Hunter Valley Cellar Doors
One of Australia’s oldest wine regions has seen a sizeable shake-up in the way historic wineries approach the humble cellar door.
Traditionally, the cellar door has existed as a middle point between the agricultural world of the vigneron and the world of the taster. It’s the best place to experience the wine closest to where it was grown, aged, and bottled. For any oenophile, or just a fan of a particular producer, a visit to their cellar door is simply a non-negotiable.
The resurgence of the Hunter Valley as a modern winegrowing region — no thanks to the huge influx of viticultural tourism following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions — has prompted many establishments to rethink and refurbish their cellar doors. Now, these venues are sprawling, gastronomic experiences that offer more than a simple wine-tasting flight (although don’t worry, that’s not going anywhere). The new and improved spaces embody just how far this special landscape has come.
Only a short two-hour drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley cellar door experience is a stellar weekend plan waiting to unfold. Here are the best cellar doors to visit in 2023, including a mix of newly-updated spots and traditional crowd favourites.
Mount Pleasant
One of Australia’s oldest wineries, Mount Pleasant, has refurbished its cellar door and opened it to the public in July 2022. Designer Rachel Luchetti has brought to life the spectacular grange-style building, surrounded by rolling hills lined with vines. Inside, the dining room walls are decorated with artworks from contemporary Australian and international artists like Garry Shead and Bill Hensen.
From every window, there are panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards, a comforting background as you taste through the range of electric Semillons, supple Pinot Noirs and the mouth-coating Shiraz offerings.
Since the days of former winemakers Maurice O’Shea and Phil Ryan, the Hunter Valley has seen a massive shift in dynamic and operation. Now, winemaker Adrian Sparks has curated five tasting flights for guests to pick their own journey through the winemaking pedigree at Mount Pleasant.
On weekends in summer, Mount Pleasant hosts lobster rolls and Semillon pairing — a gastronomic event that redefined our expectations of modern picnic food. As one of the newest entries in the Hunter Valley cellar door syndicate, Mount Pleasant is well worth a stop-off.
Location: 401 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin, 2320
Must Try: The Lovedale Semillon is top of its class, as is the Maurice O’Shea Shiraz.
Brokenwood
Brokenwood unveiled its 1400-square metre cellar door development in 2021, the first replacement of the original venue which was built in 1975. It is one of the largest cellar doors in the Hunter Valley and hosts tasting and dining experiences, making it ideal for large group bookings, whether that be on the long tables outside or the private dining spaces within.
Inside, guests can make full use of the sprawling main tasting room, two smaller private tasting rooms, two intimate dining rooms, a detailed wine museum and lounge area. The broader venue also has two dining options helmed by Andrew and Janet Wright, one casual eatery, Cru Bar + Pantry and a modern dining space, The Wood Restaurant.
Location: 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin, 2320
Must Try: The ILR Semillon and Graveyard Shiraz are the mainstays on the tasting menu.
Krinklewood
A boutique cellar door inspired by the rustic charm of Provencal France, Krinklewood’s biodynamic wine offerings shine in this bucolic setting. You’ll find the Krinklewood cellar door down in the Broke Fordwich valley in the southern subregion of the Hunter Valley.
Krinklewood has been farming biodynamically since 2007, resulting in clean, pure expressions of each of the varietals they farm with — and it’s better for the environment too. There’s plenty of wildlife roaming between the vineyards, and even sitting near the cellar door, there’s a calming buzz of natural activity stemming from the visiting bees to the roaming peacocks. Former Pedestrian TV founder Oscar Martin purchased the 59ha property in 2020 and has since made improvements to the cellar door, including an elegant indoor seating option. Martin is also in the process of building an eco-housing project on the grounds in collaboration with architect Peter Stutchbury.
It’s certainly a unique cellar door experience when visiting the Hunter Valley.
Location: 712 Wollombi Road, Broke, 2330.
Must Try: Their Chardonnay is bright and lively, going against the grain of the style of the region.
Briar Ridge
In the most recent James Halliday wine awards, Briar Ridge took out a top award for their Albariño. Traditionally a Spanish varietal, it’s one of the many left-of-centre white varietals finding new homes across Australia. In the Hunter, while Semillon and Shiraz have been the most consistent, it’s these other varietals that are seeing evolutions in texture, complexity, and flavour from their European siblings, particularly at Briar Ridge.
Perched on a mountainside, nestled in the idyllic country landscape of the Hunter, Briar Ridge’s cellar door is open seven days a week, and has earned rank as a five-star rated winery from James Halliday’s guide. Although the rustic cellar door remains unchanged, it has received renewed attention thanks to a recent award win. A no-frills, easygoing tasting with Briar Ridge won’t cost you the world and includes up to 45 minutes with one of the hosts. Each flight will be tailored to your preferences, as well as including a small complimentary cheese plate to go alongside the wines.
Location: 593 Mount View Road, Mount View, 2325.
Must Try: Their award-winning Albariño
Lake’s Folly
Editor’s note: As of January, Lake’s Folly is sold out of wine and will reopen the cellar door in April, 2023.
Tipped as Australia’s first boutique winery, as well as the makers of the most-collected cabernet in Australia — according to wine cellaring specialists Wineark — Lake’s Folly and its cellar should be on the list to visit for any wine enthusiast. As one of the first in the Hunter Valley to go against the widely planted varietals of Shiraz, Semillon, and pinot noir, Dr Max Lake instead chose to plant cabernet — hence the name Lake’s Folly. With the massive success of the label, he managed to prove his doubters wrong.
Production is small, so it’s worth getting to Lake’s Folly as close to April as possible to taste the new vintages of his Cabernets and Chardonnay before they hit the (very exclusive) mailing list — and eventually sell out. A visit to the cellar door offers an opportunity to taste two styles that are at the pinnacle in their class. Both wines are consistently award-winning wines, and after tasting, you’ll understand why. Find Lake’s Folly on Broke Road, just down from another classic in Petersons Wines.
Location: 2416 Broke Rd, Pokolbin, 2320.
Must Try: The Cabernets are the flagship and a leading example of the style in Australia.
What is your preferred Hunter Valley cellar door? Join us in the comments below.