Rothbury is north-east of Pokolbin, towards Branxton and the Hunter Expressway that now carries most Sydney traffic into the region. It’s open, quiet country with only a handful of cellar doors, so it feels well away from Pokolbin’s density even though it’s a short drive.
There’s less to link together here than in the central cluster. A stop or two fits onto the start or end of a day based around Pokolbin or Lovedale rather than filling a day alone. The wines are the lower Hunter’s usual Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz.
With the stops few and far apart, Rothbury is worth planning ahead for. Check opening days first, pair it with a busier area nearby, and keep transport in mind, because the distances out here are longer than they look on the map.
