Brokenwood Wines Has Opened a Massive $8 Million Cellar Door in the Hunter Valley

Brokenwood Wines has been a staple in the Hunter Valley for nearly four decades, and its cellar door has just undergone its first revamp since the modest building's construction way back in 1975 — and the redevelopment is a big one, worth a whopping $8 million.

Opening this Saturday, December 8, the massive new digs span 1400 square-metres. Sydney-based architecture and design firm Villa + Villa are responsible for the striking timber structure, which took one year to complete and is now one of the largest cellar doors in the region. It's expected to accommodate over 250,000 guests per year.

So what have they done with all this space? Well, apart from the circular tasting pods and two private tasting rooms, there are also two distinct restaurants, a large outdoor terrace and a lounge. Plus a wine museum that overlooks the Brokenwood barrel hall and will host tastings, blending masterclasses and one-off events.

Chefs Andrew and Janet Wright are at the helm in both kitchens. The first, Cru Bar + Pantry, is the venue's casual offering. It's located in the lounge and is open for breakfast and lunch daily. Expect moreish snacks like homemade pies, cheese and charcuterie platters, toasties and woodfired pizza to accompany bottles of Brokenwood — alongside a self-service, by-the-glass dispenser that will pour some of the winery's rarest drops.

The second dining option is the The Wood Restaurant, a 90-seat modern Australian offering that'll open for lunch daily and for dinner on Friday and Saturday. The menu is centred around fresh seafood. Starters like shucked oysters, sashimi, caviar and salt cod fritters sit alongside larger menu items like spanner crab linguini and market fish with clams, salumi, capers and anchovy butter.

Located in Pokolbin, a two-hour drive from Sydney, the fancy new cellar door is worthy stop-off during a weekend getaway in region. For more wineries to hit up while you're there, check out our guide to cycling and drinking your way around the Hunter.

Find Brokenwood Wines' cellar door at 401-427 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, from Saturday, December 8.

Images: Chris Elfes