hunter valley wine tours private

Private Wine Tours

In the hunter valley, hunter private tours.

Award winning private wine tours since 2012.

You’ll be chauffered in style – with luxury, privacy and sophistication unmatched by the usual group tour.

Create your own special day or we’re happy to make some suggestions – premium boutique wines, artisan cheeses, hand made chocolates, local gins & vodkas, craft beers – it’s all here!

We love creating those special days which are truly memorable – anniversaries, marriage proposals, romantic weekends!

We enjoy a fantastic reputation for our exemplary personal service and love to share our day with lovely people who share our passion for quality.

It’s your day – your exclusive private tour!

That’s our Guarantee!

We look forward to chatting with you!

John & the team at Hunter Private Tours

0408 987 057

Why Choose Us

We are born and bred Hunter locals and love to showcase the best of our gorgeous area with our special guests. We’ll do our best to accommodate your personal requests and can call on our many friends to make your day truly memorable. Our reputation means that you’ll receive VIP treatment throughout your day and meet passionate people who love the Hunter as we do!

Tour Details

Our tours are 6 hours  10am – 4pm We pick up from your accommodation* at 10am, returning at 4pm

Tour prices  $475.00  –  includes 4 guests Extra guests – $110 per guest (maximum 11 guests)

To start the booking process, first check our availability – we’ll respond very quickly, and if we’re available, our response will have a link to our online booking form.

Popular Lunch Ideas

There’s world class fine dining, cosy cafes, fabulous platters to share, and craft breweries with gourmet pub grub! To help out, we’ve created a list of popular local eateries with links to their websites – bon appetit!

Restaurants

Pubs & breweries, private tour enquiry, check availability, frequently asked questions, can we choose our tastings.

Every day is totally flexible – many guests have their own tasting wishlist but we’re happy to offer some suggestions – it’s good to remember that there may be some travel time between venues.

With tastings taking around 45-60 mins, we aim for 3 tastings before lunch and 1 or 2 tastings after lunch (depending on lunch and venue location, of course!)

What's included?

VIP treatment  for experiencing the best premium boutique wines and local produce.

Private charter  of one of our luxury vehicles.

Customisable tour  with optional extra activities (you choose).

Pickup and dropoff at your accommodation or agreed location within the main vineyards area.

Itinerary planning  – we’ll discuss your tasting preferences and create a personalised tasting itinerary, plus assist with bookings.

Personal attention  – we ensure that all bookings are confirmed and, during your tour, we personally introduce you to your venue hosts.

What's not included?

Tasting fees  – many of our venues have introduced a tasting experience charge, normally refundable with a purchase – these are either prepaid with online booking or payable on arrival.

Lunch  – there are just too many options and our guests love to choose their own style of lunch!  These links will help you decide!

We loved it!

Book your private tour today.

Copyright Hunter Private Tours

Pokolbin, NSW, Australia

Experience an adventure with some Hunter Valley charm!

Hunter valley wine tours options, available saturdays & sundays.

EXCITING NEW OFFER!

Mid week wine tours.

Visiting the Hunter Valley Mid week?

Come exploring with us.

Looking for a Hunter Valley Getaway?

Personalised service means you get exactly the experience you want. Our professional and friendly team are available with on-call service. 

We have wine tours and experiences to suit all desires and budgets that can be fully customised or curated for you by our expert team. 

Day tours and packages available for 1 - 200+ people. 

Transfer services from Sydney or Newcastle airports, Sydney suburbs, Central Coast and Newcastle for you, your family and friends, your whole wedding party.

Child-friendly vehicles, car seats for babies, toddlers and children free of charge.

Come with your friends and have a group getaway to remember with our Ultimate Weekend Away packages which include accommodation, door to door transfers, pampering and massages, winery tours and breakfast hampers. 

Join us on winemaking days, popcorn and wine pairing at Stomp!, cheese and chocolate tasting, brewery tours, winery tours and top it all off with a shot of chilli vodka at the Hunter Distillery. 

The Hunter Valley Winery Tour Experience

Hunter Valley  Wine Tours Done  Your Way

Have an idea of what you'd like your weekend to look like but don't want to be locked into the out-of-the-box options that come with most package tours? Or perhaps you'd like some flexibility while you're even on the tour or weekend so that if you're enjoying something you can stay and mix the itinerary up on the day?​

With our custom package, we curate the day exactly how you want it to look, and our guides on the day are there for you to make your day look and run however you might want it to. 

All the adventure, none of the stress. 

Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Hunter Valley Wine Tours – Customised private wine tours with a passionate local guide. For up to 8 guests.

"Our customized private Hunter Valley wine tour was the best . I have been to the Hunter Valley 12 times and each time I have done a wine tour. I can say with absolutely certainty that Bryan’s service and quality vehicle made this tour by far the best yet."

Vintage connections is locally owned and operated., do you love good wine so do we our hunter valley wine tours..

• Half day tours (4 hours).
• Full day tours (7 hours).
• Two Day Tours.
• Custom Charter tours.
• Fixed rate hourly cost BYO itinerary – Just a bus and a driver.

CHECK AVAILABILITY – Start a conversation with us to determine the suitability of your customized Vintage Connections private tour.

Vintage connections offers flexible, small group private wine tours:.

A custom tour with Vintage Connections is like unpacking a gourmet picnic hamper!

Why not include one?

Enjoy platters and hampers and fantastic wine!

Meet the growers of the grapes and the makers of the wine.

Enjoy back stories and local history. Great wine is about great experience!

You receive access to pictures of your tour experience, free of charge with full editing rights.

Enjoy your tour!

Discover small batch, high quality boutique wine, made with local Hunter Valley fruit.

A fantastic line up of Hunter Valley Wine

Wine Education

Hunter Valley Wine Tours – Learn how to judge wine.  Learn how to taste wine. Learn how to understand the wine in your glass.  Learn about and understand the human response to flavour. Explore the relationship between experience and flavour.  All of these things can be a part of your private Hunter Valley wine tour, with Vintage Connections!

Food pairing becomes easier with a deeper understanding of flavour response, on a tour with Vintage Connections.

It’s not just about wine!

A great range at Easy Street Collective and the Newcastle Distillery.

The Hunter Valley has so much to offer. Gin, Vodka, Schnapps, Limon Cello, Craft Beer, Cheese, Olives, Charcuterie, and so much more!

Discover your, “Terrior!” – If you think that this is a rhyme, then it is definitely time, to discover boutique wine, with Vintage Connections. 

Please click here for basic pricing structure on all of our tour options.

Tasting Fees

Are tasting fees included in the tour price? – The short  answer is “No.” To keep our tours flexible and customised we do not add tasting fees to the cost of your tour.

Click here to find out more

Your time is precious – Make the whole day count!

Our passion for the Hunter Valley, for food and wine, our attitude to customer service, and our local knowledge will ensure that your Hunter Valley Wine Tour experience will be seamless and matched to your needs and desires.

We know what we do and why we offer customized private tours, but perhaps our customers can explain it better than we can!

Please take the time to look at all of our reviews – see what our customers are saying!

All of our reviews are genuine. We love the Hunter Valley, we love good wine and we love quality Hunter Valley Wine Tourism!

General Tour Information, or scroll down for specific tour details.

Half day wine tours.

Get a quick taste of what the Hunter Valley can offer with a half day wine tour with an expert guide.

FULL DAY WINE TOURS

See more, do more, with a full day wine tour throughout the Hunter Valley with Vintage Connections.

TWO DAY WINE TOURS

Immerse yourself into a two day indulgent wine tour throughout the Hunter Valley with Vintage Connections.

ROMANTIC TOURS

Experience the Hunter Valley with a private romantic tour entertained by an experienced local guide.

ALL INCLUSIVE TOURS

Visit eco friendly breweries and cellar doors throughout the Hunter with a knowledgeable local guide.

CUSTOM WINE TOURS

Connect to the right wineries and make your visit pure gold.

HALF DAY WINE TOURS 4 hours duration 10am – 2pm or 1pm – 5pm

Basic cost $375 for Two guests + $50pp max Eight guests

CUSTOM TOURS Hours variable – $ variable

Romantic Tour – Love in the vines $450 recommended for two guests.

Two day tour $ variable, max 8 passengers

FULL DAY WINE TOURS 7 hours, 10am to 5pm

Tailor Made – The Ultimate in Flexibility $450 for Two guests +$75pp up to a maximum of Eight guests

Platters Full Day Private Tour – Includes One generous top quality cheese/charcuterie platter per four guests at a top end winery $490  for two guests + $75pp max Eight Guests

Eco Tours – Organic wine tours – footprint and chemically sensitive – vegan friendly options. $450  for Two guests + $75pp max Eight guests

Cancellation Policy: See – TERMS & CONDITIONS .

Vintage Connections can do it

You might be flying in to Sydney and wish to come to the Hunter via helicopter, or have booked a Romantic Tour that starts with a dawn balloon ride and a wine matched meal with a violinist, or you may have booked a two day tour and transfers package that includes grape stomping and a sunset sailing charter complete with prawn and fresh local oysters dinner…Let Vintage Connections take you to the place where your heart sings!!

Our Transfers

Hunter valley wine tours..

Vintage Connections provides a private transfer service in the Hunter Valley.  You will travel in our luxury, climate controlled, Mercedes Benz which has an ANCAP 5 star safety rating. As an accredited and authorised service provider with the NSW Transport Commission, we take your safety and the safety of others seriously at Vintage Connections. We have a range of return transfer options that include transfers to quality Hunter Valley restaurants, domestic and international airport terminals, cruise ship terminals and to special venues and concerts.

RESTAURANT TRANSFERS

Specialising in transporting you and your party to and from a hunter valley restaurant of your choice.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

We are able to transport you and your group safely to and from the international and domestic airport terminal.

CRUISE SHIP TRANSFERS

Return transfers are available from your cruise ship terminal to your pre-booked hunter valley accommodation.

CONCERT TRANSFERS

Relax and enjoy your concert with a Hunter Valley private transport service for you and your friends.

CHECK AVAILABILITY start a conversation to determine availability and suitability of a Vintage Connections private tour

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

• 0456 737 888
• [email protected]
• Find us on Facebook
• Follow us on Instagram
• Check us out on YouTube

Private Tours

“ Thanks for a great day out where our expectations were exceeded. Our tour guide, Julie, was kind generous and extremely knowledgeable about the Hunter Valley and wineries. We were a diverse group coming together to have a fun day out. Would highly recommend this tour of boutique wineries. Particularly grateful to Julie and the warmth of our co-conspirators for making our day. Cheers to Paul at Binet Wines and Jade at Iron Gate vineyard. Also loved Hunter Distillery – try Copperwave Gin – amazing. ”

“ Our family of 10 had an amazing day with Colin. Very hospitable to our requests, informative on different winery’s in the area, places to eat and allowed us to go at our own place. A really great family day. Thank you Colin! ”

“ Wow in this modern era who would believe a business with a heart. Due to a serious diagnosis the day before our tour we were 2 people short on our booking. Although they didnt have to they did not charge us. So kind. As for our driver Chris what a gem nothing was too much trouble we probably should have tipped him so much more. Julie’s itinerary was AMAZING UNIQUE and flexible. Value for money is an understatement. Would l recommend 200%. What fun thankyou so much. Not enough superlatives to do this company justice. Believe me l am a very tough regular reviewer and could not fault our day. ”

“ Julie designed a wonderful tour for my family ranging in age from 52-88 years. She made sure all the venues were accessible and took us to a great range of vineyards, chocolate, cheese, olive tastings as well as a fantastic gin and vodka distillery. Julie shared lots of local knowledge and fun facts and her attention to detail was second to none. ”

“ We traveled from Adelaide met up with our son and his girlfriend who had done a wine tour with Julie before . Julie did not disappoint as she went out of her way to make everybody’s day special . Julie organized for the 4 of us to finish the day at stomp winery which was the highlight of our weekend in the hunter valley. Thankyou Julie ,if you want a great day out book now ”

“ Hubby and i did a full day wine tour for our wedding anniversary and his birthday. With Julie as our tour guide we visited 5 boutique wineries plus the distillery with cheese and chocolate to match. Full of knowledge and very friendly we had a great day.Went back to our hotel pleasantly intoxicated and full of good good food Highly recommended ”

“ The tour was not rushed which was what we requested since we had our mom with a bad knee with us. We also loved that we went to organic wines to accomodate my vegan daughter. The wineries that we went to and the lunch at Baume were just perfect for our group. Thanks to julie for arranging the tour and driving us around. ”

“ Julie was absolutely fantastic and we had a wonderful day arriving back at our hotel with our wines, cheeses, olives and chocolates. ”

“ My friends and I had a wonderful day on our wineries tour, and were so impressed with Julie’s care and professionalism during the day. She is also great company and it was wonderful hearing how she started her business after realising there weren’t any wheelchair accessible vehicles being operated in the Hunter Valley. Our vehicle was spotless, and our day went very smoothly. A fantastic experience and highly recommended! ”

“ We loved all the wineries Brett took us to. Happy to recommend good places around Hunter to eat and see. We really enjoyed the wine tasting experience! Thank you. ”

Private – large group tour (SAVE 50%)

–  You plan the venues (set tour options available) – You choose your tasting experience – You decide how long you stay – You book-in your tour exactly as you wish – Up to 7 hours (local area only) – Ideal from 7 to 48+ people

* Transport and driver is included but client is responsible for all other values for the private – plan your own tours

Private – small group tour

– You plan the venues (set tour options available) – You choose your tasting experience – You decide how long you stay – You book-in your tour exactly as you wish – Up to 7 hours (local area only) – Ideal from 1 to 6 people

Executive Luxury Mercedes Limousine

–  Corporate Transport 

  – Start from 4 hour hire to 7 hours Up to 12 passengers

– Driver included (no self-drives)

– Hunter Valley region – other areas upon request – Soft leather recliner seats with foot rest and tray for your convenience – Bluetooth – Air Conditioning – Storage Space – Onboard refrigerator with water

Lunch venues for tours

4 Pines Brewing Co is here to share our love for beer and welcome in a new community of beer lovers amongst the vines. 12 taps of our quality beers and panoramic views of the Pokolbin valley, our venue is ready for any occasion, celebration or catch up with mates.

The Deck Cafe

The cafe is situated on the deck overlooking the dam in young forest bushland. It is an experience to remember with local chefs and staff cooking and serving cafe favourites with a Hunter Valley fine-dining twist.

La Casalinga Cafe

La Casalinga, Made with Love – Our little cafe is now open! Delicious Sicilian home cooking. Using traditional recipes passed down by my grandmother and mother to bake cakes, biscotti and other yummy treats.

Baume Restaurant

The team have been busy bringing the 174 year strong Winery & Vineyard back to its former glory after extensive refurbishment to the Cellar Door, Restaurant, Function, Still House & Winery areas.

Taste of the Country Cafe

Experience a Taste of the Country in this award winning café and retail outlet located in the heart of Hunter Valley Gardens Village. This popular café is like walking into an old fashioned, country kitchen.

Why Travel With Hunter Valley Tours

• Winner of Hunter Region 2020 ‘Outstanding Tourism Services’ Award
• Finalist ‘Hunter Local Business Awards’ 2021
• Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice
• 5 star trip advisor rating
• 5 star rating on Google
• Personalised, friendly service
• Comfortable transport
• Door to door service
• Unrushed tours – take your time and enjoy
• Suitable for wine enthusiasts of all ages
• Our guides are well-presented, professional, polite, and energetic

We are a COVID safe Business

Got Questions about your Hunter Valley Wine Tour

We have a wealth of knowledge about the local wine region, boutique wineries and artisan producers, here in the Hunter Valley. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your own requirements and how we can make the best wine tour imaginable for you!

HV Tours is your local, experienced provider of affordable and boutique Hunter Valley wine tasting tours.

REVIEW US ON TRIPADVISOR

REVIEW US ON GOOGLE

Business Hours

Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR THE LATEST UPDATES

2024 © Copyright Hunter Valley Tours. All rights reserved. | Created by Jezweb

Terms and Conditions

Zepher Tours

Hunter valley wine tours.

Zepher Tours has the best Hunter Valley wine tour for people wanting a fun, informative, relaxed day out tasting classic Hunter Valley wines, delicious cheese, chocolate and premium spirits. Great restaurant lunch, modern, comfortable vehicles, professional driver/guides who create a great atmosphere and ensuring the day flows smoothly. Our scheduled and private Hunter valley tours depart from Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley with door-to-door service on request. Foodies, wine enthusiasts, newbies, travellers, Australians and international tourists – a day in the Hunter Valley with Zepher Tours means an awesome day with friends old and new.

Choose Your Experience

From sydney.

5 Departures Per Week

Tours »

From Hunter Valley

8 Pickup Locations

From Newcastle

Available Saturdays only

Private Tours

Personalised Experience

Learn More »

Our Most Popular Tours

• Most Popular!

Hunter Valley Wine Tour | Sydney

Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Gourmet Treats from Sydney | Available: Everyday, 7 days a week

Hunter Valley Wine Tour | Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley Wine Tour | Available: Everyday, 7 days a week

Hunter Valley Wine Tour | Newcastle

Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Newcastle | Available: Saturdays @ 9am

Friendly Guides and Drivers

Hundreds of 5 star reviews, group tours, family owned company, private wine tours.

We specialise in Private Hunter Valley Wine Tours from Sydney, Newcastle, and the Hunter Valley. We tailor make packages to suit individual needs and budgets. Fun and informative guides, great music, and no boring commentary are our promise to you. One-day trips, overnight, or weekend escapes are available with door-to-door pick-ups and drop-offs. Perfect for team building, corporate days, birthday parties, Hens or Bucks parties, or groups of family and friends for a Private Hunter Valley Wine Tour. We also run private group food and wine tours to many other destinations near Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, and South Coast.

Gift and experience with us!

Valid for any activity of Colourful Collective.Travel

Customer Reviews

Had a wonderful day at the Hunter with Zepher Tours. Our tour guide Sam was friendly, knowledgeable and just a very cool dude. Everything went smoothly throughout the day. Would strongly recommend this tour to everyone. We had a superb day. The wine and good humour flowed all day long. Would even recommend this trip to people who are not in to wine, it’s just so much fun!

This tour from Sydney to Hunter Valley showcases the best of Hunter Valley wineries. We visited 3 boutique wineries and tasted a wide variety of wines. Lunch was included from a selection of 5 fresh tasty choices. Raphael, our driver guide, was informative and fun. Meet people on this tour from locals to those from around the world. Do spend the day learning about wines on this fun tour.

We had a great day out in the Hunter. Pick up was on time in a clean, small and comfy bus (an esky is also provided to keep your purchases cold). The driver/guide was great. Really friendly, chatty and knowledgeable. The tour itself was brilliant. We visited 3x different wineries, vodka distillery and a chocolate factory. The wine was obviously the highlight though! Highly recommend this tour.

From the start, the driver came on time to pick us up and was very friendly and upbeat. Then we had a fun long drive to the Hunter Valley. He made us feel very comfortable! The playlist was great and put everyone in the best mood. The vineyards were amazing, from the views to the hosts! The wine tasting was great and we learned a lot! Worth every penny!

We had Billy as our tour guide and he was great fun, very informative and so friendly from the moment we got into the minibus all the way through the day. He took us to some great small wineries and the wines we tasted were of a high quality. Overall a brilliant day out and I would recommend it to anyone whether you like wine or not, the Hunter Valley is such a beautiful area!

We picked the Zepher Hunter Valley Wine Tour for our annual girls trip and loved every minute of it. John our driver was fantastic and full of knowledge. The lunch was great and so were the views. It was great having time to catch up with the girls whilst also learning about wine and of course drinking it! Thanks John for a great day and we can wait to come back and do this again.

We had an AMAZING day at Hunter Valley. All of the wineries (and not forgetting the distillery!) were brilliant, we loved that each one was completely different from another. Cheeks was also amazing! He gave great info throughout the day and we felt he went out of his way to make sure we had a brilliant day…. especially seeing the Kangaroos at the end of the day!!

• 0437 149 612

Hunter Valley Wine Tours & Vineyards

Pickups and Dropoffs from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland for Hunter Valley Wine Tour Vineyards

Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Explore the delights of the beautiful Hunter Valley Wine Tours, from award-winning wineries and acclaimed restaurants to tasty festivals and fresh local produce. A lovely escape only two hours drive north of Sydney, Australia’s oldest wine region is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty.

Ultimate Hunter Valley Wine Tour Tasting Experience

Since 2001, we’ve specialized in guiding small group wine tours through the Hunter Valley. We’re family owned and operated and are passionate about showcasing the beautiful Hunter Valley region and its wines, providing our guest with the ultimate wine tasting experience.

Whether it’s for a corporate or social event, our Hunter Valley wine tasting tours are the perfect way to experience what the famous wine region has to offer. Running both weekends and weekdays, our tours cater for private groups of up to 24 passengers. Hunter Valley Wine Tours from Sunday to Friday require a minimum of 4 guests, Saturday bookings have no minimum. Our tours are designed with our guest in mind, keeping it simple so that all you need to do is enjoy the day.

Pickups and Dropoffs available from your accommodation in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter Valley Wine Tour Vineyard areas.

Indulge and Explore the Hunter Valley with our Wine Tasting Tours

Discover the picturesque Hunter Valley Wine Tours Vineyard Region with one of our wine tasting tours, available both weekdays and weekends. Please note that all tours running from Sunday to Friday require a minimum of 4 guests.

A winery staff member is assigned to our group, making your wine tasting experience personalised and educational.

$70.00 per person

Half Day morning wine tasting tour from Cessnock and Pokolbin, Vineyard area. Experience private sit down tastings at 2 awarded boutique wineries/cellar doors, a stand up tasting at The Hunter distillery.

Pick-Up Time:  9.30am – 9.45am Drop-Off Time:  1.30pm – 1.45pm

$130.00 per person

Full day wine tasting tour from Cessnock, Pokolbin, Vineyard area. Experience private sit down tastings at 4 awarded wineries/cellar doors, a stand up tasting at The Hunter Distillery, lunch at your expense at a local Café, a visit to the Cheese and Chocolate Shops .

Pick-Up Time: 9.30am – 9.45am Drop-Off Time: 4.30pm – 4.45pm

$140.00 per person

Full day wine tasting tour from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Broke. Experience private sit down tastings at 4 awarded wineries/cellar doors, a stand up tasting at The Hunter Distillery, lunch at your expense at a local Café, a visit to the Cheese and Chocolate Shops. 

Pick-Up Time: 8.15 am (Lake Macquarie), 8.45am (Newcastle), and 9.15am (Maitland) Drop-Off Time: 5.15pm (Maitland), 5.45pm (Newcastle), 6.15pm (Lake Macquarie)

Starting from $770

Enjoy the beautiful Hunter Valley Wine Country and tasting some of the best wines that the Hunter has to offer.

13 seat bus and driver for 7 hours. Winery bookings and fees not included.

Price depends on the location of the pick ups.

Open for all ages!

What our groups say about HUnter Wineyard Tours

Don’t just take our word for it, hear it from our clients.

Would definitely recommend this tour to all wine lovers!

“ I had the most pleasant time with a small group of friends (5) and two other passengers in a full day mini bus tour with charming Bruce. The tour was very well organised, a mix of 4 boutique, family and large wineries and stops at a bistro and the fromagerie. ”

“ I organised this tour for my sister's hens party, and all of us girls absolutely loved it! We had Dave as our tour guide and couldn't have asked for a better tour guide! He was laid back, funny and got along with everyone really well! ”

“ We chose Best Tour because of their door to door service and their choice of smaller boutique wineries. The full day tour was excellent and restaurant lunch was amazing. Our guide was Tony - he was very friendly and had some great stories. I would definitely recommend Best Tour. ”

“ Would absolutely highly recommend this wine tour! Bruce our driver was fantastic! What a brilliant day! ”

Ask About Vineyard Tours

For any enquiries or questions about Hunter Valley Vineyard Wine Tour Locations and Bus Hire for Groups, Parties and Hens Parties, please fill out this form.

• Full Name *
• Email Address *
• Contact Number *
• Pickup Date * MM slash DD slash YYYY
• Pickup Time *
• Pickup Location *
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Hunter Valley Tours for Two

Your Private Hunter Valley Tour Guide  

Hunter Valley Tours for Two specialises in tours just for couples and aims to offer a more personalised and luxurious tour service in the Hunter Valley.  With over 150 vineyards to choose from we want you to discover the most awarded, unique and picturesque cellar doors, so that you can experience the very best the Hunter Valley has to offer.

With a relaxed yet informative tour style, Hunter Valley Tours for Two plans each tour personally tailoring every experience to suit. Enjoy the flexibility of customising your itinerary and planning your own adventure or if you don't know where to start, we can assist in creating the perfect day, incorporating all your desired destinations. 

Half day and full day tour options available. 

Sit back and relax in our beautiful Mercedes Benz GLE350 perfectly  suited for all road conditions across the Hunter. Features include full leather interior, huge sun roof, dual air conditioning options, heated leather seats. 

Local pick up from Pokolbin, Lovedale, Cessnock, Rothbury, 

* Mount View, Wollombi, Broke, Huntlee  - surcharge applies ​  

D I S C O V E R  T H E  H U N T E R  V A L L E Y

Sample wines from some of Australia's oldest vineyards or indulge in the gastronomic delights of chefs hatted restaurants, gourmet food kitchens, dessert bars, cheese shops & various chocolate & fudge stores. The Hunter is also home to boutique breweries & distilleries so craft beer tasting is available along with Vodka, Gin and an array of delicious flavoured liquors.

We can let you in on some of the local secrets like great scenic locations for amazing photo opportunities, private picnic spots

amongst the vines or we can take you off the beaten track to explore the historic Wollombi Village or visit the beautiful boutique vineyards in Broke and Mount View.

B R E W E R Y

W I N E R Y

G O U R M E T

D I S T I L L E R Y

City to valley, p r i v a t e  t o u r s, half day - 4hrs, full day - 6hrs, c o n t a c t   u s.

EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE TOURS

Premium tours to the hunter valley, our range of private & exclusive winery tour experiences, vip premium tour, sydney cbd escape, wedding tour, help a guy or gal out, couples divine day out, platinum weekend escape, exclusive private tours in the hunter valley.

Exclusive private tours are what diVine Tours specialise in. Treat yourself to one of our exclusive private tours in the Hunter Valley wine country region .  

Our private wine tours are designed to provide a premium experience that brings the Hunter Valley and wine country to a new level for intimate group sizes of up to 4 people, incorporating wine tasting, fine dining options, concierge services and a level of luxury to couples or friends that is second to none.

Hand in hand with the Hunter Valley Private & Exclusive Winery Tour , is the revered and sought after, diVine exclusive specialty wine tasting. Book a private & exclusive tour to engage all the very best of experiences possible for the region. Including secret rooms… you’ll be tapping your nose to those in the know and our  wine tasting guide  will get you ready!

We also cater to those wanting to build their own cellar door collection, who want direct insight and access to the wine makers, some of whom are off the beaten track.  Let us take you to the Sommelier educator, who is now renowned for making the best bubbles in the Hunter Valley – some would argue Australia.

We pride ourselves in creating experiences that are unique to your needs and tastes, and by providing us with a little further information, we can customise your visit to create a tour like no other.  

Whether you are parents needing some ‘you’ time, a busy executive wanting to woo clients or reward your staff, or just simply want an amazing experience, let us create a tour for you that suits and that will immerse you in the best the Hunter Valley has to offer. 

• Restaurant style - avg $50 pp
• Pub - avg $35 pp
• Fine dining - avg $110 pp
• Food pairing and grazing
• Unsure and would like your recommendation

What is included in your tour:

• curated itinerary to suit your preferences
• premium tasting experiences 
• premium grazing 
• booking fees
• dedicated driver & concierge
• dedicated luxury vehicle 
• water on board
• errands service on the day
• gift from diVine Tours  

Did you know diVine Tours:

• specialise in exclusive and executive touring
• no two tours or experiences are the same
• will always go the extra mile with behind the scenes experiences
• are 5 star rated on Trip Advisor
• quality is at the forefront of all of our tours
• have 18+ years of experience  

SPECIALS – EXCLUSIVE 

DiVine tours will organize a fantastic wine tour for you in the Hunter Valley. Siobhan guided us (we were in the United States) to choose exactly the wineries we were interested in, then she called the wineries and made reservations for us. She picked us up at our hotel in a spotlessly clean vehicle, handed us an informative guide to the wineries, and off we went. At each stop she came by our table with 15 minutes to go to make sure that we wrapped things up and got back in the van for our next appointment. After talking with us on the tour she even added an extra winery that she knew we would like. I can't imagine a better guide or wine experience in the Hunter Valley. Siobhan was fun to talk with, and the whole day was well-organized and memorable. Really, stop wasting your time searching, just go with DiVine. John G

“Wine and friends are a great blend.”  Ernest Hemingway

Established:  January 2006 [email protected]

privacy policy terms and conditions

Recent Posts

Join the club.

Copyright 2023 Divine Tours | Tours to Hunter Valley 

• 0408 987 057
• [email protected]

What’s included in the winery tours?

With Cheers bus guide’s help, you can discover some of the city’s hidden gems. For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, tour small-batch wineries, artisanal cheese shops, and even a vodka factory Experience the finest products the world has to offer while learning about the rich cultural history of each stop along the way. Feel free to look through the available wine tour packages and choose one that suits your needs in terms of duration, budget, and desired activities.

Our Services

Hunter valley wine tours from newcastle.

In our tours from Newcastle, you can relax and enjoy customized wine tasting in splendid wineries of Australia. You can relish the beauty of vineyard-draped hills along with numerous delectable dishes and snacks.

Hunter Valley Wine Tours From Pokolbin

With our wine tours from Pokolbin, we have a range of different wine tours available to suit everyone’s taste. Our fun-loving and friendly team have designed these packages to make your day as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. All of our tours are strategically designed to give you the perfect wine touring experience.

Hunter Valley Wine Tours From Sydney

Book our luxury transport for your wine tour trip from Sydney. For you to make the tour hassle-free, most of our pick up and drop off locations are convenient central locations in cities.

Private Wine Tours In Hunter Valley

When you book a private wine tour with Cheer Bus, you can expect a bespoke food and wine experience tailored just for you. We offer a range of options to make your one-day adventure even more exciting, including morning, afternoon, and evening tours of the valley. So no matter when you’re visiting, we can help you make the most of your trip!

Last Minute Wine Tours Hunter Valley

Don’t worry about planning your wine tour at the last minute – we’ve got you covered. We’ll make sure that we tailor your tour to your interests, time and budget constraints. So sit back, relax and let us take care of everything!

Corporate Events Bus Hire Services

If you’re looking for a convenient way to get to your next corporate event, Cheers Bus is here to help. We offer a variety of well-maintained, air conditioned mini-buses that are sure to provide comfort and convenience for your travel needs.

In our one-day tour from Newcastle to Hunter valley, you can expect to have a comforting and relaxing day whilst tasting wine in Hunter valley’s most splendid wineries. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the location, with hills draping you from all directions along with some mind- blowing dishes and snacks.

Experts from Cheers Bus have numerous packages as per the requirements and needs of their clients. Cheers bus Australia strives to provide a comforting and relaxing experience to all our customers. All the tours that make up the wine-tasting package to Hunter Valley from Pokolbin....

You can book a luxury tour of Hunter valley from Sydney resting assured that the complete journey will be comfortable and fun. You can enjoy the picturesque view as we continue to move from Central City towards the beautiful Vineyards of Hunter Valley. You will be assisted....

Known as Australia’s oldest vineyard, Hunters valley has a reputation for making the finest of the wines in the region with more than 150 cellar doors. With the best winery for a day's visit. Visit areas of your choice with our private tour packages. Enjoy your day with bespoke food....

Have you just decided to undertake a wine tour to Hunter Valley, but are worried as to whom to approach? Worry not experts from Cheers Bust have got you covered. We will make sure to devise a tour package that will best suit your requirements and interest even if it's approached at the last moment....

Cheers Bus has a wide range of corporate buses for you to hire. Offering our clients a guided five-star categorised wine tour to Huntervalley vineyards for a day. We offer you a convenient way to travel to your destination. Accommodating up to 11 people in a Luxury seat Mercedes bus....

5 Star Full Day Tour with Lunch Stop At Own Expense

A$110 | Ages 18+ | 7 Hours | Hunter Valley Wine Tour

Testimonial

Do not worry about the date, pickup location and the number of people about to accompany you during the tour to Hunter Valley vineyards, as you will receive an instant confirmation mail via email.

Pickup is available for locations that lie within a radius of 15 km of Hunter Valley Garden. Pickups start around 9.30 am for areas that include Cessnock, Nulkaba, Rothbury, Lovedale and Pokolbin. Pickup locations beyond the mentioned areas might lead to additional charges per person.

Cheers Bus specializes in small tours. We can well accommodate 11 people in our luxurious Mercedes van with a proper air conditioner and 20 people in a larger bus.

Cheers Bus has been rated five stars for providing customized private tours guided private tours and guided public tours to its clients.

Our tour duration usually lasts from 9.30 am in the morning to 4.45 in the evening during the weekdays. Halfday morning or late start afternoon are not available on Saturdays. Contact us at 0408987057 to book our special midweek tours

If you have any question about our wine tours,please fill out this form.

Design by Decode Design

Last minute tour deals call or sms 0408 987 057 for the availability of the next day's wine tours..

Grape Experience

Wine tours hunter valley, • wedding transfer specialists • large group specialists •.

Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Grape Experience Tours is a wine tour company operating in the Hunter Valley. We’re equipped to handle groups as small as two and as large as 30 people on its tours of the best Hunter Valley has to offer. Our drivers are all experienced wine lovers who know what makes each vineyard and winemaker special. They will share their knowledge and passion for the area and help you discover your new favourite winery or lunch spot.

Hunter Valley’s Finest

The Grape Experience

You’ve always wanted to try wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, but don’t know where to start? Grape Experience Tours is here to change that. Take a tour with us and leave all the organising up to us. We pick you up from your accommodation, drive you to the wineries and look after you from morning ’til night. From your pick-up at your front door, to being dropped back off at your accommodation, our tours maximise your time discovering the region’s best wine. Enjoy multiple wineries, a visit to a local brewery and a distillery tour along the way. The perfect day out.

Transport Experts

Wedding Transport Specialists

As much as we love giving our customers the best wine tasting experiences, we also class ourselves as a wedding transport company. The hunter is renowned for hosting amazing events year round and wether its weddings, festivals or even concert transport, we’re able to pick you up from your airbnb/accomodation and drop you back once the night is over.

EXPERIENCE THE GRAPE DIFFERENCE

All Inclusive Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Full Day Wine Tours

Full day tours to the Hunter Valley wineries will be one for your diary, your personal tour guide and driver will take you to visit some of the best and most renowned vineyards. You’ll travel in our air-conditioned buses and visit four different wineries along the way – taking in the sights and tasting the wines. We stop for lunch before returning to your wine tour. Fully inclusive in your packaged and our most popular choice to get the most out of the hunter valley.

• All wine tasting fees covered (Premium tastings will be additional)

• Lunch at pub/brewery/winery provided (on selected tours/selected locations only)

• Door to door pick up and drop offs

• Wineries, breweries & distilleries.

Half Day Wine Tour

Half day tours are a great solution to experience the hunter when on a time constraint, although we always recommend the full day tour to get the best out of the hunter, having the option for a half day tour allows you to still get a taste of the hunter. We’ll pick your group up form your door and drop you off at the end fo the day. We normally have time for 3 wineries within our half day packages.

Enquire Today.

Includes: • All wine tasting fees covered (most wineries, some will be additional)

• Half day hunter valley wine tour.

• Wineries & breweries & distilleries.

Private Tour

Are you looking for something a bit more private and luxurious? We offer private, secluded tours for individuals really wanting to experience the hunter on their own terms. Our private tours are completely customisable. We’ll offer you the luxury of collection from your front door in our Land Rover Discovery and be chauffeured around the hunter to the best spots.

Customisable packages:

• Choose your timeframe

• Wineries, breweries & distilleries

• Full days or half days

Half Day Tour

Visit 3 Boutique Vineyards

Includes Tasting Fee

• Door To Door Pick Up

Full Day Tour

Visit 4 Boutique Vineyards & Distilleries

Includes Tasting Fee (Most wineries)

• Cheese Tasting

Premium Full Day Tour

Includes Tasting Fee (Most Wineries)

• Lunch Included

Do you have questions?

Frequently Asked

Do you host for hens/bucks weekends.

Most definitely! Although we like to ensure all patrons have a safe & enjoyable time on the hunter, we cater for all events.

Is lunch included on the full day tours?

Yes! On our $195 packages we include lunch. This will often be at a local restaurant/pub.

How long will we spend at each winery?

It all depends! To be safe, we normally say 1 hour. Although we’ll be accomodating through the whole trip!

Can You Pick Me Up From Newcastle?

Our tours pick you up from your front door and drop you back at the end of the day, enjoy a full day out in the hunter knowing your transport to and from is covered.

Can I bring My Dog?

Yes! Although your fur babies can’t drink wine, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the serene beauty of the hunter. Bring them along to experience the best wineries and breweries.

Are there any winery tasting fees?

All our tours are fully inclusive. All wineries fees and lunch costs are packaged in your price. The only additional cost you will incur is if you wish to purchase bottles of wine from the selected wineries.

Expert Choice

Other transport specialists, door to door, weddings transport.

We’re Wedding Transport Specialist! We cater for 50+ wedding transports a year so we know the importance of getting your guests on time.

Breweries & Distilleries

Pet friendly.

Although your fur babies can’t drink wine, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the serene beauty of the hunter. Bring them along!

FROM HOUSE TO WINE

Book Your Winery Tour

Have some favourite wineries in mind? Let us help you plan your next tour in the Hunter Valley. Drop us a message and we’ll help you plan your dream tour.

Subscribe & Stay Up To Date

Hunter Valley Tours

From pokolbin, lovedale, rothbury, or sydney.

Our guided small group Hunter Valley wine tours from Sydney or Wine Country are unique. We visit the best boutique wineries to give the best tasting experience.

Why to choose a Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day trip?

Visit hunter valley.

Hunter Valley is famous for its wines before anything. This hidden gem is located North of Sydney in New South Wales. And a Hunter Valley wine-tasting tour takes around 3 hours to reach from Sydney and is approximately 230 km away from the capital city of NSW.

About Hunter Valley

The oldest wine region of Australia and the region boasts over 150 boutique wineries. Moreover wine tasting, Hunter Valley is a famous destination for families and kids during the summer holidays. Its rolling green hills and abundance of things to do make it a perfect destination for anyone.

Taste of Hunter Valley 

The oldest wine region of Australia and the region boasts over 150 boutique wineries . Moreover wine tasting, Hunter Valley is a famous destination for families and kids during the summer holidays. Its rolling green hills and abundance of things to do make it a perfect destination for anyone.

LOOKING FOR OTHER SYDNEY TOUR OPTIONS RATHER THAN HUNTER VALLEY WINE TASTING TOURS?

Our Sydney tours portfolio includes Blue Mountains private tours ,  Southern Highland & Kangaroo valley country excursions ,  Port Stephens Dolphin watching day trips ,  Koala & Kangaroo encounters , Sydney city private tours and Australian pearl experiences. All our sightseeing tours are accompanied by an expert driver-guide to give you a memorable experience.   

Hunter Valley Wine Tours ITINERARIES

Hunter Valley is a paradise for food and wine lovers. A winery tour to Hunter Valley from Sydney visits some of the best boutique and elegant wineries to learn the art of winemaking, taste best of Semillon the world can produce, and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a wine sommelier, we have created three Hunter Valley wine tasting packages suits your needs. We guarantee our Hunter Valley Wine Tasting tour options will exceed your expectations too. All Hunter Valley day excursions led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides.

Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tours

(Full-Day Private Tour)

Sydney, Pokolbin & Cessnock Pickup

A full-day trip from Sydney OR Pokolbin to the Hunter Valley wine region and the most popular tour option among travellers. The itinerary includes visits to three to four different tasting venues (wine & spirit and a stop at the chocolate shop and cheese factory.

From A$ 150.00 pp | Private & Small Groups | Tasting fees included | Visit 3 to 4 Hunter Valley cellar doors | 6+ hours transport

Tour Details

Hunter Valley Wine & Wildlife Tours

(Full Day Private Tour)

Sydney to Hunter Door-to-Door Service  

This is a full-day trip that departs from Sydney to Wine Country and covers wildlife experiences and wine tasting . A stop at Walkabout Wildlife Park or Hunter Valley Wildlife Park gives you time to encounter Kangaroos & native Australian wildlife before a glass of wine.

From A$ 150.00 pp | Private & Small Groups | Tasting fees included | Visit 2 Hunter Valley Wineries | 6+ hours transport

Wine, Cheese & Chocolates

(Private Experience) 

The best Hunter Valley wine-tasting tour that we recommend for wine lovers who like to pair their wine with chocolate + cheese. The private tour price includes wine tasting with a cheese and chocolate pairing from selected Hunter Valley boutique wineries.  

From A$ 190.00 pp | Private & Small Groups | Tasting fees included | Visit 3 to 4 Hunter Valley vineyard visits | 6+ hours transport

Hunter Valley Half Day Wine Tours   

(Private Tours)

Pokolbin, Lovedale & Rothbury Pickup

Spend the morning in the Hunter Valley tasting the best wines produced in the region. Travel in style and taste from two to three pre-selected boutique cellar doors of wine or spirits (tasting fees included!). Visit the chocolate or cheese factory after lunch to taste artisan local delicacies.  

From A$ 110.00 pp | Private & Small Groups | Tasting fees included | Visit 2 to 3 Hunter Valley cellar doors | 4+ hours transport

Hunter Valley Food & Wine Tours

( Private Tours )

Sydney OR Hunter Valley Door-to-Door Service  

This is a full-day private trip that departs from Sydney OR Wine Country in a luxury Mercedes Benz mini coach. The tour includes tasting from a trio of cellar doors (wine, beer or spirits) and lunch from a pre-selected venue. A visit to the chocolate factory is recommended at your own expense.

From A$ 220.00 pp | Private & Small Groups | Tasting fees & lunch Included | Visit 3 to 4 Hunter Valley vineyard visits | 6+ hours

Hot Air Balloon & Wine Tours

(Private Experience)  

From Sydney to Wine Country Tours

Enjoy the Wine Country in Style! Float around Australia’s oldest wine-growing region in a hot air balloon and make memories & take selfies in a lifetime. You will be rewarded with vistas of the sunrise and 360-degree panoramic views. Visit a duo of wineries to enjoy the best wines the region produces.  

From A$ 150.00 pp | Private & charter groups | Tasting fees included | Visit two best Halliday 5-star Hunter Valley cellar doors incl distillery tasting  | 8+ hours 

Get a quote

Hunter Valley tours – Custom Pricing Quote Request

Tour reviews of Hunter Valley Tours

Best Wine Country Tours

There’s no better way to experience Australia’s oldest wine region than with a private guided day tour from Sydney to Hunter Valley wine country. At Sydney Top Tours , we’re committed to delivering the best possible experience you crave for the smallest groups as couples to larger groups such as hen parties . All our tours are tailor-made to suit individual tour groups’ requirements.

You have the choice to choose from one of our pre-planned tours such as Hunter Valley wine and wildlife tours from Sydney or customize a tour with your specifications. The customised day tour options don’t end only in wine tasting, though. Perhaps your group can book a hot air balloon ride for a panoramic view of beautiful vineyards or a cheese-making master class. Get in touch with us and we can help by tailoring our tours to each part’s needs and preferences.

Things to do in Hunter Valley, NSW

Wine Tasting

Hunter Valley Gardens

Gourmet Food Experience

Take Hot Air Balloon

Cheese Tasting

Distillery Tasting

Chocolate Tasting

Koala Encounter

Beer-o-clock

Wildlife Spotting

Hunter valley tours inclusions, door to door pick up and return.

All our tours offer door-to-door pick-up and drop-off service from Sydney or Wine Country.

Free refreshments

Enjoy unlimited bottled water throughout your day trip to Hunter Valley and return.  

Flexible cancellation policy

Our flexible cancellation policy excludes tasting fees to offer you peace of mind.

Visit the best boutique wineries  

We have researched and developed relationships with the best-in-class boutique wineries in the Hunter region .

Knowledgeable guides

All our Sydney tour guides are experts in the industry who have completed over 50-day trips to Hunter Valley.

AC transportation 

Air-conditioned and near-new vehicles in our fleet for all tours departing from Sydney OR Wine Country. 

Read our travel guide of wine country

Restaurants in Hunter Valley for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Explore the finest organic wineries in Hunter Valley

10 Cardinal Rules for Great Wines and Food Pairings

Frequently asked questions (faq) of hunter valley wine tours.

Hunter Valley vineyards are located approximately 245 km to the North of Sydney and it’s a roughly 3-hour drive via Pacific highway.

For out of state travelers who plan on flying into Sydney Airport, we recommend booking your flights, accommodation, and airport parking in advance, to ensure that your day trip to Hunter Valley is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Mention on your booking if you need an airport pick up with flight details and arrival time.

Our preferable time to take a day tour to Hunter Valley from Sydney is between September to November where the weather is pleasant. From the beginning of December to the end of February are the harvest time and best time for grape picking. However, the weather is not the best and the temperature could be reached near 40c in mid-January.

The ‘best winery’ could be subjective, for example, there are many wineries who have named as 5-star wineries by Halliday wine companion and the top of the list are Brokenwood, McGuigan, and Tyrells. If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere and the best customer service, Gartlemann wines in Lovedale is our recommendation. We have written a blog on the best wineries in Hunter Valley -based on awards they won recently. 

Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and counted for over 150 very small to mass production cellar doors.

There are few cellar doors that offer free wine tasting, for example, Sobels wines in Pokolbin. However, most of Hunter Valley cellar doors charges from 5 to 10 $ per head for wine tasting and will reimburse on a purchase. The premium or single-vineyard tasting could be expensive as 25 to 50$ per head.

If you book a Hunter Valley tour with Sydney Private Tours , our guide will recommend and take you to various styles of cellar doors as per booking conditions. However, if you decide to self-drive to Hunter Valley, stop at the Hunter visitor information center at 455 Wine Country Dr to get some recommendations of cellar doors, and also a map of the region. Decide who will be the sober bob before starts your wine tastings as there are many police petrol cars at any given time around Pokolbin, Cessnock, and Lovedale areas.

The predominant grape variety planted in Hunter Valley is Semillon and widely used for dessert wines. Apart from Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Verdelho are the other grape varietals that you can taste in a Hunter Valley day trip from Sydney. Some cellar doors offer the option to do a comparison with wines produce in Orange and Mudgee NSW as well.

It all depends on the cuisine you want to have or your budget. If you are after an exclusive sit-down style meal on your Hunter Valley wine tasting tour, our recommendations are Baume at Lindeman’s cellar door, Amandas on the Edge or Bistro Molines. Usually, a lunch will price at $50 per person in these Hunter Valley restaurants . Harrigan’s Irish Pub, Foghorn Brewery and Twine restaurant are other lunch options or there are few cafes at the Hunter Valley Garden for lunch that would cost less than $20 per person.

• Cancellation policy – 2 weeks’ notice; full refund. 7 to 14 days of departure – 50% cancellation fee. Less than 7 days, loss of full fee. Tasting fees and online transaction fees will not refund in any circumstance.
• Payment – Need to have full payment at the time of confirmation.
• Tour pricing – we have per head or group tour pricing model. Hence, no discounts for children or concession cardholders.

We offer pick-up and drop off services from Sydney, Cessnok and Pokolbin in Hunter Valley. There will be a small price difference in terms of the pick up location. Please contact us to get a quotation. 

Wine tasting notes – Trying wine can feel different for everyone because our sense of taste and smell are tied to our own experiences. People may prefer one wine critic’s opinions over another’s.

There are words commonly used to describe wine that are good to know. They help you understand what a particular type of wine might be like.

Besides flavors, tasting notes also tell you about other things in the wine. According to Andrew Jefford, a wine expert, things like the way the wine feels in your mouth and its overall structure are just as important as how it smells and tastes.

Varietals – A wine varietal is a wine made from one type of grape, like pinot noir or chardonnay. Red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines are different types of wine but not varietals themselves. However, varietals are found within these categories. For example, cabernet franc is a type of red wine varietal.

In some places where wine is made, a varietal has the same name as the grape it’s made from, like a Syrah made from Syrah grapes. This is common in North America, Australia, and South America. In more traditional wine regions like France and Italy, the names of varietals come from where the wine is made, not the grape variety. For instance, a Burgundy wine from the French region is made with Pinot Noir grapes.

Terroir – It is about how the climate, soil, and landscape of a specific area impact the flavour of wine. Certain places are thought to have a stronger “terroir” than others, meaning these factors have a more distinct influence on the wine’s taste.

Tannin – It is a natural substance found in plants, seeds, bark, wood, leaves, and fruit skins. It’s a type of polyphenol, which are large molecules made up of oxygen and hydrogen. The word “tannin” comes from an old Latin word for tanner, linking to the historical use of tree bark in tanning leather. So, in a way, the name comes from that process!

Tour duration – 6 to 8 hours depending on the pick-up location

Pick up and drop off – Sydney CBD OR Hunter Valley (Pokolbin/ Cessnok) – 15 km radius

Departure – 7.30 am from Sydney OR 9.30 am from Pokolbin

Return – 5.30 pm to Sydney OR 3.30 pm to Pokolbin

Inclusions – Wine tasting from 2 small boutique Hunter Valley wineries , paired with cheese or chocolate, visit to distilery, and bottled water

Exclusions – Lunch

Tour price – A$ 190.00 per person. (max 11 passenger private small group tours, the tour starts $1000+), prices may go higher for high-demand months/weeks.

Tour itinerary – Visit a trio of small boutique Hunter Valley wineries and pair wine with cheese or chocolate, stop over for lunch to taste local produce, and visit the Hunter distillery at the end of the tour to taste spirits and liqueurs .

What to wear – Jacket in the cooler months, comfortable footwear, comfortable walking trousers/shorts, camera, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

*** Inside winery visit – It’s a must to wear covered shoes due to WHS regulations.

Contact details – (+61) 0498507873 or [email protected]

Cancellation policy – 2 weeks’ notice; full refund. 7 to 14 days of departure – 50% cancellation fee. Less than 7 days, loss of full fee. Tasting fees and online transaction fees will not be refunded in any circumstance.

Tour duration  – 9 hours

Pick up and drop off  – Sydney CBD

Departure from Sydney  – 8.00 am

Return to Sydney  – 5.00 pm

Inclusions – Wine tasting, Expert guide, Luxury people mover, USB charging on-board, bottled water, hotel pick-up, and drop-off

Exclusions – Wildlife park entry, lunch, and cheese-tasting

Tour price – A$ 150 pp (max 11 passengers or tour starts $900+), prices may go higher for high-demand months/weeks.

Tour itinerary – Stop at Walkabout Wildlife Park , visit boutique Hunter Valley winery for tasting, and lunch, visit a chocolate shop, either visit 2 nd  winery, cheese shop, or distillery

What to wear  – Jacket in the cooler months, comfortable footwear, comfortable walking trousers/shorts, camera, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

Additional information –

Wine tasting – We recommend Gartelmann wines at Lovedale Road due to its beautiful cosy atmosphere with outdoor seating. Other recommended wineries include Oakval, Ernest Hill & Capercaillie. 

Lunch options – Hunter Valley offers a vast variety of restaurant styles such as casual dining (Goldfish Restaurant at Roche Estate), Pub style dining (Harrigan’s Hunter Valley), or Bistro Molines for perfection. Let the guide know which restaurant you prefer for lunch.

Cheese tasting – There are 3 famous artisan cheese shops (Hunter Valley Cheese co, Hunter Belle Cheese, and Smelly Cheese Shop).

Beer tasting – The Mighty (formally Potters & Foghorn Brewery), Iron Bark Hill, Hope Valley, and Matilda Brewhouse are your options for beer paddle tasting.

Organic gin and vodka tasting – $5 per person at Hunter Distillery.

Walkabout Park entry – $30 per adult, and $15 for 3 to 15 aged

COVID-19- update for Hunter Valley Wine Tours – booking is essential for all of these venues.

Contact details  – (+61) 0498507873 or  [email protected]

Pick up and drop off – Sydney CBD OR Hunter Valley (Pokolbin/Cessnock) / 15 km radius

Departure – 7.30 am from Sydney OR 9.30 am from Pokolbin/Cessnock

Return – 6.00 pm to Sydney OR 4.30 pm to Pokolbin/Cessnock

Inclusions –

Tasting from 3 to 4 pre-selected cellar doors (wines, spirits, or beer), expert guide, luxury people mover, USB charging on-board, pick-up and drop off from accommodation and bottled water

Exclusions – Lunch, chocolate tasting, & cheese tasting

Tour Itinerary –

A usual Hunter Valley wine tour itinerary is picking up at a time suitable for the first tasting at 10 am from pre-selected Hunter Valley wineries , 2 nd tasting at 11 am, and 12.30 pm – 3 rd the tasting or lunch stop, depending on the timings for the lunch, 3 rd and 4 th tasting could be around 3 pm and 4 pm. We usually end the tour tasting spirits and liqueurs from Distilery.

Tour price – A$ 150 per person (maximum of 11 per group, $980++ tour starting price is you have a smaller group), prices may go higher for high-demand months/weeks.

*** If you need to customize the tour and want to do an inside winery visit, it’s a must to wear covered shoes due to WHS regulations. Usually, inside winery tours are available at 10.30 am or 12.30 pm (not included in the tour price)

Wineries  we visit – Our recommended wineries for this tour are Gartelmann wines Lovedale , Oakvale Estate , Capercaillie wines, and Ernest Hill vineyard.

Lunch options (excluded in tour price) – Twine Restaurant for a modern Australian Twist, Muse Restaurant at Broke Road, Goldfish Bar & Kitchen for a casual lunch, or Harrigans for a pub meal.

Cheese tasting – Cheese tasting at the Hunter Valley Cheese Co usually costs $7.95 for a Five Cheese Platter PP.

Beer Paddles – can choose beer tasting from Iron Bark Hill Brewhouse or Mighty Hunter Valley.

Hunter Distillery – This certified Organic distillery offers unique ‘test-tube’ tasting sessions for Gin, Vodka, Liqueurs, and Schnapps.

Cancellation policy – 2 weeks’ notice; full refund. 7 to 14 days of departure – 50% cancellation fee. Less than 7 days, loss of full fee. Tasting fees and online transaction fees will not refund in any circumstance.

See on the map

Flavour, Friends & Fun

Wine Party Tours Your Tour, Your Way

When people make their way to wine country usually it’s for a celebration – That’s why we’re Wine Party Tours!

Here you’ll find Hunter Valley Wine Tours & Yarra Valley Wine Tours for every occasion and budget.

With so many customisable options you can have ‘Your Tour, Your Way’ and celebrate the way you want to.

We’ve searched far and wide for the best venues for absolutely every occasion and we can’t wait to show you around so you can experience the very best the Hunter Valley has to offer.

Your tour is the best value, most flexible and definitely the most fun!

So what are you waiting for? Check out our range of tours and if you’ve got a question our expert tour planner is on hand to help 🙂

Welcome to flavour country Come, join us!

Come join us on the best day out you’ve had in ages and one you’ll remember for a long time! Over the years I’ve sampled everything I could, hand picked the best venues and listened to customer feedback. The result is a selection of tours with loads of options so that you can have ‘your tour, your way’. We can’t wait to help you plan your perfect day out. Let’s do it! 

Chat soon, Brendan

A Treat for All of Your Senses

A trip to Australia’s oldest wine-growing region is a treat for all your senses. You’ll discover charming vineyards, peaceful landscapes, and gourmet thrills. Best of all, you’ll have the chance to savour an array of award-winning wines with your friends!If you’re excited to explore the Hunter Valley, Wine Party Tours provides unforgettable customisable experiences. Contact us today to learn more about our wine tasting tours or to schedule your next extraordinary adventure!

Wine Party Tours offers small & large group tours for any occasion and budget in the heart of the Hunter Valley. We believe wine is best shared. Wine tasting tours should be fun and memorable. This is why each tour is customised around you and your group – “Your Tour Your Way”. Just tell us what you’re looking to do and we’ll help you create it.

We’re a small, energetic, professional, and enthusiastic team that provides exceptional service coupled with local knowledge to make your Hunter Valley wine tour experience unforgettable. We want you to finish your tour with great memories and a lifelong love of the Hunter Valley.

Have 'Your Tour Your Way' With Wine Party Tours

With a wide range of customisable options, you can create a tour so you can celebrate the way you want to. Indulge in a customised, private tour for any occasion: birthdays, hen’s, buck’s, corporate or team events, family celebrations or just because wine is a basic human right!

All of the tour options are available during the booking process so it’s easy to build your own tour without playing a lengthy game of email tennis with us. Bookings can be made directly from our site but if you need to call us, by all means, please do. Our expert tour planner is always available to help.

Tours From Newcastle, Sydney, Central Coast & Pokolbin

With all our private group tours you can be picked up and dropped off right to your door in Newcastle , Sydney, Central Coast , Maitland , Singleton , Pokolbin and anywhere in between. In addition, we offer pre-arranged tours that you can simply jump on. Our air-conditioned mini-vans and buses allow you to cruise around with comfort, convenience, and style. No matter what option you choose it’ll be an adventure filled with flavour, friends and fun!

Private Hunter Valley Wine Tours

Our private hunter valley wine tours are designed with you in mind. Most of our tours are private so it’s just you and your crew. Choose between half day tours , full day tours or something you’ve got in mind. We have an exclusive range of tours that will suit your taste in wine, time frame, and budget. If one of the off-the-shelf options doesn’t quite suit, don’t worry, we’re open to suggestions and we’re more than happy to work with you to create the event you want.

It’s a fun way to taste and learn more about wine, no matter your level of expertise. Or, if don’t really care about the difference between a Semillon and a Chardonnay you can simply enjoy the flavours and spend time with great people.

About The Hunter Valley Wine Region

Tucked in New South Wales, Hunter Valley is a wine-growing region in Australia. It has been described as one of the best wine regions in the world. A haven for grape growers and wine connoisseurs, there’s something for everyone in the Hunter Valley.

Here, you’ll find the country’s oldest and most established wineries nestled amidst the undulating hills and rolling valleys. In total, there’s over 150 wineries with over 180 years of history in growing grapes and making red and white wines. Our wine tasting tours will let you experience wines so good that you’ll want to give up your day job and move to Hunter Valley permanently.

Discover a World of Flavour

There’s a party in your mouth and everyone’s invited!

Indulge in gourmet food : From artisan coffee to gourmet menus, you’ll be amazed by the range of delicious food to taste.

Local cheese tastings : You’ll have the opportunity to delight your taste buds with an impressive selection of delicious cheeses.

Chocolate tastings : Hand-crafted, locally made chocolates are an absolute hit for those with a sweet-tooth.

More than Just Wine : Continue your journey of flavour by including beer, vodka, gin or liqueurs.

Hen's Party Wine Tours

If you’ve been tasked with organising your best friend’s hen’s party we’ll make it easy for you by removing the stress, hassle and pressure. Whether you’re looking for a chilled, classy day out or more of a party vibe we can recommend the best venues and lock them in so all you need to do is get on the bus. We cater to more hen’s groups every single week than any other operator in the Valley. Make your besty’s a day to remember and book with the experts.

Testimonials People say about Wine Party Tours

Had the most incredible experience through this company on Saturday for my birthday. I felt very accommodated for and the day ran so smoothly all thanks to Brendan. I couldn't be more confident in my choice. Our driver made sure we were all having such a great time which was so great to see! Would recommend these guys to absolutely anyone and cannot wait for some of my friends to use these guys for their birthdays next year 🙂

I honestly wish I could give more stars! The team organised my entire hens weekend itinerary for every bar and any issues we had were swiftly dealt with. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. All the girls on the bus have said they won’t ever go through another company for their wine tour.

We hired Wine Party Tours for a 50th birthday. Everyone had a wonderful day. The venues we visited in the hunter valley vineyards were exceptional. Our group was well looked after by our driver Greame. They looked after all the organisation. Lunch was included in the price and was delicious. It was a great day full of lovely wine, food, music and laughter.

Heaps of fun! Corey was a great host, all very professional and great venues. Whole group had a blast!

Best service of its kind in the Hunter . Everyone had a brilliant time, staff were super cool and easy to deal with. But Damien  and his crew made sure this birthday was one I won't soon forget!

Went on an office Christmas party tour with these guys. What a bunch of legends! Very well organised, enthusiastic and above all else just heaps of fun. Damien was even good enough to indulge my rockstar fantasies with a bit of karaoke 😉 Highly recommended, will be booking again!

These guys were fantastic the right from the beginning even saving the day helping me organise some things last minute when other bookings fell through. I cannot recommend them enough and suggest you book your next event through them and be guarenteed on incredible time making some great memories.

ADVENTURE, WINE & ECO TOURS

HUNTER VALLEY WINE TOURS

Brewery &, distillery tours, private transfers.

GRANT NEWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Our aim at Adventure, Wine and Eco Tours is to provide our guests with a truly unique experience.

Explore the Hunter Valley's boutique wineries and sample locally brewed beer and vodka  distilleries.   Taste cheese, chocolate, olives and visit gourmet food kitchens as we make our way through the valley. 

Each tour can be arranged to suit your tastes or let us show you a selection of the very best this beautiful area has to offer.

Scenic tours across the Watagan Mountains showcase awe inspiring 

views of the Hunter Valley and the east coast and are well worth the experience of hitting the dirt and venturing beyond the tourist trails.

Contact Rob on 0438 564 422 to begin planning your ultimate adventure!

GET READY FOR AN ADVENTURE

 * SEATING FROM 2 - 6 ADULTS 

 * 8 - 10 GUESTS ACCOMMODATED ON REQUEST

 * DIRECT ACCOMMODATION PICK UP / DROP OFF

 * ACCREDITED DRIVER

 * 2 VEHICLE  TYPES

 * LOCAL TOUR GUIDE

 * HALF DAY TOURS AVAILABLE

WATAGAN MOUNTAIN

Get off the beaten track and experience the real Australia.

Visit amazing lookouts including  Hunter & Heaton.

Explore the beautiful Boarding House Dam and take a short rain forest bush walk to 

see all sorts of weird and wonderful flora and fauna.

TESTIMONIAL

"we had such a fantastic time with rob on our hunter valley tour. rob was very informative and he knew all the best places to take us. my daughter was  absolutely thrilled to see the kangaroos".

Anna Milutin, Kent UK

• (02) 4998 6961

Wine Tours and Experiences

Here at Unwind, we are proud to be able to showcase our favourite wine tasting operators and in-house accommodation wine experience hosts. Our operators take in some of the best wineries and cellar doors in the region.  Let us introduce you to the delights of Hunter Valley wine, food and produce.  You won't have to worry about a thing; all the necessary arrangements will be made for you to ensure you have a fantastic day touring the Hunter Valley in NSW, Australia’s oldest wine growing region.

Relax & Unwind

When choosing a tour, an experienced guide will meet you at your accommodation, accompany you to each of the destinations along the way and return you safe and sound at the end of the day. So, forget about driving and enjoy a truly relaxing day where you can participate fully in the tastings at each cellar door your visit. Or, stay home at your Hunter Valley accommodation and let the wine experience come to you.

Something a Little Different

Even the most enthusiastic of oenophiles sometimes needs a break from their favourite pastime and with this selection of tours you can choose from a range of options when you fancy doing something a little different. Combine one of our Hunter Valley wine tours with a visit to the organic distillery, located in Pokolbin, where premium organic vodka, schnapps, liqueurs and other quality spirits are produced.  This, along with a sparkling wine tasting is a good choice for a fun day out or the inclusion of a local brewery tour or chocolate tasting on the itinerary is sure to go down well. 

Stay n' Sip offers fun, approachable and educational private wine experiences. Available to host your group in the comfort of your accommodation, any day of the week and even after hours. Everyone can be involved with alcohol-free options suitable for minors and pregnant guests. Check their website to learn more. WINE TASTING. REIMAGINED.

Looking for great value small (or large) group wine tours of the Hunter Valley? Check us out for a complete snapshot of the wines, craft beers and spirits that the valley is famous for.

Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a private tour with Hunter Valley Day Tours including the exclusive Icons of the Hunter and Signature Experience Tours. 

Tour the vineyards on horseback with Murchesssons Equine Wine and Dine.  With a range of tour and tasting options available for riders of all levels, you're sure to find an experience that's just right!

Award winning, boutique wine tasting tours to suit wine lovers of all ages. Hunter Valley Tours offer full day, half day and accessible tours so you're sure to find a tour that's just right for you.

Enjoy three relaxed wine tastings of reds and whites with local wine experts. You have free time to unwind over lunch with a glass of wine. During the day taste delicious cheeses, chocolates, and distilled spirits with local, friendly faces and make a new friend or two along the way.

Sign up to receive the latest news and special offers

We respect your personal information. Read our Privacy Policy below.

Wine Tours, Brewery Tours + the best extra special Hunter Valley spots!

Explore the Hunter Valley - Gorgeous rich Shiraz, delicious crisp Rose, Perfect Pinot, Bold Beers, spectacular small Batch Spirits - take a tour to taste them all! The Hunter Valley is a stunning Wine Region 3 hrs drive from Sydney, 1 hr from Newcastle & 1 hr from Central Coast. With over 150 cellar doors, it is a place to explore and having a great guide helps A LOT! Especially if you're keen to skip the mainstream tasting spots and tourist traffic, but are looking for Meet The Maker tastings, off the beaten track spots that only a local would know, the best views, and exciting experiences. We look forward to introducing you (or re-introducing you) to the Hunter Valley! 

With Explore the Hunter, you can expect to enjoy a customised tour specific for your group. The Explore the Hunter Team are open to planning the whole day's itinerary, or weaving in your favourite stops. It's not always just about Hunter Valley Wine Tastings, most tours include a Cheese Tasting, Chocolate Tasting and/or Olive Tasting. Ask us about adding on something a bit extra like:

Helicopter Flight between tastings

Australian Koala Experience

Horse Riding

Hot Air Balloon

Gourmet Food Trail

Art & Antique stops

Surprise Proposal with Secret Photographer

Gourmet Birthday Cake

Cooking Class Experience

Brewery Tours

Make Your Own Sparkling Wine Blend with take home Bottle!

On the day, one of our experienced Explore the Hunter team will pick you up in one of our Mercedes Vans (8 seats + driver), or for larger groups, up to three Vans (24 seats + drivers). We are child friendly (Car Seats provided) & pet friendly.

PET FRIENDLY

KID FRIENDLY

SYDNEY PICK UPS

"Amazing tour experience with Gareth! So warm and friendly. After having to cancel last year on the day of our tour Gareth & Lauren were so great and let my partner and I reschedule to a new date with no extra charges. So accommodating of them and we can’t wait to come back for another full day tour, thanks Gareth!"

[email protected]

Call/SMS 0478819774

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Full Day Private Tour for 2

Half Day Private Tour for 2

Full Day Foodies Tour for 2

Hunter Valley to Sydney Return Transfer

Sydney to Hunter Valley Day Trip for 2

Pet Friendly Full Day Private Tour for 2

Vegan Full Day Private Tour for 2

Oyster Tasting Experience and Brewery Tour

MORE INFORMATION

About Us Gallery FAQ Reviews Terms and Conditions Contact Us

PICK UP LOCATIONS

Cessnock, Quorrobolong, Millfield, Wollombi, Branxton, Lovedale, Vacy, Nulkaba, Pokolbin, Broke, Maitland, Singleton

Plus Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney

7 Australian Wine Regions to Visit

A ustralia's wine industry is big business, with exports hitting AU$1.9 billion, or $1.25 billion in U.S. dollars, last year. And while a Barossa Valley shiraz or Hunter Valley sémillon tastes perfectly great on your couch at home, nothing can match heading out to one of Australia's 65 wine regions to experience its 2,400-plus wineries.

The beauty of an Australian wine trip is that you can find vineyards all over the country-from the Indian Ocean coast in Western Australia to high-altitude vineyards in the Queensland bush to edge-of-the-world terrain in Tasmania. And the cellar-door experiences are equally diverse: Some viticultural areas are tradition-bound, with fifth- and sixth-generation winemakers championing old-world grape varietals, while others attract young guns who are pushing boundaries with their organic and biodynamic methods, unexpected varietals, and cutting-edge blends.

Here are seven of the best Australian wine regions, plus suggestions on wineries to visit and varietals to sample. And, remember, you just might run into a kangaroo among the vines.

The Granite Belt, Queensland

Queensland may be known for its tropical rainforests and reefs , but its southern stretches are also home to a burgeoning cool-climate wine region, centered around the apple-growing hub of Stanthorpe. Catholic priest Father Jerome Davadi first began growing grapes in the area in the 1870s, and other pioneering Italians followed his lead in the postwar era, opening family-run estates like Ballandean and Golden Grove . Many of the vineyards sit at about 3,000 feet above sea level, putting them among the country's highest-altitude growing spots, and signature grapes here include shiraz, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. Drop into Twisted Gum Wines , which occupies a 1920s Queenslander, a local style of home known for its wraparound verandas, or a newcomer like Art of Krupinski Family Vineyard & Estate , which celebrates the owners' Polish heritage in its branding and winemaking style. The Granite Belt is also home to the Strange Bird Wine Trail , stringing together wineries that grow "alternative" grapes, such as fiano, marsanne, durif, or tannat; to be included, the variety must account for less than 1 percent of the grapes grown across Australia. Overnight visitors shouldn't miss the new Barrel View Luxury Cabins , three barrel-shaped suites named for some of these "strange bird" varietals and sunken into a hillside overlooking Girraween and Sundown National Parks.

Yarra Valley, Victoria

Befitting its proximity to cultured Melbourne (about an hour's drive away), it should come as no surprise that the Yarra Valley has emerged as a sophisticated day-trip destination, known for its elegant chardonnays and pinot noirs. There's a long history of winemaking in these parts, but growers gradually shifted away from grapes for decades; then, in the 1960s and ‘70s, there was a renaissance of sorts, with the opening of soon-to-be-legends like Yarra Yering and Mount Mary . Word spread, and soon, even the French were taking notice: In 1986, Chandon opened an outpost to make méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines here in the valley. And Yarra Valley continues to change and grow with new experiences that entice Melbourne visitors to head east. Helen & Joey Estate , for instance, recently welcomed a 16-room boutique hotel and a restaurant that nods to its owners' Chinese heritage with a menu of regionally inspired dishes like cumin lamb skewers and buckwheat "gnocchi." And Levantine Hill , just down the road, is working on accommodations of its own from the architecture firm behind Hobart, Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art . Expect luxury: After all, this is a winery where the excellent on-site restaurant serves caviar bumps and where it's not uncommon to see guests arrive by private helicopter.

Tamar Valley, Tasmania

Food lovers know that (sorry, Hobart!) Launceston, in the north of the island, is Tasmania's culinary capital, and it was even named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2021. The surrounding fertile valleys are filled with farms producing lavender, strawberries, and black truffles , as well as more than 30 wineries. If one style of wine has come to define Tamar Valley , it's undoubtedly sparkling, with many critics making the bold claim that the wine is perhaps second only to Champagne's in terms of quality. In fact, House of Arras won the title of world's best sparkling wine in 2020. Elsewhere, you'll find noteworthy bubbles at spots like Jansz Tasmania , Apogee Tasmania , Delamere , and Clover Hill , and many of the best wines in Tamar Valley are made in the traditional Champagne method. You'll find a different kind of effervescence at Swinging Gate , which produces earthy, funky pet nats-one made from riesling, one made from pinot noir-and has a series of geodesic domes called Domescapes for in-vineyard glamping among the vines.

Margaret River, Western Australia

Less than 60 years have passed since the first winery was planted in this coastal stretch of Western Australia, but in those few short decades, the area has emerged as a winemaking powerhouse, known for its peachy chardonnays and refined cabernet sauvignons. A former hub for surfers and dairy farmers, three hours south of Perth, this isolated growing region is marked by some of the oldest soil in the world and a Mediterranean climate with strong maritime influences that render it similar to Bordeaux in France. Beyond pioneering cellar doors like Vasse Felix and Cullen Wines , there are roughly 200 wineries in greater Margaret River, and many newcomers are pushing the envelope at spots like Blind Corner , which has a podcast about the Aussie wine industry, and L.A.S. Vino , where Nicolas Peterkin is known for his wildly inventive blends based on the ethos of "luck, art, and science." Woman winemakers have played a pivotal role almost from the start, and the next generation includes such boundary-pushing stars as Jo Perry at Dormilona and Sarah Morris at Si Vintners , both of whom skew toward minimal-intervention wines. One of the coolest ways to experience nature here is a stay at the new Edge Luxury Villas , which are cantilevered over a lake in Wilyabrup, adjacent to an old-growth forest that's home to red-tailed black cockatoos, kangaroos, and critically endangered western ringtail possums.

Canberra District, Australian Capital Territory

Think of the 910-square-mile Australian Capital Territory as the Down Under version of the District of Columbia. Despite its relatively small footprint, you'll find more than 40 wineries within a 35-minute drive of the capital city of Canberra, and its wide diversity in temperatures, elevations, and soil types has yielded a surprisingly robust lineup of grape varietals. Among the standout wineries in the ACT and just across the border in New South Wales are Clonakilla , which for three decades has been known for its unique shiraz-viognier blend, and Mount Majura Vineyard , which leads the charge on Aussie tempranillos. For a fun taste of regional history, stop by Helm Wines , which occupies the heritage-listed 1888 Toual Public School House-which is, ironically, the same building where the Temperance League met to wage the good fight against alcohol consumption.

Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Australia's oldest wine region has been growing grapes since the earliest days of white settlement in the area, in the 1820s, and today it's an elegant weekend getaway spot for Sydneysiders, thanks to its acclaimed roster of paddock-to-plate restaurants and innovative wineries. The signature grape in these parts is sémillon, an underrated white wine that starts out crisp and citrusy and mellows beautifully with age. With more than 150 wineries in the area, Hunter Valley has a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure vibe, with experiences that range from rustic to refined. A strong starting point is Tyrrell's , which has been family-owned since 1858, and where the founder's one-room ironbark slab hut still stands as a monument to that history; the winery's Vat 1 Hunter sémillon has been called the country's most-awarded white wine. Elsewhere, you can plan tastings in an original homestead building ( Mount Pleasant ), a historic schoolhouse ( Gundog Estate ), or a multimillion-dollar modern complex with in-the-round tasting pods ( Brokenwood ). If you're traveling with family, don't miss Tulloch Wines , which offers guided soft-drink and kombucha tastings for kids and teens.

Barossa Valley, South Australia

In terms of sheer production, South Australia is the nation's undisputed wine capital, and Adelaide is a convenient hub for exploring buzzy growing places like Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills, 20 minutes away from the city. Perhaps the most famous area internationally is the warmer-climate Barossa Valley , which is synonymous with its bold reds-especially earthy shirazes, with tasting notes of blackberry, currant, and plum. One of the valley's centerpiece producers is Seppeltsfield , which was established in 1851 and is now practically a theme park for oenophiles: Experiences include Segway vineyard tours, barrel-making workshops at the cooperage, and even a Taste of History tour that allows guests to sample 100-year-old tawny port. And if you fancy yourself a bit of a connoisseur, you can try making your own blend at the Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door . This year, the area welcomed a gorgeous new lodging option, The Station at Kapunda , a seven-bedroom villa carved out of a 163-year-old railway station, where you can book master classes and tastings with winemaker-in-residence Jeremy Ottawa.