The Hunter Valley is a must-visit destination for wine lovers and is one of Australia's most renowned wine regions along with Margaret River, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
The Hunter is known for producing some of the country's finest Semillon and Shiraz wines. Australia has over 160 grape varieties distributed on 146,244 hectares (ha) across all six states and although you can find a significant variety of grapes in the Hunter Valley we are most famous for Syrah and Semillon. The Hunter is different from many of the other famous wine regions this comes from its rich history and geographic characteristics and traditions that all contribute to its notable wineries and wines.
Located just a couple of hours' drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. It was first established in the early 1800s by European settlers, who quickly recognised the region's potential for grape growing. Today, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 150 wineries, ranging from small boutique operations like ourselves to large, commercial producers that count themselves among some of the largest and well known wine producers in the world.
One of the most distinctive features of the Hunter Valley is its climate. The region is known for its warm, humid summers and mild winters, which create ideal growing conditions for a range of grape varieties. Semillon and Shiraz are the Hunter Valley's signature wines, but the region also produces Chardonnay, Verdelho, and Cabernet Sauvignon. With its rich history, warm climate, and unique wine styles, it's easy to see why the region has become one of Australia's most celebrated wine destinations
Hunter Valley Semillon (which we produce) is one of Australia's most unique wine styles. It's a crisp, dry white wine that is typically un-oaked and has a very high acidity. When young, Semillon from the Hunter Valley can be quite austere and citrusy, but with age, it develops a rich, honeyed character that is highly sought after by wine collectors. When drinking a young Hunter Semillon I like to have at fridge temperature on a hot day as it ages and a depth of flavour starts to emerge you can serve it at a slightly warmer temperature allowing the oils and flavours to emerge in a more pronounced manner... lots of people have differing views from me when it comes to Semillon (including my family) but that is something we should all appreciate not fight over.
Shiraz is another standout wine from the Hunter Valley. Shiraz or more accurately Syrah is Australia's most cultivated grape variety accounting for some 40,000ha across Australia's vineyards in 2020 we saw 376,000 tonnes of Syrah crushed across Aus accounting for 25 per cent of the total crush. The region's Shiraz is known for its medium to full-bodied style, with flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice. The warm climate of the Hunter Valley allows the grapes to ripen fully, creating wines with rich, ripe fruit flavours and a smooth, velvety texture. unlike a lot of European Old World wine's we drink many of our red wines at a younger age in Australia.
If you are making a weekend adventure to the hunter and you are on the hunt for some typical regional wines I would say of course start with us, we are in the heart of Lovedale on Wilderness Road the gateway to the hunter valley just minutes from the Hunter Express Way (M15) after seeing us you can head down the road to other small wineries like Emma's Cottage. Some notable larger wineries to visit in the Hunter Valley to punctuate your trip include Tyrrell's Wines, Brokenwood Wines, and McWilliam's Wines. These wineries have a long history in the region and are known for producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique character of the Hunter Valley.
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