THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

For many pet owners, the hardest part about travelling is leaving our four-legged companions behind. Luckily for us, most venues in the Hunter Valley are in the same boat – pooches are part of the family and in many cases, staff rosters as well. You’ll find that many wineries and even restaurants will have a resident fury friend on-site, in charge of the hellos and goodbyes.

The Hunter Valley is home to some of the nation’s top names in wine, but sometimes it’s quintessential to explore the off-beaten track and discover the many hidden gem wineries the region has to offer. Often family-owned and operated, these wineries tend to offer the ‘open doors to our home’ hospitality experience you may not find at some of the bigger names, with intimate tasting experiences and limited-release drops not easily found outside of the cellar door or region.

The Hunter Valley is renowned for producing world class Shiraz and stylistically it’s in a world of its own. The region’s signature red variety generates a great deal of intrigue, consistently tops wine columns and shapes out wine shows and guides and has firmly secured the Hunter Valley’s position as one of the great Shiraz producing regions of the world.

Are you seeking a relaxing, intimate getaway without the crowds or common areas that can be found at hotels? Does the idea of retro board games fireside with a glass of red in hand appeal to you? Or how about unwinding in your own private hot spa, set on an impressive, private acreage with rolling hill views?

Make the most of the fresh days and cool nights with your partner, your family or a group of friends and take the time to reconnect over memorable experiences this Winter in Wine Country. Here are our top things to do here in the Hunter Valley this Winter. 

Now in its 15th year, the 2022 Hunter Valley Legends & Wine Industry Awards last night saw a record number of Hunter Valley wine and tourism businesses recognised for excellence, commitment and quality.

Next time you visit Hunter Valley Wine Country, save some space in your itinerary to venture a little further and explore the northern part of the region. Known for open, green grasslands, stunning national parks, fine wining and dining and plenty of history, the Upper Hunter offers a memorable trip with plenty on offer to experience.

Not only a destination for exceptional wines and gourmet food, the Hunter Valley also offers plenty for the nature lovers, thrill seekers and adventurers.

"What is a degustation?" one may ask themselves when deciphering the fancy word on a dining menu. ‘Degustation’ is a French word for ‘tasting’. So, it’s literally a menu that offers you a series of different dishes to sample and try.

It's no secret that seafood and wine make for the perfect combination, but how do you know what wine to pair with each meal? We have you covered. We sat down with the Scarborough Family from Scarborough Wine Co. who are our 2021 Cellar Door of the Year, to talk all things seafood and wine and family recipes.