“The Hunter wine region, just two hours north of Sydney can be a tricky place to navigate if you don’t know where to go. There are so many great cellar doors to visit, but here are eight of my favourites.
Hart & Hunter – 463 Deaseys Road, Pokolbin NSW
Tucked away on Deaseys road, you’ll find one of the Hunter’s newest wine labels. Hart & Hunter don’t only have a great taste for wine, but music as well. Their sole focus is on Hunter Valley fruit, so you won’t find a sauvignon blanc here – just tremendous semillon, chardonnay and shiraz, native to the region. Ask to taste all of them!
Macquariedale –170 Sweetwater Road, Belford NSW
Biodynamic duo Ross and Derice McDonald were one of the first Hunter Valley winegrowers to be certified organic. They also grow and produce delicious garlic and olive oil on their Rothbury property, but it’s the wines that will give you a reason to stay. You can taste whites and reds in their gorgeous cellar door at the top of the hill while you watch the sun set over the Brokenback on a crisp, wintry afternoon. Ask to taste the verdelho and Thomas Shiraz.
Oakvale – 1596 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW
The Oakvale label has been growing grapes and making wine in the Hunter Valley since the 1890s. second-generation winemaker Bob Elliot used to sell wine to Maurice O’Shea from up the road at Mount Pleasant. Today, the Becker family name is above the cellar door and their respect for Oakvale’s rich past is more evident than ever. Son James Becker recently took over the winemaking reins full time. He has a not-so-secret love for Hunter chardonnay, which is deliciously revealed in every glass. Ask to taste the Ablington Chardonnay and shiraz.”