The Hunter Valley is renowned for its award-winning wineries and breathtaking scenery, making it a top destination for wine enthusiasts. But, did you know it’s also a fantastic place for families? At Palmers Lane Estate, we understand the importance of creating an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone, including the little ones. Here’s our guide to the Top 13 child-friendly cellar doors in the Hunter Valley, ensuring a memorable day out for the whole family.
1. Elbourne Wines
Elbourne Wines is a boutique family vineyard conducting tastings from their home vineyard, with a large kids play area so your little ones will be entertained too, while you can focus on the wines! You can also bring your own small cheese-platter to nibble on while enjoying your tasting. They also have a number of farm animals the kids will love.
2. Tulloch Wines
Tulloch Wines offers a Junior Tasting Experience where snacks are matched with non-alcoholics drinks as well as colouring in books available for the kids. They also offer a variety of outdoor games on weekends and school holidays.
3. Calais Estate
Calais Estate offers a fun kids corner with a number of games and activities for them to enjoy. They also offer gourmet picnic packs from Calais Estate as well as having animals on property, including peacocks and geese.
4. Degan Wines
Degen Wines offer a Single Vineyard Kids Experience for children which includes a non-alcoholic drink, a snack plate, and colouring activities.
5. Pokolbin Estate Vineyard
Pokolbin Estate Vineyard offers a junior tasting paddle of juices and lollies as wel as outdoor games on the lawn like Jenga and giant Connect Four.
6. Saddler’s Creek
Saddler’s Creek offer food, wine and live music in their outdoor wine garden during their Friday ‘Wine and Chill’ sessions. They also offer children’s tasting paddles, so the kids will be entertained and part of the tasting fun.
7. Peter Drayton Wines
Peter Drayton Wines offer a bunch of outdoor activities for the kids including soccer, cricket, totem tennis, quoits, and more while you eat. Kids meals are also available at Ironbark Hill Brewhouse which is part of the estate.
8. Scarborough Wines
The Scarborough Wine Co. cellar door offers ample outdoor area as well as outdoor games, including Jenga, hula hoops, quoits, and a large blackboard, as well as colouring in activities to keep the little ones entertained while you enjoy your wine tasting.
9. Comyns and Co
A boutique family operation, Comyns & Co. at the lovely Peppers Creek Village is a spot for the whole family. Set up the kids in the Kids Corner complete with a chalkboard, colouring, puzzles and toys then grab a seat at the tasting bar and find your new favourite Hunter drop. There’s an expansive grassed area leading down to the dam too that the kids can explore or use to play ring toss and bocce.
10. Hanging Tree Wines
Hanging Tree Wines offers kids activities, including giant chess, colouring, and naughts and crosses. There are also resident wine dogs that may come and greet you.
11. Wild Ren
Wild Ren Wines (located at Peppers Creek Village) offers kids tasting paddles with sweet and savoury treats and drinks they can enjoy while you relax and enjoy your wine tasting.
12. Charteris Wines
At Charteris Wines (located at Peppers Creek Village), renowned head winemaker and senior wine show judge, PJ Charteris, crafts wines that reflect the site and season of the Hunter Valley and New Zealand, his hometown. For the kids, Charteris Wines offer a colouring competition to keep them entertained while you can relax and enjoy some premium wines.
13. Moorebank Vineyard
Moorebank Vineyard has wine tastings with cheese and condiments or chocolate parings. For the kids, there is plenty of space to run around and some resident sheep on property, as well as a friendly cellar door dog and a swing set for the little ones to enjoy.
Once you get back from enjoying your tastings, you can let the kids have a swim in the pool, ride their bikes, play some outdoor games (available from reception), or roast some marshmallows over the fire, while you enjoy your new wine purchases. Or relax back at your lodge in front of the fire in winter with some board games (available from reception) or a movie on the Smart TV (with free WiFi). No matter the age of your children, there are plenty of cellar doors that offer a relaxing tasting with activities and games to keep the kids entertained.
Read about more great kids activities available in the Hunter Valley that will keep everyone happy!
