Tasting at Oakvale

James
Aug 3, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 2, 2024

Overview

Winery Name: Oakvale Wines

Visit: 1596 Broke Road, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

History: Established in 1893, Oakvale Wines is a cornerstone of the Hunter Valley wine region. Through it's pioneering spirit and dedication to sustainable winemaking Oakvale has built a formidable reputation and cemented itself as one of Australia's premier wine producers. Family-owned and operated for generations. The winery prides itself on using organic and minimal intervention viticulture practices, ensuring that each bottle reflects the purest expression of the terroir. The winery is particularly celebrated for its exceptional Semillon however it's the Cabernet Shiraz that has captured my heart...more on that soon.

Date of Visit: August 2, 2024

Ambiance and Setting

Vineyard and Tasting Room: Oakvale Wines is situated in the picturesque heart of the Hunter Valley, near where Broke and Hermitage Road meet. It's a little quieter than the stretch of Broke Road between Wine Country Drive and McDonalds Road and the views across gently rolling vineyards and the distant outline of the Brokenback Mountain Range certainly create a sense of peace and tranquility.

The approach to the winery weaves it's way up from the main road and the manicured garden draws your eye before the stunning cellar door comes into full view. The tasting room itself is a harmonious blend of modern elegance and rustic charm, welcomes guests with its large entry and relaxed outdoor seating. The architecture integrates seamlessly with the natural landscape, featuring reclaimed timber beams, polished concrete floors, and an open-plan layout that fosters a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Atmosphere and Decor: Entering the tasting room, you immediately feel at home, the relaxed vibe, soft lighting and the thoughtful use of traditional materials brings the present and past together. Comfortable inside, outside and undercover seating areas are arranged to encourage a relaxed tasting and good conversation, while large communal tables cater to larger groups.

Staff Hospitality: We love the hospitality at Oakvale. The staff are warm, super friendly and really know their wines and the wine making process. We've tasted here a couple of times and on both occasions our host was passionate about sharing the winery’s story and the love and care that goes into every bottle. They provided loads of very welcome detail on the nuances of each wine, from the vineyard practices to the aging process, making the tasting experience both educational and enjoyable.

Tasting Experience

We chose to do the Comparison tasting which was a little more expensive than a standard tasting but was well worth the extra few backs. In fact I'd recommend everyone opt for any comparison tasting where it's available or ask for select comparisons in a standard tasting. Tasting to different vintages or styles of the same varietal or tasting to similar varietals will really help you refine your palette and enjoy wine even more.

The wines we tasted were as follows;

Sparkling

2021 (Elle) Brut Prosecco
NV Soarkling Bellini

White

2024 Semillon "Demi-Sec"
2022 Limited Release Semillon
2023 Verdelho
2022 Chardonnay (Organic)

Rose

2023 Rose (Organic)

Red

2021 Sangiovese
2021 Shiraz (Organic)
2022 Shiraz
NC Cabernet Shiraz
2021 Touriga Graciano

Standout Wine

For us its the NV Cabernet Shiraz. Bold fruit flavours from blackberry, black plum, red plum to subtle herbaceous notes and silky tannins.

This wine is beautifully balanced, keeps giving on the finish and has wonderfully layered depth and complexity. I've shared this wine with a few friends and it surprises every single time. If you are in the area then pick up a bottle, you won't be disappointed.

To Close

Oakvale is a terrific winery. Great wines, knowledgable staff and beautiful surrounds make for an unforgettable experience.