Belford: Wine experiences and landscapes in the Hunter Valley

In the Hunter Valley, Belford lies on the New England Highway, ten minutes south of Singleton. Wine is a recurring theme here in different forms: one experience combines an encounter with Highland cattle and a guided tasting, while another takes you through vineyards and a winery to discover Italian grape varieties. The landscape and the history of individual vineyards also offer unique ways to connect with the area during your stay.

Wine and animal experiences

At Squire’s Vineyard, you can feed and brush Pablo and Donnie with an advance booking. The Highland Cow Experience also includes a guided wine tasting and a platter of small bites. The visit is weather-dependent; closed-toe shoes or boots are required to access the paddock.

Ziliotto Wines offers a tour of its vineyards and winery. Walk through the rows of vines, learn about Italian grape varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Negroamaro and Pecorino, and taste the wines. The tour is offered on Saturdays and Sundays; you can submit a booking enquiry if interested.

The experiences have different focuses: at Squire’s, the wine tasting is complemented by an animal encounter and small bites; Ziliotto combines a walk through the rows of vines with an insight into the winery. For planning purposes, note that the tour runs on weekends and that Squire’s visit is weather-dependent, with specific footwear required.

Vineyards and history

Squire’s Vineyard is a private, 100-acre estate with gently rolling fields, vineyards and ponds. It also serves as a setting for destination weddings. If you are planning an event, confirm availability directly.

The vineyard, formerly known as Belford vineyard, is on Ridgeview Estate in Belford, at the end of Sweetwater Road. It was planted in 1998. In the operator’s assessment, it was almost certainly planted with the same Shiraz clone (1654) as the original Sweetwater vineyard. The original vineyard is no longer accessible.

Grape varieties in Belford and the Hunter Valley

David Hook Wines produces single-vineyard wines in Belford from Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz, the Hunter Valley’s traditional grape varieties, as well as emerging Italian varieties such as Pinot Grigio and Barbera. This adds to the Italian varieties showcased at Ziliotto by offering a glimpse of the range of wines produced in Belford.

In the wider Hunter Valley, Bramblewood Fruit Wines is the region’s only fruit winery. This broadens the regional perspective beyond grape wines to include fruit wine.

When looking for a hotel in Belford, your preferred focus for activities can be a practical guide. First, consider whether the animal encounter with wine tasting or the weekend tour will shape your stay. This can help you align your travel dates with the experience you want to plan.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Charlestown, Lovedale, Mount View, Maitland, Nelson Bay, Nulkaba, Belmont, Fishing Point

For the overview of the wider destination: Newcastle.