Hunter valley wine country is about a twohour drive north of sydney. On sydneys doorstep discover australias most accessible wine country. History of the hunter valley wine region hunter valley wine country. Along with the worimi to the north and the awabakal to the south, the wonnarua developed a trading route connecting the coquun hunter valley to the harbour now known as sydney harbour.
It is australias oldest continuous grape growing region and in 1848 one of australias first wine shows was held here in the hunter valley. The region specialises in fine dining, quality producers, great chefs and food and hosts a busy calendar of food and wine events. Located in the state of new south wales, the region has played a pivotal role in the history of australian wine as one of the first wine regions planted in the early 19th century. A guide to the hunter valleys food delivery and takeaway options and more to help get you through covid19.
To some extent the settlers in the hunter region profited by the relatively late. The region has played a pivotal role in the history of australian wine as one of the first wine regions planted in the early 19th century. Hunter valley accommodation, holidays, tours and events. This is the hunter valleys renowned wine region and it is home to dozens of boutique cellar doors, restaurants and other niceties such as chocolate and cheese factories, breweries, olive groves and presses, vodka distilleries and many many kangaroos. Enjoy a delicious cafe lunch as well as a visit to cheese and chocolate outlets to. Hunter valley harvest wine experience, hunter valley tours.
Wine d road tours hunter valley wine tours tripadvisor certificate of excellence 2017, 2018 and 2019. We operate tours and experience packages for groups and individuals. Hunter valley australias oldest wine region wine australia. The historic 1866 audrey wilkinson winery offers an excellent range of semillons at its picturesque tasting room. Listen to informative commentary about the history of the region as you sample wines at four wineries. Pick up is available from the listed locations in the hunter valley. An awardwinning new book profiles the people, history and technology that have shaped the hunter valley wine region in nsw. Hunter valley wine tours wine d road tours wine tour.
From the deep past to the current moment, this book shows how historical. By 1823 some 20 acres of vineyards had already been planted on the northern banks of the hunter river and. Our hunter valley hotels are within easy reach of some of the best wineries in the region. Julie mcintyres book is a refreshing and entertaining window into the remarkable history of wine in australia. Researchers from the university of newcastle have released a new book chronicling the history of the hunter valley wine growing region, dating back to the early 1800s. History of wine in the hunter valley sparkling rhiannon. Many properties in the region are rated four, four and a. Experience australias oldest wine producing region, the picturesque hunter valley. Tracing six generations of the region s wine community from the 1820s, it introduces. Listen to great music during the relaxed small group tour. Escape to the country side and find yourself amongst australias best wine regions.
For semillon enthusiasts, book your hunter valley accommodation and enjoy over 150 wineries in the pokolbin area. Its the perfect addition to the wine history buffs collection. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. This engagingly written and attractively illustrated book narrates a. Located in the state of new south wales, the region has played a pivotal role in the history of. There are few trips as delightful as touring a wine region, where everything from the vineyards to the savoring of a glass urges you to take things slow. Im thrilled to be collaborating with the hunter valley wine industry association and newcastle museum on a proposal to spend several years specifically researching hunter wine history. Spend a day tasting some of australias best wine, cheese, and chocolate in the hunter valley on this smallgroup, fullday tour from pokolbin, cessnock, or lovedale. Hunter valley wine country history of the hunter valley. The early pioneers of the hunter valleys long winemaking history were george wyndham of dalwood, william kelman of kirkton and james king of irrawang.
The wonnarua people of the hills and plains were the first inhabitants of the coquun hunter valley, with the worimi to the north eastern shores, and the awabakal to the south eastern shores. Drink and dine at hunter valleys best wineries and restaurants. Hunter valley winery tours customisable, delightful tours. Most admired for citrusdriven, mineralrich and often ageworthy semillon wines, hunter valley is one of australias oldest wine regions and was home to its very first commercial vineyards. The hunter valley is australias oldest wine region, so its history and heritage. Hunter valley wine country australias oldest wine region. The bitumen road to the cellar door is flanked by some of the hunter valleys oldest vines the landmark wines 4 acres and vat 9. Enjoy a gourmet one course lunch with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink at a local hunter valley restaurant. Your guide will take you on three wine tastings at select boutique wineries in the area. The region is now home to a wide variety of cellar doors and spicers guesthouse is perfectly located in pokolbin, the heart of the region. The hunter valley wine show has been held continuously since 1974 and is regarded as the premier regional wine show of australia.
For over 30,000 years the wonnarua tribe of aboriginal australians inhabited the land that is now known as the hunter valley wine region. History from humble beginnings to world respected wine region. It was home to james busby, the godfather of viticulture in both australia and new zealand. Hunter wine profiles the people, history and technology that have shaped this celebrated wine region.
From fine wine and gourmet food to beautiful accommodation and fabulous events, a hunter valley getaway offers a taste of the good life. In the hunter, its quality over quantity full stop. No visit to the hunter valley should exclude a visit to tyrrells. The hunter valley is unquestionably the bestknown and most highly prized wine region in new south wales. Among the musttry wines of the hunter region includes the unique semillon and shiraz, hunter valleys red wine staple. Enjoy epicurean indulgences in the hunter valley, home to more than 120 wineries, gourmet restaurants, spa retreats and concerts in the vineyards. Hunter valley semillon is widely considered the iconic wine of the region but the hunter produces wine from a variety of grapes including shiraz. Theyre justifiably proud of the hunter s rich wine heritage that stretches back some 180 years and our flagship hunter valley semillon and shiraz, which captures the spirit of our place in a bottle. Hunter valley winery tours is a locally owned business operating in both newcastle and the hunter valley with strong community ties throughout the hunter region. The hunter is now our most dynamic wine region thanks to the talents of fresh winemaking faces.
There are more than 150 wineries dotted over the rolling green hills of the region, and collectively theyve accumulated 180 years of experience in growing and fermenting grapes to make our. A history is a riveting read that looks at the shaping of the hunter valley wine region. Put simply, the hunter valley is the birthplace of australian wine. We visit a number of boutique wineries, local produce outlets, and experience providers. Wine in colonial new south wales, the aboriginal history of the region is covered in hunter wine alongside the history of the people who arrived and. Spicers guesthouse luxury hotel retreat pokolbin, nsw. Hunter valley winery cape girardeau 2020 all you need. Hunter valley travel new south wales, australia lonely.
Check out our hunter valley wine tours for our suggested itinerary and send us an email with any special requests, we. Hunter valley wine tasting tours sydney 2020 all you. From the deep past to the current moment, this book shows how historical influences and technological processes. Buy a discounted hardcover of hunter wine online from australias leading online bookstore. From the deep past to the current moment, this book shows how historical influences and technological processes have shaped hunter wine from vine to glass. This thoroughly researched history links the history of a region to much wider. Hunter valley accommodation centres around the region of pokolbin and offers a huge range of places to stay for every style and budget from major resorts to intimate guesthouses. The hunter valley wine region is steeped in history. The sydney newspapers received the book favourably when it appeared in 1830, and the.
About hunter valley australia hunter valley australia is a web magazine website that is dedicated to all things related to the hunter valley region of new south wales. Hunter valley is quickly becoming a spot where winelovers try the latest styles, as well as those wanting to perfecting their palate. Hunter wine, a history by julie mcintyre 9781742235769 booktopia. Some are modern but built in australian colonial style and many are converted from old mansions and cottages. Theyre justifiably proud of the hunters rich wine heritage that stretches back some 180 years and our flagship hunter valley semillon and shiraz, which captures the spirit of our place in a bottle. Hunter valley wine new south wales, australia buy online. History and heritage including some surprising revelations are explored in rich detail. Australias most visited wine region is home to more than 150 topclass wineries, vineyards and cellar doors as well as superb. A history chronicles rich story of australias oldest. With the arrival of european settlers in the early 19th century, the lands of the hunter valley were estranged and transformed by. Visit four wineries and cellars and learn about the varieties this region specializes in while sampling some of the delicious wine.
Hunter valley wines are light and relatively low in alcohol, which makes them a great accompaniment to food. Hunter valley wine festival added 10 new photos to the album. Hunter valley semillon is regarded as australias unique white wine. A filigree of picturesque roads crisscrosses this verdant valley, but a pleasant country drive isnt the main motivator for visitors sheer decadence is. Though hunter valleys history spans over 180 years, a single grape has propelled the appellation to australian wine stardom. Packed with images, many not been seen publicly before julie mcintyre is one of australias foremost wine historians and an expert on the hunter valley. John should also be able to suggest some insider tips so you can make the most out of your trip as you explore our beautiful region. Our hunter valley wine tours were born through a love of the hunter valley and the beautiful wines that the region is famous for. A fouryear research project into the history of the hunter valley has. Hunter wine a history took four years to write with the authors relying on access to public and private ar. Taste some of the finest wines produced in australia on. Explore the stunning hunter valley wine region and taste some of australias best wines. The hunter valley is australias oldest wine region, so its history and heritage are integral to understanding how australian wine has evolved. Early aboriginal history the wonnarua were the first inhabitants of the hunter valley and have occupied the upper hunter for at least 30,000 years.
The area is of significant historical importance to the australian wine industry, which effectively started there. We love wine and while in the cape area for a long weekend. Dr mcintyre is a senior lecturer in history at the university of newcastle. A history, stemmed from an australian research council linkage project scheme vines, wine and identity. History of the hunter valley hunter valley wine country. Travel over the sydney harbour bridge before being treated to magnificent views of the hawkesbury river and the australian countryside.
The hunter valley is one of australias best known wine regions. The hunter valley is australias oldest wine region, so its history and heritage are. The wine and cheese matching was exceptional and i. The regions warm summer nights coupled with autumn cloud cover and cool sea breezes allow full ripening and healthy acidity levels for semillon. Head to hunter valley, sydneys premier wine region, for a day of wine tasting. Returning from europe with 20,000 vine cuttings in 1832 james busby was vital in helping establish the hunter valley as a key wine region and in turn vital in establishing australia as a grape growing country. At the hunter valleys cellar doors you can taste a wide variety of wines, or join a tasting masterclass to sample rare vintages. Hunter valley wine tours is known for offering winery tours which you can personalise as you see fit to your interests, budget, and time.
The region was established by the godfather of australian wine, james busby, alongside a list of hunter valley wineries that read like household names tyrrells, mcwilliams, tullochs and draytons the hunter valley region is beloved by sydneysiders who have made it a holiday and weekend destination for a long time. A new book offers a wellresearched and wonderfully human perspective. Find out how theyre combining tradition with exciting new styles. Hunter valley wine tour specialists operate in and around the lower hunter valley. We love the hunter valley and are proud of our region and love to share it with you. Give your tastebuds a serious thrill in australia s oldest wine growing region. Although the hunter valley wineries are largely known to produce semillon and shiraz, another name associated with the rich history of the hunter valley is chardonnay, produced from verdelho grapes. Dry and refreshing in its youth and framed by lemon and grass notes, hunter valley semillon, dubbed australias great gift to the wine world by jancis robinson, reaches its pinnacle when the grapes. Discover the new south wales wine region of hunter valley on this halfday tasting tour. We are passionate about australias original wine country, its vast rolling hills, its valleys of green, its vinyards and wineries and the unforgetable experiences that are waiting for all who visit. Fast forward to today this is an australian wine region that is defined by its rich historical tapestry and complimented by a new generation of innovative young. Feast on local cheeses and chocolates and try a chili flavored liqueur. Exhibit and book launch sharing history of six generations of wine.