Hunter Valley: Boutique Wine & Cheese Tour from Sydney

Summary

Small group Hunter Valley day trip for wine lovers with cheese tastings and lakeside lunch

You’ll join a small group for a day trip from Sydney to Hunter Valley, tasting boutique wines poured by passionate locals and pairing them with regional cheeses. Enjoy a relaxed lakeside lunch with wine included, hear family vineyard stories straight from winemakers, and ride through beautiful countryside — all with pickup handled for you.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to swirl it first,” our guide Dan grinned, holding up a glass of pale Semillon as the rain tapped lightly on the cellar door roof. I tried to copy him but probably looked like I was stirring soup. The drive up from Sydney had been quiet — mist over the Hawkesbury River, eucalyptus scent sneaking in when someone cracked a window. By the time we rolled into Pokolbin, I’d already lost count of how many times Dan pointed out kangaroos (I never spotted one). But honestly, just seeing those rolling green hills outside the window felt good after city noise.

The first winery was family-run — you could tell by the way the owner, Robyn, poured each tasting herself and didn’t rush us. She told us about her dad’s old vines and let us try a Shiraz that tasted almost peppery. There were maybe a dozen of us in total, so it never felt crowded or awkward. At one point someone asked about the difference between Chardonnay here and back home; Robyn laughed and said “Ours has more attitude.” She wasn’t wrong. Lunch came next — nothing fancy but solid: chicken schnitzel for me, salad for my friend, big windows looking out over a lake. The glass of wine with lunch made everything feel slower somehow.

I didn’t expect to care much about cheese but then we sat down with a local producer who explained why their blue was saltier than usual (something about summer grass). Tasted it with a sip of Verdelho and suddenly it made sense. The whole place smelled faintly of bread crust and wet leaves — not unpleasant at all. We stopped at another couple of cellar doors after that; each one had its own story and slightly different vibe. At Hanging Tree Wines there was an old dog sleeping by the fireplace who barely opened his eyes when we came in.

On the way back toward Sydney, everyone got quieter — maybe tired or just mellow from all that wine. Dan put on some music but mostly I watched gum trees flick past until we crossed back over the Hawkesbury River again. I still think about that Semillon sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic or opening a bottle at home — it’s funny how something so small can stick with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hunter Valley wine and cheese tour

• Board coach at pickup point
• Drive across Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Pass Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
• Cross Hawkesbury River
• Drive through Cessnock town
• Arrive in Hunter Valley wine region
• Visit two boutique family-owned wineries
• Sample up to 20 premium wines
• Enjoy lunch with wine and lake views
• Drive past Hunter Valley Gardens
• Guided tasting of local artisan cheeses
• Visit Saddler's Creek winery for wine tasting
• Cross Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Bridge
• Return to original pickup points in Sydney

Top questions

How long is the Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney?

The tour lasts around 10-11 hours including transport; pickup is in the morning and return is usually by 6-6:30pm depending on traffic.

Are cheese tastings included on this Hunter Valley day trip?

Yes, guided artisan cheese tastings featuring local varieties are included during the tour.

Is lunch provided during the Hunter Valley wine tour?

Yes, you’ll have lunch in a scenic lakeside setting with hot or cold options plus a glass of wine included.

How many wineries do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit 3-4 boutique wineries in Hunter Valley’s Pokolbin area for premium tastings.

Does this tour include pickup from Sydney?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from convenient central meeting points in Sydney.

Can I buy bottles to take home on this tour?

Yes, you can purchase bottles directly at each cellar door if you wish to bring some home.

Are children allowed on this Hunter Valley wine tour?

No, participants must be 18 years or older; not suitable for children under 18.

Is transportation comfortable for this day trip?

The journey uses an air-conditioned coach designed for small groups (max 14 people).

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from central Sydney meeting points, comfortable air-conditioned transport through scenic countryside, premium tastings at 3-4 boutique wineries in Hunter Valley’s Pokolbin area (with up to 20 wines sampled), guided artisan cheese tasting led by local producers, and a relaxed lakeside lunch with your choice of hot or cold dish plus a glass of local wine before returning to Sydney early evening.