Come sample the fine wines and laid-back atmosphere at this hobby winery turned award-winning producer.
Brokenwood Wines has a pretty special story. The Hunter Valley winery has grown from its establishment as a hobby vineyard in the early 1970s to its position today as one of the most well-known wine producers in the region. The winery is home to ever-changing tasting programmes, a relaxed atmosphere and some of Hunter Valley’s most iconic wines, which are popular both with wine experts and an increasing number of visitors.When three young solicitors started the vineyard on what was supposed to be a cricket pitch outside Pokolbin, they had little more than enthusiasm and determination. It is the laid-back, quintessentially Australian attitude inherited from the estate’s founders that makes a trip to Brokenwood Wines unique.Visitors can discover the winery’s many different varieties at either of the two cellar doors of this vast estate. Expert staff will impart interesting information to wine buffs and novice tasters alike. There is a small fee for tasting of the standard wines, while sampling of the vintage, top-shelf varieties commands a premium price.Tours also run daily to offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the viticulture processes in Brokenwood, from grape-picking to fermenting. The Out of the Barrel Tour & Taste is the most in-depth – and pricey – of the tours but is worth the money for the incredibly detailed insight into production, from the vine to the bottle. You’ll get the opportunity to sample wines at various stages of their development, including taking a glass straight from the fermentation tanks – not something you get to do every day! After the tour, there is a structured tasting with one of the winery’s experts to teach you the subtle nuances of each blend, and you can buy a few bottles of your favourite tipple too.Brokenwood Wines is located just outside Pokolbin and can be reached easily by car or the Rover Coaches bus service which operates throughout Hunter Valley. There is free parking on site and it’s better to book ahead for tours or tastings.
