Joanna James
Hunter Valley is home to over 150 wineries, a fertile region to the north of Sydney. So, how do you choose which ones to visit? Read on and plan your tour to the Hunter Valley.
This winery certainly deserves an award for the most picturesque winery in Hunter Valley. The range of wines produced here are just as impressive, with the list extending to chardonnay, semillion and shiraz; the Gewurztraminer produced here, also comes well recommended.
Bimbadgen is much more than a mere winery, the estate is one of the top Hunter Valley venues for concerts. The winery is perfect for dining, tasting and swirling; the tasting rooms are quite large and perfect for enjoying the wines which are just perfect. Produced here, and well worth trying, are Bimbadgen's chardonnay, shiraz, semillon, verdelho and the shiraz viognier; this last wine, by the way, is the best version in the Hunter Valley region. Once done, with your wine tasting, head over the Esca restaurant where a contemporary Australian lunch and dinner is on offer.
Brokenwood Wines date back to 1975, the wines are well known for their rich colours and smooth taste, while the Chardonnay produced in Hunter Valley, Beechworth in Victoria and Orange in NSW is tipped to be the best. Fruit driven wines with a perfect balance of acidic components are to be reckoned with. Weekends are busy times for the winery in Hunter Valley getting exceptionally crowded, still, a set of skilled and very friendly staff make sure you get the best service and an experience to remember. If you are staying at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, the winery is a mere minutes-drive away and perfect for spending a crisp clear morning at. This also means that you don't have to wait for a busy weekend to visit the place; leave your Hunter Valley resort after breakfast, and plan a full day at Brokenwood.
Located in Lovedale, this winery is quite a treasure, loved for its production of semillon and shiraz. The merlot and chardonnay are not too bad either, while the surrounding region and charming winery itself is quite alluring. Offering vintage country charms, the small cellar door adds to the ambience, while tasting stands are enhanced with gourmet products from across the Hunter Valley region. As if that's not enough, the winery has a small café, serving breakfast and lunch.
Harkam Winery is a favourite producer of natural wines. Bursting with flavour, these natural wines are all the rage, as Harkham does a pretty neat job of producing these variants. The closest winery to Sydney, the place is equipped with a restaurant too, for pairing your wine with the right cuisine.
Krinklewood is a family-owned winery, which you access via a beautiful lush garden. The winery is popular for its production of a rose, using nothing but estate grown wines. Basket pressed semillon, shiraz and chardonnay are other specialities deserving a taste. A place that takes you to a French vineyard, do give Krinklewood a try.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
