vines.

We went through a very long list of incredible whites (I really enjoyed their Chivalry and Chardonnay), some soft and smooth reds, and a couple of big and gutsy reds. Their wines were very enjoyable and we took a few bottles home with us.

We were even lucky to have a curious lizard come inside and join our tasting, followed by a huntsman spider who was a lot less welcome. I hate those guys! This led to a discussion with our sommelier about how they pick the grapes at night and have to wear gloves and face shields to avoid the massive Golden Orb spiders that live in the vines. It’s quite clear that I will never work as a grape picker!

Address: 525 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin

2- Black Creek Farm – Thélème Wines

This winery at Black Creek Farm was my favourite winery in the Hunter Valley. This small family-owned winery is run by a French couple and has a provincial inspired Cellar Door. Our wine tasting took place on the farmhouse veranda, overlooking the vineyards, with rolling hills in the distance. It was such a relaxed, picturesque setting that we could easily have sat there all afternoon!

The owner Jean was very friendly and gave us detailed tasting notes for every wine. Their wine tasting felt so much more personal than at many of the bigger wineries. All the wines we tried were 5 star and we again ended up taking a few bottles home!

I forgot to mention, if you like dogs, their wine dog is adorable and likes to greet you!

Address: 803 Old North Rd, Rothbury

3- Piggs Peake Winery

Established in 1998, Piggs Peake Winery sources its grapes from a wide variety of places (Moree, Mudgee, Orange, Young, McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley), to make a range of wines that are well outside of the box! 

I’m not sure what I loved the most about Piggs Peake Winery, their unique wines or the funny names they give them! We started tasting with a nice drop of Prosciutto (Piggs Peake’s version of a Prosecco!), followed by Sows ear Semillon, Hogshead Chardonnay, Savvy Pig, Wiggly Tail Marsanne, Pig’s breath, Pork Sword etc. You see what I mean about their names!

We had our tasting inside their cellar, amongst the wine barrels and the workers going about their daily tasks. We sat at a wine barrel table which made the tasting feel more authentic. Their big bold reds were awesome, so if that type of wine is your thing, this is the place for you!

Address: 697 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

4- Tyrrell’s Wine

Tyrrell’s is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries. It was established in 1858 by English immigrant Edward Tyrrell, and the fifth generation, Chris, Jane and John, are now involved in the business. It is a popular Australian wine brand and is widely available in bottle shops around the country. But I would still recommend a visit to the winery because of the experience itself.

Tyrrell’s vineyard is the site of the Tyrrell family’s historic home and our tasting took place in a room that’s as old as the winery itself! The historical decor added to the ambience with family portraits hanging on the walls and other antique memorabilia. Our server told us stories about the Tyrell family, and she was also very knowledgeable about each wine we tried.

As you’d expect, the wines were top notch and once again there were a few of them to try, sparkling, whites and reds. All in all, it was a great experience.

Address: 1838 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

5- Thomas Allen Wines

This was the first winery we visited in the valley. We had a lovely tasting on their terrace, just outside the cellar door, with beautiful views over the vineyards and the surrounding Moon Mountain. The guided tasting was informative and well-paced, so we really got to enjoy every drop of their lovely wines. The majority of their wine is sold via their exclusive wine club and so, as you might expect, the quality of their wines is up there with the best!

Address: 1733 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 

Things you need to know before you go to the Hunter Valley

• Book your tastings in advance. Many Hunter Valley wineries recommend or require bookings for wine tastings, particularly on weekends and during busy periods. If there are a few wineries you really want to visit, book ahead rather than relying on walk-ins.
• Have a plan for getting around. Some wineries are very generous with their tasting pours, so if you want to visit several cellar doors, consider hiring a driver or joining a wine tour. If you’re visiting with friends for a few days, you can also take turns being the designated driver. There are plenty of wine tours departing from the Hunter Valley itself, as well as from Newcastle and Sydney.
• You don’t have to drink every drop! Wineries provide spittoons, so don’t feel like you need to finish every tasting. Although maybe think twice before spitting out a $90 premium wine or you might get some funny looks from your wife. 🤣 Unless it’s truly awful, of course — although we certainly didn’t taste any bad wines in the Hunter Valley!

Planning a trip to the Hunter Valley? There’s much more to the region than just wine! From beautiful countryside and great food to scenic viewpoints and other things to see and do, check out our complete Hunter Valley guide to help plan the rest of your stay.

Best Time to Visit the Hunter Valley for Wine Tasting

The Hunter Valley is a great destination year-round, but autumn and spring are particularly lovely times to visit. The temperatures are generally comfortable, making it perfect for hopping between cellar doors and enjoying the beautiful vineyard scenery.

Summer is harvest season and an exciting time to visit, although it can get very hot. Winter brings cooler temperatures and cosy cellar-door experiences, while the vineyards take on a completely different look.

Weekends are naturally busier, so if you prefer a quieter experience and have some flexibility, consider visiting during the week.

Accommodation in the Hunter Valley

There are lots of great places to stay in the Hunter Valley. You can find your accomodation with the Searbox below:

Hunter Valley Winery FAQs

What wine is the Hunter Valley famous for?
The Hunter Valley is particularly famous for Semillon and Shiraz. Hunter Valley Semillon is one of the region’s signature wines, while you’ll also find excellent Chardonnay, Verdelho and other varieties.

Do you need to book wine tastings in the Hunter Valley?
It’s a good idea. Some cellar doors require bookings while others accept walk-ins when space is available. If there are particular wineries you don’t want to miss, book ahead, especially on weekends and during busy periods.

Do Hunter Valley wineries charge for tastings?
Many wineries charge a tasting fee, although the cost and what’s included varies between cellar doors. Some may deduct the tasting fee if you purchase wine. Check directly with each winery for current tasting options and prices.

How many Hunter Valley wineries can you visit in one day?
We’d suggest around three to four wineries in a day. You could squeeze in more, but taking your time makes the experience much more enjoyable. It also gives you time for lunch and means you’re actually tasting the wines rather than racing from one cellar door to the next.

Can you visit Hunter Valley wineries without driving?
Absolutely. There are plenty of organised wine tours and private drivers available, which means everyone can enjoy the tastings without needing a designated driver. Tours are available from within the Hunter Valley as well as from Newcastle and Sydney.

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