Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney: 3 Wineries & Vineyard Picnic
Description
Discover Australia's oldest wine region on a social day tour from Sydney to Hunter Valley. Visit three wineries, enjoy optional lunch at 4 Pines, and finish with a vineyard picnic. Start at Sobels Winery with a behind-the-scenes look at wine production, then taste their wines while learning about Hunter Valley's Semillon and Shiraz. Continue to two more wineries—typically Bimbadgen Estate and De Bortoli Wines (famous for Noble One)—though venues may vary to avoid crowds. Our rotating selection includes Tamburlaine and Draytons. Break for optional lunch at award-winning brewery, 4 Pines. Choose from hearty meals paired with beer, wine, or soft drinks. Visit Hunter Valley Chocolate Company to browse locally-made chocolate. Finish with a vineyard picnic featuring local wines and cheese. Unwind among the vines with your new friends. Small-group experience with bilingual guides. You'll feel like you've joined friends on this memorable day trip to the Hunter Valley.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide and fellow wine enthusiasts at Sydney Central. Board your comfortable minibus and begin your Hunter Valley adventure. Your guide shares insights about Australia's wine history and what makes Hunter Valley special during the scenic drive north.
Brief coffee break after we leave Sydney city and approach Australia's oldest wine region.
Welcome to Australia's oldest wine region, where winemaking has thrived since the 1820s. The Hunter Valley is renowned for its signature Semillon and Shiraz, produced across over 150 wineries ranging from historic family estates to contemporary boutique producers. Just two hours from Sydney, this picturesque region combines rich winemaking heritage with stunning valley landscapes.
Arrive at your first winery to kick off the day. Go behind-the-scenes to see wine production in action and learn how Hunter Valley wines are crafted. Then settle in for your first tasting, sampling Sobels' range while your guide explains the region's signature Semillon and Shiraz varietals that made Hunter Valley famous.
Arrive at Bimbadgen Estate, one of Hunter Valley's most recognisable landmarks with its iconic bell tower set high on a hill. Established in 1968, the name means "place of good view" in the local Indigenous language—and the panoramic vistas prove it. Sample their award-winning Semillon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz from old vines dating back over 50 years. The contemporary cellar door offers sweeping views across vineyards and the Barrington Ranges. [NOTE: Winery visits subject to change on day to avoid crowds and ensure best experience. Alternative wineries (rotation based on crowds): Tamburlaine (organic wines), De Bortoli (family-owned classic), or Draytons (historic producer since 1853).]
Break for lunch at 4 Pines at the Farm, celebrated across Australia for exceptional craft beers. Enjoy their generous portions and choose from hearty menu options paired with craft beer, wine, or soft drinks. Take in the views while enjoying good food and even better company with your fellow travellers.
Explore handmade chocolates and local artisan products. Great opportunity to pick up gifts or treats to take home. Your guide allows time to explore and purchase.
Experience a true Hunter Valley family winery story. De Bortoli's heritage encompasses the universal immigrant tale of making good in an adopted land. The stone-fronted cellar door welcomes you to taste their range, including their world-renowned Noble One Botrytis Semillon—a dessert wine that's won international acclaim. Sample their Semillon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay while learning about the family's winemaking journey that spans generations. [NOTE: Winery visits subject to change on day to avoid crowds and ensure best experience. Alternative wineries (rotation based on crowds): Tamburlaine or Draytons.]
Here's where the magic happens. Depending on weather and the vibe created throughout the day, your guide sets up a relaxed picnic among the vines. Settle in with local wine and cheese as the afternoon sun filters through the grapevines. Share stories and laughs with your new friends, swap wine recommendations, and soak in the peaceful valley views. This social finale is what transforms a standard wine tour into an unforgettable experience. It's the Australia you hoped to find.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(26)
Wineries where fun as each host had great personalities. Our tour guide was very accommodating Most importantly all the other guests where fun Australian’s and made the trip
Was pretty good, value for money. More information about lunch would have been helpful. We didnt attend the chcocolate event, but that was OK as we got back to the city on time.
Unfortunately the trip was cancelled and we are unable to reschedule whilst we are here. Something to look forward to next visit though.
Incredible day out, driver was great funny and engaging. Highly recommend. A must do if you’re in Sydney.
Wonderful experience! It was all perfect! I highly recommend Sydney! It was better than I expected!
Great day out Our Brazilian driver was fantastic We had a great time Would recommend
The entire day was wonderful. We visited 3 great wine farms and stopped for a very tasty lunch. We did not feel rushed at all, there was sufficient time to enjoy the tastings. Our driver was absolutely amazing throughout the day, lots of fun with the group of people that did the tour with us. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoy wine tastings!
We had an excellent driver Mac, he was so ever willing to please everyone. Always helpful did not rush us at all. Gave us plenty of time.
This tour group received a 5* rating because of our driver and tour guide James. If not for him, it would have been a 1* review. The Viator description was grossly inaccurate and what was listed as the highlight vineyard on the tour (McGuigans) wasn’t on his schedule. McGuigans tastings moved to a new location and might not be a big deal today, but when I was last in Australia over 25 years ago — it stood out. I booked the tour based on that perceived stop — then shared the Viator description with James. He said he could fix it and made a separate side trip for my wife and me while the other 9 guests visited a chocolate company. Food listed as included was a separate charge — and while our restaurant stop was fun, there was no pizza as an option as advertised, and lunch with a drink was 31AUD/pp. The last wine stop did include an excellent charcuterie board that James brought us gratis, and on the way back — everyone had a chance to take photographs of a large group of kangaroos. James made it memorable and for that we’re grateful.
Went to one of their Hunter Valley wine tours around Father's day with my dad when he was visiting from overseas. Had an exceptional experience, was a bit tipsy by the end of it. The guide was great, sorry I forgot your name its been a year- he also threw in some fun extras which I won't spoil for you. Great value for money!
