Looking for the Best Hunter Valley Semillon? Check This Out!

You're standing in the heart of the Hunter Valley region, surrounded by rolling hills and endless rows of lush green vines. The sun is shining down on you, and a gentle breeze blows through the valley, carrying with it the scent of fresh flowers and ripe fruit.

You take a sip of a crisp, refreshing Hunter Valley Semillon, and the profile explodes on your tongue. You taste intoxicating flavours of zesty lemon and lime mixed with a subtle mineral note that speaks to the unique terroir of the region. 

The wine is light and refreshing, with a crisp acidity that leaves your mouth watering for more.

Alright, we’ll stop waxing lyrical. But which wine could possibly bring about such a superior tasting experience, you ask? The best Hunter Valley Semillon in the region, of course. Not to toot our own horn, but Brokenwood Wines houses some of the finest Semillon in Wine Country. 

From our award-winning 2022 Hunter Valley Semillon to our beautifully aged 2019 Oakey Creek Semillon, we take a look at the white wines that make our beloved Cellar Door so celebrated.

Semillon and the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is renowned for its excellence in Semillon production. The taste of Hunter Semillon is quite different to a South Australian or Barossa Valley glass, and for good reason: our unique climate and soil conditions are ideally suited for growing Semillon grapes. 

The Hunter's hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters create the perfect environment for this grape variety to thrive. The sandy, alluvial soils found in the valley are rich in minerals and nutrients, providing the ideal conditions for the vines to grow deep roots and produce high-quality grapes.

Another key factor that sets Semillon from the Hunter Valley apart from other regions is its low alcohol content. Typically, the alcohol content of Hunter Valley Semillon is around 11%, which gives the wine a light and refreshing quality that's perfect for warm weather and outdoor dining. 

Serve a bottle or two chilled and with a plentiful side of freshly shucked oysters or charcuterie and you've got a truly blissful afternoon of great wine and good fun!

Zesty or Sweet?

At Brokenwood, we believe that the key to producing exceptional Semillon wine in Australia is to showcase the unique characteristics of the grapes and the terroir in which they 're grown. 

Our various vineyards have grown some phenomenal grapes with which to craft the perfect Semillons, including our recently acquired Oakey Creek Vineyard. It's a pretty amazing production line from soil, to grape, to harvest, to bottle, and we couldn't be prouder of the beautiful selection of Semillons under the Brokenwood name.

So what's the difference between a regular Semillon and a sweet late picked, or sweet, Semillon? 

Regular Semillon

Our regular Semillon is a classic representation of the traditional white wine style. It boasts a pale straw colour with green tinges, and aromas of lemon and lime with a subtle mineral note. On the palate, the wine is zesty and crisp, with flavours of citrus and a refreshing acidity that makes it a perfect match for fresh seafood or a summer salad. 

Try our 2018 Tallawanta Vineyard Semillon for a palate-perfect example of this wine. Released in 2021 after three years of ageing, this single vineyard Semillon showcases a classic Hunter Valley pale yellow hue with luminous green undertones. 

On the nose, grapefruit aromas mingle with subtle hints of cut grass, while the palate is treated to a lovely weight and depth of fruit, featuring zesty lime flavours and a delicate soft acid. 

The wine boasts a delightful texture, with notes of toast and honey nougat adding complexity and depth to its flavour profile. This is a Semillon that truly embodies the best of the Hunter Valley, and is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates.

Late Picked Semillon

For those who prefer a slightly sweeter taste, we also offer a late picked Semillon. This wine is made from grapes that are left on the vine for an extended period of time, allowing them to develop rich, luscious flavours of honey and dried apricots. 

This one's the perfect choice for those who want to indulge in a wine that's refreshing with a little swirl of sweetness. 

Over the years, we've crafted an array of sweet wines. Our 2021 Late Picked Semillon is a bit of a testament to the youth of our Cellar Door, a revival of our first ever Late Picked Semillon which debuted back in 1983. 

The 2021 vintage offers an aromatic bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits, which carries through to a rich palate that's artfully balanced by the classic Semillon zesty acidity. It's the perfect accompaniment to a fruit platter, or can be enjoyed chilled straight from the fridge on a sunny afternoon. 

We love this iconic Hunter vintage as it brings together the best of Brokenwood's winemaking history with the bright, refreshing flavours of the present. If you prefer the sweeter side of your wines, this is definitely one to sink your taste buds into!

Top Semillon Picks

When selecting the finest Semillon from the Hunter Valley, it’s difficult to choose just one. All  Semillon wines share distinct qualities, like the classic zesty flavour profile and the quintessential cold seafood pairings that work so well with this variety. 

There are, however, unique differences between certain Brokenwood vintages that kick our love for Semillon up a notch. Each of these carefully harvested and fermented wines are the products of artful winemaking and viticulture, and we can confidently say that they fall under the category of ‘best Hunter Valley Semillons’!

2022 Hunter Valley Semillon

A staple of the Brokenwood Wines brand, our classic 2022 Hunter Valley Semillon truly encompasses our approach to winemaking and our love for the Hunter region. The 2022 vintage is crafted using Semillon grapes that were carefully harvested early to retain their freshness and natural acidity, producing a beautiful pale straw colour with a delicate greenish tint.

On the nose, our 2022 Semillon showcases fragrant aromas of citrus, particularly notes of zesty lemon and lime, alongside subtle hints of floral notes and a grassy undertone. The crisp and refreshing sensations are carefully defined by the wine's refreshing acidity and long, clean finish.

When it comes to pairings, this Semillon is best enjoyed young either as an aperitif or paired with seafood, salads, or Asian cuisine. We take great pride in our Semillon wines, and this vintage has already received some impressive accolades, including the Gold Medal at the Hunter Valley Wine Show.

Our 2022 Semillon is a beautifully-crafted expression of the region's distinct winemaking style, showcasing the unique character and quality that Brokenwood Wines is renowned for.

2019 Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon

A vintage needing no introduction, our 2019 Oakey Creek Vineyard Semillon represents the epitome of winemaking excellence. The wine was produced and aged with the finest Semillon grapes from our recently purchased Oakey Creek Vineyard, a remarkable site that was first planted in 1982 by the Drayton family. 

Oakey Creek has since become one of the most awarded sites in the region and accounts for about 25% of our overall Semillon production.

The 2019 Oakey Creek Semillon features lifted aromas of citrus and delicate floral notes, along with a subtle minerality that is indicative of our vineyard's unique terroir. On the palate, this wine boasts fresh acidity and purity of fruit flavors that are both refreshing and zesty. 

The flavors of lemon, lime, and grapefruit are prominent and perfectly balanced, resulting in a crisp, clean finish with exceptional length.

Brokenwood Wines has a long-standing reputation for producing exceptional Semillon wines, and this 2019 vintage is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality. We are thrilled to share that this wine has already received numerous awards, including a 95-point score from renowned wine critic James Halliday.

Our New Release Semillon

We're thrilled to announce the imminent release of our 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon, a true classic with a fresh twist on the Semillon wines Australia has come to know and love. This exquisite wine is the latest addition to our award-winning range of white wines, and we couldn't be more excited to share it with you.

Crafted from the finest hand picked Semillon grapes from Trevena Vineyard on Hermitage Road, this wine is the epitome of elegance and complexity. The grapes were carefully crushed, chilled and pressed immediately after harvesting, resulting in a beautifully balanced and refined wine with a delicate, yet intense, flavour profile.

On the palate, the 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon boasts lifted lemon curd and floral notes, with lively Tahitian lime juice characters backed by a zesty acidity. Its texture, fruit weight and great length create an indulgent yet fresh mouthfeel, making it the perfect accompaniment to any special occasion.

Whether you're celebrating a milestone, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply looking to elevate your wine experience, the 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon is sure to impress. The vintage is set to release in August of this year with a limited number of bottles available. Sign up to our SVC Club to be among the first to taste this long anticipated wine!

Discover the Best Hunter Valley Semillon at Brokenwood

Taste your way through one of the most premium selections of Semillon wines Australia wide at our Cellar Door in Pokolbin. Sip on a chilled glass of white with a side of freshly shucked oysters or graze on an artisanal cheese board as you crack open a bottle of 2022 Hunter Valley Semillon.

Prefer to enjoy your wine at home? We’ve got plenty of Semillon in stock online. Purchase your favourite wines to have delivered straight to your door.