The Hunter Valley is Australia’s first and oldest wine region. Vine cuttings were first planted in the Hunter Valley in the 1830s, and today, those pioneer winemakers such as Drayton’s and Tyrrell’s are now household names. Wyndham Estate, Lindemans, Brokenwood and Rothbury Estate also have their roots in the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley is world famous for its unique Semillon style. Hunter Semillon, once known as Hunter Riesling, is unoaked and austere young yet develops a honeyed complexity over its long cellaring time. Shiraz and Chardonnay are also important Hunter Valley varieties in this region and taste unlike anything else in Australia. he region is divided into two areas: Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter Valley, with one official sub-region, Broke Fordwich.