The Hunter Valley wine country begins about 50 kilometres west of Newcastle and contains Australia's oldest continuously producing wine region. The valley floor is planted mainly with Semillon and Shiraz — both varieties that do particularly well here — with dozens of wineries spread across two main clusters around Cessnock and Pokolbin. The Hunter Semillon is distinctive: when young it is lean and minerally, but with age it develops extraordinary richness and complexity without needing to be picked late or have any botrytis.
Using Newcastle as a base for wine touring makes good sense — accommodation is cheaper and more interesting than the purpose-built tourist lodges in the valley, and the drive through the agricultural backblocks and up through the Brokenback Range is pleasant. Most of the significant wineries are within a 20-kilometre arc around Cessnock: Tyrrell's, McGuigan, Audrey Wilkinson, and Brokenwood are among the most established. Cellar door tastings are the normal approach; most charge a small fee that is waived with a purchase.