Best Hunter Valley Wineries to Visit in Autumn (2026 Edition)
Autumn is one of the most rewarding times to visit the Hunter Valley. The pace slows, the vineyards turn golden, and cellar door tastings feel more intimate and unhurried. It’s the season for richer reds, long lunches and lingering conversations — without the crowds that peak summer can bring.
This guide highlights the best Hunter Valley wineries to visit in autumn, focusing on boutique cellar doors we genuinely love. Each has been chosen for its setting, quality of wine and the overall experience it offers at this time of year — from biodynamic estates in Broke-Fordwich to refined tasting rooms in Pokolbin.
You’ll also find details on which Coast to Cork tours include each winery, making it easy to choose the experience that suits your travel style — whether you prefer a relaxed small group or a private, tailored day.
Why Visit the Hunter Valley in Autumn?
Crisp mornings and mild afternoons — perfect wine tasting weather
Stunning vineyard colours — gold, crimson, and copper vines
Seasonal menus at winery restaurants, featuring local produce
Cosy cellar door experiences — think open fires and warming reds
Signature events like the Lovedale Long Lunch
Photo credit: Destination NSW
THE BEST HUNTER VALLEY WINERIES TO VISIT IN AUTUMN
Krinklewood Estate (Broke-Fordwich)
Krinklewood feels like a European escape hidden in the Hunter Valley. Tucked away in the Broke-Fordwich region, the estate is surrounded by rolling vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, with an unmistakable sense of calm the moment you arrive.
In autumn, Krinklewood is especially beautiful. The vineyards glow with warm tones, the air is crisp, and tastings feel slow and thoughtful. It’s the kind of cellar door that invites you to linger — to wander the grounds, take in the scenery and truly disconnect from the outside world.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
Krinklewood is included on our boutique Hunter Valley touring experiences, hosted in small groups to preserve the relaxed atmosphere. These tours can also be enjoyed as a private experience, ideal for guests wanting a more tailored and unrushed day.
Krinklewood Estate in Autumn
1813 Wines (Broke-Fordwich)
With sweeping views across the Brokenback Range, 1813 Wines is one of the Hunter Valley’s most beautiful cellar doors — particularly in autumn. The setting is effortlessly chic and elegant, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the landscape and an open fire that makes cooler days feel cosy rather than cold.
Autumn is when 1813 truly comes into its own. The light softens, the vineyards turn gold, and tastings feel indulgent and unhurried. It’s the kind of place where you settle in, take your time, and enjoy both the wines and the view — a cellar door that feels as much about atmosphere as it is about what’s in the glass.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
1813 Wines is featured on our boutique Hunter Valley experiences, designed for small groups who appreciate beautiful settings, considered pacing and high-quality wineries. These tours can also be booked as a private experience, offering the same stunning location with added flexibility and personalisation.
1813 Wines is cosy and warm on a cold day
Vinden Wines (Pokolbin)
Vinden Wines is understated, elegant and quietly confident — a cellar door that lets both the wines and the people behind them shine. Set in Pokolbin, the tasting space feels intimate and refined, with vineyard views that are particularly beautiful in autumn as the landscape softens and the pace slows.
What truly sets Vinden apart is the passion of the winemakers and cellar door team. Tastings here are guided by people who are deeply proud of what they’re creating, and genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. The experience feels personal and unhurried, with thoughtful insight into the wines and the Hunter Valley, rather than a scripted presentation.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
Vinden is included on our fine dining Pokolbin wine tour, where premium cellar doors are paired with an exceptional lunch. The experience runs in small groups and can also be booked as a private tour for celebrations or special occasions.
Vinden Wines’ cellar door is relaxed yet refined, with stunning views over the vines.
Mount Pleasant Wines (Pokolbin)
Mount Pleasant Wines blends heritage with contemporary polish, offering a cellar door experience that feels both grounded and beautifully refined. Set against the backdrop of the Brokenback Range, it’s a place that naturally suits cooler seasons and slower days.
In autumn, the cellar door becomes especially inviting. Inside, the cosy interior is warmed by a large open sandstone fireplace, while the walls are lined with an impressive art collection that adds depth and character to the space. Tastings here feel relaxed and immersive, guided by a knowledgeable and welcoming team who are genuinely passionate about the wines and the history behind them.
It’s the kind of cellar door where you settle in, take your time, and enjoy the experience as much as the wine — perfect for autumn days when lingering is part of the pleasure.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
Mount Pleasant is included on our fine dining Pokolbin wine tour, where premium cellar doors are paired with an exceptional lunch. They’re hosted in small groups to maintain a relaxed pace. Private touring is also available for guests wanting a more personalised and flexible day.
Get comfortable by the open fire at Mount Pleasant Wines
Keith Tulloch Wine (Pokolbin)
Keith Tulloch is relaxed, stylish and effortlessly enjoyable — a cellar door that feels just as good in cooler months as it does in summer. In autumn, the open spaces, vineyard surrounds and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal stop for settling in and enjoying the moment.
Whether you’re seated outdoors on a mild day or inside when the temperature drops, tastings here feel easy and unpretentious, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
Keith Tulloch is featured across several of our Hunter Valley experiences, all designed for small group touring. Each can also be booked as a private tour, giving you flexibility while keeping the same curated winery selection.
Enjoy a premium wine tasting at Keith Tulloch
Carillion Wines (Pokolbin)
Carillion Wines offers a beautifully balanced cellar door experience — refined without being formal, welcoming without feeling busy. The space is calm and elegant, making it a natural fit for autumn touring when guests are keen to relax and take their time.
With vineyard views and a focus on quality over quantity, Carillion is the kind of place where tastings feel thoughtful and immersive, rather than rushed or transactional.
How to visit with Coast to Cork
Carillion features on our fine dining Pokolbin experience, curated for guests who enjoy boutique wineries and a well-paced day. Tours are hosted in small groups, with the option to enjoy the experience privately for a more bespoke itinerary.
Carillion Wines boasts one of the best views in the Hunter Valley
WHICH TOUR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Not all wine tours are created equal — especially in autumn, when the right pacing makes all the difference. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the experience that suits you best.
Explore The Hunter Valley’s Hidden Cellar Doors
Best for guests who:
Love boutique, lesser-visited wineries
Prefer scenic, relaxed regions like Broke-Fordwich
Want a slower pace with space to breathe and explore
This tour focuses on small, secluded cellar doors and runs in small groups, with the option to book privately if you’re celebrating something special or travelling with friends.
Journey to the Hunter Valley from Palm Beach & Central Coast
Best for guests who:
Want seamless transport from Palm Beach or the Central Coast
Enjoy a mix of standout cellar doors and a leisurely lunch
Prefer a polished, all-day experience without feeling rushed
This is an easy, elegant way to experience the Hunter in autumn — again, small group by default, with private options available.
Fine Dining Wine Tour – Pokolbin
Best for guests who:
Love elevated cellar doors and structured tastings
Want to pair wine with a hatted or fine-dining lunch
Are celebrating a milestone or special occasion
This tour leans into Pokolbin’s most refined experiences, combining top-tier wineries with exceptional food — always small group, always considered.
A stunning Autumn afternoon in the Hunter Valley, overlooking the vines of 1813
SMALL GROUP OR PRIVATE?
All Coast to Cork tours are designed for small groups, allowing for flexibility, conversation and a more personal experience at each cellar door.
If you’d prefer:
A fully tailored itinerary
Greater flexibility with timing
Or a private day for your group
Each tour can also be booked as a private experience, with the same wineries and inclusions — just curated entirely around you.
Autumn Events to Plan Around
Lovedale Long Lunch (May): A progressive food and wine trail
Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival (June): Just sneaks into winter
Local farmers markets with live music and seasonal produce
Let Us Curate Your Autumn Escape
Why DIY when you can join a curated, stress-free wine tour that showcases these standout wineries and more?
Boutique cellar doors
Seasonal food pairings
Door-to-door transfers from the Central Coast or Northern Beaches
Disposable camera + photos developed and emailed post-tour
Small groups, big experiences
Photo credit: Destination NSW
FAQs
What are the best wineries to visit in the Hunter Valley in autumn?
Autumn is ideal for boutique cellar doors that offer both beautiful settings and a relaxed tasting experience. Wineries such as Krinklewood Estate, 1813 Wines, Vinden Wines, Carillion Wines, Keith Tulloch Wine and Mount Pleasant Wines are particularly rewarding at this time of year, thanks to cooler temperatures, golden vineyard views and more intimate cellar door atmospheres.
Why is autumn a good time to visit the Hunter Valley?
Autumn brings cooler days, fewer crowds and a slower pace across the region. It’s the perfect season for enjoying richer reds, lingering over tastings, and settling into cellar doors with cosy interiors or open fires. Vineyard colours also peak in autumn, making it one of the most scenic times to visit.
What wines are best to drink in autumn?
Autumn suits fuller-bodied styles such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and other structured reds, along with aged Semillon and richer expressions of Chardonnay. Cooler weather allows these wines to really shine, making tastings more comfortable and enjoyable.
Do I need to book winery tastings in advance?
Yes — especially at boutique cellar doors. Many wineries have limited capacity and prefer pre-booked tastings, particularly on weekends. Joining a guided wine tour takes the guesswork out, with all tastings arranged ahead of time.
Can I visit the Hunter Valley from Sydney in one day?
Absolutely. The Hunter Valley is an easy day trip from Sydney, and a guided wine tour allows you to relax, avoid driving and make the most of your time in the region. It’s a popular option for couples, small groups and visitors wanting a seamless experience.
Are Coast to Cork wine tours small group or private?
All Coast to Cork tours are designed as small group experiences, allowing for a relaxed pace and better access to boutique wineries. If you’d prefer something more tailored, each tour can also be booked as a private wine tour, curated entirely around your group.
What should I wear on an autumn wine tour?
Smart casual is ideal. Comfortable footwear, light layers and a jacket for cooler afternoons work well, especially if you’re visiting cellar doors with outdoor spaces or enjoying tastings by an open fire. Check out our Pinterest Board for inspiration!