This past weekend, all Bucknellians in the Management in Asia Pacific program ventured out to Hunter Valley, a focal point in Australian and global wine and vineyards. Located roughly two hours north of Sydney, we spent the weekend attending three wineries across our two days trip, tasting a vast array of whites, sparkling, rosés and reds all while taking in the beautiful and rural sceneries that surrounded us. Alongside this, we also spent the night in Newcastle, a coastal city with amazing views of the water as well as some of the most beautiful oceanside pools I have seen in Australia thus far. The three wineries, despite being in close proximity to each other, all portrayed Australian vineyard and wine culture in different ways, one being more of a modern experience, one being a classic experience, and the final being a high-end and luxury experience. Through this experience, I not only learned about the origins of the wineries and the specific wines we tasted, but I developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for the tastes of wines that were offered. The first winery, Brokenwood, was home to my favorite wine that I tasted throughout the trip, which was a 2024 Sangiovese, a classic red wine that was slightly cherry-like flavoured with a vibrant acidity. I would highly recommend taking a weekend excursion to Hunter Valley for those who want to not only build an appreciation for Australian wine culture, but to also experience the beautiful rural scenery.
