THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

MEDIA RELEASE 9 June 2023

The Hunter Valley is a region that has built its reputation around relatively traditional winemaking, signature varieties, family values and in general, doing what’s been perceived as “what the Hunter does best” for over a century. Fast forward to the 2020’s, some 150 years after the region’s inception, there are some exciting developments, some new entrants to the market, some traditionalists challenging the norm, and some young blood bringing more responsible farming and winemaking practices into their businesses and worldly experiences into practice back in their valley.

Winemaking is a craft often passed on from generation to generation all around the world, and even in Australia where the art of winemaking is relatively young in comparison, there’s history in the making and common business values at play.

2022 CCL Hunter Valley Wine Show Trophy Winners Announced

Commemorating its 50th milestone, the CCL Hunter Valley Wine Show’s week of celebrations kicked off on Monday 15th August with wine show judging at Singleton Lone Pine Barracks and concluded with an industry celebration at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Friday 19th August. The luncheon was attended by over 350 industry professionals to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Hunter Valley wine industry.

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.

It could be that the critters and molluscs that littered the ancient sea floor more than 250 million years ago can be credited for some of the spectacular soils which now adorn the golden circle of Semillon producing vineyards, arguably the best sites in the world.

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.

According to Google the “Hunter Valley Chardonnay Queen” royalty comprises a viticulturist, a winemaker and a marketer, all playing their part in the resurgence of Hunter Valley Chardonnay and producing wines that rival the greats of the world. Each queen represents a mighty fine, strong woman all from competing wine businesses yet so aligned in playing their part to producing outstanding wines from one region and all the way from the vineyard to the glass.

If you're on a mission to find first-class vinos and views, look no further. Here are 10 sensational spots with cinematic views that are every Instagrammer's dream come true… with lip-smacking Hunter wines to sample and snap too. AUDREY WILKINSON VINEYARDThe panoramic views from this historic Pokolbin cellar door has made it one of the most like...

​Love wine-tasting but get the guilts when you leave your pampered pooch at home? Join the club. Luckily there are plenty of dog-friendly wineries where my spoilt staffy Rosie has been given a warm welcome while I swirl and sip to my heart's content. So, which cellar doors are paw-fect for a dog-friendly Hunter Valley wine tour? I thought I'd ask R...