Hunter Valley Wineries
Hunter Valley Wineries
4.5
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4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
3
SydneyGazza
Rozelle, Australia178 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
What a rip off the wineries up here have become. Was last here about 25 years ago and what a great experience it was then. Tour around the different wineries and enjoy complimentary tasting of 3 or 4 wines, buy a bottle then move on to the next one. A great day out. Now, have to make a booking, you get about an hour and incredibly small embarrasing samples of 4 or 5 wines, and out of pocket $20-30!!! A complete rip off. Will never come back 😡😡
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RipoffMc M
1 contribution
Oct 2014 • Family
I bought a box of 6 Black Label Reds for $72 at their cellar door ($20 per bottle if buying single)
But after back home and checked on their own website, they sell $60 per box of 6 !!!!
And Dan Murphy sells $6 per bottle and even cheaper per box (normal price) : $35
Called the Cellar door and the person tried to beat around the bush for the price !!!!
This will be on my black list permanently.
There may be similar stories from other cellar doors as well so beware.... check before you buy.
But after back home and checked on their own website, they sell $60 per box of 6 !!!!
And Dan Murphy sells $6 per bottle and even cheaper per box (normal price) : $35
Called the Cellar door and the person tried to beat around the bush for the price !!!!
This will be on my black list permanently.
There may be similar stories from other cellar doors as well so beware.... check before you buy.
Written 6 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hermyleen
74 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
There's so many great places to visit, each time we come here we try and visit new vineyards but there's ones you have to keep going back too and this list seems to keep growing; great place for a weekend away. Vineyards we would love to visit again - peter son house, piggy Peake, briar ridge, Lucy's run, Audrey wilkinson, Thomas Allen wines & tulloch.
Written 13 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BabyGnochi
Australia25 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Been on several winery tours in WA & NSW and Almighty Transport has to be the least favourite of any I have experienced.
We booked a costly private charter and all found the driver/guide to be cheerless, unfriendly, unaccommodating and majorly lacking customer service skills. AND we were dropped back an hour early!!!
We had a great time amongst ourselves but found he brought the mood down at times. Anyone who has been on a tour knows that part of the experience is having a good humoured, knowledgable and friendly driver, after all you are there to have fun.
Also, despite paying for a charter and requesting at the time of booking to leave out Cheese Shop visit we were still brought to the Cheese shop. Having also requested at the time of booking a visit to Ballaboureen winery it was not incorporated into the itinerary. No apology was given and I found this pretty bad form.
I wont go with this company again. For Hunter Valley I would hands down recommend TEX TOURS. Unfortunately he was booked out this time around (because he is insanely good at his job & word of mouth sees him very busy) but next time!!!
We booked a costly private charter and all found the driver/guide to be cheerless, unfriendly, unaccommodating and majorly lacking customer service skills. AND we were dropped back an hour early!!!
We had a great time amongst ourselves but found he brought the mood down at times. Anyone who has been on a tour knows that part of the experience is having a good humoured, knowledgable and friendly driver, after all you are there to have fun.
Also, despite paying for a charter and requesting at the time of booking to leave out Cheese Shop visit we were still brought to the Cheese shop. Having also requested at the time of booking a visit to Ballaboureen winery it was not incorporated into the itinerary. No apology was given and I found this pretty bad form.
I wont go with this company again. For Hunter Valley I would hands down recommend TEX TOURS. Unfortunately he was booked out this time around (because he is insanely good at his job & word of mouth sees him very busy) but next time!!!
Written 5 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calypso2
Surfers Paradise, Australia159 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Hunter Valley Tourism
I have been visiting the Hunter Wine District mainly Pokolbin, for many years now and have stayed there nearly 20 times as well as taking many other people there. I can remember when the only accommodation was in Cessnock. After a few years absence following a move interstate I paid a visit with my partner in May. I have always enjoyed my visits there and have been amazed at the growth and development, mostly good. It is also nice to see the Broke Road decently surfaced as it is a major artery through Pokolbin. The coal tracks had done a lot of damage in the past and I had addressed this with Council and the State Government.
My main concerns this time are as follows:-
The range of wines available for tasting at cellar to appear to be somewhat reduced, not as good a choice as before.
The thimble full of wine offered for “tasting” now hardly wets the palate, let alone gives one an opportunity to scent the nose, let alone allowing the taster to get the flavour around the pallet.
Wine prices are over the top now, where most of us would buy cartons we only took a few bottles, and will head back to the likes of Dan Murphy for far better value.
I really love the Hunter Valley Gardens and the adjoining Village shops and chapel but the new ferris wheel is totally out of place, standing like a beacon on show throughout he area. I trust that it is not going to become another Gold Coast style theme park-but keep on with the winter snow coming up soon.
There is a good choice of dining, though generally there are only a few top end restaurants open in the evening, many others close at 5, thank goodness for Harrigan’s
Some of the people at the cellar doors said things were very quiet now, I understand the seasonality, but hope this doesn’t continue and they price themselves out of the market.
I hope you take these as constructive comments, I’d hate to se a shut down in the valley. I have had some experience to base this on having worked in the travel and tourism industry, domestically and overseas for around 40 years.
Regards
Barry Jones
I have been visiting the Hunter Wine District mainly Pokolbin, for many years now and have stayed there nearly 20 times as well as taking many other people there. I can remember when the only accommodation was in Cessnock. After a few years absence following a move interstate I paid a visit with my partner in May. I have always enjoyed my visits there and have been amazed at the growth and development, mostly good. It is also nice to see the Broke Road decently surfaced as it is a major artery through Pokolbin. The coal tracks had done a lot of damage in the past and I had addressed this with Council and the State Government.
My main concerns this time are as follows:-
The range of wines available for tasting at cellar to appear to be somewhat reduced, not as good a choice as before.
The thimble full of wine offered for “tasting” now hardly wets the palate, let alone gives one an opportunity to scent the nose, let alone allowing the taster to get the flavour around the pallet.
Wine prices are over the top now, where most of us would buy cartons we only took a few bottles, and will head back to the likes of Dan Murphy for far better value.
I really love the Hunter Valley Gardens and the adjoining Village shops and chapel but the new ferris wheel is totally out of place, standing like a beacon on show throughout he area. I trust that it is not going to become another Gold Coast style theme park-but keep on with the winter snow coming up soon.
There is a good choice of dining, though generally there are only a few top end restaurants open in the evening, many others close at 5, thank goodness for Harrigan’s
Some of the people at the cellar doors said things were very quiet now, I understand the seasonality, but hope this doesn’t continue and they price themselves out of the market.
I hope you take these as constructive comments, I’d hate to se a shut down in the valley. I have had some experience to base this on having worked in the travel and tourism industry, domestically and overseas for around 40 years.
Regards
Barry Jones
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugary1
Sydney, Australia8,029 contributions
Dec 2016
A great place to start your trip. Sit in the coffee shop after gathering all the information booklets from the centre next door. Plan the day using the maps and guides. Check which places have food or are just wineries. Look at the opening times and days as they are not all open 7 days so don't waste time going to one to find it closed. Have a designated driver if you plan your own trip. There is a police presence in the area.
Written 4 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine125
Brisbane, Australia33 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
My favourite wineries - Allandale - fantastic friendly winemaker, great Chardonnay, Sparkling Gewurtz, all were good. Scarborough - great Chardonnay, Verdehlo and Pinot Noir. Petersons Champagne House - did a nice sparkling dessert wine. Tyrells - yes it's a large commercial one, but the tour was excellent and informative, plus plenty of helpful staff to give you tastings. Brokenwood - excellent Semillon of course. GunDog (Jane) - wonderful, friendly and helpful staff - great Semillon. De-Illuis - wonderful wines paired with the Fat Blokes cheese tasting tour - superb! Margan Estate - only 20min drive for an amazing meal & fantastic wine - try the smoke & mirrors. Hungerford Hill - the Epic Wine Tasting lunch was AMAZING (Beck).
Written 18 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Burroughs85
Colorado Springs, CO20 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
My sister and I did an afternoon wine tasting trip using the Yellow Brick Road guide that can be rented from the Hunter Valley Visitor Center or reserved online here: http://www.ybg2.com/. We enjoyed all the fresh tastes and friendly staff of the Hunter Valley vineyards. Many of them are family owned and not in the international market, so be sure to buy a bottle or two to savor during the rest of your holiday in Australia. My favorite wines were found at Poole's Rock Wines: http://www.cockfightersghost.com.au/cellar-door/. I prefer dry light to medium bodied red wines, preferably Rioja / Tempranillo and Malbec. Hopefully that helps you determine if my recommendation of Hunter Valley is one that you would like to take.
Written 10 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathal H
Sydney, Australia7 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
A friend kindly organised a day out in the Hunter valley yesterday. 14 of us (all girls) traveled on an organised tour (package included travel from Sydney, 5 wineries, lunch etc). We had a fab day and were thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Each winery advised us about their wines, explained each one in detail, and were very polite and friendly providing a professional service.
Unfortunately the last winery put a dampener on the day. We arrived to Iron Bark Hill to finish off a great day....We were seated inside and there were 2 other customers there so it was nice and quiet. We did not receive any wine list to complement the tasting. The hostess/ salesperson was not friendly and immediately set an awkward uncomfortable tone feeling among the group. She poured us some wine and did not fully explain what it was we were tasting and walked away from the group everytime she poured the wine. When she returned, if there was wine left in the glass, she would pour it out or asked if i would like to just "chug it". I found this very rude. Throughout the day i had enjoyed myself, purchased 1/2 bottles in each winery and thanked the host/hostess for a lovely time. Here i did not enjoy myself and did not wish to buy any wine. The group failed to buy any also because of the way we were treated.. a poor performance for a salesperson and their business in my opinion.
Overall Hunter is a great place and this was my fourth time to visit the area. I will not return to this winery however.
Unfortunately the last winery put a dampener on the day. We arrived to Iron Bark Hill to finish off a great day....We were seated inside and there were 2 other customers there so it was nice and quiet. We did not receive any wine list to complement the tasting. The hostess/ salesperson was not friendly and immediately set an awkward uncomfortable tone feeling among the group. She poured us some wine and did not fully explain what it was we were tasting and walked away from the group everytime she poured the wine. When she returned, if there was wine left in the glass, she would pour it out or asked if i would like to just "chug it". I found this very rude. Throughout the day i had enjoyed myself, purchased 1/2 bottles in each winery and thanked the host/hostess for a lovely time. Here i did not enjoy myself and did not wish to buy any wine. The group failed to buy any also because of the way we were treated.. a poor performance for a salesperson and their business in my opinion.
Overall Hunter is a great place and this was my fourth time to visit the area. I will not return to this winery however.
Written 11 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manlybeachmum
manly9 contributions
Scarborough in the Hunter Valley is a beautiful boutique winery. It is a standout from the major ones on so many levels. The care and time that the staff give to their customers is outstanding. From a sitdown tasting at a table with a little cheese, crackers and dried fruit to highlight the wines, to a placemat with the names of each wine you have tasted so you don't forget which was what! Oh, and the wines especially their Semillion are DEVINE!
Written 7 September 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. Would you able to tell me if you have double superior bedrooms next to each other for families traveling with teens ( so that you can fit 2 adults in one bedroom and 2 teens in the other sup double bedroom)? As it looks like the quadruple room or the 2 bedroom apartment are already booked. Thanks
Written 26 February 2015
Ii do not manage this accommodation. I suggest you contact the proprietors directly. However, I did note during our visit that our chalet could have one or two bed rooms. There was a smaller apartment with a bedroom and bathroom on the side that could be used separately or in conjunction with the larger apartment which had a bedroom, living room and kitchen.
Written 27 February 2015
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