Hunter Valley Winery Recommendations

Just a few hours drive from Sydney CBD, the Hunter Valley is a go-to weekend trip when we have friends and family visiting. Having been a member of far too many wine clubs, and tried to store more wine than our flat should feasibly hold, I'd consider us pretty well versed on the best of the Hunter Valley. Of course things always chop and change but these are our steadfast favourites.

They all have great wine - there's only two places I've found that I haven't enjoyed at least some of the wines and perhaps that was just an off day for me or them. Either way, I will happily vouch for the wineries below.

Peterson's - Mount View Cellar Door for a more traditional experience and wine that will impress the connoisseur

Perterson's are one of my favourite producers. They generally produce quite big, bold wines and on a strike year (which happens about every 5 years when conditions are very good from my understanding), they are in a league of their own. The staff are knowledgeable down to Earth - if you happen to find Liz, you're especially lucky as she's an absolute legend, so much so that she had a vintage named after her!

If you like big red wines, this is your place, but they also have some lovely whites. I'd recommend trying their Fiano or Fiano-Arneis blend, as well as at least one of their Shriaz's.

Usher Tinkler for an amazing lunch

In a beautiful converted church, the team at Usher's do an exceptional job with the salumi board. They pickle a variety of things on site as well as making fabulous jams and marmalades. The Salumi board is a thing of beauty. We try not to go back to the same place for dinner multiple times without good reason, and we've had lunch here twice, taking different people to show it off.

The wine is good, not my favourite in the Hunter yet we still always come away with a few bottles. Their Death By Semillon is my favourite however I also enjoy the rose. The Enneagram Sparkling is something very different if you want to keep people guessing what grape they're drinking!

Piggs Peake for a fun tasting, particularly if you have someone in your party who is less sure about wine

Recommended by a chef friend who lives in the area, Piggs Peake is not a traditional winery, it's a little tongue and cheek and makes easy-drinking wines on the whole. We typically pull out their wines if we have people who are less purist, although they do have wines for the more discerning pallet too.

The first time we went here the tasting was free and our group - sadly I was designated driver - tasted 16 wines at 10am. It's safe to say the rest of the day was less productive. We've since been back twice, being a member of their wine club for a year or two and attending the release party for their latest wines.

I'd highly recommend trying their sweet sparkling red, “Pig Juice” and their Sagrantino. They do a German-style ice wine wittily called i-swine...

Saltire for an easy afternoon jaunt

If you're going with a group and want to sit back and enjoy an easy afternoon, I'd recommend giving Saltire a look-in. They have a lovely big space, where you can sit in or out and look down to the vines and relax in soft seating.

If you're looking for an extra excuse to go, they also run a Highland Games every year. Being half Scots, I am a massive fan of highland games and if you haven't been to one, I'd highly recommend going to one. I can't vouch for the Saltire version having only ever been back in Scotland but they do appear to have the key events in my mind- from caper tossing to pipes and highland coos.

Hanging Tree for a dog and family friendly space

I was on the fence about including this one but by popular demand from my better half and two of my good friends, it made the list over Audrey Wilkinson and a few others. It's in a lovely spot and is a small winery.

Iron Gate for a little escapism

Controversial but I think they have one of the best Semillon's in the Hunter Valley. The cellar door itself is beautiful and I almost felt like I was back in Spain sitting out there enjoying my wine.

Bonus inclusion

If you're going in Jacaranda season, I'd recommend putting Capercaillie Wines on your list. The wine and staff are lovely but the purple trees in full flower really make it special. They have a good range of wines, with lots of interesting varietals. They now have a sparkling chambourcin which I'd love to try - next time I'm up that way I'll be grabbing a bottle.

Wherever you choose to go, I'm sure you will have a great time. I'd recommend using Google Maps/ Reviews to help guide your choice further as needed, and also find out what's nearest to you.

Enjoy!