Where Can I Find The Best Moscato In The Hunter Valley?
Fruity, sweet, spritzy and oh so moreish, Moscato is the perfect partner for a day of vineyard-hopping. These days it’s a trendsetting drop, as a favourite at food and wine festivals and a staple of girly gatherings. However, Moscato is made from Muscat grapes, one of the oldest known varieties in the world. No doubt you’ve had your moments with Asti Spumante? This is one of the classic early versions from Italy’s Piedmont region.
You could almost follow your nose to the delicate aroma of Moscato on Hunter Valley wine tours. From rose petal hints to musk candy accents, the region’s offerings complement everything from savoury lunches to decadent desserts.
Here’s where you’ll get in on the sparkly action with some of the best Moscatos in the Hunter Valley.
Wandin Estate
Nestled among the vineyards with sweeping, kangaroo and bird-filled grounds, Wandin Estate offers a whimsical backdrop for wine tastings. Part of the Estate Range, the salmon-coloured Pink NV Moscato is a floral, easy-drinking delight. To continue the sparkling wine journey, try the NV Sparkling Cuvee with citrus and berry notes. Headed up by chef John Rutherford, Wandin Kitchen brings onsite garden herbs and garnishes to mouth-watering menus to top off the experience.
Gartelmann Wines
Named after the former co-owner, Gartelmann Janette Moscato is coined as bubbly like its namesake and perfect to sip while chatting about matters of national importance – like which shoes to wear with which outfit! It’s fruity and fresh with a touch of strawberry sweetness. Keep the ‘pretty in pink’ theme going with Gartelmann ‘Veronica’ Rosé featuring strawberries and cream characters. This boutique cellar door is owned by chef Matt Dillow and the charming Deck Cafe serves up gourmet bites with gorgeous views.
Pro Tip:
Just talking about Moscato is enough to put you in a bubbly mood, let alone touring the Hunter Valley in search of your favourite spritzy drop! With a customised private wine tour of the hunter valley, it’s easy to shine the spotlight on sparkling wines to celebrate a hens party in the Hunter Valley, birthdays or simply to toast to your undying love for delectable Moscato. Cheers!
Kelman Vineyard
You’ll taste strawberries and cream, pear, ginger and musk in the Kelman Sparkling Moscato 2019. Kelman is a boutique vineyard in Pokolbin with an impressive list of medals and awards decorating its reputation. A fun fact is that the winery is named for William Dalrymple Kelman, a founder of the Australian wine industry in the mid-1800s. To please your sweet tooth just a little bit more, try the Hunter Liqueur Muscat and celebrate with a sparkling Blanc de Blancs.
Hungerford Hill
Originating in the 1960s, Hungerford Hill encompasses Dalwood vineyard, which is Australia’s oldest continually operating one. The sweet flavours of the Earlybird Series include the fragrant and fruity Earlybird Moscato Hunter Valley – an ideal chilled drop for sipping on sunny days. Along with the tasting room, the estate is home to the renowned Muse Restaurant, an enchanting Sculpture Courtyard and lush lawns for picnics.
Hope Estate
Hope Estate’s famous winery concert amphitheatre is the spot to frock up and swan around with a glass of NV Moscato, a white delight with a rose-infused aroma. You don’t have to wait for a concert though, with a cellar door to taste your way through blush-pink Tower Estate Moscato, citrusy NV Australian Sparkling and so much more. If you’re doing a wine tasting tour with a non-Moscato lover (gasp), the family owned and operated estate is also home to an award-winning craft beer brewery and a distillery.
Hanging Tree Wines
Dreamy views of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges join you at Hanging Tree Wines, across a 40-acre vineyard planted with Cabernet, Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz vines. Handpicked grapes create the magic here, including an NV Sparkling Moscato to thrill your taste buds with red toffee apple, pink fairy floss and ripe strawberry notes. Sparkling white fans love the fine bubbles, sherbet tingle and toasty overtones of NV Sparkling Brut. You’ll also step back in time at the old Blacksmiths House and the old Horse Whisperer’s Lodge.
Peterson House
With a motto like, ‘life’s flat without bubbles’, you know you’re in the right place for a spritz hit at Peterson House. Complete with ‘bubbly’ staff, the cellar door is a wonderland of over 40 red and white sparkling wines to taste. Make a beeline for Dolce Per Tutti Moscato, made from early-picked Muscat. Then, move on to the straw green Prosecco for a crisp, tropical fruit treat. Love pink? Indulge with Illusion Rose, Pink Blush Rose and the raspberry-hued Prosecco Rose. Phew! When it’s time for a nibble, Restaurant Cuvee serves creative cuisine with vineyard views.
Bimbadgen
Savour the fine bubbles, musk candy aromas and pale pink colour of Bimbadgen’s Sparkling Moscato NV, with panoramic views. Perched high on a hill in Pokolbin, the winery features cutting-edge architecture with an iconic bell tower. Fresh, modern aesthetics characterise the cellar door with views across the Barrington ranges. You might like to stay a while, so line up the baby pink Sparkling Rose NV, peachy Sparkling Cuvee NV and tangy Sparkling Semillon NV.
What should you do now that you have the perfect Hunter Valley Moscato on it’s way back with you to your Hunter Valley accommodation? You should get busy drinking it with your besties of course! And what better way to do so than by adding delicious spirits, fruits, juices and more in order to make the ultimate cocktails. Check out our guide to the best Hunter cocktail combinations if you’re stuck for inspiration.