Unique Wine Tasting Experiences in Hunter Valley
Let’s embark on a delightful journey through the picturesque vineyards of Hunter Valley, where wine flows like poetry and every sip tells a story. Here are ten unique wine tasting experiences that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you with memories to cherish:
Latitude 33 Wines: Wine and Dumpling Pairing
Latitude 33 Winery, nestled amidst rolling hills, offers a delightful twist on traditional wine tasting. Picture this: a flight of their finest wines paired with handmade dumplings. The delicate flavors of the dumplings—whether steamed, fried, or pan-seared—complement the wines beautifully. Try their Pinot Noir with pork dumplings or the Chardonnay with vegetarian dumplings. It’s a match made in culinary heaven.
Saltaire Estate: Wine Cocktails by the Lake
Saltaire Estate knows how to elevate your wine experience. Head to their lakeside terrace, where mixology meets viticulture. Sip on refreshing wine-based cocktails—the “Sunset Spritz” with rosé, elderflower, and citrus, or the “Verdelicious” with Verdelho and mint. The serene water views add an extra layer of magic.
Bimbadgen Estate: Twilight Tastings
As the sun dips below the horizon, Bimbadgen Estate comes alive. Their twilight tastings offer a sensory feast: sample their award-winning Semillon as the sky blushes pink. The estate’s amphitheater hosts live music, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Don’t miss the Shiraz—it’s like velvet in a glass.
Tyrrell’s Wines: Heritage Cellar Experience
Step back in time at Tyrrell’s Wines. Explore their historic underground cellar, where ancient oak barrels cradle rare vintages. Taste the legacy of generations—their iconic Vat 1 Semillon or the rich Old Patch Shiraz. The whispers of history linger in every sip.
Brokenwood Wines: Cheese and Charcuterie Pairing
Brokenwood’s rustic cellar door invites you to indulge in a sensory symphony. Sample their aged Cabernet Sauvignon alongside artisanal cheeses and cured meats. The earthy notes of the wine dance with creamy brie and spicy chorizo. Pure bliss.
Audrey Wilkinson: Helicopter Vineyard Tour
For a touch of adventure, take to the skies with Audrey Wilkinson. A helicopter ride over the vineyards reveals the patchwork of vines and the undulating landscape. Touch down for a private tasting overlooking the valley. Their Gewürztraminer is a revelation.
Pepper Tree Wines: Barrel Room Blending Workshop
Ever fancied being a winemaker? Pepper Tree Wines invites you to their barrel room. Learn the art of blending—mix Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot to create your own masterpiece. Bottle it, label it, and take home your personalized blend.
Scarborough Wine Co.: Picnic Amongst the Vines
Scarborough Wine Co. encourages you to slow down. Grab a picnic basket, a bottle of their crisp Chardonnay, and find a shady spot amidst the vines. The gentle breeze carries the scent of eucalyptus. It’s a moment to savor life’s simple pleasures.
Gartelmann Wines: Chocolate and Fortified Wine Pairing
Gartelmann Wines invites you into their cozy tasting room. Here, they pair their luscious fortified wines—Muscat and Tawny—with artisanal chocolates. The combination of velvety sweetness and dark cocoa is divine. Close your eyes; let the flavors envelop you.
Ivanhoe Wines: Sunset Yoga and Rosé
Ivanhoe Wines celebrates wellness and wine. Join their sunset yoga session overlooking the vineyard. Afterward, reward yourself with a glass of their blush-hued Rosé. The harmony of body, mind, and wine—we call it “Namaste in a Glass.”
If the allure of Hunter Valley’s wineries has you dreaming of vineyard-hopping without a care in the world, worry not! Ted’s Tours is your trusted companion. Picture this: a comfortable minibus winding through scenic roads, while you sit back, sip wine, and soak in the views. Ted, our friendly and knowledgeable driver, ensures you arrive safely at each winery, leaving you free to indulge in tastings, pairings, and vineyard strolls. So, gather your fellow wine enthusiasts, raise your glasses, and let Ted handle the rest. Cheers to a carefree wine adventure!
Making the most of your Wine Tour
As well as basking in the beauty of a fabulous vineyard with your equally fabulous friends, a wine tour is a golden opportunity to ponder one of life's great questions; what IS this delicious drop and how did it get to be so glorious!?
In preparation for your day out in wine country, we've compiled some top tips that will ensure you make the most of your time and take in all that a wine tasting has to offer.
Cellar doors are the perfect place to learn about wine-making and how to taste wine, like, really taste it. It's not necessarily about identifying every top note or tannin (although you will hear plenty of this jargon throughout the day) but rather it's discovering which wines you like and WHY you like them.
You may not identify every flavour nor every technical characteristic of the wine, but you will know if you enjoy it or not, and if there's a wine you particularly enjoy, ask more about that wine, variety and process. There are literally THOUSANDS of grape varietals, most of which you'll never even have heard of, so ask the producer to recommend wines similar to those you've enjoyed the most. Next time you're browsing the shelves of Dan's or perusing a wine list, you can branch out, be an assertive orderer and go by real-life knowledge (rather than the prettiest label or most attractive $$$..!)
There's undoubtedly a correlation between drinking like a fish and having a memory like a fish, and what an awful shame it would be to leave your wine tour, having interrogated the cellar hand so vigourously, without remembering a single word of winery wisdom. In between snapping those shots for the gram, take notes on your phone or go old school and scribble them down in a notebook or on the back of a receipt. At the very least, write down the wines you loved and the wines you didn't love so much, so that you know what to hit and what to miss next time you're offered a drop.
Wines don't bite, so try them all! Don't limit yourself by sticking only to the colours/grapes/flavours that you already know - or thought you knew. This is the time to mix it up and allow the sommelier to take the lead with new twists on old classics and unfamiliar but exciting flavours as well as some amazing regional varieties that you didn't even know existed. And if you're not proven wrong, then you'll also go home feeling extra smug that you weren't outsmarted by the sommelier. Wine tastings are perfect because you're not committing to an entire glass. You should have enough of a sample to swill, sniff, sip, savour, sip again and then decide. Yay or nay, thank u, next.
We absolutely love car snacks but to get the most from your tasting experience we advise not to eat or drink things like lollies, mints or fruit prior to your tasting as they will interfere with your taste and/or smell. Leave plenty of time after your morning coffee and cleaning your teeth, and avoid chewing gum as these can all alter your palate. Smoking and strong mints affect the tasting experience and even the smell of smoke or heavy perfumes can throw people off, so bear that in mind! Less of the schtinky, better the drinky!
If you've been nominated as fairy godmother/father of the wine tour, there can be a lot of pressure planning the perfect day. Have a chat with your gang and establish early on if there are special requests. Are they a group of red-lovers? Are they primarily there for the views? Are there some who aren't actually that keen on wine and would prefer a spirits or brewery tasting? If you're taking children with you, ask your tour provider to include venues which have activities to entertain the kids - some even offer child-friendly tastings. If you or a friend has a pup that they can't bear to leave at home, know that there are plenty of wineries which allow furry friends and some that even offer pooch platters. There is something for EVERYONE and the more info you can give to our bookings team, the more satisfaction they can guarantee - making YOU look like an absolute king or queen.
What better way to honour the winery and their hard working team than by buying a bottle full of the fruits of their labours. It's been a rough couple of years - you deserve it, they deserve it, we all deserve it! You'll have a special souvenir to take with you to the next dinner party where you can share your stories and show off your finely tuned vine knowledge (just make it up if you have to!) There is plenty of space on board our vehicles to store your goodies and you’ll find many wineries offer exclusive limited release bottles - not sold anywhere else. Check YOU out.
What to wear on a Wine Tour?
You've booked your Ted’s Wine Tour, you’ve gathered the gang or roped in your very own boyfriend or girlfriend of Instagram and you’re just about ready to capture those picture-perfect moments.
Whilst you may have nailed the subtly smug “look at me as I relax candidly with chilled vino in hand” pose, there’s one question left to answer...
You've booked your Ted’s Wine Tour, you’ve gathered the gang or roped in your very own boyfriend or girlfriend of Instagram and you’re just about ready to capture those picture-perfect moments.
Whilst you may have nailed the subtly smug “look at me as I relax candidly with chilled vino in hand” pose, there’s one question left to answer...
TOP TIP #1
TREASURE YOUR TOOTSIES
You'll be on your feet all day (unless you’ve really over-indulged and your friends are having to carry you out😉) so you’ll want to make sure your feet aren’t throbbing by the end of it. Wearing comfortable shoes is an absolute must on a wine tour.
That’s not to say you have to stick to sneakers or invest in a pair of crocs (now that’s a vibe) but if you’re going for heels, opt for wedge, block or sandal style – many wineries will have gravel or cobble-stoned pathways and you don’t want to sink into a slightly soggy lawn! If you are rocking your swankiest sneakers - make sure they’re worn in and you’re not going to end up limping and blistered, and the same goes for boots - which are a great option in winter as it can get fresh in those valleys!
Get your shoes right and you’ll be happy whatever the weather.
TOP TIP #2
ERR ON THE DRESSY SIDE OF CASUAL
Cellar doors are beautifully aesthetic venues - from rustic chic barns to interiors that rival contemporary art galleries, often overlooking stunning valleys and luscious vines. It’s photo opportunity galore and it’s GLORIOUS.
Winemakers are proud of their produce and put a lot of effort into making their guests feel special, and nothing kick starts a day of feeling special than donning your fanciest frock or finest linens in anticipation of a fangirling frenzy from your friends.
Here at Ted’s we love a flowing, floral dress, elegant cuts in muted tones complimented by a linen blazer, those statement pants that scream LOOK AT ME I'M WILD, jokes not really but these pants sure are... Look good, feel fabulous - but heed our advice and INCORPORATE COMFORT into your chosen garb.
A wine tour can make for a long day so be good to yourself and choose something that looks great and feels effortless. After all, it’ll be hard to capture those glamourous "candids” if you’re constantly readjusting yourself, grimacing at a pinched zip or some dastardly chafe!
Elevated comfort is what it’s all about.
TOP TIP #3
LOW MAINTENANCE LUSHNESS
We are HUGE fans of a vibrant lip, but when you’re wine tasting it’s sometimes better to stick to something more fuss-free like a lipbalm/chapstick. Glass after glass, verdelho after vermentino, unless you want to spend half your day reapplying your favourite MAC (and we know how much you spent on that...) then we recommended keeping lips plump and moist with an easy breezy balm instead.
The dish piglets will thank you for it too!
We also recommend you avoid wearing too heavy a perfume; wine tasting relies on your sense of smell, so allow yourself to be immersed in a full sensory experience and skip the strong scents. But please don’t forget to apply deodorant...
Less is more, unless you’re asking about the size of the pour!
TOP TIP #4
POCKETS, PURSES AND POSSESSIONS
You'd be surprised how many people call us the days after their tour looking for misplaced clutches, phones and wallets. With multiple venues visited throughout the day and increasing amounts of the good juice reaching your gullets, we inevitably get caught up in the excitement and a bit forgetful with our valuables.
Bring a small purse or handbag with a strap to carry your phone, wallet and the essentials you’ll need to keep you fresh throughout the day, or at least pick an outfit with deep, billowing pockets (we’re slowly but surely getting there, ladies!) to keep your possessions at hand.
Accessorize like your life (and the whereabouts of your phone) depends on it!
TOP TIP #5
WATCH THE WEATHER!
Most venues will be able to cater for all weather scenarios, and will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but transiting from your vehicle to the cellar door will undoubtedly expose you to the elements even for a short while and you’ll want to be prepared – especially as you’ve put in so much effort to look SCHMICK.
Whether your pre-outing gander of BOM prompts you to pack a brolly or the Factor 50, it takes mere moments and could save you a lot of discomfort. It’s OK to over-prepare as you can leave any belongings on your private Ted’s tour bus.
Everywhere you go, always take the weather app with you.
So there we have it, our top tips for looking tip-top on your very own Ted’s Tour! Head to our instagram page for inspo and to see what our other guests have adorned on their vino-ventures :)