HUNTER VALLEY PUB CRAWL FIELD GUIDE
A convivial loop through Hunter Valley’s cellar doors — wine, cheese, spirits and optional local beers and chocolate
A roughly six‑hour discovery of Australia’s oldest wine region that pairs guided vineyard and production tours with tastings, a shared lunch, and chances to meet family producers.
A convivial loop through Hunter Valley’s cellar doors — wine, cheese, spirits and optional local beers and chocolate.
Adventure brief
A convivial loop through Hunter Valley’s cellar doors — wine, cheese, spirits and optional local beers and chocolate
The Hunter Valley Grains & Grapes Tour threads through Australia’s oldest wine region, pairing guided vineyard and winery production stops with curated tastings of wine, cheese and spirits. Optional local beer and chocolate pairings broaden the palette; throughout the day you’ll share a casual lunch and meet the families and makers behind the bottles.
Just two hours north of Sydney lies the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, boasting sprawling vineyards, rolling hills, and a burgeoning scene of small-scale producers crafting wines, spirits, and artisanal foods. Dave’s Travel Group’s Grains & Grapes Tour unlocks this region’s authentic flavors in a way few other tours do — putting guests face-to-face with family-run wineries, boutique breweries, and craft distilleries over an immersive six-hour journey.
This isn’t your typical tasting room hop. The experience begins with a guided vineyard or winery production tour that sets the stage, revealing how the Hunter Valley’s unique terroir influences everything from Shiraz and Semillon wines to craft spirits. Guests sip thoughtfully selected wines paired with local cheeses, unlocking complex flavor profiles with the help of attentive sommeliers.
Lunch, often served at one of the visiting venues, is a relaxed affair with hearty wood-fired pizzas or a shared cafe-style meal, complemented by a choice of wine, craft beer, or cider. Post-lunch, the tour ventures into cellar doors where local gins, vodkas, and liqueurs await tasting. The finale offers a choice between chocolate and wine pairing or a craft beer paddle, ensuring every palate is satisfied.
Dave’s Travel Group focuses on intimate groups of 12 to 22 guests, traveling in smaller vehicles for a personal feel. This hands-on approach supports the local producers and reveals behind-the-scenes insights — making each stop much more than a pour. The tour operates daily with convenient hotel pickups around Pokolbin, Cessnock, and Lovedale, making the Hunter Valley’s best easy to reach.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply looking to savor the region’s best handcrafted beverages and foods, this tour by Dave’s Travel Group offers an extraordinary taste of Hunter Valley’s culture and craft. Expect warm hospitality, stories from passionate makers, and a day designed around genuine connections and flavor discoveries.
Route Schematic
Route schematic: typical stops
A sample flow of the tour, from pick‑up through tastings, lunch and the return run.
Hunter Valley pick‑up
Guests are collected from Hunter Valley accommodation (pick up at most hotels in Pokolbin, Cessnock & Lovedale) between 9:30am and 10:30am to begin the tour.
Vineyard or winery production tour
A guided walk through a vineyard and/or winery production area led by your 'Dave for the day', followed by the first wine tasting.
Shared lunch at a winery
Lunch is typically at a winery venue: a shared meal (often wood‑fired pizzas and salads) with a drink of your choice—beer, wine or soft drink—to keep the conversation flowing.
Local distillery cellar door
A post‑lunch visit to a family distillery for tastings of gin, vodka and liqueurs to brighten the afternoon.
Second wine tasting with cheeses
An official wine tasting complemented by local cheeses, with guidance on which wines match which cheeses.
Final pairing: chocolate or craft beer
On the final stop choose between a wine‑and‑chocolate pairing or a paddle of locally made craft beers before returning to the bus for the drive back.
Itinerary is an example and may vary; participants should expect short walks at cellar doors and to travel in small vehicles; check booking notes for exact pick‑up details.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You’ll be collected from Hunter Valley accommodation mid‑morning, then move through a compact circuit of family wineries and a local distillery. Mornings center on vineyard or production tours and the first tastings, lunch is shared at a winery venue with options of beer, wine or soft drink, and the afternoon layers a spirits cellar‑door visit, a cheese‑matched wine tasting and a final sweet or beer‑based pairing before a quick run back to your pick‑up point.
THE REGION
Australia’s oldest wine region
This tour takes you into the heart of the Hunter Valley — the country’s oldest established wine region — with multiple stops that showcase the area’s vineyards and cellar doors.
THE MAKERS
Direct access to family producers and behind‑the‑scenes tours
Dave’s focuses on small, family‑run wineries and production houses so guests tour vineyards and production areas, taste straight from the producer, and hear the stories behind the wine, cheese and spirits.
THE TASTINGS
Varied tastings — wine, cheese, spirits and optional beer or chocolate
The itinerary stages guided wine tastings paired with local cheeses, a distillery stop for gin, vodka and liqueurs, and a final choice between a wine‑and‑chocolate pairing or a paddle of locally made craft beers.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should look elsewhere
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Walking shoes, a charged phone (battery/charger), a reusable water bottle, an appetite and a sense of humour; playlist options are handy if you end up DJing on the bus.
Expect travel in small‑capacity tour vehicles; bring a charger and water and be ready to store purchases on the return ride.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour runs for approximately six hours.
Where does the tour depart from and when will I be picked up?
The tour departs from the Hunter Valley; pick‑ups are available at most hotels in Pokolbin, Cessnock and Lovedale and guests are collected between 9:30am and 10:30am.
Can I skip beer or other alcohol?
Yes; if a companion doesn’t want beer they do not have to drink it—beer is optional at lunch and at one winery stop.
Will we meet the people who make the wine and spirits?
Yes; the operator prioritizes visits to small, family‑run wineries and production houses so guests meet and chat with local producers and often receive behind‑the‑scenes tours.
Are children allowed on the tour?
No; the tour is for ages 18 and over.
How large are the tour vehicles?
Because the itinerary visits small producers, tour vehicles are usually between 12 and 22 seats (including the driver).
Is lunch provided and what are the drink options?
Lunch is typically shared at a winery and often includes wood‑fired pizzas and salads; for lunch you can choose beer, wine or a soft drink.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-08T19:51:10.964Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.