Food and wine in the Upper Hunter

Why go there 

The Upper Hunter has a long tradition of appreciation for fine food and wines. As well as vineyards, the area now hosts a number of olive oil producers, cheesemakers and bakers. At markets in Singleton and Muswellbrook you can shop for fresh, local olives, fruit, nuts, jams, honeys and soft cheeses. Other towns in the region include Denman, Sandy Hollow and Scone.

Wineries

The Upper Hunter region is known especially for its chardonnay and semillon varieties, which achieve rare complexity on these gently rolling hills. It has a distinguished array of wineries, many family-owned and clustered around the town of Denham.

• Arrowfield Wines Outstanding shiraz and semillon, with fine dining at Max's at Arrowfield Estate.
• Catherine Vale Wines Semillon and chardonnays, with barbecue and picnic area. 
• Cruickshank Callatoota Estate Family-owned winery specialising in fine cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and shiraz wines
• James Estate cellar door at Baerami Outstanding views of the surrounding Wollemi National Park and Goulburn River. 
• Two Rivers Winery Known for its fine shiraz, semillon and chardonnays. 
• Yarraman Estate Established by the founder of Grange, Max Schubert, with an international reputation for its superior wines.

Where to get fresh produce

• Singleton Organics sells a range of organic and health food products, much of it sourced locally. 
• Pukara Estate’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils are some of Australia’s finest, with more than 50 national awards. 
• Hunter Belle Cheese produces gourmet cheese products handmade exclusively from Brown Swiss cows.
• Bacco's Artisan Bakery makes breads in the Italian tradition.
• The Singleton Farmers and Craft Markets on the third Sunday of each month with local beef, lamb, vegetables, fruit, cheeses and trout.