Petersons Wines
Family winery near Mount View with cellar door and views over the vineyards. Try the Semillon and Shiraz.
Australia
Hunter Valley
Region
The Hunter Valley, a good two hours north of Sydney, is Australia's oldest wine region. Around Pokolbin are over a hundred cellar doors, plus restaurants, cheese factories and hot-air balloon rides at dawn.
by Felix Gillen
The Hunter Valley, a good two hours north of Sydney, is Australia's oldest wine region. Around Pokolbin are over a hundred cellar doors, plus restaurants, cheese factories and hot-air balloon rides at dawn.
For visitors, Hunter Valley usually refers to the wine region in the Lower Hunter. Its heart is Pokolbin, a village without a true center, whose vineyards are spread along Broke Road, McDonalds Road, and De Beyers Road. The small town of Cessnock to the south has supermarkets and more affordable accommodation, while Broke Fordwich to the west is quieter and more rural. The region is famous for Semillon, which tastes fresh when young and nutty after years in the cellar, and for Shiraz. On weekends, cellar doors and restaurants are busy; during the week, things are more relaxed.
Sights in Hunter Valley
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Mount Eyre Vineyards
Small winery in northern Pokolbin with cellar door, quieter than the large houses on Broke Road.
Mount View Estate
Winery on the slopes of Mount View with cellar door and wide view over the valley.
Pepper Tree Wines
Pepper Tree Wines on Halls Road has a cellar door in a garden and wines from the Hunter Valley and other regions.
Hanging Tree Wines - Hunter Valley
Small winery with cellar door in South Pokolbin, relaxed tasting without group crowds.
Thomas Allen Wines
Small family winery with a cellar door in the north of the wine region.
Essen & Trinken
Restaurant at Cockfighter's Ghost on De Beyers Road, serving modern Australian cuisine with vineyard views. Evening reservations advised.
Cafe for breakfast and coffee between two wine tastings, simple dishes for lunch.
Restaurant with views over the vineyards and regional wines on the menu. Evening reservations.
Small winery with a wine bar and restaurant, where dishes are paired with their own wines. Reserve on weekends.
Muse at Hungerford Hill Winery is considered one of the best restaurants in the Hunter Valley. Menus feature regional ingredients, paired with matching wines. Reserve.
Food and Beverages
The Hunter Valley is a gourmet region: Besides wine, there are cheesemakers, chocolate shops and olive oil producers. Many wineries have their own restaurants; on weekends, you should book.
Hunter Semillon
The region's typical grape variety. Young, fresh, and citrusy; aged with honey and toast notes.
Shiraz
Medium-bodied red wine, more elegant than the robust Shiraz wines from South Australia.
Cheese from Pokolbin
Many small creameries offer tastings, paired with wine tasting.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
15–22°C·45–85 mm(moderate rain)
Autumn and spring are pleasantly mild. From February to March is grape harvest; in mid-summer, it's often over 30°C.
The valley lies in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains, but heavy thunderstorms often occur in summer. Winter nights can get frosty.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
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Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Summer and Vintage
Autumn and Spring
Winter
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.0 | 85 | 9.0 |
| February | 23.5 | 100 | 8.0 |
| March | 21.5 | 85 | 7.5 |
| April | 18.0 | 60 | 7.0 |
| May | 14.5 | 50 | 6.5 |
| June | 12.0 | 60 | 6.0 |
| July | 10.5 | 40 | 6.5 |
| August | 12.0 | 40 | 7.5 |
| September | 15.0 | 45 | 8.0 |
| October | 18.0 | 55 | 8.5 |
| November | 20.5 | 70 | 9.0 |
| December | 23.0 | 75 | 9.0 |
History and Wine
The valley is Wonnarua land. European settlers arrived in the early 19th century; the first vines were planted in the 1820s. Families like Tyrrell, Drayton, and Tulloch have shaped viticulture for over a hundred years, and some of their wineries still belong to their descendants.Besides wine, coal mining plays a major role in the Upper Hunter. In the wine region itself, you hardly notice it.
Exploring the Hunter Valley
From Sydney, you drive via the M1 and the Hunter Expressway to Pokolbin in a good two hours. Trains run to Maitland; from there, you'll need a taxi or a transfer.The wineries are spread out, and public buses are practically non-existent. If you want to sample, book a guided wine tour or rent a bicycle. In Australia, there's a blood alcohol limit of 0.05, and checks are frequent.
