Sydney may be known for its bustling city center, the Opera House, and its sun-kissed beaches, but did you know it’s also known for its wine?
It may not be the most obvious option, but it is a fantastic way to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. You’ll get to enjoy the natural landscapes, some delicious food, and of course, expert teachings about the local wine.
Some of them are located right in the city, showing you a different side to Sydney that you may not have otherwise explored. Either way, these 7 hand-selected top Sydney winery tours are the worth your time and money.
Best Sydney Wine Tasting Tours
| Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine from Sydney | Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney | Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour from Sydney | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Food & Wine Tour | Best Private Tour | Best Small-Group Tour | |
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 |  |  | |
| Location: | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Start: | 7:00 AM | 7:30 or 8:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| Duration: | 11 hours | 10 hours | 11 hours |
| Includes: | Bottled water, Breakfast, Food tasting, Lunch, Snacks, Wine tasting, Driver/guide, Air-conditioned vehicle | Passionate & Knowledgeable local private, Pick Up & drop at location of your choice, Bottled water, Private transportation | Air-conditioned vehicle, Local guide, Wine tasting, Cheese tasting, Cafe lunch with hot and cold options |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Hunter Valley Wine Tours From Sydney
- Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine from Sydney
- Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney
- Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour from Sydney
- Wildlife Waterfalls and Wine Day Tour from Sydney
- Hunter Valley Small Group Wine, Gin, Cheese & Chocolate Tour from Sydney
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney
- Private Blue Mountains and Winery Day-Trip from Sydney
Sydney Wine Tour Reviews
1. Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine from Sydney
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:00 AM
- Includes: Beverages, Bottled water, Breakfast, Food tasting, Lunch, Snacks, Wine tasting, Driver/guide, Air-conditioned vehicle
Are you ready for a day of gourmet delights and experiencing some of the best wineries in the country? If so, then you’re going to love the Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine from Sydney Tour!
This full-day tour has everything you need for a happy stomach, with the opportunity to see the natural beauty surrounding Sydney. Start off with a convenient pickup right from your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about booking separate transportation or renting a car.
Your guide will take you first to the bustling Sydney Fish Market, which is the 3rd-largest in the world! Here, you’ll learn all about how the seafood option works, the different types of fish offered, and what to look for when purchasing fresh seafood like this.
We grabbed a fresh, tasty cup of coffee while our chef made their expert selections before heading over to Hawkesbury River for a refreshing riverside stroll. As we enjoy the walk, our chef prepares a warm breakfast made with the ingredients from the market to pair with the wine.
Then, head on over to the first winery, where you’ll get to try the delicious wine selections and learn how they’re made. At each location, you’ll try some slightly different cuisines, from barbecue to fresh salmon and bread, along with a wide array of locally crafted, award-winning wines.
I loved how we were able to learn about Australian/Aboriginal history, food, and culture throughout, which is so important. This was such a charming, fun way to experience Australia, with our guide cooking up creative bites along the tour.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 7:30 or 8:00 AM
- Includes: Passionate & Knowledgeable local private, Pick Up & drop at location of your choice, Bottled water, Private transportation
This is yet another full-day wine tour packed full of education, fun times, and beautiful scenery. The Hunter Valley Highlights Private Wine Tour from Sydney made me realize just how much I didn’t know about wine from Australia!
It’s also a great way to learn about Australian history, which is crucial to understanding to really appreciate this versatile, beautiful country to its fullest. After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll board your private transportation with the rest of your party.
I appreciated the fact that this is a very small-group setting with just the people that I’m traveling with. As we headed through the breathtaking Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, we got time to take photos while learning about the iconic convict history over here in The Rocks.
We were able to see all kinds of iconic buildings like the Queen Victoria Building, CBD, and St. Mary’s Cathedral before arriving at Briar Ridge Vineyard. Here, we were able to learn from the experts, tasting different wines and differentiating between each varietal.
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Then, we went to Hanging Tree Wines which sits right on one of the most gorgeous ridges of Pokolbin right in the Hunter Valley.
The Smelly Cheese Shop here was full of amazing local and imported cheeses, and we had time to try them with different pairings of food. Cafe Enzo is up next, which serves up delicious Italian food, coffee, and desserts.
The Capercaillie Wine Company visit lets you taste and learn about sparkling and dessert wines, which are perfect before visiting the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour from Sydney
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Includes: Air-conditioned vehicle, Local guide, Wine tasting, Cheese tasting, Cafe lunch with hot and cold options
The Hunter Valley is not only known for its fairytale-like outdoor scenery but for producing fine wines and excellent cheese. We head right into its depths with the Small-Group Hunter Valley Wine and Cheese Tasting Tour from Sydney!
Throughout the experience, you’ll get to sample 20 or so different wines and cheeses, so you’ll be an expert at pairing both by the time you’re through! Start the day bright and early with a convenient hotel pickup at 8:00, where you’ll hop on board an air-conditioned vehicle and set off to the valley!
Along the way, your guide will regale you with tales about the winemaking history and Aboriginal history throughout the country. It was great to have some interesting, important context to enrich the experience, before arriving in the Hunter Valley.
The first stop is at either Iron Gate Estate, Tempus Two Wines, or McGuigan Wines – all of which are some of the best in the country. The tour does tend to vary a bit from group to group, but you’ll almost certainly get to try the area’s iconic Semillon and Shiraz varietals.
I did my future self a favor and went ahead and bought a couple bottles of my favorites I’d tried during the tour. We made another stop at a famous cheese shop, where there was no shortage of delicious, creamy cheeses to try.
We then learned how to properly pair various types of cheeses and wine, before doing a little tour through the valley. If there’s time, your guide will even make a few touristy stops in the city, like at the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Wildlife Waterfalls and Wine Day Tour from Sydney
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, 30 Pitt St, Sydney
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Small-group tour (max. 11 guests) Friendly, knowledgable guide Private koala experience with a keeper Lunch with a glass of Australian wine, beer, juice or soda Wine tasting at a boutique winery Air-conditioned vehicle
This was one of the most adventurous tours I’d taken in a while, and I loved the balance between the outdoors and wine tasting. The Wildlife Waterfalls and Wine Day Tour from Sydney does not disappoint!
If you’re going to Australia, you can’t not enjoy the abundant wildlife and raw, untouched nature, and this tour is the perfect opportunity to do so! This is a small-group tour so you can rest assured your group will never go over 11 participants.
This makes a huge difference, as you won’t just be strolling around with a massive crowd – rather, you’ll receive personalized attention from your guide. This tour starts off in the morning, where you’ll board an air-conditioned vehicle and head out of the city into one of the country’s oldest national parks.
The first stop of the day is the gorgeous Botany Bay beaches, where you’ll go on a leisurely walk to enjoy the scenery and learn about its history before heading into the Royal National Park.
You’ll be able to see hang gliders and paragliders take off from Bald Hill Lookout and take photos of this breathtaking vantage point.
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Then, hop back in the car for a quick journey over to the Symbio Wildlife Park where you’ll get to learn all about their koala conservation efforts.
The best part is that we were even able to meet one of the furry little guys and take a photo with them for an adorable memento perfect for remembering Oz!
Next up, you’ll take a beautiful ride winding around the Grand Pacific Drive on the way to Golden Beach where you’ll have a tasty lunch at one of my favorite cafes! Get the digestive tract going after with a simple hike filled with various lookouts for fantastic photo ops.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Hunter Valley Small Group Wine, Gin, Cheese & Chocolate Tour from Sydney
- Duration: 11 to 12 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off available
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Behind the scenes wine production tour of a local winery, Local Gin & Vodka Tasting, Knowledgeable, engaging and entertaining guides, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Alcoholic Beverages, Lunch
Cheese, chocolate, gin, and wine – what more could one ask for on vacation? With this next tour, you’ll get to enjoy all of that in various scenic spots in the valley with an expert guide to lead the way.
The Hunter Valley Small Group Wine, Gin, Cheese & Chocolate Tour from Sydney is not only a phenomenal educational experience, it’s also one of the most enchanting ways to see outside Sydney.
What I really appreciated about this tour was the fact that we wouldn’t have otherwise known about (much less, been able to locate) Hunter Valley and the amazing wineries nestled inside.
This all-day tour starts off by picking you up right from your hotel, so there’s no need to rent a car or worry about booking separate transportation on your own.
As we set out for the valley, our friendly guide offered educational/funny commentary on the history of the area along with other interesting stories.
I’ve been on more wine tours than I care to admit, and many of them just go to the massive wine producers which is more of a “corporate” experience, if that makes sense.
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I loved that this one took us to the charming “mom and pop” wineries, which to be honest, was way more fun!
We were able to visit 3 different wineries, where we got an amazing behind-the-scenes tour of one where we saw exactly how they produced wine.
We had a lovely lunch at a cozy restaurant with some of the most amazing views of the valley while sipping on some cider and craft beer. After that, we moved on to both a gin distillery and a vodka distillery and got to taste different spirits and learn the differences between them.
Throughout the tastings, we also tried cheeses and chocolates, where I learned that I could pair chocolate with literally anything and be happy.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: 497 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000
- Departure Time: 7:30 AM
- Includes: Luxury Minibus – Air-con, reclining seats with storage, Wifi, USB connection, Cooler, Free Wifi, Professional Commentary
If you want to drink wine in Sydney, you have virtually endless options to choose from around the city. If you want insight into the natural beauty, wildlife, and art of winemaking, then take this tour.
The Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney will take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the serene Hunter Valley from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
This journey felt less like a traditional tour and more like a storytelling experience where we got to know the winemakers and the stories behind each bottle they produce.
Starting off early in the morning, I found the guides to be great at organizing our time in a way that we avoided any crowds and traffic. The luxury minibus was super comfortable, with reclining seats, onboard wifi, USB charging connections, and even places for storing our bags and jackets!
The first stop of the tour is the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, where your guides share fascinating information about their conservation efforts and about the sweet animals they protect here.
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You’ll get to see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and plenty of other typically “Australian” animals (note, it’s illegal to hold koalas in NSW, so you won’t be able to do that here). After seeing these amazing creatures, head out to D’Vine Treats where you’ll get to try a smorgasbord of delicious cheeses, olive oils, and chocolates!
The Pokolbin Estate Vineyard was absolutely beautiful, and the boutique vineyard setting made it feel like I was in some kind of movie. We had a very well-organized wine tasting on the property before heading to Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort for a tasty lunch made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Then, it’s off to Wombat Crossing Vineyard for another wine tasting – I unfortunately didn’t see any wombats, but it was still a blast.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Private Blue Mountains and Winery Day-Trip from Sydney
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 8:00 or 9:00 AM
- Includes: National Park fees, Beverages, Wine tasting, Local guide, Transport by private vehicle
If you haven’t been to the Blue Mountains in Australia before, do yourself a favor and sign up for this next tour. With some of the most breathtaking views, lush scenery, and exotic animals, it’s a unique experience.
The Private Blue Mountains and Winery Day-Trip from Sydney Tour is a fully customizable tour that involves your party and a private guide to curate an itinerary based on your preferences.
Start out by being picked up in a private vehicle right from your hotel, where you’ll get to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacular vistas from the natural landscapes around you. As you travel, your guide will ask you and your party questions about what you’re most interested in so they can design a plan around it.
Once you arrive at the Blue Mountains National Park, you’ll all have time to walk around, take a hike up the mountains, and stop at various points like Aboriginal Rock Art sites, see wild kangaroos, and more.
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Scenic World is a cool option, where you’ll ride the world’s steepest incline railway and head down through the deep tunnels and rainforest passes right into the center of the Jamison Valley.
I really enjoyed the ride through the vineyards and gum tree forest, where our guide pointed out exotic critters to us (there are tons of birds everywhere!) Finally, we made a stop for lunch before heading to a local winery for a delicious wine-tasting and cheese platter!
I’m a huge Riesling fan, and it was here where I tried one of the best of my life! Afterward, we had time to check out the Grose Valley and Victoria Falls, and our guide was nice enough to even take photos for us!
What I love about this is that it feels like a friend is taking you around, perfectly balancing the wilderness with wine and food.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Wines Tasted
Tour Guides
Value
The Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine from Sydney is our Editors Choice for the best Hunter wine tour from Sydney.
