The Hunter Valley may be Australia’s oldest wine region, but that hasn’t stopped the valley’s winemakers from breaking with tradition and experimenting with wines that have the environment front of mind. 

If you’re keen to expand your wine-tasting horizons, check out our guide to organic, low intervention, and natural wines in the Hunter Valley.

Harkham Wines

Harkham Wines creates all natural and handpicked wine – that means using sustainable farming methods in its vineyards and no chemical additions, filtration or fining in several of its varieties. Head for a tasting at Harkham’s fun, relaxed cellar door in Pokolbin.
Where: 266 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin

Horner Wines

Ash of Horner Wines knows his way around classic Hunter Valley wines like shiraz, but there’s plenty of varieties less common in the Hunter on offer too, like picpoul and marsanne. You can even taste some of Horner’s organic wines straight from the barrel at the winery.
Where: 188 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin

Krinklewood

Krinklewood’s wines are organic, biodynamic, and minimal intervention – the sustainably-minded wine lover’s dream. While away an afternoon tasting Krinklewood’s wines (Wild Pink is a HUNTERhunter favourite) at the dreamy, French-inspired cellar door in Broke.
Where: 712 Wollombi Rd, Broke

M&J Becker Wines

M&J Becker Wines boast no manipulation in the winemaking process, and a handful are organically-grown in the winery’s Pokolbin home. Sourcing grapes from vineyards in both New South Wales and California, M&J Becker’s wines are a unique reflection of each region.
Where: 2144 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Majama Wines

Made with New South Wales fruit and guided by experienced winemakers like James Becker and Peta Kotz, Majama Wines is a creative collaboration between partners Millie Shorter and Rojer Rathod. Think minimal intervention, natural wines that taste like happiness in a bottle.
Where: purchase online at majamawines.com.au

Mercer Wines

When you go for a tasting at Mercer Wines, chances are you’ll try a variety of wine you haven’t tasted before. Winemaker Aaron Mercer has always celebrated fruit from sustainable vineyards around New South Wales, and now the winery offers an organic wine – the 2022 organic chardonnay.
Where: 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin

Oakvale Wines

Oakvale Wines has been making wine in the Hunter Valley since 1893, so the winery had plenty of time to hone their prowess. Oakvale Wines makes minimal intervention, vegan-friendly, and organic wines – try them at the dog-friendly cellar door in Pokolbin.
Where: 1596 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Sabi Wabi

Created by winemaker Peta Kotz (previously at Krinklewood and M&J Becker Wines), Sabi Wabi celebrates the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi – finding beauty in imperfection. Sabi Wabi wines are natural, with no fining or filtering, resulting in a fun reimagining of traditional Hunter Valley varieties.
Where: purchase online at sabiwabi.com.au

Stonehurst

The winemakers at Stonehurst believe that great wine starts in the vineyard – that’s why Stonehurst’s wines are made from estate-grown, organic grapes, that are all hand-picked and pruned. This attention to detail and the environment has produced award-winning wines, with varieties like Semillon and Chambourcin on offer.
Where: 1840 Wollombi Rd, Cedar Creek

Tamburlaine Organic Wines

Tamburlaine Organic Wines is an enduring leader in organic wine in the Hunter Valley. Since being established in 1966, the winery has become one of Australia’s largest producers of organic wines. You can also expect plenty of vegan-friendly and sulphur-free wines from Tamburlaine too.
Where: 358 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin

Usher Tinkler Wines

Usher Tinkler has long been an innovative Hunter Valley winemaker, and his eponymous wine label reflects this style, now with several wines that are totally natural – no fining, no filtration, no preservatives. The 2023 Rebirth Shiraz is a particularly interesting take on a Hunter Valley classic. Go for a tasting at the cellar door, located in the historic Pokolbin Church.
Where: 97 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin

Vinden Wines

Second-generation winemaker Angus Vinden is at the helm of Vinden Wines, which are farmed with regenerative and organic practices, and created with minimal intervention (there’s no fining involved and almost no filtration). The result is a collection of Hunter Valley classics made with Angus’ signature experimental style.
Where: 138 Gillards Rd, Pokoblin