Uncork the Hunter Full Day Hunter Valley Winery Tour

Wine, cheese, and someone else driving.

This Uncork the Hunter full day tour is built for an easy day of tastings in Hunter Valley, with pickup, a tight small group, and structured stops so you can focus on sampling instead of navigating. From the first pairing class to the brewery finish, it’s a straightforward way to learn what works together, not just drink and hope.

What I love most is the Two Fat Blokes cheese and wine masterclass, where you pair 9 cheeses with 9 specially made wines, plus the day is capped with a generous gourmet grazing box lunch. I also like the small group feel, limited to about 15 people, which makes the whole day feel relaxed rather than rushed.

One thing to consider: the tour does not start with breakfast, and it’s a long day with plenty of alcohol sampling. If you show up hungry, you’ll feel it by mid-afternoon.

Key Highlights That Make This Tour Worth It

• Two Fat Blokes masterclass pairing 9 cheeses with 9 specially made wines
• Small-group format limited to 15 (max 18), so you get more personal attention
• Lunch included as a generous gourmet grazing box, plus wine with lunch
• Brewery tour stop at Hunter Beer Co with cold craft beers, plus an option for wine/cider
• Cheese and chocolate tasters built into the day, not just as an afterthought

Price and Logistics: What You’re Actually Paying For

At $157.08 per person for about 7 hours, this is not a cheap snack run. What makes the price make sense is that the tastings are packaged and included: the cheese and wine masterclass admission, the brewery tour and beer tastings, your lunch grazing box, plus multiple alcohol servings throughout the day.

You also get an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup offered, which matters in Hunter Valley. When you’re tasting alcohol, the value of not driving is real, even if you have a designated driver at home rules.

Entering the Day: Timing, Pickup, and a 10am Start

The tour starts at 10:00am, with the activity ending back at the meeting point. The stated meeting point is 770 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, and pickup is offered, so your day should start smoothly instead of with a scramble.

Here’s my practical tip: plan to arrive fed. Multiple reviews specifically call out that you should have a solid breakfast first, because sampling starts early and the day can run long. If you’re the kind of person who gets lightheaded easily, eat well before pickup.

Two Fat Blokes Cheese and Wine Masterclass: The 9 and 9 Lesson

This is the heart of the tour. At Stop 1, you head to Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Tours & Kitchen for a pairing class built around one idea: cheese and wine are a language, and once you learn the pattern, you can taste better for the rest of your trip.

You’ll be taught how to pair 9 different cheeses with 9 specially made wines. That’s a lot of pairings, and it’s also why this stop tends to be the favorite for many people. It’s not just sampling at random, you’re getting a framework for why something works, what to notice on the palate, and how flavors behave together.

What to do while you’re there

• Go in with a tasting mindset, not a gulping mindset. The class works best when you take your time.
• Between pours, pause and reset your palate so you can actually compare.
• If you’re curious about dairy preferences, note that at least one participant reported dairy-free catering, so it’s worth mentioning dietary needs when you book.

The Snacks Rhythm: Cheese and Chocolate Between Tastings

Even outside the masterclass, the day is loaded with food. Snacks included in the tour are cheese and chocolate tasters, and that matters because it keeps the day balanced and helps your stomach handle the wine.

This is also why the tour works for “food-first” people, not just wine nerds. You’ll be tasting what Hunter Valley does well without having to choose between wine tourism and local treats.

Small caution: one chocolate pairing can be better than another. A couple of people pointed out that one later chocolate and wine pairing session didn’t match their expectations. That doesn’t change the fact that the cheese and wine class is a standout, but it’s good to keep expectations flexible for the later stops.

Lunch at Hunter Valley: A Generous Grazing Box With Wine

Lunch is included as a generous gourmet grazing box, and you’ll also have a glass of wine with lunch. This is not a long winery dining experience where you dress up and order a three-course meal. It’s more like a well-proportioned picnic-style lunch designed to keep you moving and tasting.

The big win here is that your energy lasts. Reviews mention the lunch as sizable, and one person specifically said they had vegetarian lunch preparation handled for them. If you’re vegetarian or have other dietary needs, plan to tell the operator ahead of time when you book.

Hunter Beer Co Finish: Craft Beers, or Swap to Wine/Cider

Stop 2 is Hunter Beer Co, where you get a brewery tour plus tastings. The included tastings are a couple of cold craft beers, with an option for wine or cider to finish the day.

This stop is smart for two reasons. First, it breaks the wine-only rhythm, so your palate gets a reset. Second, the brewery format usually feels more relaxed than a formal tasting room, which helps when you’re already partway through a full-day schedule.

If you prefer wine to beer, you’ll still get something included since wine and cider options are referenced. It’s worth confirming what’s offered on the day, but the tour is designed so you’re not stuck with only one type of drink.

What Other Winery Stops Look Like on a Full-Day Route

The official plan you’re given highlights the Two Fat Blokes masterclass and the Hunter Beer Co brewery stop. In real life, the full day can also include additional estate visits, and people have reported stops at places like McCaffrey’s Estate, Honeytree Estate, and Wren for a chocolate truffle and wine pairing.

A couple of practical notes if you’re trying to plan your day around specific wineries

Some participants called out specific estates as highlights, but you should treat those as examples, not guaranteed every time. That said, the overall pattern is consistent: you’ll likely have multiple tasting experiences, then a structured finish with beer and optional swaps.

Also, the day is not described as a hardcore walking tour. If you’re hoping for a lot of vineyard walking or behind-the-scenes production time, you might be a bit more satisfied with a different style of tour. This one is built around tasting rooms and pairing lessons.

Guides and Group Size: Why the Experience Feels Personal

One big theme in the feedback is the human factor. Guides such as Shaz, Glen, Julie, Greg, Alex, JJ, Bill, Dave, and John are mentioned for keeping the day fun while also staying on schedule.

That matters because Hunter Valley tours can easily turn into a long day of waiting. Here, the day is set up to keep moving, with time to wander at each stop. Reviews also mention that guides can adjust for group energy, with at least one story describing a playful ending like karaoke.

Group size is part of that. With the tour limited to around 15 people and capped at 18, you’re more likely to talk with your guide and get help understanding what you’re tasting. It’s a better format than the huge bus tours where everyone disappears into their own headphones.

The Real Value of $157.08: Included Cost That Adds Up

Here’s the value check that’s easy to miss when you just look at the headline price: this day includes admission-style tastings and a meal, not only transportation.

You’re getting

• A cheese and wine masterclass experience with paired tastings
• Snacks with cheese and chocolate tasters
• A full gourmet grazing box lunch
• Alcohol servings that include wine tasting and a glass of wine with lunch
• A brewery tour and beer tasting at Hunter Beer Co
• Air-conditioned transport for the day

If you were to book two separate “tasting” activities and then pay for lunch and drinks on your own, you’d likely spend closer to the same total or more. The tour bundles the cost and saves time, which is usually what you really pay for on vacation.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour is a great fit if you want

• A small-group day with guidance, not self-driving trial and error
• Pairing education around cheese and wine (the masterclass is the star)
• A mix of drinks, ending with a brewery stop
• A packaged lunch so you don’t waste the day searching for food

It might be less ideal if you want

• A lot of walking or hands-on behind-the-scenes winery production
• A tour that feels more like a curated “only the very best” selection with zero variation from stop to stop
• A day that stays light on alcohol, because sampling starts early and continues

Should You Book This Hunter Valley Tour?

If you’re aiming for a fun, low-stress Hunter Valley day where the tastings come with real pairing instruction, I’d book it. The Two Fat Blokes 9 and 9 cheese and wine masterclass plus the included lunch and brewery finish make this one of the more “complete” full-day formats.

If you hate long days, skip breakfast, or want very little drinking, then you might prefer a shorter tour or a non-alcohol-focused experience. But for most wine and food lovers, this hits the sweet spot: structured, social, and genuinely easy.

FAQ

How long is the Uncork the Hunter full day tour?

It runs for about 7 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00am.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour meeting point is 770 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a generous gourmet grazing box, and you’ll also have a glass of wine with lunch.

What tastings and drinks are included?

You get wine tasting, beer tasting at Hunter Beer Co, plus cheese and chocolate tasters. Alcoholic beverages are included as part of the tastings.

Do I need breakfast before the tour?

Yes. The tour does not start with breakfast, so eat before pickup.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 15, with a stated maximum of 18 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.