Sydney might be the shining star of New South Wales (that Harbour, those beaches!) but for wine lovers, getting out of the hustle and bustle of the CBD is where you’ll find your holiday happy place.
The spine of NSW forms a kind of wine superhighway, the perfect framework for a wander through the First State.
The humid Hunter Valley is the wine epicentre of NSW and regularly home to the finest Semillons in the country. From family-run boutiques to some of the largest wineries on earth, there’s always something to see (and drink) in the Hunter.
Top pick: First Creek Hunter Valley Semillon 2010
Come west and you’ll find Mudgee, the epitome of small-town hospitality. Try a local Chardonnay or a glass of bubbles and smile at the thought of colleagues stuck back at the office.
Top picks: Prince Hill Card Collect Chardonnay 2009 & Card Collection Blanc de Blancs NV
Out in Orange, the hot days and cool nights are perfect for growing Merlot; try for instance the award-winning Climbing Orange Merlot, grown at altitude for slow ripening and full flavoured goodness.
Top pick: Climbing Orange Merlot 2010
Further south in the Hilltops, the cooler air makes for big, brooding Cab Savs; think warm socks, open fires and asking for a bigger glass. Hey, you’ve earned it!
Top pick: Moppity Vineyards Clone Selection Hilltops Cabernet 2010
Sure, there are countless ways to whittle away your time in the NSW countryside, but ask us the best way to see it? Through the upturned bottom of a glass of local wine.
And if a trip around the wine hot spots of NSW isn’t on your radar at the moment, do the next best thing and order a taste of the Hunter, Mudgee, Orange or the Hilltops to your doorstep. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Have you visited any NSW wine regions? What is your favourite NSW winery?