The Hunter Valley - The Original Home Of The Australian Wine Industry

By: Miguel Scaccialupo
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:23
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

The Hunter Valley stretches from the Goulburn River and Wollemi National Park in the south to the Barrington Tops National Park in the north. Most of the Hunter Valley's many vineyards are located in the Lower Hunter Valley, with the centre of grape and wine production being Pokolbin, located north west of the town of Cessnock. Although some wineries specialise in particular wines, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Verdelho can be found at most vineyards. The best vintage years for both red and white wines in the Hunter Valley include 1979, 1983, 1996 and 1999, although several other good years were seen during both the 1980s and 1990s. Great wine is accompanied by great food in many restaurants, including a selection of fresh local grown vegetables, locally bred game, delicious seafood from Port Stephens, bread and pastries, cheeses and chocolates.

The Upper Hunter Valley also has several vineyards, and is also home to a thriving horse breeding and racing industry. The centre for thoroughbred horse breeding in the Upper Hunter Valley is the town of Scone, although horse breeding is popular throughout the area. Scone has a range of quality accommodation options and several excellent restaurants, although the main attraction for many is probably the race course. Numerous race meetings are held throughout the year, so chances are good of being able to catch a race when you visit.

Prior to European settlement, the Hunter Valley was inhabited by the Darkinjung people for many thousands of years. The area was cleared for farming during the 1820s and grape vines have been grown there since the mid 1850s, making it the oldest wine region in Australia. In the 1900s coal was discovered in the area, giving the Hunter Valley a new lease of life. The mines eventually closed down to be replaced by wineries and a thriving tourism industry, with over 4500 acres of the Hunter Valley now covered with vines. The region today is a veritable mecca of holiday resorts and activities suitable for families, couples, corporations and international tourists.

The Hunter Valley's excellent range of wineries, shops, restaurants and other attractions make it the most visited wine region in Australia today. Home to several leading Australian wineries including Lindemans, McWilliams, Wyndham Estate and Tyrell's, the Hunter Valley is also home to many smaller boutique wineries. In total, the Hunter Valley is now home to over 80 wineries, most of which offer celler door wine tastings and many of which also have quality restaurants. Hunter Valley grape growers do not specialise in any one particular grape variety or wine style. While classic varieties such as Chardonnay, Shiraz and Semillon are popular, newer styles like Verdelho and Chambourcin are also commonly found.

Excellent wine and food aren't the only attractions offered by the Hunter Valley. Outdoor activities are available to suit every taste, ranging from horse riding and golf to hot air ballooning and sky diving, all set amongst wonderfully picturesque landscapes. The Hunter Valley is also a great location in which to enjoy music and entertainment during one of its many festivals. During October you can enjoy music and Australian wine with the Opera in the Vineyards and Jazz in the Vines music festivals. Many fascinating buildings can be found in the Hunter Valley, along with several galleries and museums. Speciality shops and small businesses abound, with galleries displaying antiques, crafts, glassware, jewellery, paintings, sculptures and wrought iron.

The many small towns nestled around the Lower Hunter all offer the visitor something unique. The rural community of Wollombi still lives in the 1930's, the time in which it was settled. You can wander along taking in the historic atmosphere, go horse riding, or even explore the nearby bushland. Branxton and Greta are popular for their markets and festivals. Cessnock has a range of accommodation as well as modern shopping areas, set amongst its heritage buildings and craft shops. Kurri Kurri hosts several heritage country pubs as well as a mining museum. It is also popular for a mixture of sports including bowls, golf, squash and tennis. For wonderful views of the Brokenback Range head to Broke, or for museums and antique shops go to the old river port of Morpeth.

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian Outback Tour topics including Alice Springs Tour itineraries and shopping for Aboriginal Art.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Travel & Leisure category

  • Kids Attractions in Majorca - Have your kids grinning all the time! - By: Larry Austin
    Besides being a hotpot of activity where parties, delectable food and an insouciant lifestyle is the norm, Majorca or Mallorca is also rather family friendly. Although Majorca's reputation has already been cemented as the place for a fabulous night out, there are enough activities and events for children to have their fair share of fun; thus making Majorca a destination for the whole family.
  • A Guide to the Best Beaches in Lanzarote - By: Stacy Orton
    The beaches in Lanzarote are fantastic; golden sand, clear waters and glorious hot sun. When we are on holiday we hire a car and explore the whole island, stopping off at our favourite beaches along the way. Here is my guide to Lanzarote's top beaches and what they offer...
  • Rock Your Stag Party at York - By: Mark Scott
    York is one of the hottest European destinations where millions of visitors holiday year after year. Basking under the glory of a rich legacy, York is a stunning medley of the old and the new.
  • Aussies find love in global market - By: Mabel Medina
    TENS of thousands of Aussies are finding love overseas each year and bringing their partners home, new figures show. The Immigration Department issued about 40,000 spouse visas last year, up 7000 on 2004-05. The size of the intake is staggering when it is noted that the total number of marriages conducted in Australia annually is little more than 100,000.
  • Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum - By: Alice Yang
    The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum was established in the spring of 1953 in the People's Park in Urumchi City. A new museum was later built in 1962 at a new site on Xibei Lu. The building occupies a space of 11,000 square meters and is built in a modern style enhanced by local architectural features.
  • Zhijin Cave - By: Alice Yang
    China has the greatest concentration of karst topography of any nation in the world. It is so well endowed with caves across the country, it could well be called the "Kingdom of Caves" Now, nearly 400 caves have been developed as tourist attractions, accounting for half of the tourist caves in the world.
  • Private jets a comfort way that can get you from a place to another on time - By: Otus Smith
    "Private jets" a way that can get you from a place to another on time and on budget with providing you higher levels of comfort and convenience.
  • A Travel Guide Of Jamaica - By: Rahul uiet
    Jamaica has always been a special place since Errol Flynn, Noel Coward, Ian Fleming made it famous over 70 years ago. It has always been the first place people will name when asked about an island in the Caribbean.
  • A Wealth Of Safari Vacation Choices - Africa - By: Rahul uiet
    Taking a safari vacation is one of the most exotic options available. Deep in the heart of Africa is Tanzania, with the great Serengeti plains extending into the distance as far as you can see. Herds of animals run free here in an untamed wilderness. Predators still hunt for prey here. The Serengeti name comes from the Maasai word meaning 'the place where the land runs on forever.
  • The Best Beaches in Asia - An Introduction - By: Arvinder Jeet
    Fine golden sand and crystal clear water; a perfect picture for a peaceful day, full of solitude or romance. For many, combining this is the ultimate in enjoyment. Add water to the mix for those with families, and the peace so hard to come by at home is assured as the children swim in the ocean or build sand castles, leaving parents alone to talk quietly while the children cavort.