EXPAND YOUR MIND AT THE FARM
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre · Pokolbin
See how wine is made. Then discover how you taste it.
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre takes you through a year of wine in a 15-minute visual experience. Then, explore four wines in a guided sensory tutorial at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin.
First, watch the vineyard, harvest and winemaking journey unfold on screen. Next, discover how fruit, acidity, aroma and tannin influence what you taste.
So, this is more than another wine tasting. Instead, it offers a relaxed and interactive introduction to wine and the way we experience it.
A Year of Wine
What is Hunter Valley Wine Theatre?
You can only watch many parts of the winemaking process during a short period each year. However, Wine Theatre lets you see the whole journey in one experience.
From vineyard to finished wine
First, the 15-minute Wine Theatre film follows a year of activity in Hunter Valley wine country. It starts in the vineyard and follows the grape harvest. Then, it explores the stages that turn grapes into wine.
Next, the lights come up and you begin the four-wine sensory tutorial. Rather than telling you which flavours to find, your guide helps you explore how you experience each wine.
The idea is simple. First, understand more about how people make wine. Then, discover more about how you taste it.
Part One · The Big Screen
See a year of winemaking in 15 minutes.
Follow the journey from the Hunter Valley vineyard through to the finished bottle.
Hunter Valley
First, discover the history of the Hunter and the wine region where the experience takes place.
The Vineyard
Next, see how vineyard teams manage vines through the seasons and grow wine grapes.
Harvest
Then, follow the grape harvest as the journey moves from the vineyard into the winemaking process.
Wine
Finally, explore fermentation, racking, filtration and blending before the wine reaches the bottle.
Part Two · Wine Tutorial
When the lights come up, don't just taste the wine. Discover what is happening.
Next, four wines take you on a sensory journey. Explore sweetness and acidity, discover how aroma changes flavour, notice the texture of tannin and see what happens when you blend wines together.
Four Wines · A Sensory Journey
Learn to notice what is happening in the glass.
You do not need to know anything about wine. Instead, the tutorial helps you discover how your senses respond to each wine.
Fruit + Acidity
First, taste Semillon and explore the relationship between fruit and acidity. Also discover how young Hunter Valley Semillon can develop with age.
Balance
Next, taste Hunter Farm Pinot Grigio. Consider the balance between fruit and acidity and how this style works with food.
Aroma + Flavour
Then, explore a Hunter Farm red wine. Notice the important connection between what you smell and what you experience as flavour.
Fruit + Tannin
Finally, explore Hunter Farm Reserve Shiraz. Discover the difference between fruit and the dry, textural sensation of tannin.
The Final Experiment
Now make your own blend.
Finally, bring two wines together and create your own Cabernet Shiraz blend.
What happens when two wines become one?
First, decide which wine you prefer on its own. Then, combine the two wines and taste again.
As a result, you can see how each wine changes the balance, structure and mouthfeel of the final blend.
You may even prefer the blend to either wine on its own. If so, you will understand why winemakers have blended grape varieties for generations.
Vineyard · Wine · Pokolbin
See the process. Then step outside into wine country.
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre sits at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin. Our estate vineyard grows on the same property.
We grow our estate grapes here at the Farm. Local Hunter Valley winemakers then make our wines for us. So, while Wine Theatre shows the wider winemaking journey, you can step outside and see where our own wine story begins.
Keep Exploring
The tutorial may be over. The tasting doesn't have to be.
After Wine Theatre, head downstairs to Hunter Farm Cellars if you would like to explore more wines.
Continue your Hunter Valley wine journey
Alternatively, take your new knowledge with you as you explore the Hunter Valley. Visit another cellar door, enjoy a vineyard experience or go deeper with Hunter Valley Wine School.
Groups · Conferences · Incentives
Bringing a group to the Hunter Valley?
Add Hunter Valley Wine Theatre to a conference, incentive, tour or group program in Pokolbin.
An easy introduction to Hunter Valley wine
First, the visual presentation introduces the wine journey. Then, the guided tutorial helps everyone explore wine together. Guests do not need previous wine knowledge to take part.
For larger programs, you can also combine Wine Theatre with other wine, food and team activities across Hunter Valley Resort + Farm.
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre FAQ
Before the lights go down.
What is Hunter Valley Wine Theatre?
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre is a wine experience at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin. First, watch a 15-minute visual journey through a year of wine. Then, enjoy a guided four-wine sensory tutorial.
Where is Hunter Valley Wine Theatre?
You will find Hunter Valley Wine Theatre at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm, 917 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, in Hunter Valley wine country.
What time does Hunter Valley Wine Theatre run?
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre currently runs daily at 10am and 3.30pm. We recommend booking in advance.
What does the Wine Theatre film show?
The 15-minute visual experience explores Hunter Valley history and vineyard management. It also follows grape harvest, fermentation, racking, filtration, blending and bottling.
Is Hunter Valley Wine Theatre a wine tasting?
Wine Theatre includes four wines. However, the experience focuses on learning rather than simply tasting. You explore fruit, acidity, aroma, flavour, tannin and blending.
Do I need to know anything about wine?
No. Wine Theatre makes wine easier to understand. Therefore, you do not need any previous wine knowledge.
How many wines are included in the tutorial?
You explore four wines during the guided sensory tutorial. Each wine helps demonstrate a different aspect of taste and wine structure.
Will I learn how to taste wine?
Yes. You explore fruit and acidity, aroma and flavour, and the sensation of tannin. Finally, you discover how blending can change a wine.
Do we blend wine during Wine Theatre?
Yes. During the final exercise, you bring two wines together to create your own Cabernet Shiraz blend. Then, you taste how blending changes balance and mouthfeel.
Is wine made at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm?
No. We grow our estate grapes here on the property. Local Hunter Valley winemakers make our wines for us. We do not have a winery production facility onsite.
Can I taste more wines afterwards?
Yes. Afterwards, head to Hunter Farm Cellars onsite if you would like to explore more wines.
What is the difference between Wine Theatre and Hunter Valley Wine School?
Wine Theatre gives you a shorter visual introduction to wine, followed by a four-wine sensory tutorial. In contrast, Hunter Valley Wine School offers a deeper two-hour wine education experience. It also explores the vineyard, grape varieties, tasting and blending.
Is Hunter Valley Wine Theatre suitable for groups?
Yes. Groups can add Wine Theatre to tours, conferences and incentive programs. You can also combine it with other experiences at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm.
Can I stay onsite?
Yes. Hunter Valley Resort + Farm offers accommodation onsite in Pokolbin. Therefore, you can easily include Wine Theatre as part of a longer Hunter Valley stay.
Hunter Valley Wine Theatre · Pokolbin
See the journey. Taste the difference.
First, discover a year of wine on screen. Then, explore what happens in your own glass at Hunter Valley Wine Theatre.