The Hunter Valley is the preeminent wine region in New South Wales, and one of the oldest in Australia, dating back to the 1820s. The Hunter is much farther north than most of Australia's grape growing regions, and consquently its summers are hotter and its winters wetter, making viticulture a challenge. But the proximity to Sydney and its tourists makes the challenge worth it. Shiraz, Chardonnay and famously long-lived Semillon are the main varieties grown.
