With the latest stay at home order still in effect, there is plenty of time to start planning your next getaway. Imagine yourself basking in the sun, immersed in the magnificent natural beauty of the Hunter Valley, enjoying good food and better company on the best Hunter Valley wine tour the region has to offer.
Keep reading to find out what makes a Hunter Valley wine tour the right choice for a unique, covid safe and socially distanced experience.
Support Local
With the Hunter Valley being on Sydney's doorstep, it has always been one of the most popular destinations for regional travellers.
Our focus has always been on recommending local, family-owned wineries. Our tours are curated by local guides and experts with strong ties to the Hunter Valley Community. It is often the local, family-owned businesses that take the biggest knocks during hard lockdowns.
The Hunter Valley region experienced a 31% decline in day visitors and overnight stays by June 2020. However, it is also notable that Australians would take to intrastate and regional tourism every time restrictions were lifted. In addition, the average spend at wineries per domestic traveller remained consistently high.
These encouraging statistics reflect the importance of supporting and recovering local economies.
No Tour Group Too Small
We are 'Covid-Safe' which means we operate under the NSW government Covid-19 regulations for cellar doors and wine tastings.
Remember that social distancing is vital, so no group is too small. Our prices begin at $80 per hour for groups of three.
We also offer half-day and full-day tours for couples with the luxury of having your own private vehicle transfer.
Tailoring a private wine tour for you and your closest friends or family members is the best way to explore the Hunter Valley's award-winning cellar doors and hidden gems, with prices starting as low as $125 per person.
The New Normal
Here are some of our best tips and practices for enjoying your wine tasting tour post covid.
As restrictions lift, we expect a surge of domestic tourists to the Hunter Region; winemakers and tour guides are constantly reinventing ways to stay covid compliant while still offering the most memorable wine tasting experiences.
Book in advance - With the four square metre rule applying to cellar doors as it does with restaurants, the need for booking and securing your spot well ahead of time is vital. Seats are limited, so slots fill up quicker than before.
Bring your mask and sanitiser - We are "Covid Safe', and all wine cellar staff and tour guides are required to wear masks. Visitors will also be required to wear masks and sanitise regularly. There is more leniency on mask-wearing while sipping wine, of course.
Visit mid-week - We specialise in midweek wine tours. Honestly, it's the best time to travel as it's generally less crowded, with more variety of wineries and accommodations to choose from.
Be on time and remain flexible -Tasting rooms have new procedures in place to ensure covid compliance. This means stricter time slots for groups and a few procedures that may seem new to you. Please arrive for your tour a bit before so we can brief you and handle covid screening procedures, ensuring your tour goes smoothly.
A getaway to the magnificent Hunter Region, with the best Hunter Valley wine tours operator, is what you could be looking forward to once the current stay-at-home order is lifted. Quotes are free, so planning your tour with us is the best way to spend the remainder of your lockdown. Send us an email at bookings@newcastleconnections.com.au.