Hunting For Wines In The Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley falls under the New South Wales-based Hunter region in Australia, located about 160 kilometers on the northern side of Sydney. Along with the Hunter River, it is among the most visited places in Australia ranked at sixth place with over two million people touring the area annually.

The area contains the oldest wineries in Australia but produces only around two percent of the entire wine production in Australia. Nevertheless, the wines produced here are among the most famous, many of them of the white and red varieties with around 80 wineries responsible for their exquisite flavors.

The wineries found in the Hunter Valley include several prominent names like Rothbury, McGuigan, Wyndham Estate, McWilliams, Hardy's, and Lindeman but tourists might find those produced by Draytons and Tyrells more tempting and luscious as these have been in the wine-making business for generations. As such, they already have a good grasp on what it takes to make really excellent wines.

There are eleven different Hunter Valley areas, variously categorized into cities and towns with Newcastle being the largest. This particular city is a chief metropolitan area settled at the foot of the Hunter River but is not known as a wine-producing area. Rather, Newscastle is renowned in another field, coal mining, with its port boasting of the biggest coal facility worldwide, most of its production being shipped to other countries. Apart from that, there are many historic landmarks here that tourists will want to have a closer look at. These include the Christ Church Cathedral, home of the Newcastle Anglican Bishop and the University House, also referred to as the NESCA House, its former name, a 1930 building that was recently featured in the movie "Superman Returns".

Pokolbin

For certified wine lovers, the place to see in these parts has to be Pokolbin, an area situated between two prominent regional towns, namely, Branxton and Cessnock. Draytons and Tyrells are just two of the many vineyards that one can get to see here.

Pokolbin is actually a Hunter Valley area that can be considered a paradox in terms of wine production. Its climate is not really compatible with wines as it constantly experiences extreme humidity during the summer months while winter brings in freezing weather accompanied by heavy frost.

Yet, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillion, and Shiraz, all of which are popular wine varieties, have their roots well planted in these parts, particularly along the countryside where rolling hills abound. For this, credits have to be given to the regional mountains which, along with easterly winds blowing during the afternoon, help mitigate the disastrous effects of the blazing sun on the wine crops.

Visitors wishing to see the wineries found at Pokolbin need not worry about where they can possibly stay. Apart from its many vineyards, Pokolbin plays host to many guest houses and resorts where tourists are most welcome. Cafes and restaurants are also abundant to take care of any gastronomic concerns. Meanwhile, shopaholics and golf lovers will not be disappointed either as there are many shopping centers and golf courses established in these parts if a winery tour is not among their main interests.

Cessnock

Six kilometers away from Pokolbin, guests can also try visiting Cessnock where vineyards and restaurants exist side by side along with numerous clubs and pubs. Travelers touring the region under budget constraints will find Cessnock a good place to visit and stay in.

Apart from the wineries, the region also has a few other features that can likewise be considered good tourist attractions. Skydiving, parachuting and hot air ballooning are just a few of the outdoor sports fast becoming popular in these parts which one can enjoy under the supervision of respected experts in the field. Balloon Aloft, for example, has been in the business of sending tourists off on hot air balloons for years covering five different Hunter Valley areas. The balloon flights usually begin at sunrise and typically include breakfast packages. Meanwhile, those interested in learning parachuting and skydiving can try seeing the Newcastle Sport Parachute Club which offers these two sports in one single short course.

Getting there

Getting to see Hunter Valley and its wineries ought to be quite easy as it generally involves less than three hours of driving from Sydney if one will be doing so in moderate traffic. Coming from the northern end of Sydney, travelers only need to cross the famed Sydney Harbor Bridge after which one will easily find the Pacific Highway. This should lead to the Wahroonga suburb where one will find the Newcastle Expressway on the right side after just a few kilometers of driving. The expressway, meanwhile, will involve an hour of driving after which travelers can turn left upon reaching the so-called Cessnock turnoff. From there, Cessnock, the initial city of the Hunter Valley region, should be about 15 kilometres away.