Staying in the Hunter Valley and wanting to visit some amazing cellar doors? Well, here are three of our favourites! They are all centrally located, offer wine tasting and some of the most delicious food that the Hunter Valley has to offer!
Pepper Tree Wines
If you want to discover some amazing wines, then you must visit Pepper Tree’s cellar door that is right in the heart of Pokolbin.
The cellar door sits amongst stunning country scenery and right between The Convent Hunter Valley a luxury hotel and the award-winning restaurant Circa 1876.
I really love Pepper Tree wines, so you can imagine how happy I was to find out that their cellar door was just a short drive down the road from where I was staying at Spicers Guesthouse.
What I like about buying and tasting from the cellar door is that you get a true understanding of how and where the wine was created from the people who are passionate about their own product. On this occasion, we were lucky enough to try several limited releases and a delicious Pepper Tree Muscat liqueur, so clearly, this was a great excuse to stock up!
Pepper Tree offers a variety of high-quality wines to taste with the Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and a limited release 2013 ’14 Shores’ Single Vineyard Merlot being my absolute faves.
For a small fee, you can try the different wines. and if you decide to buy a bottle of your favourite (which I guarantee you will), then your tasting fee is taken off your bill.
Pepper Tree also offers a wine club that you can join. It gives you benefits like savings off wine purchases and exclusive invites to wine club only events. You can also take a behind the scenes tour on Sunday’s. So be sure to visit Pepper Tree on your next Hunter Valley visit and take your time to soak up the atmosphere and just enjoy!
Good to Know
♡ If you find a vintage that you just can’t live without then why not buy one bottle and get Pepper Tree to ship the rest home. This way you don’t have to lug around a dozen of your faves
♡ Just here for the night? If you don’t want to be driving around then stay at The Convent Hotel. You can enjoy a wine tasting and finish off your day with dinner at Circa 1876!
♡ Make sure that you pre-plan your transport before heading out. This way you can enjoy the art of wine tasting without any issue. You will find there are many tour companies that will work with you to arrange a tour that suits
Brokenwood
Brokenwood’s cellar door in the Hunter Valley is spectacular.
After being greeted at the door and having the cellar door wine-tasting options explained to us we decided to complete the Varietal Wine Tasting. The Varietal tasting is conducted at one of the stylish circular pods. This includes a selection of 14 wines (6 red, 6 white and 2 dessert wines). The tasting fee is taken off if you purchase a bottle.
This was a great experience and certainly allowed us to try a really good selection of what Brokenwood does best…WINE! Allow about 45 mins for your tasting. The staff are extremely helpful and willing to share their knowledge about the region, the wines and Brokenwood’s history
You can upgrade your tasting to an exclusive private tasting room oh-la-la, which would be perfect for groups. Personally, I really enjoyed listening to what other guests liked about the different types of wine and what they were tasting like berries, chocolate, cinnamon and bold flavours… clearly, I have a lot to learn about wine!
Brokenwood has designed the complex so you can complete a tasting, a winery tour, or a masterclass. Afterward, take your time to enjoy the Cru Bar + Pantry for casual eats or fine dining at The Wood Restaurant.
This was such a great experience. Brokenwood has really created a place where you can sit back relax and enjoy great food and wine!
Hunters Quarter at Cockfighter’s Ghost Vineyard
The name Cockfighter’s Ghost comes from an old spooky legend. Where one wild weathered night a horse known as Cockfighter drowned trying to save his master. To this day it can be seen galloping across the fields during stormy nights.
The cellar door offers different wine tasting experiences. These include wine or food and wine matching. Be sure to check out their site for all of the options available.
We had lunch at the Hunters Quarter, which is just a couple of steps away from the cellar door. If you are looking for an elegant setting for your lunch or dinner that still has a relaxed yet sophisticated feel, then look no further than Hunters Quarter.
The talented chef Brian Duncan’s menu is ridiculously delicious, just look at the photos. You can have some items as a starter or main size, this is such a great idea. When I go back I will be getting the main size prawn and scampi dumplings! During lunch, we tried a few of the Cockfighters Ghost’s whites. The wines were delicious so we made sure we took home the Pinot Gris and Semillon from the cellar door.
During lunch, we tried a few of the Cockfighters Ghost’s whites. The wines were delicious so we made sure we took home the Pinot Gris and Semillon from the cellar door.
Good to Know
♡ If it’s a nice sunny day sit out on the verandah under the umbrellas. Alternatively, ask for a table next to the window so you can easily enjoy the view
♡ Be sure to make a booking and check the opening days and hours to ensure you avoid missing out
Thoughts, opinions & photos shared about the Best Cellar Doors in the Hunter Valley are entirely my own
