When it comes to wine tasting around Sydney, nothing comes close to Hunter Valley wine tours. Hunter Valley wineries are some of the most renowned in the world, and for good reason, because the climate is absolutely perfect for grapes galore. If you're looking for a Hunter Valley wine tasting, then you're in the right place. Let's take a look at some of the best Hunter wine tours in Australia's oldest wine region.
The best Hunter Valley wine tours are:
- Tower Lodge
- Bendooley Estate
- Centennial Vineyards
- Peterson House
- Brokenwood Wines
- Leogate Estate Wines
- Bimbadgen Winery
Best Hunter Valley Wine Tours
Hunter Valley wine tours are plentiful and unique, and today we're going to look at seven of the best Hunter Valley Wine Tasting experiences. Here are the best Hunter Valley wineries to tour.
Tower Lodge
Address: 6 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7022
Website: towerlodge.com.au
Tower Lodge is a luxury wine experience in the heart of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley’s wine capital. Owned by the Hope family, Tower Lodge combines the sophistication of a premium cellar door, the indulgence of award winning regional cuisine, and t Spanish inspired architecture surrounded by vineyards and gumtree dotted hills.
The cellar door at Tower Lodge is like no other in the region. Wine tastings take place in the Lodge’s library room, where expert wine educators will guide you through either a Sensorial Wine Tasting or the more elite Iconic Wine Tasting experience.
The Sensorial Tasting includes a curated selection of seven rare, back vintage or museum wines, each paired with local cheeses or handmade chocolate bonbons. Guests use the Le Nez du Vin aroma kit during the tasting, a sophisticated tool that helps you identify aroma characteristics of different varietals, deepening your understanding of wine with every glass.
For connoisseurs or those who want to splurge, the Iconic Wine Tasting takes it to the next level. This experience showcases seven of the most collected and prestigious wines in the Hunter. Vintage Shiraz from Mount Pleasant’s 1946 Vines, Lakes Folly Cabernet, and Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz are just some of the fine wines you'' get to taste here.
The wine list also features an impressive range of Hope family labels , including wines like the 2017 “The Ripper” Shiraz and 2021 Tower Estate Chardonnay, along with an extensive Coravin selection that includes rare vintages like the 2007 Hope Estate Shiraz and 1998 Virgin Hills blend.
In terms of dining, using produce from the Hope family farm and local suppliers, the menu is rustic comfort with refined technique. Dishes like Nioka Black Angus beef brisket with chorizo compote or porcini pappardelle with braised duck showcase seasonal ingredients and earthy flavours, and they all pair excellently with the Lodge's wines. It's a really fun tour, especially if you love world class wineries and cheese tastings.
Bendooley Estate
Address: 3020 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima NSW 2577, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4868 8788
Website: bendooleyestate.com.au
Bendooley Estate in Berrima, just outside of Sydney is one of the Southern Highlands’ go-to destinations for cool climate wines and fine dining. The cellar door offers a sophisticated tasting experience with a focus on estate grown varietals and small batch award winning wines curated by winemaker Jonathan Holgate.
Holgate has over 20 years of winemaking experience in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. His accolades include “Best Pinot Noir in Australia” at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge and “Top 10 Riesling” at the International Riesling Challenge.
Bendooley’s current wine list features varietals that love the Southern Highlands’ rich volcanic soil and high altitude climate. You can taste estate grown Rieslings such as the 2023 Bendooley Riesling. Chardonnay lovers will enjoy the2021 Estate Chardonnay and the Reserve version with oak aged texture and creamy stone fruit flavours.
Red wine lovers will find a similar strong showing. The 2023 Pinot Noir has floral aromatics and soft red fruit tones with a subtle spice finish, while Nebbiolo and Sangiovese are also on the list, but the 2023 Shiraz stands out due to its Gold Medal at the 2024 Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show. The estate also produces a rich Botrytis Viognier dessert wine with honey, dried apricot, and marmalade notes aged in oak.
Wine tastings are held in a modern yet warm cellar door space overlooking the vineyard. Book a one hour seated tasting or for larger groups a set menu. Staff are knowledgeable about the wines and happy to guide newcomers and connoisseurs alike, making for an amazing day and so much fun.
The Book Barn restaurant serves up refined seasonal dishes that match the wines. Think Atlantic salmon with tahini yoghurt, slow roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary jus, pumpkin and ricotta tortellini with burnt sage butter. The menu changes frequently to reflect the seasonal produce from local farmers and the estate’s own gardens.
Centennial Vineyards
Address: 252 Centennial Rd, Bowral NSW 2575, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4861 8722
Website: centennial.net.au
Centennial Vineyards combines cool climate winemaking with great food, some of the best in the Southern Highlands. Head winemaker Tony Cosgriff, who is minimal interventionist, lets the region’s slow ripening grapes shine through in every bottle.
The result is a range of elegant and balanced wines from crisp Albariño and Grüner Veltliner to award winning sparkling wines that have earned Centennial five Red Starts from Halliday Wine Companion.
Wine tastings are held at the cellar door where you can taste up to eight wines with knowledgeable staff. It’s relaxed but informative, just as enjoyable for seasoned wine lovers as it is for newcomers. The 80-acre estate has varietals like Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, and Riesling, all of which benefit from the high altitude and rich soils of the region.
Food is just as good a reason to visit. The restaurant, run by chef/owner Robin Murray has an à la carte menu that celebrates local and seasonal ingredients. Dishes like aged beef fillet, tomato seafood stew, and slow cooked lamb are designed to match the estate’s wines. High tea is also a highlight here, with scones, sweets, finger sandwiches and your choice of sparkling wine available daily.
For a more casual option, the terrace bar serves light bites and wine paddles with views of the vines. This pet and family friendly venue is refined yet relaxed with plenty of space to relax. Whatever the case, this is a fantastic location for wine enthusiasts who love exquisite wines.
Peterson House
Address: 2457 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7881
Website: petersonhouse.com.au
Peterson House is one of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic sparkling wine destinations and it’s easy to see why, because bubbles are the star of the show. Their motto “Life’s flat without bubbles” isn’t just a clever marketing line. With over 30 varieties of sparkling wine to choose from, Peterson House offers an exceptional tasting experience for both newbies and seasoned wine lovers.
The cellar door experience is well thought out with guided tastings that allow you to try a wide range of styles, from the easy drinking Pink Blush Rosé to more traditional méthode champenoise blends like the Pinot Noir Chardonnay Meunier. The premium tasting offers even more complexity, and for something fun and different, they even offer a gelato and sparkling wine pairing.
Restaurant Cuveé, located within the estate’s beautiful sandstone walls, is another reason to visit. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, it’s particularly famous for its bubbly breakfast, pairing local favourites with a glass of sparkling.
Head Chef Chad Pridue’s seasonal modern Australian menu is full of standouts. For mains, smoked duck breast with candied walnuts, lamb rump with harissa and whipped labna, or house-made falafel with beetroot hummus and garlic sauce all stand out. Seafood lovers aren’t left out either, with dishes like Australian prawns with crispy prosciutto and quinoa.
Desserts are as elegant as the wines, with white chocolate mousse, passionfruit panna cotta, hazelnut gelato and house-made lemon cheesecake all feature regularly on the menu. Each sweet course is paired with one of Peterson House’s Moscato or fortified wines for a smooth finish.
Brokenwood Wines
Address: 401–427 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Phone: +61 2 4998 7559
Website: brokenwood.com.au
Brokenwood is the benchmark in the Hunter Valley. From the moment you arrive, the scale of the place tells you you’re in for something special. The cellar door is impressive with clean lines, high ceilings, and polished concrete, but what really sets it apart is the theatre built into every part of the visit.
Wine tasting here isn’t about standing at a bar with a quick pour and a nod. Brokenwood’s MATCH experience is seated, hosted, and curated. You’ll try six handpicked wines, each paired with a canapé designed to match its flavour profile.
Imagine applewood smoked salmon rillettes with the 2024 Pinot Gris or kingfish ceviche with the Belmont Vineyard Riesling. If you upgrade to the premium pairing you’ll be sipping limited release Semillons and single-vineyard Shiraz with dishes like kangaroo carpaccio or duck liver parfait.
The tasting room flows into The Wood Restaurant where Brokenwood’s culinary team delivers a seriously polished take on regional dining. The Feed Me menu is the way to go a generous multi-course meal built around seasonal produce and Hunter Valley flavours. Start with oysters dressed in finger lime mignonette, followed by charcuterie with pickles and croûte or warm blue-eye cod brandade.
Mains might include slow-cooked Upper Hunter lamb shoulder with mint and fennel salad or the standout S. Kidman Wagyu sirloin (MB4+) wood-grilled on the bone and resting in its own jus.
Vegetarians won’t miss out because the house-made gnocchi with rosemary and Brokenwood Chardonnay cream is rich, savoury, and comforting. Everything is ingredient driven and plated with finesse but not fuss. To finish, a glass of the 2018 Sticky Wicket Semillon or a splash of Orancello is the perfect closer.
Leogate Estate Wines
Address: 1693 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 7499
Website: leogate.com.au
Leogate Estate Wines is luxury, gastronomy, and grape growing excellence in one. Set against the backdrop of the Brokenback Mountain Range in Pokolbin, this estate is an indulgent experience for anyone who wants an excellent Hunter Valley wine tour.
The visit starts with a guided tasting at Leogate’s beautiful cellar door, where you’ll be greeted by a wine ambassador who will take you through the estate’s award winning wines.
You’ll taste varietals that speak to the rich terroir of the Hunter Valley, including crisp Brokenback Semillon, layered Chardonnay, and vibrant Tempranillo. Wines here are refined, and Leogate’s commitment to sustainable, low intervention viticulture means every glass is a thoughtful expression of the land.
Once you’ve wet your whistle, it’s time to shift gears to The Gates Restaurant, one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants. Holding a Chef Hat and Best Restaurant in a Winery (NSW), The Gates doesn’t just serve food, it stages a show. You’ll have the chance to sit down to a three or five course degustation that showcases local produce and masterful wine pairings.
Dishes like Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with cucumber and ponzu dressing or saltbush dukkah-crusted kangaroo with beetroot and black garlic emulsion arrive are absolutely to die for. Talk about having a great day in Hunter Valley!
From the sea, the smoked salmon ravioli with blue swimmer crab and caper cream is decadent yet delicate. For those who like big flavours, the chargrilled eye fillet with truffled potato purée and Tournedos Rossini with seared foie gras is a meaty masterclass, especially when paired with Leogate’s Black Cluster Shiraz or Malabar Reserve. This is definitely one location that you must add to your weekend itinerary.
Bimbadgen Winery
Address: 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: +61 2 4998 4650
Website: bimbadgen.com.au
Bimbadgen means “Place of Good View” in the local language, and it certainly lives up to its name. From the moment step foot among the vines, the bell tower and views of Pokolbin’s hills set the tone for an experience that’s as elegant as it is grounded. Up on McDonalds Road, Bimbadgen has a view that takes in everything special about the Hunter Valley.
The Cellar Door allows you to enjoy a guided tasting of the Single Vineyard and Signature ranges. Bimbadgen’s portfolio includes Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Tempranillo from two distinct vineyard sites, Palmers Lane and McDonalds Road.
The 2014 Signature Palmers Lane Semillon is a real showstopper, a museum release Semillon with notes of white flowers, lemongrass and green apple, acidity, and minerality. The Block 16 Shiraz is darker and more brooding, while the Chardonnay from the volcanic soils on McDonalds Road is all about richness and structure.
After your tasting, a short walk brings you to Esca Bimbadgen, the award-winning fine dining restaurant suspended above the working winery. The menu is regional and designed to showcase freshness and imagination. Expect a parade of flavourful, seasonal dishes, that mirror the vibrancy of the wines themselves.
A typical lunch might start with kingfish ceviche layered with tomato water, strawberries and bonito flakes, or buffalo stracciatella with spiced figs and pangritata.
Mains range from miso-glazed blue-eyed cod with burnt butter and capers to braised beef short rib on potato gratin with a creamy mushroom sauce. The pork belly with potato noodles in a shoyu broth is a local favourite. Each dish is beautifully plated and can be matched with estate wines if you choose to do so. This is where you'll find fantastic food and amazing wine, a great place to spend the day with friends or that special person in your life.
