The easiest and most glamorous way to begin a vineyard tour in the Hunter Valley, which lies about 75 miles north of Sydney, is to take a 30-minute flight by floatplane from the city’s Rose Bay. Of the more than 150 wineries in the valley, here are three favorites: Brokenwood Wines has gained a following for its reds, but its Chardonnays are also standouts; Tyrrell’s Wines dates to 1858 — always under the direction of the same family — and we especially like the Sémillon and the Shiraz; Audrey Wilkinson has one of the most appealing settings of any winery in the valley, and the Chardonnay, Sémillon and Gewurztraminer are all exceptional.

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