
Hunter Valley, Kumeu
Internationally, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s two most well known wine regions, alongside Barossa Valley in South Australia. Located about a two hour drive north of Sydney, the region is very popular for weekend escapes from the city of Sydney.
Hunter Valley’s climate includes regular droughts or floods, seemingly less than desirable conditions to grow grapes, with the hot, humid summers and cool winters. Nevertheless, the region has been under cultivation since the 1800’s and is responsible for putting Australian wine, in particular Sémillon and to a lesser extent Shiraz, on the world wine map. Winemaking pioneers such as Bruce Tyrrell (Tyrrell's Wines) and Len Evans helped the region gain worldwide recognition.
The famous Hunter valley Sémillon was for many years known as ‘Hunter Valley Riesling’ and is never matured in oak. It is however one of the most ageworthy whites in the country with bottles showing an inordinate ability to age gracefully. Bottle-aged Sémillons will often exhibit burnt toast and honey characteristics, slight nutty notes and supremely complex flavours on the palate. This palate complexity is coupled with soft acidity and the finish can be very long indeed.
The Kumeu region’s winemaking heritage dates back to the 1930s, a time when families of Croatian origin had opened Auckland’s first wineries. Now a coastal wine village, the area is home to an abundance of cellar doors ranging from boutique, family-run operations to larger, well-known names.
Despite being situated well north of New Zealand’s other viticultural regions, Kumeu’s climate is kept cool thanks to its close proximity to the Tasman Sea, just 20km to the west and the Pacific Ocean 30km to the east. These two large bodies of water generate help to moderate the climate by generating clouds, keeping peak summer temperatures below 30°C. These temperatures contribute to the conditions that enhance the fantastic aromas and flavours from early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. While there are a wide range of varietals produced in this region, wine enthusiasts should keep an eye out for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, two of the best-known wines produced in the region.
Hunter Valley’s climate includes regular droughts or floods, seemingly less than desirable conditions to grow grapes, with the hot, humid summers and cool winters. Nevertheless, the region has been under cultivation since the 1800’s and is responsible for putting Australian wine, in particular Sémillon and to a lesser extent Shiraz, on the world wine map. Winemaking pioneers such as Bruce Tyrrell (Tyrrell's Wines) and Len Evans helped the region gain worldwide recognition.
The famous Hunter valley Sémillon was for many years known as ‘Hunter Valley Riesling’ and is never matured in oak. It is however one of the most ageworthy whites in the country with bottles showing an inordinate ability to age gracefully. Bottle-aged Sémillons will often exhibit burnt toast and honey characteristics, slight nutty notes and supremely complex flavours on the palate. This palate complexity is coupled with soft acidity and the finish can be very long indeed.
The Kumeu region’s winemaking heritage dates back to the 1930s, a time when families of Croatian origin had opened Auckland’s first wineries. Now a coastal wine village, the area is home to an abundance of cellar doors ranging from boutique, family-run operations to larger, well-known names.
Despite being situated well north of New Zealand’s other viticultural regions, Kumeu’s climate is kept cool thanks to its close proximity to the Tasman Sea, just 20km to the west and the Pacific Ocean 30km to the east. These two large bodies of water generate help to moderate the climate by generating clouds, keeping peak summer temperatures below 30°C. These temperatures contribute to the conditions that enhance the fantastic aromas and flavours from early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. While there are a wide range of varietals produced in this region, wine enthusiasts should keep an eye out for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, two of the best-known wines produced in the region.
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- Tyrrell's Old Winery range is named after its historic winery in the Hunter Valley, built in 1863 for the first vintage in 1864. Medium bodied with a generously flavoured palate leaning toward a white peach/citrus flavour spectrum and a clean, crisp ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Old Winery' Chardonnay 2020$9.99 Per item
- Tyrrell's Old Winery range is named after its historic winery in the Hunter Valley, built in 1863 for the first vintage in 1864. Medium bodied with a generously flavoured palate leaning toward a white peach/citrus flavour spectrum and a clean, crisp ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Old Winery' Chardonnay 2019$9.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Serve slightly chilled. This wine is very compatible with most styles of foods. Fresh and lively pineapple, with an intense sweet tropical nose with lifted spice aromas. Rich tropical fruit and honey flavours fill the palate and are complemented by ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Old Winery' Verdelho 2020$11.99 Per item
- The United Cellars 'Varietal' Range brings you the most popular varieties, made by some of the best and most-respected winemakers for an unbeatable price. Designed for immediate enjoyment, the Varietal Range promises to provide a quality wine to suit every ... Learn MoreUnited Cellars Chardonnay By Bruce Tyrrell 2019$17.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Inspired by the land of freedom and the state that inspired the “Summer of Love“ California Dreamin’ is all about flavour! Expressive and opulent wines full of mouth-filling flavour, maximum complexity and rewarding drinkability. Sourced from two established vineyards on ... Learn MoreCalifornia Dreamin' Chardonnay 2017$18.99 Per item
- The Hunter Valley is renowned for producing some of the best Semillon in the world. This wine displays fresh, lifted citrus characters, a light palate, and crisp, zesty acids. It’s the perfect match for seafood or any delicately flavoured ... Learn MoreDe Iuliis Estate Semillon 2020$19.90 Per item
- Mouth filling and elegant, this hand crafted wine is a great example of a modern Hunter Chardonnay. The rich fruit palate with peach, melon and almond flavours is balanced by the creamy texture from French Oak treatment A rich fruit ... Learn MoreDe Iuliis Estate Chardonnay 2019$19.99 Per item
- Superb vintage growing conditions in 2019 led to the production of this outstanding Verdelho. Full of rich, tropical characters of pineappple and passionfruit, this wine makes on excellent accompaniment to Asian style dishes, as well as seafood or pasta. ... Learn MoreDe Iuliis Estate Verdhelho 2020$19.99 Per item
- Tyrrell's Special Release is reserved for unique parcels of fruit that in a particular vintage have those qualities and point of difference to warrant being bottled and released on their own. Verdelho is one of the Hunter Valley's key white ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Special Release Verdelho 2020$19.99 Per item
- The ‘baby brother’ to the famous Vat 47 Chardonnay. Excellent drinking on release and will develop in complexity with short term bottle age. A citrus nose with a slight hint of oak. A weighted palate that is generous and has the ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2019$19.99 Per item
- The ‘baby brother’ to the famous Vat 47 Chardonnay. Excellent drinking on release and will develop in complexity with short term bottle age. A citrus nose with a slight hint of oak. A weighted palate that is generous and has the ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2018$19.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Tyrrell's Special Release is reserved for unique parcels of fruit that in a particular vintage have those qualities and point of difference to warrant being bottled and released on their own. Verdelho is one of the Hunter Valley's key white ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Special Release Verdelho 2019$19.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Our ‘Two of a Kind’ wines are a tribute to the multi regional blends that created some of Australia’s best wines in the 50’s and 60’s. The wines are based on the Hunter Valley’s signature varieties of Semillon ... Learn MoreAndrew Thomas 'Two Of A Kind' Ssb 2019$20.90 Per itemOut of stock
- Hunter Valley semillon is one of the world's most uniquely regional wine styles. This is a very new and exciting style for Hunter Semillon, being made as an ‘off dry’ style. First produced in 2008, the inspiration being my love of ... Learn MoreAndrew Thomas Six Degrees Semillon 2020$24.99 Per item
- Hunter Valley semillon is one of the world's most uniquely regional wine styles. This is a very new and exciting style for Hunter Semillon, being made as an ‘off dry’ style. First produced in 2008, the inspiration being my love of ... Learn MoreAndrew Thomas Six Degrees Semillon 2019$24.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Kumeu River Chardonnay is drawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu Region. Particularly care is taken in selecting only the very best grapes from these vineyards for the Kumeu River Estate label. Shows lovely stone fruits, creamed nuts, ... Learn MoreKumeu River 'Village' Chardonnay 2019$24.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Perfumed French oak with stone fruit, vanilla and spice continue through to the textured palate with a long, beautiful finish. Released with bottle maturity this delicious, full-flavoured style of Chardonnay is matured for 12 months in French oak of varying ages ... Learn MoreScarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay 2017$25.29 Per item
- A modern style of Hunter valley Semillon. Abundant in flavours while still delivering a wine that is poised and long. Fragrant, lifted and minerally with lemongrass, lemon zest and fresh hay. Light, dry and intense with lemony fruit depth and ... Learn MoreSilkman Semillon 2017$28.00 Per item
- We sourced our Estate Chardonnay fruit from two outstanding parcels both on loam soils. One Vineyard is in the heart of Pokolbin while the other is from the Western fringe of the Hunter Valley Both parcels deliver a more intense ... Learn MoreSilkman Chardonnay 2018$29.99 Per item
- Classicly paired with freshly shucked oysters and sashimi - The nose is greeted with intense lime zest fruit characters which follow through to the palate with its delightful, vibrant fruit purity.The mouth watering acidity provides impeccable balance and precision ... Learn MoreAndrew Thomas 'Braemore' Semillon 2019$32.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Classicly paired with freshly shucked oysters and sashimi - The nose is greeted with intense lime zest fruit characters which follow through to the palate with its delightful, vibrant fruit purity.The mouth watering acidity provides impeccable balance and precision ... Learn MoreAndrew Thomas 'Braemore' Semillon 2018$32.99 Per itemOut of stock
- 2015 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. The Belford vineyard, planted in 1933, is located 10km northwest of the winery. Furthest vineyard from the Brokenback Range and has the most broken down sandy loam soil, consistency similar to that of ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Belford Semillon 2015$34.99 Per item
- 2014 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. Sourced from Neil Stevens’ Glenoak vineyard, a combination of light sandy loams and transitional darker, heavier clay soils. Oldest plantings on this vineyard are from 1911. Fermentation in stainless steel at cool temperatures ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Stevens Semillon 2016$34.99 Per item
- 2014 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. Sourced from the ‘Sign Post’ block which was planted in 1908. The vineyard has light, sandy and well-draining soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures. After fermentation the wine spent a ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Hvd Semillon 2014$34.99 Per item
- 2014 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. The Belford vineyard, planted in 1933, is located 10km northwest of the winery. Furthest vineyard from the Brokenback Range and has the most broken down sandy loam soil, consistency similar to that of ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Belford Semillon 2014$34.99 Per item
- 2014 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. Sourced from Neil Stevens’ Glenoak vineyard, a combination of light sandy loams and transitional darker, heavier clay soils. Oldest plantings on this vineyard are from 1911. Fermentation in stainless steel at cool temperatures ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Stevens Semillon 2014$34.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Fresh and lively in its youth, this excellent 2013 vintage Semillon has developed beeswax and honey characters with age in the bottle. An incredibly complex wine with a fresh citrus palate. Only 250 dozen have been carefully cellared in a temperature-controlled environment. ... Learn MoreDe Iuliis Aged Semillon 2013$35.00 Per itemOut of stock
- “This 1,000 dozen blend is from the following blocks; Weinkeller East – normally this is in Vat 9 every year. Weinkeller Young Vines – Normally in Vat 8 most years. Stevens Young Patch – This block is the bit above the old patch and was as ... Learn MoreTyrrell's Special Release Shiraz 2014$39.99 Per item
- Kumeu River, northwest of Auckland is without a doubt NZ’s finest chardonnay producer. Master of Wine and winemaker Michael Brajkovich has been crafting fine chardonnay at the estate since the 1980’s. Hand picked fruit and vigorous selection from the ... Learn MoreKumeu River 'Estate' Chardonnay 2018$44.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Hints of grapefruit and flint meld together to deliver a complex and refreshing nose with generous citrus notes. Grapefruit flavours flow onto the palate with a great length driven by flavours of white peach and secondary notes of struck match. ... Learn MoreSilkman 'Reserve' Chardonnay 2017$44.99 Per item
- 2017 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. Sourced from the Old Hillside vineyard’s mature 50 year old vines (previously owned by the Stevens family). Fermentation occurred in stainless steel open top vats before transfer to mostly newer French oak ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Stevens Shiraz 2017$44.99 Per item
- 2017 was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter Valley. Sourced from vines planted in 1991. Basket pressed before going into stainless steel for 3 days. Once fermentation began the juice was transferred to French oak barriques, a tiny percentage new oak. 8 months maturation ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Belford Chardonnay 2017$44.99 Per item
- Hints of grapefruit and flint meld together to deliver a complex and refreshing nose with generous citrus notes. Grapefruit flavours flow onto the palate with a great length driven by flavours of white peach and secondary notes of struck match. ... Learn MoreSilkman 'Reserve' Chardonnay 2016$44.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Rich, ripe, generous, elegant soft and complex. The upfront fruit is of dried black and red currants. The mid palate is layered showing dark chocolate, Chinese five spice with hints of cloves and dried mixed herbs. The back palate is ... Learn MorePetersons Back Block Shiraz 2003$50.00 Per item
- Sourced from a single vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge in the northern Belford end of the Lower Hunter Valley. Since 1844 the soils of Sweetwater Hermitage have been the foundation for some of the oldest known vineyards in the Hunter Valley. ... Learn MoreSweetwater Shiraz 2006$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- The Sweetwater Shiraz is true to form with its distinctive floral notes of violets and potpourri. Concentrated yet decidedly medium-bodied, deep red and blue fruited frame, perfumed raspberry fruit. There’s beautiful depth of flavour and the tannins are fine. ... Learn MoreSweetwater Shiraz 2018$50.00 Per item
- Belford is a district, and a number of wineries use the name - thus this is a single vineyard from within the district. Although the fermentation was initiated in stainless steel, it was completed in French barriques (20% new). The nose ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S Belford Chardonnay 2015$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Sourced from a single vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge in the northern Belford end of the Lower Hunter Valley. Since 1844 the soils of Sweetwater Hermitage have been the foundation for some of the oldest known vineyards in the Hunter Valley. ... Learn MoreSweetwater Shiraz 2005$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Sourced from a single vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge in the northern Belford end of the Lower Hunter Valley. Since 1844 the soils of Sweetwater Hermitage have been the foundation for some of the oldest known vineyards in the Hunter Valley. ... Learn MoreSweetwater Hunter Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- 96 points in the 2019 James Halliday wine guide. Sourced from a single vineyard located at Sweetwater Ridge in the northern Belford end of the Lower Hunter Valley. Since 1844 the soils of Sweetwater Hermitage have been the foundation for some of the ... Learn MoreSweetwater Shiraz 2004$50.00 Per itemOut of stock