It’s easy to forget that the Hunter’s Valley proximity to Sydney means it was a wine-producing region from very early on. An important character in that enduring story is Dalwood Estate. Established in 1828, it is the oldest and longest-running commercial vineyard in Australia. To put it into context, that’s 16 years before Penfolds, 23 years before Seppeltsfield and 38 years before Best’s were all founded.
Dalwood’s vines were planted from the famous vine collections of MacArthur, Busby, Shepherd, and Blaxland. Formally known as Wyndham Estate, the winery was reestablished as Dalwood Estate in 2016. The driving force behind this venture was to return the winery to its former glory and honour its proud heritage. Shiraz plays a significant role and Dalwood is thought to be the first winery in Australia to establish a commercial vineyard with the variety. It is also the only red in their current range whilst they are waiting for Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional vines to fully mature. The whites—Chardonnay and Semillon—have always had great success in the Hunter, known and loved for their distinctive regional style. Thankfully, today, the styles of wines that the region can produce are back in vogue. This estate is poised to produce the finest version of these three classic varietals in the Hunter Valley.
SUSTAINABILITY.
No pesticides or chemicals are used, only organic fertilisers, with all water and waste products recycled on the property. Since 2016, a significant amount of energy and focus has gone into reestablishing vineyard health and restoring sustainable viticultural practices. With its heritage dating back to 1828, sustainable farming is an integral part of continual production and the estate’s life cycle.