A chocolate-and-wine day is a hard thing to fake. This Hunter Valley tour mixes vineyard visits, a proper two-course lunch with paired wines, and a sweet finale at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company plus artisan cheese at Binnorie Dairy.

I like how it keeps you moving without feeling like you’re stuck in one room. Two things I really appreciate are the comfortable, air-conditioned van ride through wine country and the guided tastings at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard and Mount Pleasant Wines, both included and timeboxed so you get variety.

One consideration: the chocolate and cheese end up being short stops, so if you want long, slow tastings, you may find it a bit rushed. Also, a few people have pointed out that the sweet and cheese experiences can feel more like sampling than a full-blown sit-down tasting.

Key highlights to look for

• Central Station pickup from the Forecourt at 7:00am, returning back to the same spot
• Guided wine tastings at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard and Mount Pleasant Wines
• Two-course lunch at voco™ Kirkton Park Hotel with paired local Hunter Valley red and white wines
• A classic Hunter Valley Chocolate Company tasting (about 30 minutes)
• Binnorie Dairy Lovedale as the cheese course (about 30 minutes)
• Small-group feel can happen even though the cap is 57, so check-in pacing usually stays smooth

From Central Station at 7:00am to vine-lined country

This is a true day tour, not a lazy half-day. You meet at Central Station Forecourt (706 Pitt St, Haymarket) at 7:00am and you’ll be heading out early enough to beat some crowds and to get the tasting schedule done while the wineries are fully running.

If you’re using pickup, you’ll likely still feel the structure of a morning departure. The tour also runs with a mobile ticket, and it’s set up for people who want an easy start without hunting for a car park or figuring out local transfers.

Comfort matters on a wine day, because it’s long. The ride is in a van that people specifically call out as exceptionally comfortable, and that’s a real plus when you’re spending most of the day between stops—especially after your first tastings.

The drive through wine country: more than scenery

One of the underrated parts of the day is the time spent crossing the Hunter Valley landscape. Even before you pour a single glass, you’re getting that rolling, rural feel: vineyards stretching out, small roads, and the general sense that this region is built around grape growing.

This tour also does something practical: it keeps the pacing “stop-and-go,” but it doesn’t dump you into one giant tasting room for hours. The time blocks—especially for the main wine tastings later in the day—help you focus on what you’re tasting instead of feeling drained before lunch.

Pack like it’s a long morning. Bring water, and if you get even slightly carsick, sit where you feel most stable. You’re on the go for roughly 12 hours total, so a bit of planning makes the day feel smoother.

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: a guided one-hour tasting you can actually follow

After you arrive in the Hunter Valley, your first major stop is Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard. Expect a one-hour guided wine tasting that’s built around the vineyard’s historic standing and the feel of rows of vines stretching across the valley.

This is the kind of stop that works well when you want guidance. A guided session means you’re not just guessing which pour is sweeter, drier, or more food-friendly. You get a framework for tasting and for thinking about what you like—useful later when you’re pairing flavors at lunch and at the end of the day.

Wear something comfortable for winery grounds, even if you’re not doing a big hike. Winery surfaces can be uneven, and the stops can include time walking between tasting areas or viewpoints.

Mount Pleasant Wines: an iconic Hunter Valley stop with included tasting time

Next up is Mount Pleasant Wines (or a similar comparable winery, depending on the day). This is one of the region’s most storied names, and you’ll get about one hour of tasting included.

What I like about having this stop after Audrey Wilkinson is contrast. You’re likely to notice differences in the style of wines you’re served and in how the tasting is explained—seasonal choices, how the winemakers describe the grapes, and what they encourage you to compare.

Mount Pleasant is also a strong choice if you want a “real Hunter Valley” feeling without having to research it all yourself. You’re not just ticking a box—you’re learning enough to make the rest of your day feel coherent.

The lunch that changes the day: voco™ Kirkton Park Hotel paired wines

If you only care about one part of the day, make it lunch. Your two-course lunch is hosted at voco™ Kirkton Park Hotel, described as an elegant country manor style setting, and it comes with paired Hunter Valley red and white wines matched to each dish.

This is where the day becomes more than drinking. Pairings give you a chance to taste with context—what a red does next to a specific flavor, what the white handles better, and what works together without trying to figure it out on your own.

Timing is also built in: lunch lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes, which gives you enough room to eat properly between tastings. That matters because your last stops are about chocolate and cheese, and those foods are rich enough that you’ll want your stomach prepared.

Quick practical tip: eat at a steady pace. If you rush your meal, you’ll feel it later when you’re sampling sweet and salty things back-to-back.

The sweet stop: Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, about 30 minutes

After lunch, your day turns dessert-mode at Hunter Valley Chocolate Company. The tasting window is around 30 minutes, so it’s designed to be fun and focused rather than long and slow.

Here’s what to expect in real life: the chocolate tasting is often described as more like samples than a full deep tasting session. That doesn’t mean it’s bad—think of it as a quick tour of flavors and styles, so you can leave knowing what you liked and what you didn’t.

If you have a major sweet tooth, this is still a solid stop because it’s a named, well-known Hunter Valley brand and the experience matches the day’s theme. If you’re expecting a detailed, hour-long chocolate workshop, adjust your expectations and treat it as a short tasting.

The cheese course at Binnorie Dairy Lovedale

Your final stop is the Binnorie Dairy Lovedale cheese course, also about 30 minutes. This is the salt-and-cream balance to the chocolate stop, and it’s a smart way to finish because it forces a flavor reset after all the sugar.

As with the chocolate, the cheese portion can feel more like sampling than a full sit-down tasting depending on the day’s flow. That’s not unusual for a tour schedule, but it’s important if you’re the type who loves lingering with multiple cheeses and a lot of explanation.

One more practical note: if you’re hoping for a specific format like a particular cheese plate setup, keep your questions simple and be ready to ask at check-in. There have been cases of miscommunication around cheese service, and sorting it quickly seems to depend on how clearly it’s handled on the day.

Price and value: what $157.79 really buys you

At $157.79 per person, you’re paying for convenience plus included tastings and a paired meal, not just access to a bus.

Here’s the value logic I see:

• You get multiple included tastings (Audrey Wilkinson and Mount Pleasant), not just one quick pour.
• You get lunch with two courses and wine pairings, at a specific hotel venue, which is typically where self-guided days add up quickly.
• You get the themed finishing stops—chocolate and cheese—so you don’t have to arrange two extra pickups or figure out where they are.

Yes, the total day runs long and the tasting portions at the end are brief. But the core structure—two major wineries plus paired lunch—keeps the day from feeling like a shopping tour.

If your goal is to do Hunter Valley in comfort with a schedule that’s largely handled for you, this price can make sense.

Who this tour is best for (and who should rethink it)

This is ideal if you want:

• a single-day Hunter Valley plan with minimal logistics
• a mix of wine + food + sweet/savory local stops
• a guided structure that helps you taste with purpose

It may not be ideal if you prefer:

• slow, extended tastings with lots of time in one cellar door
• deep masterclasses where you sit with one winery for a long stretch
• a day that feels totally flexible (this tour is timed end to end)

Group size is capped at 57, but the feel can be smaller. If you want conversation and an easier pace, you’ll likely appreciate any chance you get at a smaller group.

Small details that make a big difference

A few practical things help you enjoy the day more:

• Bring ID. The minimum drinking age is 18, and wine is part of lunch and tastings.
• Pace your drinking. You’ll have multiple tasting windows plus paired wine with lunch, and then chocolate and cheese at the end.
• Plan for a late return. You start at 7:00am, so even though the day feels fun, it’s still a long one.

Also, the tour is set up with service animals allowed and it’s near public transportation. So if you’re not using pickup, you still have an easier way to plan your arrival at Central.

Quick check before you book

If you want a classic Hunter Valley day with guided winery time and a paired lunch, this fits well. If your top priority is slow, in-depth tasting sessions or you’re strongly focused on chocolate and cheese as stand-alone experiences, you might find the schedule a touch tight.

Should you book this Hunter Valley 2-Course Lunch, Cheese & Chocolate tour?

I’d book it if you’re looking for an all-in-one Hunter Valley day where food is part of the plan and where the tastings are guided. The biggest win is the combination of two major wineries plus paired lunch, capped with iconic chocolate and cheese stops that finish the theme nicely.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re expecting lengthy chocolate-and-cheese master sessions. The sweet and cheese sections are short, and the day can feel a bit rushed if you’re the type who likes lingering.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

You meet at Central Station Forecourt at 706 Pitt St, Haymarket NSW 2000 at 7:00am. The tour also returns to the same location.

How long is the Hunter Valley Wines 2-Course Lunch, Cheese & Chocolate tour?

The duration is about 12 hours.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour also has a start point at Central Station.

What’s included in the lunch?

Lunch is a two-course meal hosted at voco™ Kirkton Park Hotel, and it includes paired local Hunter Valley red and white wines.

Where do the wine tastings happen?

You get included tastings at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard and Mount Pleasant Wines.

Is there an age limit for drinking wine?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18 years old.

What if the weather is bad or the tour needs to be canceled?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.