Stay a little longer: spring afternoons in the Hunter Valley

The wrens have worked out that the Cellar Door is the coolest spot on the property. On a warm afternoon, one of the blue wrens or a scrub wren will hop in through the open door, have a look around, then head back out to the garden as if nothing happened. We've stopped being surprised.

It's that time of year. The skinks are out on the warm paths and the water dragons are sunning themselves. Out on the lawn, people are doing much the same.

Back at home, spring is when the long lunch returns. The plates get cleared and nobody moves. Someone shifts their chair into the sun, someone else goes for another bottle, and lunch turns into dinner. It's our favourite part of the day. The wine isn't the point. It's just the reason everyone stays at the table a little longer.

Most of these afternoons start with something cold. Our Limited Release Rosé usually gets poured before anyone's decided what else they're drinking. It's from our Limestone Coast vineyards, crisp, with strawberries and cream and a hint of guava, and it sits happily beside whatever ends up on the table. Or open the Sparkling Amarysso, a Blanc de Blanc made from Chardonnay off our Wrattonbully vineyard. It's bright and lively and made to be enjoyed young. No occasion needed, which is exactly why it's worth keeping a couple in the fridge.

For a table that's happy to try something different, there's the 2026 Limited Release Wrattonbully Fiano. You'll find citrus blossom, pear and green apple, a little almond, and a lovely texture on the finish. It tends to be the bottle people ask about, and once somebody asks, the conversation's off and running.

Save the Sparkling Silenus for when the news is worth it. It's our top drop in bubbles, made in the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown on our Orange vineyard, with real depth in the glass. Someone's engaged, or someone's finally finished the renovation. Open it then.

And the gin. Our Citrus Gin is back, with Batch 2 released this week. You loved the first batch, and we've refined it since, so we think this one's even better. It's made from grapes off our own vineyards, with yuzu, goji berry and orange peel bringing bright, lemony grapefruit to the nose. Long glass, plenty of ice, your favourite tonic and a slice of dried orange or grapefruit. That's the verandah sorted.

That's spring at home. At the Cellar Door, it's a slower kind of afternoon, a glass in hand and a spot on the lawn.

Start inside with a tasting. The Limited Release Tasting is $15 a person and a relaxed way to find a favourite or two. Then take a bottle outside. There's a grazing box with Hunter Valley cheeses, local olives, prosciutto and salami, or a cheese box if you're keeping it simple, and both are available every day. Find some shade under the trees, or stretch out in the sun if you've been waiting for it. The kids can roam, and the dog is more than welcome. We're known for being dog friendly, and there's plenty of room on the lawn for a run. Soley will probably come over to say hello.

If gin's more your thing, book the Gin Experience. We'll take you through our three small-batch gins, 10ml each, then hand over the tonics, and soda so you can work out your favourite mix. Tastings are bookable daily between 10am and 4pm. Booking ahead means we'll have a seat ready for you.

Spring doesn't hang about in the Hunter, and before long we'll all be hiding from the summer heat. So vivit while the lawn's green and the wrens are still dropping in.

Before you visit

Pepper Tree Wines, 86 Halls Road, Pokolbin, in the heart of the Hunter Valley.
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 5pm.
Tastings from $15 per person. The Gin Experience is $15 per person.
Grazing and cheese boxes are available every day. Dog friendly, with families welcome. Can't make it to Cellar Door? The Rosé, Fiano, Amarysso, Silenus and Citrus Gin are all online Shop Wine.