Wineries, Sydney

If wild horses can't drag you away from Sydney, then perhaps these will.
This fine toparic example is but a tiny piece of what you will experience at the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
Hopefully you haven't just had a substantial amount of the local beverage before you see them otherwise who knows what you might make of it all.

Wine tasting appears to be a national sport in Australia. A few days after the wedding we took off for the Hunter Valley with the bride and groom.
I think it took about 2/3 hours to drive to (I had quite a late night the previous night so slept most of the way there) and we stayed at Carriages, a lovely little vineyard. We stayed in a cute little cottage with two rooms and a shared living/cooking area. That night we ate at Robert's, the food was lovely and the service was great.
Then, the next day we set off for our epic tour, 12 wineries on one day, yes 12! With tastings at each one. My favourite was Tatlers, the chap presenting the tastings was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of fun.

Driving from Sydney takes approximately two hours. Once you are on the Sydney – Newcastle freeway continue north until you see a sign saying Cessnock exit. Follow this until you see signs to Pokolbin and the Hunter Valley Wine Country.

Flights go to Cessnock airport or Newcastle. www.qantas.com.au you can be connected with the tour company which operate from Sydney, Newcastle and Cessnock www.rovercoaches.com another tour company that operates from Sydney is www.grayline.com.au.

There is plenty of good accommodation available in the Hunter Valley, from luxury resorts to budget pubs.

Vineyards – Hunter Valley.
There are heaps of wineries to taste, smell and buy. Here are a few of the larger ones, but there are various wineries scattered throughout the Hunter Valley region.

Rothbury Estate – Pokolbin
Peterson House – www.petersonhouse.com.au in Pokolbin
Wyndham Estate – www.wyndhamestate.com in Dalwood
Tulloch Estate – www.tulloch.com.au in Pokolbin
Gartelmann Estate – www.gartelmann.com.au in Lovedale
Tintilla Estate – www.tintilla.com in Pokolbin
Krinklewood Estate – www.krinkwood.com in Pokolbin

Scarborough Wine Co. - www.scarboroughwine.com.au at 179 Gillards Road, Pokolbin

1 more image

The Hunter Valley is a 2 hour drive north of metropolitan Sydney. There is so much to do in the Valley that it is hard to know where to start. Exciting wineries and cellar doors have been joined by a fantastic spread of shops restaurants and attractions making it the most visited wine region in Australia. I visited the Mount Pleasant winery, one of the many wineries in the Hunter Valley where I was taken through the process of harvesting, fermenting and distilling the wine.

I have got this tip on my must see activities because it's not too far from Sydney and if you're a wine lover, a trip to Sydney is not a trip without doing the Hunter Valley wines, even if it's just for a tourist day trip. I have also put this tip on my off the beaten track because if you have a bit more time, then a few days in the Hunter Valley is well worth it. We went for a week and stayed at the Hunter Valley Resort and had a great holiday. You might want to check it out on my Pokolbin pages.

This is one of the 13 gardens incorporated in this complex. It is not an understatement to say this is world class, far from it. This would push for a top ten rating in any "Best World Gardens" contest.
Remember, my Pokolbin pages are where all the details are.

Do you like wineries? Local cheeses, wines & other home-made delights can be found in the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is an easy 1.5hr drive north from Sydney. Locals refer to it just as 'The Hunter'

Recommended to overnight there in one of the many very cute bed & breakfasts. A great place for couples especially!

Bike-riding is also a great activity for The Hunter and bikes can be hired from http://www.hvg.com.au/village_shop_details.asp?Tenant_ID=16

and it would be a sin if I did not mention the hot-air ballooning that is also quite popular. Weather pending though, of course.

Do you like wineries? Local cheeses, wines & other home-made delights can be found in the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is an easy 1.5hr drive north from Sydney.

Recommended to overnight there in one of the many very cute bed & breakfasts. A great place for couples especially!

Fancy a day at the wineries? Well, you'll obviously be in the majority. Reportedly over 2 million people each year trek to the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Personally, I'm up there every fortnight as part of my job and, once upon a time, I was Hunter Valley Tourist Officer and I actually drew a map of the area to update what was then available. How out-of-date that map now is!
The colossal growth in the last 30 years has been spurred by Australia's multiculturalism and a burgeoning export trade. We outsell French wines in Britain, a fact I believe they're not too happy about.
If you want lots of info, then please, See my POKOLBIN pages.
This shot is of one of about 100 wineries, some with attached restaurants, some with accommodation that dot the area. It's all about 2 hours north of Sydney.
There's a multitude of tour companies to take you there, far too many to list individually here, but any of the tourist information centre will give you an array.

ROSEMOUNT ESTATE, we took private jets to the Rosemount Estates and we had a great time, they gave us a tour of every single thing and then they showed us how they drink the wine!! We had lunch and lots of wine, it was definately a great choice!!