Going on a wine tasting experience is extremely rewarding and fun. In terms of taking a wine tour, the best options are all Hunter Valley wineries, all renowned for their signature varietals and excellent food. The issue however is that many wineries in the Hunter region are not ideal for parents with children. However, below, we've put together a list of the eight best kid friendly wineries in Hunter Valley.
The 8 best family friendly wineries in Hunter Valley are:
- Calais Wines
- Peterson House
- Brokenwood Wines
- Tulloch Wines
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
- Pepper Tree Wines
- Glandore Estate Wines
- Margan Wines
Family Friendly Wineries in the Hunter Valley
Here, we have 8 of the best wineries in the Hunter region where parents can enjoy wine tasting at a cellar door, along with child-friendly menu and activity options.
1. Calais Wines
Address: 151 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7654
Website: https://calaiswines.com.au
Calais Wines in Hunter Valley is family owned, and just as well, it's also family friendly. It's a great environment that's ideal for people of all ages.
Yes, it is a winery, which means that it is oriented more towards adults, with various wine tasting packages available, more parents can taste a variety of sparkling wines, charades, and other house vintages. Parents also get access to guided tastings, wine making classes, and other hands-on experiences.
However, it is also very child friendly, especially if we're talking about Restaurant Kawul, the onsite restaurant, which features a kid’s menu with options like panko breaded chicken tenders, cheese sliders, and more. Don't worry, because there's also an adult lunch and dinner menu, complete with delectable dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Also interesting to note is that there are picnic packages that come with bottles of wine, gourmet cheeses, dips, and other artisan treats. Parents can enjoy their bottle of wine and treats while the kids explore the vineyard and all of its vines. With award winning wines, rolling hills, kids meals, and more, it's one of the best wineries in the Hunter region for parents with kids.
2. Peterson House
Address: 2457 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7881
Website: https://petersonhouse.com.au
If you want to explore wine country, and you don't want to leave your kids behind, then visiting Peterson House in Hunter Valley is a great idea.
This particular winery is known for its sparkling wines, of which it features more than thirty types, with traditional and more modern styles alike. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, making it ideal for parents with kids.
One of the big perks here is that the restaurant, Cuvee, has a dedicated kid’s menu for breakfast and lunch. Bacon and eggs, mini cheeseburger sliders and chips, milkshakes, fresh juices, and more, are all available for the young ones.
On the other hand, parents can enjoy more grown-up meals, such as local oysters, pepper berry prawns, and a variety of other gourmet dishes prepared by chef Chad Pridue. Outdoors is also ideal for children, as the vineyard features large open spaces which kids can explore along with their parents. It really is a great location for the whole family!
3. Brokenwood Wines
Address: 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7559
Website: https://brokenwood.com.au
If you're looking to go on a great wine tasting tour that's also child-friendly, visiting Brokenwood Wines is always an option. As an adult, you'll get to taste the Cricket Pitch range, Shiraz, and other popular varietals. It's a great place for casual wine drinkers and enthusiasts too.
Once you arrive, you'll get to see the cellar door, including a guided wine tasting with several signature options. The cellar door is very spacious, so parents and kids won't feel cramped.
The Wood Restaurant, is best known for the FEED ME menu, with options such as wood-fired meats, smoked salmon, and oysters.
However, there are also more child-friendly meals available, particularly on the terrace wine bar menu. While this is a winery, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic beverages for the kids to enjoy. Furthermore, outdoors is also ideal for parents and children alike, as there is a large vineyard ripe for exploration. It's certainly one of the more kid friendly wineries in Hunter Valley at this time.
4. Tulloch Wines
Address: 638 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7580
Website: https://tullochwines.com
We then have Tulloch Wines, yet another family friendly winery that both parents and children alike can enjoy in the Hunter Valley region. What makes this location so ideal for families is that it features a regarded wine selection, including both Reds and whites, which parents are sure to enjoy.
However, Tulloch Wines also offers a junior tasting experience, where kids get to sample three different non alcoholic drinks that are paired with snacks, making them feel included in the day's events. At the same time, parents can go through their own guided wine tasting session, sampling all of the signature of varietals that this winery produces. Parents can also choose to be in an indoor or outdoor area.
What also makes Tulloch Wines ideal for kids is that it features beautiful gardens with people often playing lawn games.
The location also features Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and 10-Pin Bowling, so kids can have fun along with their parents. For slightly older kids, the kombucha tasting experience is definitely something to take part in! When it comes to Australia’s oldest wine region, it’s not just the parents that can enjoy Hunter Valley wineries.
5. Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
Address: 750 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 1866
Website: https://audreywilkinson.com.au
Audrey Wilkinson is yet another vineyard that is family friendly. First, adults will enjoy the various varietals that are well renowned in the Hunter Valley region, including both Shiraz and Semillon, as well as a variety of other distinctive wines.
What makes this area so appealing is that the cellar door is located on the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, making for some very spectacular views.
The area features a large outdoor space that kids can roam, along with a small wine museum. There are various exhibits and wine making tools that kids often find quite fascinating.
This vineyard occasionally hosts events, such as tasting events or picnics in the vines, which can often be adapted for younger children. Upon request, you should be able to get snack options and non alcoholic beverages for the kids.
6. Pepper Tree Wines
Address: 86 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 300 655 965
Website: https://peppertreewines.com.au
Found in Pokolbin, Pepper Tree Wines makes for an ideal day out for the family, as it features picturesque grounds and a quaint and rustic cellar door.
For the parents, there are various wine tasting options available, with classic options such as Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Semillon. There are various wine tasting experiences available as well. While parents taste signature wines, kids can explore the grassy outdoors.
The estate has plenty of trees, making it an ideal location for bringing along some snacks, blankets, and having a picnic. To keep younger visitors happy, staff may suggest child-friendly drinks and smaller food portions.
Outdoors, there are also plenty of gardens and walking paths, so kids can explore the outdoors and even take some photos. The atmosphere here is very laid back, making sure that both parents and children alike feel comfortable and relaxed.
7. Glandore Estate Wines
Address: 1595 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7140
Website: https://glandorewines.com
If you're looking for a child-friendly winery to visit, Glandore Estate Wines is a great option, as it features a variety of top-quality wines along with activities to keep both parents and children occupied.
In terms of wine, the range here includes refreshing options like their signature Sauvignon Blanc, as well as robust Reds such as the Midnight Shiraz. There are also many limited releases and innovative blends often featured, meaning that parents will often find something new to try.
What also makes this location ideal for children is that it comes with a special sweet treat and juice pairing that makes kids feel like they are a part of the action, while parents try the chocolate and wine pairing experience.
The area also features a large lawn that is ideal for children to burn off some energy, along with some totem tennis, small sports gear, and coloring books. Parents can sit in comfortable seating areas while they keep an eye on their kids.
8. Margan Wines
Address: 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330, Australia
Phone: +61 2 6579 1372
Website: https://margan.com.au
If you’re looking for a great wine tasting experience that doesn’t leave out the kids, Margan Wines is the place to be. As far as the parents are concerned, the estate is known for their white label Chardonnay and Shiraz.
Furthermore, there is a spacious cellar door where guests can sample many different vintages, all of which show the vineyard’s dedication to sustainability. There's also an on-site restaurant that showcases local and seasonal produce, everything from fresh seafood to lamb.
What parents will really love is that this winery is also ideal for children, as it features a Mini Foodies menu, that comes with dishes such as handmade pasta with tasty sauces, refreshing juices, and many other child-friendly foods.
The property is also very spacious, so kids can wander around, with guided tours introducing families to the sustainable practices that this winery engages in, such as tending beehives and composting.
