Taste wine straight from wooden barrels at this former hobby winery, which is now one of Australia’s most notable wine producers.
Of humble beginnings, Brokenwood Wines has become one of the most popular wineries to visit in the Hunter Valley. This is partly due to its laid-back atmosphere and variation of tasting programmes, but also because Brokenwood is the producer of some iconic Hunter Valley wines.
In the early 1970s, the land now occupied by Brokenwood Wines had been set aside for cricket grounds for the people of Pokolbin. The three young solicitors who bought the land to create a hobby winery named their main vineyard the Cricket Pitch. The winery has retained this laid-back, unassuming Australian attitude and it’s this atmosphere that makes Brokenwood Wines stand out.
You can visit either the Brokenwood Cellar Door or the cellar door known as B2, at the entrance of the Cypress Lakes Resort. Take the opportunity to explore the sprawling vineyard. Daily tours go behind the scenes to show you each stage of the process, including grape picking and fermenting, and include a tasting overlooking the vineyard.
The cellars are hosted by educators who will guide you through the tasting process. It doesn’t matter if you’re a wine buff or about to try your first glass, the winemakers at Brokenwood share in-depth knowledge in an accessible way.
Wine tasting at Brokenwood Wines is complimentary for the varietal and cricket pitch ranges, with a small charge applied if you wish to indulge in the Single Vineyard Wine Flight. The most exclusive wine experience is the Out of the Barrel Tour & Taste and includes a behind-the-scenes look at wine production. Sample handcrafted blends straight out of the fermentation tanks or barrels and discover some of the secrets of achieving high-quality wines. If you are impressed, buy some bottles of your favourite drop.
Located on the outskirts of Pokolbin, Brokenwood Wines is accessible by car or the Hunter Valley bus service, Rover Coaches. There is free parking on site. Both cellar doors are open daily. Bookings are recommended and sometimes essential.
