Fine Dining Wine Tour — Pokolbin’s Best Wineries & Hatted Restaurant Experience
A relaxed, small-group luxury day for couples: three premium cellar-door tastings, a two-course lunch at Bistro Molinés, and private return transfers from Sydney or within the Hunter Valley. Designed for slow, intimate tasting and memorable vineyard moments.
In Collaboration with Coast to Cork, Hunter Valley Wine Tours. Updated on March 26, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Coast to Cork, Hunter Valley Wine Tours, inspired by the tour Fine Dining Wine Tour – Pokolbin’s Best Wineries & Hatted Restaurant Experience. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Private pick-up from Sydney CBD or Hunter Valley
- Premium tasting at Mount Pleasant Wines with cheese pairing
- Exclusive cellar-door experience at Thomas Allen Wines
- Keith Tulloch Wines — wine, artisan chocolate & optional gin tasting
- Two-course lunch at hatted Bistro Molinés with vineyard views
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Itinerary
Day 1
Start with pick-up in Sydney CBD (or from Hunter Valley locations), enjoy three intimate winery experiences in Pokolbin with a long lunch at Bistro Molinés, then return to your drop-off point.
Pick-up & Scenic Drive to Hunter Valley (Sydney CBD pick-up starts 08:00)
Your private driver/guide collects you from your specified Sydney CBD address (or Hunter Valley pickup starting 10:30) and begins the coastal drive north to Pokolbin in a luxury, air‑conditioned vehicle.
Tips from local experts:
- If you're in Sydney, expect the pick-up window to be confirmed the day before — keep your phone handy and wear comfortable layers for the morning drive.
- Sit on the passenger side for the best morning light and couples' selfie opportunities as you head north — the coastline-to-vineyard transition makes for beautiful photos.
- Bring a small day bag and any wine purchases you plan to buy; the vehicle has secure storage and a seatbelt for every guest for safety and comfort.
Mount Pleasant Wines — Guided Premium Tasting with Cheese & Lavosh
Arrive at Mount Pleasant for a curated tasting of the estate's premium range paired with local cheeses, olives and lavosh. Expect storytelling about the vineyard's history and cellar-focused pours.
- Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Ask your host for a quiet spot on the terrace or beside the vines — it's perfect for a relaxed, romantic photo with a glass of Semillon or Shiraz.
- Share the cheese board slowly — pacing tastings with food helps you savour each wine and keeps the experience intimate rather than rushed.
- If you fall in love with a bottle, ask about shipping — Mount Pleasant will often assist with arranging delivery for tourists so you can bring special bottles home without extra luggage.
Thomas Allen Wines — Exclusive Winery‑Only Tasting
A focused cellar-door experience at Thomas Allen — a private, membership-style tasting that emphasises small-batch wines and detailed winemaker insights.
- Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Thomas Allen is intimate and quiet by design — request a table with a vineyard view if you want a private moment together during the tasting.
- Dress smart-casual: this cellar-door welcomes a slightly elevated look and it helps with the elegant ambience for couples.
- Because the experience is exclusive, keep your camera ready for scenic, low-key photos but avoid flash — the lighting and setting are part of the charm.
Keith Tulloch Wines — Wine, Artisan Chocolate & Optional Gin Tasting
A multi-sensory stop: enjoy Keith Tulloch’s award-winning wines, sample artisan chocolate on-site, and (optionally) experience a complimentary local gin distillery tasting produced at the property.
- Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Plan to try a wine and chocolate pairing together — it’s a naturally romantic, sensory moment and great for tasting notes you’ll remember.
- If you’re curious about gin, opt for the complimentary distillery tasting — it’s a quirky, intimate addition that complements the wines and makes for a playful couple’s memory.
- Ask for verandah seating when available — late-afternoon light over the vines creates a warm setting for lingering over a favourite bottle.
Long Lunch at Bistro Molinés — Two‑Course French‑Inspired Dining
Bistro Molinés provides a leisurely two-course lunch (guests pay on the day). Enjoy seasonal plates framed by sweeping vineyard views — the perfect slow, romantic meal in Hunter Valley.
- Monday12:00 – 3:00 PM
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday12:00 – 3:00 PM
- Friday12:00 – 3:00 PM
- Saturday12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
- Sunday12:00 – 3:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Request a window or verandah table when you arrive — the vineyard outlook enhances the long-lunch vibe and is ideal for couples.
- Let your server know any dietary preferences in advance or at arrival; the kitchen adapts seasonal dishes and can help pace courses for a relaxed afternoon.
- Order a shared entrée and a couple of main-course options to taste each other’s dishes — sharing is a lovely way to linger and talk between tastings.
Return & Drop‑off — Hunter Valley or Sydney (approx. arrival times)
After the final stop we head back to your chosen drop-off address. Hunter Valley guests are typically returned first (approx. 16:30) and Sydney guests arrive by around 18:30.
Tips from local experts:
- If you bought bottles, hand them to your guide for safe stowage — they’ll keep them secure for the journey and it saves carrying them during the return leg.
- Use the return drive to relax — your guide can often recommend a bottle to open later that evening for a quiet, romantic night in.
- Plan transport or reservations at your accommodation if you intend to continue the celebration — many Hunter Valley B&Bs and hotels offer late-arrival check-in or romantic add-ons.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Couples |
| Transfers | 2 |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 4 |
| Total Places | 4 |
| Activities Types | Transfer, Attraction, Experience, Restaurant |
Why this experience
The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region—rolling hills where Semillon and Shiraz have been perfected over decades—and Pokolbin is its heart. This day trip from Sydney takes you to the best of what the region produces: premium cellar doors where winemakers pour with the kind of knowledge that makes tasting feel like education, and a hatted restaurant (Australian fine-dining standard) where a multi-course lunch pairs perfectly with wines you've just learned about. You're driven the whole way, so you taste freely without managing navigation or alcohol limits. The experience is unhurried—tastings are leisurely, the lunch is spectacular, and the conversation with winemakers and your guide adds texture to what you're drinking. You'll understand why Australian wine matters, and you'll come home with bottles of things you actually want to drink.
For couples, this is romance in the way that matters: shared discovery, excellent food, genuine hospitality, and the kind of lazy afternoon that makes you remember why you took the trip. You're not rushed through five wineries in a single day; you're focused on depth over quantity. By the time you return to Sydney, you'll have spent hours in conversation about wine, terroir, and taste, with the kind of memory that lasts longer than the hangover.
Before you go
- Best time: Spring and autumn are ideal—mild temperatures and beautiful light over vineyards. Summer can be hot; winter is cool but fine for wine tasting and indoor dining.
- Budget: Check the booking widget for current tour pricing. This is premium experience pricing, including transport, cellar door tastings, and hatted restaurant lunch.
- Difficulty: Easy. You'll spend the day driving and tasting, with walking limited to grounds between cellar doors and into the restaurant.
- What to bring: Comfortable casual clothing (nice but not formal), closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, hat or scarf for vineyard walks, a notebook if you want to record tasting notes, and water to stay hydrated between tastings.
- Getting there: Luxury transport departs from central Sydney in the morning. Confirm pickup time and location when you book. The drive to Hunter Valley is about 2.5 hours.
- Accessibility: Transport and restaurant are generally accessible. Cellar doors have varying accessibility—confirm details with your operator if mobility is a concern.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need wine knowledge to enjoy this? No. Winemakers and your guide will educate you throughout the day. You're tasting to learn, not to prove expertise. Questions are welcome and expected.
What if I don't want to drink all the tastings? Always acceptable. Pour out what you don't want to try. Your guide and winery staff understand that moderation is smart. You can taste water or non-alcoholic drinks at any point.
Is the restaurant dress code strict? No. Smart casual is appropriate—nice jeans are fine, but beachwear or athletic wear isn't. Ask your operator for clarification if you're unsure.
What's included in this itinerary? This itinerary on TheNextGuide is free to read and follow at your own pace. The bookable experience is the full-day guided wine tour from Sydney, which includes luxury transport, visits to premium cellar doors in Pokolbin with tastings and winemaker conversation, and a multi-course hatted restaurant lunch with wine pairings.
Complete your trip in Sydney
Balance your day trip to wine country with relaxed and social Sydney experiences.
- Sydney in 3 Days - Harbour sunset from Mrs Macquarie's Chair — Return to Sydney for intimate dining and harbour romance at quieter establishments away from the tourist trail.
- Sydney in 48 Hours - Harbour vibes, beaches and nightlife — Extend your trip with social and vibrant Sydney nightlife and daytime exploration.
- Sydney in 1 Day - Private wildlife spotting and native-bush walks — Add an active day in nature as contrast to your wine-country indulgence.
Browse all Sydney itineraries at TheNextGuide.
Last updated: April 2026
