With award-winning wines, hatted restaurants and some pretty beautiful surroundings, New South Wales’ wine regions should be on everyone’s weekend-getaway bucket list.  If you’re wanting to explore and taste high quality wines, consider the Hunter Valley, Mudgee or Orange as part of your agenda. 

Open year round, there’s never a bad time to plan a getaway around visiting some of New South Wales’ best wineries and cellar doors. We’ve rounded up some of the best wineries, vineyards and cellar doors in New South Wales to incorporate into your itinerary — no matter what wine variety tickles your fancy.

Best for: Its award-winning and collectable wine, Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz Location: 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320

Cellar door times: Monday to Friday: 11am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am-5pm

Brokenwood Wines is an unmissable stop if you visit the Hunter Valley wine region. Named the Best Cellar Door in New South Wales at the 2025 Halliday People's Choice Awards, Brokenwood is acclaimed for its high quality wine that leans into what the region is famous for.

Try its signature drop, the iconic Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Alternatively, go for the ILR Reserve Semillon and HBA Shiraz.

Best for: Variety of experiences Location: 86 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320

Cellar door times: 9.30am-5pm, 7 days

If you think the name Pepper Tree rings a bell, there’s a good reason for it. The Hunter Valley vineyard’s most celebrated styles are its semillon and shiraz, but there are also other tasty varieties produced. There’s lots to do on site, with experiences including wine tasting and tours (of course!), gin tasting and a grazing picnic in the scenic gardens all on offer. As well as the Hunter Valley, Pepper Tree also has vineyards in NSW’s Orange, SA’s Wrattonbully and Coonawarra.

Best for: Mudgee reds, particularly its Zinfandel variety Location: Tinja Ln, Mudgee NSW 2850 Cellar door times: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week

Over in Mudgee, step foot into local operation, Lowe Family Wine Co. Here you’ll find an organic and biodynamic vineyard, winery and farm which found fame for nailing Mudgee reds. With a focus on sustainable practices, Lowe Family Wine Co. specialises in small batch wine-making and their vines are un-trellised and un-irrigated.

Best for: Cabernet sauvignon and shiraz Location: 231 Griffin Rd, Orange NSW 2800 Cellar door times: 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week

Mudgee’s Huntington Estate Wines has an impeccable track record of producing incredible estate-grown wines, with its cabernet sauvignon and shiraz considered the winery’s standouts. The highly acclaimed winery has clocked up countless awards since its inception back in 1969. There are a diverse range of wines to taste at Huntington Estate, with many styles cementing themselves as timeless.

Best for: Riesling Location: 231 Griffin Road, Orange

Cellar door times: 11am-5pm, 7 days a week, by appointment only

For fans of riesling, look no further than Bloodwood Wines, located in Orange. Its flagship wine is described as being full of elegance, grace and balance and it has won multiple awards. Although their riesling is a must-taste, Bloodwood’s other cool-climate wine variety is also of a high standard.

Best for: Minimalist approach to wine-making as well as its dry-grown chardonnay and pinot noir 

Location: Lofty Vineyard 125 Mount Lofty Road Nashdale, Orange Cellar door times: 11am to 5pm, 7 days

Famous for its premium, handcrafted wines made with a minimalist style, De Salis Wines is a favourite spot in Orange. Its sparkling wines, chardonnay and pinot noir all get the big tick of approval from wine lovers. Tastings are available and you can enjoy stunning views of the vineyards while you sip.

There are a number of wine regions in New South Wales, and the range of wine varieties grown is diverse. The Hunter Valley’s signature wine is its semillon and it’s also famous for shiraz while chardonnay is becoming increasingly popular. Mudgee is most famous for its red wines, including shiraz, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Meanwhile, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are Orange’s speciality.

The best way to get to the wineries in New South Wales depends on where you’re coming from and which region you’re visiting. While there are limited public transport options in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Orange available, it’s not the most convenient (many journeys require both a train and a bus) So, the most ideal method is to drive. Private transport as part of tours and packages are also available. Once you’re in the area, many popular wine regions will have shuttle buses to take you around to the various wineries and vineyards in the area. Alternatively, bring along a designated driver who won’t indulge too much in the wine tastings and can legally drive.

Whether you’re visiting the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Orange or any of the other wine regions in New South Wales, there are tours, packages and activities to suit all types of visits.

We’ve pulled together a list of some of the day tours and activities that are just waiting for you to book so you can start your adventure!