New Hunter Valley Cellar Doors
There is a raft of new and diverse cellar doors experiences.
With a bunch of new Hunter Valley cellar doors just waiting to be explored, it’s time to hit the road and check out what’s on offer.
Mercer Wines
Mercer wines may only be 4 years old, but they’ve had incredible success with their wines winning 13 trophies and 128 medals in 2023 alone. Run by Cessnock born Aaron and Alison Mercer, they operated a pop-up cellar door before finding their permanent home in June this year.
Driving up their tree-line driveway on Hermitage Road, you can’t help but be awestruck by the majestic Brokenback Ranges and hectares of picturesque old vines. With a relaxed vibe, indoor and outdoor seating to soak up the views and a family friendly garden for the kids, it’s nestled in the Scarborough winery with whom the couple have a long association.
Mercer Wines contemporary labels pop! They champion alternate varieties from sustainable vineyards across NSW. Think varieties such as Picpoul, Vermentino, Nero D’Avola, Tempranillo and Montepuliciano. They also offer a super refreshing Preservative Free Fizz as well as their Limited Release Hunter Valley classic varieties. The wines are fresh and approachable and a cheese plate comes with the $10 tasting along with 7 wines. The Premium tasting for $35, includes a cheese plate and a deeper dive into their premium wines.
Savannah Estate
Owned by Savannah Peterson, daughter of Hunter Valley Living Legend Col Peterson, Savannah Estate’s new cellar door on Broke Road was an eight-year labour of love. Honouring the rich history of the region, it’s built from local convict handmade bricks, locally sourced timber and the bar is made from an old Ironbark tree from the original Savannah Estate Cellar Door at Mount View. Expect a spacious cellar door of characterful rustic charm with indoor and outdoor seating.
With plenty of choice in the range, you can taste 6-8 wines for $15 and if you’re hungry, add a tasty charcuterie board. The wines are well priced and made in an easy drinking style with their popular sparkling a good place to start. A tasty unique blend of Italian varietals Vermentino and Arneis is a crowd pleaser. The super delicious Pinot Gris sourced from Mudgee has heady honeysuckle aromas and lovers of chardonnay are catered for. The Sparkling Zinfandel red is delightfully different and a Chambourcin has plush dark fruits. With Blaxlands Inn, Pokolbin Distillery and Lisa McGuigan wines all next door, you can spend the afternoon lunching and tasting in the one location.
McGuigan Wines
McGuigan Wines has a long proud history in the Hunter Valley and now at Roche Estate, they have fresh new look and feel. The timber baton lined walls, a large elegant central bar and a backdrop wall of wines, make the spacious area warm and inviting. With room for large groups of families and friends, the bar area seats over 20 people and the wines available for tasting, are exclusive to the Cellar Door. You have the option of a $10 tasting of 7 wines or the Icon Guided Tasting of their premium range including back vintages for $20.
The extensive wine list is reasonably priced and focusses on showcasing regions the varietals are sourced from. With a citrusy aperitif Sparkling to start or their popular Moscato, there are 6 different white varieties including semillon, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, viognier, chardonnay and even a gewürztraminer. There is something for everyone!
The reds which include a pinot noir, tempranillo, merlot, shiraz, montepulciano and a cabernet sauvignon. They have 2 red wines and a late picked dessert wine for those with a sweet tooth.
McGuigan Wines uphold tradition whilst their sister brand next door, Tempus Two wines are a modern, youthful take. Sounds like a perfect reason to visit both.
Find more new cellar doors in our Spring Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
Story by Cathy Gadd.
