At a glance
- What
- The historic cellar door at Dalwood Estate reopens to the public after nearly 10 years, with a community day on the first Sunday of each month
- When
- First day: Sunday 6 December 2026, 10am to 3pm
- Where
- Dalwood Estate, 700 Dalwood Road, Dalwood NSW 2335 (tagged Branxton on the Hunter Valley Wine Country listing)
- On the day
- Cellar door tastings and sales, local markets, wedding and event viewings, food trucks, free kids’ activities, dog-friendly
- Who it’s for
- Hunter Valley locals and wine visitors who want a daytime outing, including families and people with dogs
- What to do now
- The estate’s phone is 02 4998 7666 and its events email is events@dalwoodestate.com.au; entry, parking and booking details have not been published
- Last checked
- Saturday 7 November 2026, against the Hunter Valley Wine Country listing, the VisitNSW listing and the Dalwood Estate website
- Not yet confirmed
- Entry cost, parking, which stallholders and food trucks are coming, and whether the cellar door is open on other days
Dalwood Estate in the Hunter Valley reopens its historic cellar door on Sunday 6 December 2026, from 10am to 3pm, after what the estate describes as nearly 10 years closed to the public. It plans a community day on the first Sunday of every month from then on.
This guide uses three sources, all read on Saturday 7 November 2026: the Hunter Valley Wine Country event listing, the VisitNSW listing and the Dalwood Estate website. Times are New South Wales local time, which is AEDT in December.
What is reopening on 6 December?
The Hunter Valley Wine Country listing says: “Dalwood is back! After nearly 10 years of being closed to the public, we are getting ready to reopen our historic cellar door.” The estate says it is planning “something extra special for our local community”, and the first community day is Sunday 6 December. A second listing for the same days says the cellar door and markets run on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 3pm.
| What the listing says will be there | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cellar door wine tastings and sales | The estate’s own wines |
| Local markets | Stallholders are not named |
| Wedding and event viewings | For couples and groups looking at the venue |
| Food trucks | Not named |
| Free activities for kids | Not described |
| Dog-friendly | Dog treats are available to buy |
The listing says “hoping to bring you” the monthly days, so the schedule is a plan, not a guarantee. The listing’s time line reads “10:00am pm – 3:00pm”, which looks like a typing slip, but the structured date on the page and the second listing both give 10am to 3pm.
Where is Dalwood Estate?
VisitNSW gives the address as 700 Dalwood Road, Dalwood NSW 2335, and the Hunter Valley Wine Country listing tags the event Branxton. The estate says it is on the Hunter River and describes itself as the “birthplace of Hunter Valley wine”. Neither listing gives driving directions or says where to park. The Dalwood Estate phone number is 02 4998 7666 and the email address for events is events@dalwoodestate.com.au.
What is the history of the estate?
The estate’s website says it was established in 1828 and calls it Australia’s first working vineyard. VisitNSW says it is the longest-running commercial vineyard in Australia, with early vines grown from cuttings of the first Australian vine collections of Macarthur, Busby, Shepherd and Blaxland, and early wines that won prizes at international exhibitions. The current winemaker is named on the site as Bryan Currie.
The estate’s website currently says “Cellar door available by appointment only”, and VisitNSW says private group tastings are available by appointment. Neither page says the cellar door is open on other days, which is why the reopening matters: the first Sunday of each month is the only public day announced so far.
What wines does Dalwood sell?
The website’s online shop lists seven wines, with prices as of 7 November 2026.
| Wine | Price |
|---|---|
| Sparkling Chardonnay NV | $35 |
| Semillon 2025 | $30 |
| Fiano 2024 | $30 |
| Chardonnay 2024 | $40 |
| 2025 Rosé | $30 |
| Shiraz 2023 | $45 |
| Tempranillo Touriga 2023 | $45 |
Those are online prices. The pages checked do not give cellar door tasting fees or prices on the day. The website carries a notice citing the Liquor Act 1982 on selling or supplying liquor.
Can I get in with a wheelchair or pram?
VisitNSW’s accessibility notes say the estate caters for wheelchair users. It lists a step-free main entrance, step-free outdoor pathways, step-free access to the function room, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, shower and change room, and at least one wheelchair-accessible parking space with signage. It also says seating is provided in common areas. These notes describe the venue in general, not the 6 December layout with markets and food trucks.
Can I book it for an event?
The estate’s events page describes a function room that holds up to 230 seated guests or 400 standing, and its contact form lists weddings, elopements, corporate events, school balls and family events. The Sunday community days include “wedding and event viewings”, so they are the first public chance to look through the venue.
What else is on in the Hunter that weekend?
Other Hunter guides on this site: Christmas on John Street, the Boyz II Men concert and the Christmas Lights Spectacular.
Sources
- Hunter Valley Wine Country — Dalwood Estate Reopening (date, time, features; read 7 November 2026)
- Hunter Valley Wine Country — Dalwood Estate Cellar Door and Markets (first Sunday of the month; read 7 November 2026)
- VisitNSW — Dalwood Estate (address, history, accessibility; read 7 November 2026)
- Dalwood Estate (history, wines and prices, events room; read 7 November 2026)
Photos: Branxton scenes by Mattinbgn, Hunter Valley vineyards by Batsv and a Hunter Valley winery by SirDublin, all on Wikimedia Commons. The featured image is a photo of a horse statue in Branxton, not of the estate (text added).
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Dalwood Estate. Dates and details can change; check with the estate before you go.