Sparkling, Whites & Rosé

The sparkling wine crafted from Chardonnay grapes at Dalwood Estate in the Hunter Valley is a sparkling gem that exudes elegance and reflects the unique character of both the grape variety and the estate's terroir. Produced using the Charmat method, this sparkling wine offers a delightful and refreshing experience.

A unique blend and intriguing expression light sweet wines produced in the Hunter Valley. The strong bouquet of the Gewurtztraminer binds with the Vermentino's natural freshness, resulting in a wine that balances both sweetness and acidity.

Here’s how our special little 2025 St Vernay presents:

Colour: Straw and melon flesh. Rich vibrant energy exudes this wine into the eye.

Aromas: The wine does present a captivating bouquet of aromatic qualities. Expect aromas of ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and possibly a touch of apricot. These fruity notes is accompanied by floral hints and subtle citrus undertones.

Palate: On the palate, it does showcase a medium body with a focus on a luscious and balanced sweetness. The ripe tropical fruit flavours from the nose transition seamlessly to the palate, accompanied by a vibrant acidity that keeps the wine fresh and lively. The sweetness does provide a smooth and mouth-filling texture.

Sweetness Balance: The sweetness level is balanced by the Vermentino's inherent acidity, creating a harmonious and pleasant contrast.

Food Pairing:  Consider serving it alongside spicy dishes, Asian cuisine, or even as an accompaniment to light desserts like fruit tarts or poached pears.

Aromatic Complexity: The St Vernay's aromatic profile is enhanced by the sweeter style, offering a more intense and expressive bouquet.

Youthful Enjoyment: This style of wine is often best enjoyed while it's young to fully appreciate its vibrant fruitiness and sweetness.

Overall Impression: The 2025 St Vernay is a wonderful white field blend that brings the sweet flavours but in a light and nuanced way.

Grown along the banks of the Hunter River this Semillon hails from the oldest continually operating vineyard in Australia, Dalwood. First planted by George Wyndham in 1828 this vineyard is a piece of living history that continues in this wine.

Our Semillon grows in alluvial sandy loam on the southern bank of the Hunter River. 2019 was a dry vintage across the Hunter Valley. Mellow and soft lemon flavours and subtle melon fruits follow on to a broadening palate. It is coming out of it's adolescence and while it still can age for many years to come it makes for a delightful drop right now.

Our 2019 Single Vineyard Semillon is made in stainless steel tanks with no oak influences, is a tour de force with a bright and zesty focus.  Pure citrus and herbal notes, showcasing the region's distinct characteristics and the freshness of the grape variety.

Fermenting the wine in stainless steel tanks is a winemaking choice that preserves the purity of the fruit and allows the wine to showcase the primary characteristics of the Semillon grape without any influence from oak. This results in a wine that is crisp and refreshing.

You can expect bright and fresh aromas of citrus fruits, such as lemon, lime, and sometimes green apple. The dominant flavours could include lemon and lime zest, with a pronounced citrusy acidity that makes the wine exceptionally refreshing. Without oak influences, the wine has a clean and pure fruit character, with a slight herbal note.

For those looking to pair with food this type of Semillon is an excellent match for a wide range of dishes, including seafood, salads, and light poultry dishes. Its high acidity can cut through rich and creamy sauces, making it a versatile choice for pairing with various cuisines.

A Semillon wine from the 2019 vintage that has been made with no oak, wild yeast fermentation, and no added sulfur in its production showcases the pure and unadulterated characteristics of the grape variety and the winemaking process. This type of winemaking approach often results in a wine that highlights the grape's natural flavours and expressions.

Here's how our creative take on a Hunter classic presents:

Colour: Dried straw with lemon rind accents.

Aromas: The wine's aromatic profile is focused on the grape's inherent qualities. Expect bright and vibrant citrus notes, such as lemon zest and grapefruit, along with hints of green apple and perhaps a touch of white flowers. The absence of oak influence and the use of wild yeast does add an extra layer of complexity, offering subtle nuances of fresh herbs.

Palate: On the palate, the Semillon does present a light to medium body with a crisp and refreshing character. The citrus flavours from the nose might translate smoothly to the palate, accompanied by a lively acidity that contributes to a zesty mouthfeel. The absence of oak maturation does emphasize the purity of the fruit.

Minimal Intervention: The absence of added sulfur and oak maturation showcases a minimal intervention winemaking approach, allowing the grape and terroir to be the primary influencers of the wine's character.

Food Pairing: The wine's bright acidity and clean fruit profile make it versatile for pairing with a range of dishes. Consider matching it with fresh seafood, light salads, grilled vegetables, and dishes with subtle herbal components, including pork belly.

Natural Expressiveness: This style of Semillon highlights the grape's natural qualities and the specific characteristics of the vintage and terroir.

Overall Impression: The 2019 Semillon made with no oak, wild yeast, and no added sulfur does offer a pure and authentic expression of the grape variety and the winemaking philosophy. Its focus on freshness, acidity, and the grape's inherent aromas make it an intriguing choice for those seeking a wine that embodies the true essence of the Semillon grape and the unique conditions of its origin.

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Fiano is known for producing aromatic and texturally rich wines, often characterised by a combination of floral, citrus, and herbal notes. 

Expect vibrant citrus notes, such as lemon and tangerine, intermingled with floral scents like white blossoms and hints of honeysuckle. Herbal undertones, reminiscent of fresh herbs like thyme or mint, might also be present.

The wine's light body carries flavours of ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot, supported by tangy citrus flavours. Herbal nuances translate into a refreshing savoury quality, enhancing the wine's overall complexity.

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Dalwood Estate Chardonnay grows in sandy loam soil on the south bank of the Hunter River. The fruit was picked in late January and is exotic, with ripe flavours of peach and melon, and a creamy palate with well-integrated oak. 

Awards & Reviews:

93 Points - The Real Review, Huon Hooke

"Medium straw yellow colour. Nougat, pineapple and hint of seaspray on the nose. Lovely focus and tension across the palate, green apple and just ripe nectarine fruits are well matched to sea shell minerality and a hint of smoky nut complexity. Good length, crisp and zippy to the finish."

Grown along the banks of the Hunter River this Chardonnay hails from the oldest continually operating vineyard in Australia, Dalwood. First planted by George Wyndham in 1828 this vineyard is a piece of living history that continues in this wine.

Our 2024 SV Hunter Valley Chardonnay is a well-balanced and complex wine that showcases the characteristics of both the region and the winemaking process. Its flavour profile offers a delightful combination of fruitiness and oak-driven nuances.

Given the Hunter Valley's climate and terroir, our Chardonnay has flavours of ripe citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit, along with peach and apricot. The influence of French oak brings further complexity. Notes of toasted oak, vanilla, and butterscotch. The acidity strikes a balance between crispness and richness. For this wine we chose to use French oak barrels for fermentation. This imparts specific flavours and textures to the wine. These include notes of vanilla, butter, spice, and a creamy mouthfeel.

For those looking to pair this Chardonnay with food you’ll be happy to know it is versatile when it comes to food pairing. It can complement a wide range of dishes, including seafood, poultry, creamy pasta dishes, and even some lighter meats. The wine's acidity and oak influence can make it a great match for dishes with buttery or creamy sauces.

Awards & Reviews

95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion by Toni Paterson 

Sourced from Block 8 on the Dalwood vineyard, wild fermented. The palate is a mix of savoury and gentle fruit elements. Quite rounded and textural, with a sophisticated melon character that is generous without being overtly fruity. There's a wash of refreshing acidity, giving the wine excellent balance and length. A faint note of mealiness, too. Savoury sulphides add dimension, with the wine benefiting from decanting to temper their influence and harmonise the elements.

96 Points - Wine Pilot by Shanteh Wale

"Fruit is sourced from the oldest continually operating vineyard in Australia, named Dalwood on the banks of the Hunter River. It’s chiseled to show its many facets of fruit, some meyer lemon, yellow pineapple and peach cheeks. It then swiftly turns to show its savoury side with  cumin, fenugreek and sesame. There is a brown clay earthiness with stripped bark and dried leaf. Oak is a touch more sweet spiced on the palate and acidity climbs high and mighty. A lovely representation of the region and its rewarding style. Some churned butter and maple candy on the finish. This is detailed and balanced with plenty of flavour. It’s a historical site that has bottled to be savoured, maybe with a cheese burek."

Bronze Medal at the Royal Sydney Wine Show 2025, 86 points.

This Hunter Valley Rose is made from fruit picked at our Dalwood vineyard, on the banks of the Hunter River. It is fragrant and elegant, with ripe red berry aromas. The palate is smooth with a long savoury texture and a crisp refreshing finish.

Varietal: Rosé

Vintage: 2025

Region: Hunter Valley

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Hunter Valley Semillon is celebrated for its vibrant acidity, citrusy flavours, and potential for graceful aging. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, this wine style places a strong emphasis on preserving the grape's inherent qualities.

Colour: Pale straw to light lemon, with a clear and youthful appearance.

Aromas: The wine shows intense and aromatic citrus notes. Expect lively aromas of freshly squeezed lemon, lime zest, and perhaps hints of green apple. 

Palate: On the palate, the Semillon showcases its hallmark high acidity and light to medium body. The citrus flavours from the nose translate to the palate, along with a refreshing minerality. The wine's mouthwatering acidity provides a crisp and zesty sensation on the palate.

Ageability: Hunter Valley Semillon is renowned for its ability to age gracefully. While delightful in its youth, the absence of oak and the wine's high acidity can contribute to its potential for further development over the years. 

Food Pairing: The bright acidity and clean fruit profile of Hunter Valley Semillon make it a versatile pairing partner. It can work well with a variety of seafood dishes, such as oysters, grilled fish, and shrimp. Additionally, its acidity can cut through rich and creamy sauces, making it suitable for dishes like chicken piccata or light pasta dishes.

Its vibrant acidity, citrusy character, and potential for graceful aging make it a standout example of the Hunter Valley's winemaking tradition and the enduring appeal of Semillon.

A fresh and vibrant expression of this white grape variety. Verdelho is known for its aromatic qualities and lively acidity, and the minimal intervention approach would aim to preserve these characteristics.

Here what you can expect from our Verdelho:

Colour: Pale straw to light lemon, showcasing its youthful and crisp appearance.

Aromas: The wine does present an aromatic bouquet bursting with fresh and fruity aromas. Expect vibrant citrus notes like lemon and lime zest, along with hints of tropical fruits such as pineapple and a touch of passion fruit. Floral elements, such as white blossoms or hints of honeysuckle, might also be present.

Palate: On the palate, the Verdelho does exhibit a light to medium body with a focus on bright and zesty flavours. The citrus and tropical fruit notes from the nose might translate seamlessly to the palate, offering a refreshing and lively sensation. The wine's acidity is the driving force, providing a crisp and invigorating mouthfeel.

Texture: Without skin contact or barrel maturation, the wine's texture is clean and lean, emphasizing its pure fruit character and acidity.

Mineral Notes: Verdelho wines from the Hunter Valley often showcase a distinctive mineral undertone, possibly contributing a flinty or stony quality to the overall profile.

Finish: The finish is brisk and refreshing, with the wine's citrusy and tropical fruit flavours lingering on the palate.

Food Pairing: The wine's bright acidity and clean fruitiness make it an excellent match for a variety of dishes. Consider pairing it with seafood, such as grilled prawns or scallops, light salads, ceviche, or even sushi.

Youthful Enjoyment: Verdelho wines are often intended to be enjoyed in their youth when their vibrant fruit and refreshing qualities are at their peak. They are perfect for warm weather and outdoor gatherings.

Minimal Intervention: The stainless steel fermentation and lack of barrel maturation aim to highlight the Verdelho grape's inherent characteristics without introducing external influences.

Overall Impression: A Verdelho wine from the Hunter Valley, made with minimal intervention, offers an unadulterated representation of the grape's freshness and aromatic nature. Its lively acidity, tropical fruit notes, and clean palate make it an ideal choice for those seeking a crisp and invigorating white wine that captures the essence of the grape and the region.

The current vintage Tasting Note can be found Here.

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