Hunter Valley Wineries

Hunter Valley Wineries

The Hunter Valley is an adults playground for wine and food lovers. Boasting over 150 Hunter Valley wineries and 11,043 acres of vineyards producing almost 30,000 tonnes of grapes that are crushed and pressed into the nectar of the gods, Hunter Valley wine.

Top of the list for most visitors is a drop or three of Hunter Valley Semillon. Described by Oz Clarke as one of the “wine world’s enigmas,” this white wine variety is considered the signature of the region. First planted in 1830, the Hunter Valley Semillon has gone through plenty of names like the Hunter Riesling, Rhine Gold, White Burgundy and Chablis. According to Oz Clarke’s guide to Australian Wine, in its youth, the Hunter Valley Semillon exhibits austere lemon, grassy notes but with 10 plus years in the bottle, it develops into a rich, minerally wine with biscuit notes.

Ready to experience one of the world’s most popular and celebrated wine regions? Jump on an iHop Hunter Valley tour and explore the Hunter Valley. Try our guided Night Tours or Taste ‘n’ Graze tours or travel the “Hunter Valley Your Way” with an iHop Hunter Valley Hop on, Hop off tour.

As you travel the winding country roads and laneways, you’ll pass Hunter Valley wineries owned by both recognisable big-name producers and small boutique beauties ready to welcome you. Many visitors comment on how friendly the Hunter Valley is and that you feel right at home during your time away from home.

There are enough cellar doors in Australia’s oldest wine region to spend a full fortnight of back to back tasting, exploring and experiencing the best Hunter Valley wine. There are over 150 Hunter Valley wineries so you’ll definitely find something to suit your taste

Hunter Valley Wineries Production

Travelling through the Hunter Valley you’ll see row after row of grape vines neatly flowing over the horizon. The Hunter Valley is a world-renowned Semillon and Shiraz growing region but there are other varieties popular amongst Hunter Valley Vineyards that you’ll be able to enjoy at one of the many Hunter Valley Cellar Doors.

There are more cellar doors in the Hunter Valley than anywhere else in Australia with the vast majority being open to the public to experience first-hand and friendly hospitality. The Hunter Valley is fed by multiple fertile rivers and enjoys a temperate climate. Because of this, the region lends itself to both red and white grape varieties. The most popular grape varieties in the region are Chardonnay, Semillon and Verdelho for whites and Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds. Of course, you’ll taste plenty of these on your iHop Hunter Valley tour as well as plenty of unique blended wines.

The Hunter Valley has some of the oldest Shiraz vines found anywhere in the world, with some vines being over 120 years of age. The Hunter Valley Shiraz can be described as ‘gamey’ with medium body, and fragrant earthy, berry compounds backed by fine, soft tannins. When aged in the bottle over 20 – 30 years, the Hunter Valley Shiraz develops a more earthy wine with a silky texture, reminiscent of the Rhone Shiraz.

You’ll find plenty of wines in the Hunter Valley. On your Hunter Valley Wine Tasting, you’ll enjoy red wines, white wines, rose`, fortified wines and dessert wines. You’ll be able to experience Sparkling wines at Peterson’s Sparkling House cellar door at hop 3 of your Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tour.

The Famous Hunter Valley Semillon: The aged Hunter Valley Semillon is considered a global benchmark for the popular wine variety. The Hunter Valley Semillon is picked early when there is less sugar in the fruit leaving a dry, lemony flavour which is uniquely Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley Semillon is subtle in its youth, with a light yet piercing acidity and slight lemony accent. When aged, the wine matures to develop nutty, honeyed tones which suggests it has been aged in oak, which is not the case. You’ll find this wine variety at most of the Hops (Stops) on our Hop on, Hop off tour, Taste ‘n’ Graze  Tour and Night Tours.