Overview

This region encompasses the lower and upper Hunter Valley areas, which have traditionally been regarded as quite separate. They are, however, geographically linked by the umbilical cord of the Hunter River.

The Big Picture

Broke Fordwich is a registered subregion of the Lower Hunter area. The majority of the vineyards in the lower Hunter are situated on the extreme southern side of what is a broad and relatively flat valley nestled into the foothills of the Brokenback Range.  With a few exceptions, most notably Mount View, the hills are gentle and their gradients modest.

Hunter Wine Region

Climate

Statistics reveal that the climates of the two areas of the Hunter are similar. Perversely, the heat degree days summation of each is very high, with the majority of the rainfall occurring between January and April, blanketing the harvest.  However, the rain, the humidity, the afternoon cloud cover and weak sea breezes all act to ameliorate the impact of the heat, which would otherwise make the production of quality table wine very difficult, if not impossible.

Soil

As is indicated by the well-drained and moderately fertile black silty loams, the vineyards of the Upper Hunter are much closer to the river systems, notably the Hunter and Goulburn rivers, as well as tributaries such as Giants Creek.  Rows of vines are framed against the backdrop of rocky hillsides that add a sense of wild and untamed beauty to the landscape.

Wines

Semillon: Semillon is regarded as the great wine of the Hunter. It demands time in bottle, and rewards by developing from a vaguely grassy, lemony youth to a crescendo of honeyed, nutty, buttered toasty, palate pleasing richness at 10 to 20 years of age.

Chardonnay: Chardonnay started its Australia-wide reign when the late Murray Tyrrell produced the 1971 Vat 47 Pinot Chardonnay. Today, virtually every winery in the region produces a Chardonnay; some are richer or more complex, others are oakier but most have a "peaches-and-cream" character.  Opinions differ sharply about the keeping qualities of these wines. If varietal character is unimportant, then the deep golden, buttery, viscous opulence of aged Hunter Chardonnay will be extremely satisfying.

Shiraz: The Hunter Valley imprints its regional stamp on both Shiraz and Cabernet wines but it can be argued that the inherent varietal character of Shiraz acquiesces to that stamp with greater compliance than does Cabernet Sauvignon.  Moreover, Shiraz makes the same transformation in bottle as Semillon, moving from an astringent, angular and spiky youth into a savoury, velvety maturity at 20 or even 30 years of age.

Cabernet Sauvignon: After a hiatus of more than 30 years, Cabernet Sauvignon was re-introduced to the Hunter by Dr Max Lake at Lake's Folly in 1963.  Since that time it has been planted at almost every vineyard in the Valley.  It produces an idiosyncratic style and some fine wines are made here from this grape.

Other: A plethora of other wines is made, either as straight varietals or as blends, of which Verdelho is the most important in terms of volume.

Vital Statistics

A Case In Point: Iain Riggs, Chief Winemaker, Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, NSW

"From 1970, when we first started Brokenwood, through to 1982, we were solely producing red wine. The following year however saw a bright, vibrant early drinking Semillon launched into the market place.

"Hunter Valley Semillon is unique in the world of table wine. Low alcohol, no oak, grassy/hay through to citrus and lime flavours as young wines, they have an amazing ability to bottle age. At five to ten years they take on a green-gold hue and rich toasty characters. Our ILR Reserve is only released at five years of age.

"The Graveyard Vineyard was first planted in 1968, using cuttings from old vineyards in the area. The Valley soils vary from old sea beds (great for Semillon) to outcrops of red volcanic and rich clay loams that form spurs leading up to the impressive backdrop of the Brokenback Range.

"Hunter Valley Shiraz is characterised by its medium-bodied, savoury structure. With 26 vintages under this icon label, quality is paramount. Low yields, hands-off processing and high quality French oak are the norm. Like Semillon, the wines have a great ability to age. The wines of Maurice O'Shea, arguably the Hunter's greatest winemaker, at 50-60 years of age are sublime.

"The Brokenwood vineyard and winemaking team adheres to tradition as well as providing a quality wine instantly recognisable as 'Super Hunter'."

Iain Riggs, Brokenwood

Summary

The Hunter region comprises the Upper and Lower areas of the Hunter Valley, which are linked by the Hunter River.  Both areas face  high temperatures over summer, with the majority of the rainfall occurring between January and April.  The main wine styles produced include Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho.

Wineries, Cellar Doors & Vineyards

Adina, Allandale, Allanmere, Allyn River Wines, Arrowfield, Audrey Wilkinson, Ablington Vineyard Estate,Ascella Pure Wine,  Bainton Family Wines, Ballabourneen Wines, Beaumont Estate, Beggar’s Bridge, Belford Estate, Belgenny, Ben’s Run, Beyond Broke Vineyard, Bimbadgen Estate, Birnam Wood, Blueberry Hill Vineyard, Bluebush Estate, Boatshed, Briar Ridge, Broke’s Promise, Brokenwood Wines, Brush Box Vineyard, Calais Estates, Capercaillie Wine Company, Carindale Wines, Catherine Vale Vineyard, Centurion Wines, Chateau Francois, Chateau Pato, Constable & Hershon Vineyards, Crazy Horse Wines, Crisford Winery, Cruickshank Callatoota Estate, David Hook Wines, De Bortoli Black Creek Winery, De Iuliis Vineyards, Drayton’s Family Wines, Drews Creek Wines, Elsmore’s Caprera Grove, Emma’s Cottage Vineyards, Evans Family Wines and Antiques, Fairview Wines, Farrell’s Wines, Fernance Family Estate, First CreekWine Centre, Foate’s Ridge, Fordwich Estate, Gabriel’s Paddock Vineyard, Gartelmann Hunter Estate, Glenguin Wine Company, Golden Grape Estate, Hanging Tree Wines, Hillside Vineyard, Hollyclare, Holtsbaum Wines, Honeytree Estate Wines, Hope Estate, Horseshoe Vineyard, Hungerford Hill Wines, Hunter Park, Hunter TAFE Winery, Inglewood Vineyards, Ivanhoe Wines, J.Y.Tulloch & Sons, JYT Wines, Jackson’s Hill, James Estate Wines, Keith Tulloch Wines, Kevin Sobels Wines, Krinklewood Vineyard, Kulkunbulla, Lake’s Folly, Lindemans (Hunter Valley), Little’s Winery, London Lodge Estate, Louis-Laval Wines, Mabrook Estate, Macquariedale Estate, Madigan Vineyard, Margan Family, Marsh Estate, McGuigan Wines, McLeish Estate, Mount Pleasant (McWilliam’s), Meerea Park, Millfield, Mistletoe Wines, Molly Morgan Vineyard, Monahan Estate, Moorebank Vineyard, Mount Broke Wines, Mount Eyre Vineyard, Mount View Estate, Nightingale Wines, Northern Hunter Winery, Noonji Estate, Oakvale, Outram Estate, Peacock Hill Vineyard, Pendarves Estate, Penmara Wines, Pepper Tree, Peppers Creek, Petersons Champagne House, Petersons Wines, Piggs Peake Winery, Pokolbin Brothers Wines, Polin & Polin Hunter Wines, Poole’s Rock Wines, Razina Park Wines, Reg Drayton Wines, Reynolds Wines, RidgeView Wines, Roche Wines, Rocklea Vineyard, Rosebrook Estate, Rosemount Estate, Rothbury Ridge, Rothvale Vineyard and Winery, Saddlers Creek Wines, Sandalyn Wilderness Estate, Scarborough Wine Co, Serenella Estate, Sevenoaks Wines, Smithleigh Vineyard, Southern Grand Estate, St Petrox, Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Tallavera Grove Vineyard, Tamburlaine, Tatler Wines, Tempus Two Wines, Terrace Vale Wines, Thalgara Estate, The Rothbury Estate The Vineyards Estate, Thomas Wines, Tinklers Family Wines, Tinonee Vineyard, Tintilla Estate, Tower Estate, Tranquil Vale, Tyrrell’s Vineyards, Undercliff Wines, Verona Vineyard, Vinden Estate Wines, Wandin Valley Estate, Warraroong Estate, Wattlebrook Vineyard, Waverley Estate Aged Wines, Whispering Brook, Windarra, Windsor’s Edge, Wyndham Estate and Yarraman Estate.

If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.