LOWER HUNTER VALLEY
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine area, about a 2 hour drive north of Sydney, with vines first planted at the Wyndham Estate in 1828. Wyndam is one of around 150 wineries in the Lower Hunter Valley along with other internationally known names such as Tyrrell, McGuigan, Lindeman and McWilliam. But the majority of the wineries are excellent, smaller operations. Virtually all have cellar doors and offer informal tastings usually without any hard sell (but remember if self driving that Australia has very strict drink-drive laws). 
An unusual venue is the Bluetongue Brewery run by the enterprising Hele family at Hunter Resort Country Estate winery. Such a profusion of vineyards means that there are numerous restaurants and an array of accommodation. There are also numerous festivals throughout the year and a good range of local tours including activities like ballooning. Pokolbin is the main town in the Lower Hunter.

UPPER HUNTER VALLEYThe Upper Hunter Valley is far more spread out with only a handful of wineries which include the Rosemont Estate. Muswellbrook is the main town in the area whilst near Scone is a long-established thoroughbred horse breeding centre - polo is also played there (as pictured). Coal mining in the Upper Hunter co-exists with the wine industry and you become aware of this if you drive along the scenic but winding Putty Road en route from the Blue Mountains - see our Self Drive Tour from Sydney 'Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and  Port Stephens'