THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

Looking for the latest news, stories, tips and local knowledge to help plan your trip? Discover what is happening on the Hunter Valley Grapevine.

Six new must-do cellar doors in the Hunter Valley

With so many cellar doors and wineries, you are truly spoilt for choice in the Hunter Valley. Next time you plan on visiting us, be sure to check out these brand new or recently renovated cellar doors here in the region.

Ten things to do in the Hunter Valley this Winter

The Hunter Valley is where connections are forged, friendships are nurtured, and memories are created. Join us this Winter, a time of warmth, togetherness, and celebration in the Hunter Valley. The allure of a crackling woodfire with a glass of Shira... More

25 fireside wine and food experiences to try this Winter in the Hunter Valley

There’s something welcoming and comforting about a fireplace that can make you feel completely at home whilst on a holiday. When the weather cools down, the Hunter Valley is always ready to turn the heat up with plenty of winter warmer options. From ... More

Fall in love with Lovedale

It’s no surprise that some people base themselves in Lovedale and explore no more. Local cellar doors are small and intimate but make character-laden wines to a very high standard. Experience sunset trike tours, a charming trattoria, artisan smo... More

Mum's the word this May in the Hunter Valley

This Mother's Day, treat Mum to a luxurious, well deserved escape to the Hunter Valley. The region is renowned for its wineries, but it also has a host of wonderful experiences and activities that will make Mum feel like the queen she is. Here a... More

10 family friendly things to do these Autumn School Holidays in the Hunter Valley

The Autumn school holidays are hot on the horizon, and what better place to seek adventure and make memories with the family than the Hunter Valley! With a myriad of activities and plenty of accommodation offerings to suit your tribe, book your Autum... More

Sublime Summer Semillons

As the temperature rises, it's time to cool down with refreshing, easy-drinking wines, ideally served chilled over ice. And what better poolside companion for your glass than a Hunter Semillon? Often hailed as the white icon of the region, our pionee...ring producers have developed a style of Semillon that has been dictated by the climate. Hunter Valley's Semillon is celebrated for its youthful, light, lemon-citrus profile that transforms into a highly intricate, nutty, and toasty style with a touch of ageing. Here are some of our recommended Semillons for your summer sips in the warm weather. Young, fresh & vibrant 2023 Tamburlaine Reserve Hunter Semillon RRP $39.00A cool Hunter vintage has resulted in lifted citrus and lemon pith with a fresh acid drive behind some salivating yeast lees texture. Simply delish! 2023 Bimbadgen Growers Hunter Valley Semillon RRP $28.00A superb Semillon perfect for early drinking or cellar for up to five years to see it become more complex. Pale straw in colour with vital aromas of lime and lemongrass. Zippy palate of zesty grapefruit, filled with crunchy acidity on the long finish. Drink now with fresh oysters or cellar for up to 5 years. 2023 De Iuliis Wilderness Road Vineyard Semillon RRP $45.00Elegance with intensity, starting with a lifted lemon & Kaffic lime bouquet that seamlessly moves onto a palate welding lemon zest & grapefruit. The minerality and acidity blend into a single stream of mouth watering flavours. 2022 Glandore Wines Oakey Creek Semillon RRP $80.00Glandore’s classic wine making approach has resulted in the creation of an award-winning Semillon, sourced from the prestigious Oakey Creek Vineyard. Showing almost no colour you would be forgiven for thinking there was water in the glass though the abundant aromas of lemon pith, fresh cut orange and delicate wet grass from a wet year, will soon change your mind. Clean and lively, these characters are what we are looking for in great Semillon. 2022 Tintilla Angus Semillon RRP $33.00The grapes were handpicked, destemmed and pressed with minimal skin contact to avoid bitterness and only the free run juice is used. The must is cooled before undergoing a controlled fermentation in a stainless steel tank and early bottling to harness this wine's freshness and vitality. This wine is unoaked in the classic Hunter tradition. 2022 Parched Crow Wines Semillon RRP $30.00This Semillon displays a delightful floral & crisp nose with a delicately zesty palate. Expressing length and fine structure, you can relish this Semillon for another 10 years. 2022 Stomp! Semillon RRP $28.00 Drunk young, an orchard of fresh, zesty, citrus fruits drive the palate. With cellaring the strong acid backbone will soften and it will mature gracefully developing toasty, honey characteristics. Off Dry, perfect for those with a sweet tooth 2022 Wild Ren Wines Off Dry Semillon RRP $30.00Aromas of candied citrus and tropical fruits with crisp apples on the palate. A balance of acidity and sweetness with a refreshing finish. 2022 Thomas Wines Six Degrees Semillon RRP: $25.00Vibrant pale straw/green colour in the glass, the perfume immediately affirms a wine of vitality and freshness. The aromas are of Thai spice, citrus blossom and green apple, while flavours rush across the palate with refreshing acidity dragging crisp, gently sweet citrus fruit flavours along for the ride. The balance of acidity and gentle sweetness make for a wonderfully (and rapidly!) drinkable wine, set for warm days, good times, and spicy foods. 2022 Gundog Estate Off-Dry Semillon RRP $25.00This is a modern style of wine that serves to illustrate the versatility of Hunter Valley Semillon. The wine strikes a fine balance of acidity, alcohol and sweetness to offer an amazingly refreshing semi-sweet, low alcohol alternative. 2022 Pokolbin Estate Off-Dry Semillon RRP: $29.00Semillon being known for its high citric acidity can create aromas and flavours of lemons and limes. With a combination of residual sugars on this off-dry style, the wine can be left with a lemon sherbet presence that lingers on the palate. 2023 Scarborough Offshoot Off-Dry Semillon RRP $20.00 Slightly sweeter in style, the Off-Dry Semillon has tropical aromas of pineapple and crushed oranges with a hint of Cavendish & Harvey mixed fruit drops. The palate is rich and round with tropical fruit and hints of lemon spritz, finishing with summer pudding ripeness. 2022 Brokenwood Late Picked Semillon RRP $25.00Beautiful green/yellow colour with aromas of fresh apple and tropical fruits. These carry to the palate and are given a bit more prominence due to the slightly riper grapes. The sweetness is balanced by the fresh apple acidity that runs through to the finish. With just under 10.0% alcohol, this is a refreshing and easy drinking wine. 2023 THÉLÈME Off Dry Altre Semillon RRP $30.00This wine is an off dry style Semillon that displays pale lime colour, really fresh citrus nose, – grapefruit. Citrus/apple on the palate with a subtle hint of sweetness, retains a very fine structure and finish. Subtle acidity. Aged & Matured 2014 Bimbadgen Signature Palmers Lane Semillon RRP: $65.00A wine designed to age - this will cellar well for the next decade or more. Pale, quartz with green hues. Lifted perfume of white flowers, lemongrass and green apple. The palate is defined by juicy lemon lime acidity, framing a chalky minerality. 2016 Keith Tulloch Wine Hunter Valley Semillon Museum Release RRP $65.00Aromatic elements swirl with Meyer lemon and fresh cut apple, lifting with accents of white flower and traces of lemon curd. The palate echoes the aroma, a primary fruit nucleus of juicy lemon and white honey with lifted supporting notes of mint fresh finger lime. Extremely long and delicious flavour persistence, quite remarkable and so youthful, with many years of potential in the cellar to see its ultimate peak. 2017 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Cellar Aged Semillon RRP: $36.00Sourced exclusively from the Lovedale vineyard, Elizabeth has been a quintessential Hunter Valley Semillon since the early days. Aged for 5 years before release the wine is released in its optimal drinking window. The wine is fine, tight and pure. Reflective of the aromas, the wine tastes of fresh lemon and limes. The texture is light, bright and pure with a fresh line of acidity along the palate. The finish is fresh, dry and seamless. 2017 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon RRP $100.00At 6 years of age on release, the colour is just starting to show some development with yellow tints complimenting the green edges. Lifted lemon curd and floral notes heading to beeswax, brioche and toast. Lively Tahitian lime juice characters are backed by a superb, zesty acidity. The magic of Hunter Valley Semillon on display with texture, fruit weight and great length from a wine that sees no oak. The ILR Reserve Semillon is released only from the best years and the 2017 is a beauty 2017 Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore RRP $70.00Brilliant medium lemon colour with a vibrant green hue. An elaborate nose of fresh citrus and stone fruits and hints of dandelion tea, flint, toasted sourdough and grilled nuts. The palate is just entering the realm of bottle age complexity. The flavour delivers waves of barbequed lemon and lime, ripe pear and starfruit alongside lemongrass, roasted cashew nuts and buttered toast, just to name a few. Its seductive and saline texture is balanced by a soft yet lively acidity. More

Wine Selectors' Heart of the Hunter

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Wine Dine Stay Explore Wine & Dine

This article has been supplied by Wine Selectors.

Vintage 2023 Overview

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Wine Wine Industry

After challenging 2021 and 2022 vintages from La Nina weather patterns and significant flooding in the Hunter Valley in July 2022. Resulting from 300mm of rain in four days. Vintage 2023 was shaping up as another wet and difficult season.

Top fireside spots to warm up this Winter in Wine Country

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Dine Stay [[ HAS ASSOCIATED OPERATORS ]] Winter

It’s not only lap cats and dogs who like to snuggle up by the warmth and glow of a fire and bask in the heat. Many of us humans enjoy relaxing and snuggling up by the fireside just as much, both at home and when away. There’s something welcoming and comforting about a fireplace that can make you feel completely at home whilst on a holiday. When the weather cools down, the Hunter Valley is always ready to turn the heat up with plenty of winter warmer options. From fiery outdoor bonfires, to intimate in-house log fires, there is something for a range of occasions. So, grab your partner, a hearty bottle of Hunter Shiraz, and a bag of marshmallows for the ideal, low-key Hunter Valley Winter date. Here are our top fireside date spots this Winter in Wine Country.

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Operator IDs
57022, 142440, 95874, 96487, 14190, 970334, 98266, 56695, 141154, 25393, 15763, 56718

Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival returns next weekend

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Wine Events Lovedale [[ HAS ASSOCIATED OPERATORS ]] Winter

Friday June 16, 2023

A stellar line-up of wineries, brewers and entertainers confirmed for 2023 Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival – Saturday 24 June, 2023

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25393

Winmark Wins Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year & Shortlisted by Halliday for Best New Winery

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Wine Industry

MEDIA RELEASE 14 June 2023

Thomas Trifecta - Andrew Thomas named Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year for the 3rd Time

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Wine Industry

MEDIA RELEASE 13 June 2023

Annual Hunter Valley Legends Awards celebrates the achievements of past, present and future

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Wine [[ HAS ASSOCIATED OPERATORS ]] Wine Industry

MEDIA RELEASE 9 June 2023

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56677, 139693, 141188, 57046, 95874, 128470, 30060

Winery Walkabouts: Winery trails by foot in the Hunter Valley

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Wine

If you have ever visited the Hunter Valley before, you will know how far our rolling vineyards and hills span. With a handful of unique subregions, the easiest way to get about the region is by vehicle of course. However, if you are in the region and do not have a car or want to sip more than a glass or two, there are a handful of winery clusters that you can explore easily by foot. Here are some of the easiest winery walks by foot.

20 things to do in the Hunter Valley this Winter

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Wine Dine Events Explore Winter

As winter blankets the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley, a captivating transformation takes place. The crisp air carries whispers of enchantment, and the landscape emerges in a new guise, inviting visitors to explore the region's winter wonders.

Whether you're a lover of fine wines, a nature enthusiast, or a seeker of cultural delights, the Hunter Valley offers a diverse tapestry of activities that will leave you spellbound.

Ecovineyards Program launches at four vineyards in the Hunter Valley

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Wine Industry Sustainability

Last year, Wine Australia announced a new three year $2.2 million regionally-based program that will support winegrape growers to plant cover crops, enhance soil health and increase functional biodiversity in vineyards around the country.

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THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

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Friday June 16, 2023

A stellar line-up of wineries, brewers and entertainers confirmed for 2023 Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival – Saturday 24 June, 2023

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