Our guide to the best cellar doors with onsite restaurants
While the Hunter Valley provides ample opportunities for cellar door hopping, sometimes all you want is to kick back in one spot for a few hours. Ideally, somewhere that has both food and wine covered, so you hardly have to move a muscle for the afternoon.
To help you out, we’ve created this guide to the best Hunter Valley wineries and cellar doors for lunch. All that's left to do is sit back, relax, and wine and dine the day away.
Boydell’s Cellar Door and Restaurant
Boydell’s Cellar Door and Restaurant is a one-stop-shop for quality wine and food in Morpeth. Taste Boydell’s boutique wines in a space that merges owners Daniel and Jane Maroulis’ modern approach to winemaking with the history of Boydell’s. Keep coming back for the seasonal menu chock-full of local produce.
Where: 2 Green St, Morpeth
The Brewhouse Kitchen at Peter Drayton Wines
Enjoy a gourmet pizza straight from the outdoor pizza oven at The Brewhouse Kitchen, as you sit outside on the pavilion. While a tasting of Peter Drayton’s award-winning wines at the cellar door is always a delight, try ordering a tasting flight to your table as you dine at The Brewhouse Kitchen.
Where: 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin
The Deck Cafe at Gartelmann Wines
If you’re after more of a cafe-style lunch alongside your wine tasting, stop by The Deck Cafe at Gartelmann Wines. Perch yourself on the deck overlooking the bush while you dine on dishes like Prosciutto-wrapped Fig filled with gorgonzola and creamy sage sauce. The relaxed cellar door at Gartelmann Wines is an ideal spot for an afternoon wine tasting.
Where: 701 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale
Esca at Bimbadgen
After taking in the iconic belltower as you make your way to Esca at Bimbadgen, you’ll be treated to hilltop views over the valley in a space that lets the outside in. The menu – separated into From the Garden, From the Land, From the Sea and Cheese & Dessert sections – changes seasonally, so no doubt you’ll want to return to try what each new season has to offer.
Where: 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin
The Gates Restaurant at Leogate Estate Wines
Dining at The Gates Restaurant at Leogate Estate Wines is a treat for the senses. Sit alfresco to take in the picturesque surroundings as you dine on a menu full of elevated takes on local produce. The cellar door also offers a premium experience, and there’s even a bar food menu if you’re still hungry after lunch.
Where: 1693 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Hunters Quarter at Pooles Rock Wines
Hunters Quarter strikes the balance between approachable and sophisticated, making it a lovely spot for a lunch overlooking the vineyards. With a 3-course a la carte menu, 5-course degustation menu and a dedicated vegan menu, you’re spoiled for choice. After lunch, head over to the Pooles Rock Wines cellar door to taste classic Hunter Valley drops.
Where: 576 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin
Kawul Restaurant at Calais Estate
Kawul Restaurant focuses on using native ingredients as a way of paying homage to the Wonnarua people, whose land the restaurant is situated on. It’s ideal for a more casual lunch, and is conveniently located on the same property as boutique winery Calais Estate. Sipping a red by the fireplace at the cellar door makes for a cosy winter’s afternoon.
Where: 151 Palmers Ln, Rothbury
Margan Restaurant & Winery
Margan is known for its estate-grown, estate-made ethos that shines through in both its wines and restaurant. With a kitchen garden, olive trees, beehives and free range chickens all on the Margan property, you know you’re eating hyper-locally. Follow up your lunch with a tasting at the cellar door, and you’ve got yourself a stellar afternoon in the Hunter.
Where: 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke
Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wine
Settling in for lunch at Muse Kitchen, it feels as if you’ve stepped into a beautiful country home. Linger a little while over food that champions Hunter Valley produce with a bit of European flair added. Make sure you leave room for a tasting at the Keith Tulloch Wine cellar door – don’t miss the wine and chocolate tasting!
Where: Cnr Hermitage & Deaseys Rd, Pokolbin
Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House
Peterson House is the home of sparkling wine in the Hunter, so a visit to the cellar door is a must for lovers of a good bubbly. When you’re done tasting, head into Restaurant Cuvee for a long, leisurely lunch, where there’s plenty of dishes to share with friends, plus a comprehensive dessert menu.
Where: 2457 Broke Rd, Rothbury
The Wood at Brokenwood Wines
With a slew of award-winning wines under its belt and a selection of interesting wine tastings available to sample its premium drops, Brokenwood Wines is a stand-out in the Hunter Valley. Accompany your tasting with a visit to onsite restaurant The Wood for modern Australian small and large plates – all with a suggested wine to match.
Where: 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin
Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate
Another fantastic casual lunch option for a day of wining and dining, Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate is a little further from the main cluster of cellar doors in Pokolbin, Lovedale and Broke, but it's well worth a visit. Stop by the Hollydene Estate cellar door for a tasting first, then linger over lunch and a glass of vino at Vines Restaurant.
Where: 3483 Golden Hwy, Jerrys Plains
Yellow Billy Restaurant at Piggs Peake Winery
Experience food cooked over a custom-built fire at Yellow Billy Restaurant, situated at Piggs Peake Winery in Pokolbin. Taste the eclectic wines of Piggs Peake before sitting down for a meal designed to share at Yellow Billy, either alfresco or inside in the light-filled restaurant. The menu spans cuisines from across the globe and changes regularly, so you’ll want to keep coming back for more.
Where: 697 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin