Experience The Flavours Of Hunter Valley Wineries

Hunter Valley wineries have earned a reputation for producing award-winning wines. Though small in comparison with great French houses and some estates in Spain or California, they make a big impact on their local economy. Visitors leave Sydney for the Blue Mountains, going in search of tranquillity and bottles they will probably not find on the shelves of city shops.

Vintners from around the world have noticed that even a difference of a few miles creates diversity of soil composition within a single region. As elevation rises or drops and soil changes, growing conditions become favourable for particular sorts of grapes. Semillon and Syrah have earned a strong reputation in the Hunter Valley. Vineyards here also contain Chardonnay, Verdelho plus several other varietals.

A number of vineyards are grown by owners of boutique wineries. This means wine-makers only produce vintages from small batches, yielding just a few hundred or maybe a thousand bottles of each varietal every year. Customers have to purchase these directly from the business, over the phone, or via the internet. Such bottles are not sold in regular stores and are sometimes costly items worth collecting. Their value might increase after a few years, or their owners could just let them sit until they reach the ideal age for drinking. Good wine is worth waiting for.

There are a great many estates to visit. Visitors would do well to plan-out their tour before starting since not all businesses open their doors to tours. Those that welcome guests often require advanced bookings and might only accept small groups. Take time to visit these sites, though, including some dating back over a century.

Also check which ones are open for tasting. Their hours might be limited and there could be a fee for tasting, but it is common practise for wineries to take this fee off the cost of any bottles the customer purchases. The answers to these questions will help you narrow down your selection of places to visit.

The Blue Mountains have plenty to offer besides wineries. Estates benefit from a stunning natural backdrop. This is why many owners hire-out their property for private rental. They have become popular sites for weddings, receptions and conventions.

When a business diversifies, it can overcome a few hard years of poor crops and low sales. This goes for vintners as well. Wine and food go together so naturally that many have opened restaurants. They serve fine cuisine they are proud to pair with their own whites and reds. Others become guest houses offering a few rooms plus bed and breakfast. Since grapes grow well, it makes sense that other crops would also succeed. In this case, a busy establishment might grow and sell a range of produce and sell it next to bottles of Chardonnay.

Hunter Valley wineries are not always the main attraction that brings visitors to the area. Native species of animals, birds and plants draw people from the city into the mountains. The art community here is very busy. Admirers of original paintings and sculpture are likely to stumble upon a cellar door while in search of stunning works of art.