This series of posts will help visitors to the Hunter Valley plan great days out exploring the restaurants and wineries in the Hunter Valley without back-tracking, wasting time tasting wines you can find in your local Liquorland, or spending most of the day in the car.
For our confused Sound Advice horsey blog readers - we offer accommodation for Hipcampers at our property in Nulkaba - these posts will help our guests plan their stay with us.
DeBeyers Road runs parallel to the busy Magic Mile on Broke Road, but this road contains historic, original vineyards - even today - smaller businesses, run by families. DeBeyers Road is an opportunity to taste the OG in Pokolbin, DeBeyers Road is a great day out travelling just 4km. Four places with very different styles that should definitely be on your list - all on one road - are Audrey Wilkinson, Tulloch, McLeish Estate and Hunter's Quarter Restaurant. In this blog we will be exploring an itinerary, starting at Audrey Wilkinson and ending at Hunter's Quarter.
Audrey Wilkinson is a family-owned winery that has been producing wine for over 150 years. The winery sits on a hilltop that provides visitors with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and hills. The cellar door offers a range of wines, including the signature semillon, chardonnay, and shiraz. There are also guided tours of the winery and vineyard, which give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process. Call in advance to see if these tours are available. Our favourite wine here is the tempranillo, so don't miss it!
Right next door, Tulloch is another family-owned winery that has been producing wine for over 120 years. The cellar door at Tulloch is a beautifully restored historic building that offers a range of wine tastings, including some of the Hunter Valley's best-known varietals, such as semillon, chardonnay, and shiraz. The staff at Tulloch are friendly and knowledgeable, and are always happy to share their expertise about the wines they produce. Be aware that there is another Tulloch business in the Valley, so don't let your sat-nav take you off De Beyer's Rd). Michael and I disagree whether the cuvee or the prosecco are the better bubbles, so try both and give us your feedback.
McLeish Estate is a boutique winery that has won numerous awards for its wines over nearly forty years - including best Semillon in the world, 3 times. The cellar door at McLeish Estate overlooks the vineyard. The wines on offer include semillon, chardonnay, verdelho, and shiraz. With original McLeish's still serving behind the bar, visitors can expect a genuine opportunity to learn the winemaking process from the experts.
The menu at Hunter's Quarter is a fusion of contemporary Australian cuisine with European and Asian influences. The ingredients are sourced locally, and the menu changes seasonally, so diners can always expect fresh and innovative dishes.
Hunter's Quarter is open for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 3pm. An alternative if you are visiting on other days is Baume (at Ben Ean on McDonalds Road) which is 2.6km from McLeish Estate and is open 7 days.
If you're looking for a day trip from Sydney, or a relaxing day in the Valley visiting some of the cellar doors that are the real deal, without driving for miles, you can't go wrong with a visit to Audrey Wilkinson, Tulloch, McLeish Estate and Hunter's Quarter.
These four places offer a range of experiences that showcase the best of the Hunter Valley, from the stunning views at Audrey Wilkinson to the award-winning wines at McLeish Estate and Tulloch, and the locally sourced cuisine at Hunter's Quarter. Whether you're a wine lover or a foodie, you're sure to have a memorable experience at these amazing destinations.
We recommend you make the following bookings:
10.00 - 11.00 Audrey Wilkinson
11.15 - 12.15 Tulloch Wines
12.30 - 1.30pm Mcleish Estate
1.45 - 3.45 Hunter's Quarter
You will not need dinner. Prepare a cheese platter before you leave in the morning, and purchase one of your McLeish Wines cold to enjoy on your return to your accommodation.
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