A Hunter Valley icon, you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of Provence rather than the Hunter in this romantic French bistro. With its curling wrought iron chairs and glimmering candelabras, white-washed cupboards and eclectic floral arrangements, expect exceptional takes on French classics like Charcuterie with Robert Molines’ Pâté, Chicken Terrine and Rillette, Twice Roasted Duck with Braised Red Cabbage and Orange Glaze and Traditional Creme Brulee with Berries and Biscotti. Affectionately known as the godfather of Hunter Valley dining, his menu reflects a commitment to locally sourced, seasonal produce that honours his Provençal roots. Venture up to the lookout for even more beautiful vistas with a rosé in hand. bistromolines.com.au

The Provençal joie de vivre continues at certified biodynamic and organic winery, Krinklewood. Under the gaze of the Brokenback mountain range, enjoy a glass of their bubbly Blanc de Blanc or Francesca Rosé — ranked Number #1 Rosè in NSW — in the French-inspired gardens replete with potted urns and proud, strutting peacocks. Once the bubbles have worn off, call it a night at their new accommodation offering, Dimensions X Farmstay. A startup by owner Oscar Martin and Australian architect Peter Stutchbury, these earthen-hued, stylish cabins are an eco-sanctuary with solar power, efficient fixtures and water collection, blending aesthetics and nature. krinklewood.com

As pioneers of the paddock-to-plate and agri-dining concept in the Hunter Valley, a visit to Margan is a must for foodies and wine connoisseurs alike. The beautifully designed cellar door and restaurant in the peaceful Broke Fordwich district has a lovely relaxed vibe, where you can either sample Margan wine (and vermouth) at the bar or by the fireplace. For a more immersive experience, book one of the Margan tour options where guests can enjoy a guided vineyard and winery tour, followed by a wine tasting and visit to the one-acre kitchen garden, before sitting down at the hatted Margan restaurant. Here, indulge in either a three or five-course degustation made from estate-sourced produce overlooking the vines. margan.com.au

Talented Hunter Valley winemaker Usher Tinkler and his wife Ebony have created an inviting and social cellar door vibe in an old converted church built around 1905. Overlooking the Brokeback Mountains, you can recline on either rustic, mismatched chairs, an old church pew, Chesterfield couches or at the bar while a staff member takes you through your wine tasting, one glass at a time. Sample mouth-watering cheeses, local salami, honey and other gourmet foods while being poured Usher’s fresh, funky and uncomplicated wines. ushertinklerwines.com

This family-run vineyard in Pokolbin uses organic and regenerative practices to produce some stellar minimal-intervention wines. Try their renowned Tempranillo in the beautiful light-filled Cellar Door, or sip a Sparkling Alicante Bouschet under the trees on the terrace — it’s one of the few wineries in Australia to grow this rare grape varietal. You can even stay on the property in its elegant Estate Homestead, which accommodates 12 guests and features a swimming pool overlooking 10 acres of spectacular rolling vines. vindenwines.com.au

One of the smallest wineries in the Hunter, owners Kiros and Ana Alexandratos began making wine in their bathtub in Sydney; their son stomping on the grapes while their father ran the crush line. Fast-forward to today and they’re producing beautiful small-batch Muscat, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from their boutique winery, alongside Greek-style olives and home-made Limoncello with lemons from their orchard. mirawines.com.au

A Hunter Valley institution and one of the country’s most beloved wine labels, Brokenwood’s 8 million dollar makeover was nothing short of spectacular. From the tasting pods to The Terrace Wine Bar, every corner offers a world-class winery experience. Along with its iconic drops, feast on contemporary Australia fare — with a focus on fresh seafood — at The Wood Restaurant, or for something less formal (but still delicious), head to Cru Bar + Pantry which is open for breakfast, lunch and snacks. brokenwood.com.au

Established in Lovedale in 1996, this utterly charming winery is still a family-run affair, producing fine Shiraz and Semillon (among others). With its beautifully quaint Cellar Door, cafe, lake and animal farm, the whole family is welcome at this Hunter Valley gem. gartelmann.com.au

With an award-winning Semillon and Shiraz, a stop at Thomas Wines Cellar Door is a must. Winemaker Andrew Thomas is somewhat of a superstar in the Hunter Valley, lauded for his audacious yet sophisticated approach to winemaking. Book a tasting experience or order an antipasto box and enjoy a picnic outside. thomaswines.com.au

A family-owned and run winery, enjoy one of the best and most awarded Cellar Doors in the Hunter Valley. Either take a tour of a working winery or perch yourself on the verandah and try a wine from their Botanica, Regions, Limited Release, Single Vineyard or Winemaker’s Reserve range. firstcreekwines.com.au

In the Mount View district of the Hunter Valley, sip on Briar Ridge wines from either the tasting bar or their popular tasting deck that overlooks the ranges. Cheese and antipasto platters are available to order and include cheeses from gourmet local producer Binnorie Dairy Cheeses. To go behind the vines, book a tour where you can taste wine straight from the barrel, and you can pre-order platters to enjoy on the deck after you emerge from the winery. briarridge.com.au

A long lunch among the olive groves at Whispering Brook is a must. Share plates of Mediterranean-inspired fare arrive and are seamlessly paired with the estate’s varieties of Portuguese-leaning wines. With gorgeous grounds and rustic cellar door, it’s a lovely spot to visit on your next Hunter trip, or escape to their enchanting country house and stay the night. whispering-brook.com

Beautifully quaint and picturesque, the Pepper Tree Wines cellar door is one of the most-visited in the region — which can also mean it gets crowded. Thankfully, the winery launched a new space called The Vault, redesigning a former café space on site. Here, tailored and relaxed tasting experiences are available; you can enjoy up to six wines in a bracket, or choose your own bespoke tasting to include rarer museum wines in the line-up — all paired with cheese and olives. The winery also uses a Coravin pouring system that gives them the ability to look at three vintages of the same wine so that visitors can see how they change with age. peppertreewines.com.au

It’s well known to Hunter aficionados, but Audrey’s will forever be on our list for the beautiful views across the valley. Sunset up here on the deck is truly special. Work your way through the guided tasting or grab a glass of their Chardonnay, sit on the deck and soak it all in. audreywilkinson.com.au

Inside a historic cottage, this refined yet relaxed dining experience is a Hunter Valley must. Executive Chef Joey Ingram plates up innovative, comfort-driven and seasonally-inspired dishes that highlight the region’s wonderful fare. There’s also a hyper-local wine list to accompany a truly beautiful meal on the scenic grounds of the Roscrea Estate. convent.com.au