EXPAND YOUR MIND AT THE FARM
Hunter Valley Wine School · Pokolbin
Don't just taste Hunter Valley wine. Understand it.
Spend two hours exploring wine from the vineyard to the glass at Hunter Valley Wine School, a wine education experience at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin.
First, walk through our estate vineyard and learn how grapevines grow. Next, explore grape varieties and wine styles. Then, discover how colour, aroma, flavour and blending help you understand what is in the glass.
Best of all, you do not need any previous wine knowledge. Wine School offers a relaxed and practical way to learn more about wine while you are in the Hunter Valley.
Wine Education in Pokolbin
What is Hunter Valley Wine School?
Hunter Valley Wine School takes you beyond a normal cellar-door tasting.
Start with the grapevine
First, walk through our Pokolbin vineyard and discover how grapevines grow. You will also explore how vineyard conditions influence grapes and why varieties behave differently.
Then explore the wine
Next, turn your attention to wine. Learn how winemakers turn grapes into wine and how different varieties develop their character.
Finally, learn what to look for when you taste. You will explore colour, aroma, flavour and balance. You will also discover how blending can change the final wine.
Two Hours of Wine
From the vine to what is happening in your glass.
Hunter Valley Wine School connects the vineyard, winemaking and tasting. As a result, you can see how each part of the wine journey relates to the next.
Walk the Vineyard
First, start among the vines. Learn how grapevines grow and explore the influence of grape variety and vineyard conditions.
Understand Wine
Next, discover how winemakers turn grapes into wine. Also learn how their decisions can influence the final result.
Learn to Taste
Then, go beyond simply deciding whether you like a wine. Explore colour, aroma, flavour, balance and style.
Explore Blending
Finally, discover why winemakers blend wines. See how different varieties and components can change the final wine.
What Will I Learn?
The questions you always wanted to ask about wine.
Wine can seem complicated. However, Hunter Valley Wine School makes the basics easier to understand.
From vines and varieties to tasting and blending
- How does a grapevine grow?
- How does vineyard location influence grapes?
- How do winemakers turn grapes into wine?
- What are the major grape varieties?
- How and why do grape varieties differ?
- What should you look for in a wine's colour?
- How do aroma and bouquet influence the experience?
- What should you look for when tasting wine?
- Why do winemakers blend wines?
- How can blending change aroma, flavour and balance?
Estate-Grown · Hunter Valley
Before there is wine, there is a vineyard.
Hunter Valley Wine School takes place on the same Pokolbin property where we grow our estate grapes. Therefore, the vines, varieties and vintage have a real connection to the place around you.
Our wine story starts here
We grow our estate grapes here at the Farm. Local Hunter Valley winemakers then make our wines for us. So, while Wine School explains the wider winemaking process, you can experience the vineyard where our own story begins.
Who Is Wine School For?
Curious is the only qualification you need.
Whether you are new to wine or already enjoy exploring different styles, Wine School gives you more context for your next glass.
Wine Beginners
If you enjoy wine but find the language confusing, start here. Wine School gives you a practical foundation without making wine complicated.
Wine Lovers
Go further than a normal tasting. Instead, spend time exploring vineyards, varieties, winemaking, tasting and blending.
Hunter Valley Visitors
Add context to your cellar-door visits. Then, use what you learn as you taste your way around the Hunter Valley.
Couples + Friends
Learn together before continuing your day around Pokolbin. Afterwards, you can put your new knowledge to work at another tasting.
Corporate Groups
Add a distinctly Hunter Valley experience to a conference, incentive or corporate program in Pokolbin.
Special Interest Groups
Choose a deeper wine experience for your group. As a result, guests can explore more than a standard cellar-door tasting.
Take Something Home
More than another bottle of wine.
At the end of Hunter Valley Wine School, you receive a personalised Hunter Valley Wine Appreciation Certificate.
Take your new knowledge with you
The certificate gives you a reminder of the experience. More importantly, you leave with a better understanding of grape varieties, winemaking and wine tasting.
So, when you visit your next cellar door, you can look beyond whether you simply like the wine. Instead, you can think about why it tastes the way it does.
Groups · Conferences · Incentives
Bringing a group to the Hunter Valley?
Add Hunter Valley Wine School to a wider group, conference or incentive program in Pokolbin.
Build Wine School into a larger program
For larger groups, you can combine wine education with other activities across the Farm. For example, guests can rotate through vineyard experiences, Wine Theatre, grape stomping, barrel rolling and other activities.
As a result, everyone can experience Hunter Valley wine country together without every guest taking part in the same activity at the same time.
One Farm · More Wine Experiences
Wine School doesn't have to be the end of the lesson.
Afterwards, taste our estate-grown wines at Hunter Farm Cellars. You can also explore the vineyard, experience Wine Theatre or simply stay longer in Hunter Valley wine country.
Hunter Valley Wine School FAQ
Before you go back to school.
What is Hunter Valley Wine School?
Hunter Valley Wine School is a two-hour wine education experience in Pokolbin. First, explore grape growing and grape varieties. Then, learn about winemaking, tasting and blending.
Where is Hunter Valley Wine School?
You will find Hunter Valley Wine School at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm, 917 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, in Hunter Valley wine country.
How long is Hunter Valley Wine School?
Allow about two hours for the complete Hunter Valley Wine School experience.
What time does Hunter Valley Wine School start?
Hunter Valley Wine School currently runs from 9am to 11am daily. We recommend booking in advance.
Do I need to know anything about wine before attending?
No. Wine School helps people understand wine from the beginning. Therefore, you do not need previous wine knowledge.
Does Hunter Valley Wine School include a vineyard experience?
Yes. First, you explore the vineyard and learn how grapevines grow. Then, the experience moves into wine education and tasting.
What will I learn at Hunter Valley Wine School?
You will explore grape growing, grape varieties and the winemaking process. You will also learn about wine styles, colour, aroma, tasting and blending.
Is wine made at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm?
No. We grow our estate grapes here on the property. Local Hunter Valley winemakers then make our wines for us. We do not have a winery production facility onsite.
Do I receive a certificate?
Yes. At the end of Wine School, you receive a personalised Hunter Valley Wine Appreciation Certificate.
Is Hunter Valley Wine School suitable for corporate and incentive groups?
Yes. Groups can include Wine School in corporate, conference and incentive programs. Larger groups can also rotate through other activities across the Farm.
Can I combine Hunter Valley Wine School with a wine tasting?
Yes. Hunter Farm Cellars is onsite. Therefore, you can continue your wine experience with a cellar-door tasting after Wine School.
What other wine experiences are available onsite?
You can also visit Hunter Farm Cellars and experience Wine Theatre. In addition, you can explore the vineyard, try grape stomping or take part in barrel rolling.
Can I stay onsite after Hunter Valley Wine School?
Yes. Hunter Valley Resort + Farm offers accommodation onsite in Pokolbin. Therefore, you can make Wine School part of a longer Hunter Valley stay.
Hunter Valley Wine School · Pokolbin · Hunter Valley
Ready to know a little more about what's in your glass?
Spend two hours going beyond the tasting at Hunter Valley Wine School at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin.