AUSTRALIA SPECIAL EDITION 13Hunter Valley
The first vines in New South Wales’ Hunter
Valley were planted by families in the
1820s, making it Australia’s oldest wine
region. Though sémillon is widely con-
sidered the wine here, the Hunter Valley
also produces wine from a wide variety
of grapes, including shiraz, chardonnay,
cabernet sauvignon, and verdelho. Join
a winetasting master class, or sample a
broad selection of wines at one of more
than 150 cellar doors. Away from the
tasting rooms, escape to the great out-
doors for a game of golf or a hot-air bal-
loon ride, or shop for antiques and local
artwork in the region’s many galleries.
TASTING NOTES
Don’t-miss wineries: Internationally acclaimed
Wyndham Estate, one of Australia’s oldest vine-
yards, and Audrey Wilkinson, where you can picnic
among the vines.
Signature event: The Lovedale Long Lunch is
a progressive-style feast that winds through
several Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants
each year in May.
Pair with: Cheeses, handmade chocolates, char-
cuterie, sourdough bread, and olive oil directly from
the producers.
Access: Approximately a two-hour drive north
from Sydney.
Clockwise from top left: Wyndham Estate’s shiraz and winery
(founded in 1827), and a cluster of Hunter Valley options.