Ernest Hill Wines
Situated at the gateway to the Hunter’s famous Pokolbin region, Ernest Hill Wines is a boutique, family‑owned and operated winery with a deep connection to the Lower Hunter. Every grape they work with is sourced exclusively from this region, a commitment that gives their wines a clear sense of place and a distinctly Hunter Valley identity. Their vineyard sits at the heart of their philosophy: small‑scale, hands‑on and grounded in the traditions that have shaped the Hunter for generations.
At the centre of Ernest Hill are Ross and his son Jason, who work side by side to craft premium Hunter Valley wines with care and intention. Their partnership blends experience with fresh perspective, resulting in wines that feel both classic and contemporary. The father‑and‑son approach brings a genuine warmth to the brand. Each release reflects their shared dedication to quality, family values and the unique character of the Lower Hunter.
Visit the cellar door:
Open Monday 10am - 4pm, Wednesday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 3pm.
Closed Tuesdays
307 Wine Country Dr,
CESSNOCK NSW 2325
Featured Wines
2025 ' Rosalie Joan' Verdelho
This cheeky Portuguese varietal is known for its vibrant balance of acidity and tropical fruit. Ripe passionfruit, melon and pineapple drive the palate, creating a crisp, refreshing style that’s all about youthful energy and bright, summery fruit. It’s an easy, expressive wine that shines alongside tapas, paella or a fiery Thai green chicken curry. Best enjoyed young and fresh.
2022 'Maisie Evelyn' Gewurztraminer
An elegant, aromatic style showing a beautifully lifted floral nose and vibrant fruit notes of lychee and white peach. The palate carries understated sweetness balanced by a crisp, refreshing acid line, giving the wine both delicacy and structure. It’s a versatile and expressive white, particularly well suited to spicy Asian dishes, Singapore chilli mud crab is a standout match.
2025 'Chicken Shed' Chardonnay
A lightly oaked expression of Hunter Valley Chardonnay, this wine is matured for six months in seasoned French oak to create a beautifully balanced, gently textured style. Subtle lime, melon and fig characters sit alongside a delicate hint of toastiness, giving the palate both freshness and quiet complexity. It’s an easy‑drinking yet refined Chardonnay, perfectly suited to smoked salmon, a favourite chicken‑and‑noodles dish or a creamy pasta.
2024 'Alexander' Reserve Chardonnay
The ‘Alex’ is Ernest Hill’s flagship white, showcasing traditional Hunter Valley Chardonnay at its finest. Produced only in select years, the 2024 release is beautifully balanced, offering layers of toasted hazelnut and vanilla woven through rich ripe peach and lifted lime aromatics. The palate is generous yet refined, carrying classic regional character with a long, elegant finish. Enjoy now or cellar confidently for up to six years
2024 'Andrew Watson' Tempranillo
Estate‑grown Tempranillo crafted in a medium‑bodied style, this wine opens with ripe raspberry fruit layered with hints of liquorice and gentle spice. Twelve months in a mix of French and American oak has added subtle toasty characters that sit comfortably behind the vibrant fruit. The palate is smooth, balanced and quietly complex, making it a versatile and food‑friendly expression of the variety. Beautiful with a white bean and chorizo casserole or roast suckling pig.
2024 'The Dam' Merlot
This medium‑bodied Hunter red shows luscious notes of spicy plum jam and blackcurrant, balanced by toasty oak and the region’s hallmark earthiness. The palate is rich through the middle yet beautifully approachable, supported by fine, smooth tannins that give the wine both ease of drinking and underlying complexity. It’s a versatile, comforting style—perfect with slow‑braised lamb shanks or a basil and prosciutto wood‑fired pizza
2023 Shareholders Shiraz
The epitome of Hunter Valley Shiraz, this wine sits in the medium to full‑bodied spectrum with generous mulberry and blackberry flavours, smooth tannins and a subtle lift of spice. Maturation in a mix of new and seasoned French and American oak adds depth and gentle complexity without overshadowing the fruit. It’s a classic, expressive Hunter Shiraz—equally at home alongside seared kangaroo, Peking duck or a charred T‑bone on the barbecue. Enjoy now or cellar confidently for up to eight years.
2023 ' CEO' Cabernet Sauvignon
A fine example of this noble French variety, this Cabernet is crafted from a specially selected parcel of single‑vineyard Hunter fruit. It delivers generous flavours of blackcurrant and blackberry, supported by subtle toasty vanilla notes from oak maturation. The palate is smooth and structured, with silky tannins that carry the wine through to a long, satisfying finish. A classic Hunter expression and an ideal partner for roast meats or hearty poultry dishes.
2022 'CEO Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
The CEO range is crafted from high‑quality parcels of fruit specially selected by the Ernest Hill CEO, showcasing the very best of each vintage. Shiraz and Cabernet come together here in a generous, full‑flavoured blend, with the blackberry and mulberry richness of the Shiraz complementing the dark plum and blackcurrant depth of the Cabernet. The result is a bold yet balanced wine that highlights the strengths of both varieties.
NV 'Moondance' Sweet Gewurztraminer
Crafted from late‑picked Gewürztraminer grown in the Lower Hunter, this lighter dessert style highlights the variety’s signature lychee‑driven richness. The nose is lifted and floral, leading into a palate that balances ripe tropical sweetness with a clean, refreshing finish. It’s an elegant, gently indulgent wine that pairs beautifully with crème brûlée or a bright tropical fruit salad.