Thinking Outside the Barrel at Savannah Estate
Savannah Peterson grew up surrounded by some of the Hunter's most traditional wines. At Savannah Estate, she pours the ones that surprise people.
Ask Savannah Peterson about her job, and you'll get an honest answer delivered with a smile. "I can confidently say that I truly love what I do, and it never feels like work," she says. Spend an afternoon at either of her cellar doors, and it's easy to see why. Savannah Estate has a genuine sense of fun, and it starts with what's in the glass.
As the granddaughter of Ian and Shirley Peterson, who planted their first Semillon vines on an old Mount View dairy property more than half a century ago, and the daughter of Colin and Judy, Savannah has wine in her bones. She was involved in winemaking from a young age and now manages the Peterson family's portfolio of wineries. While Petersons Wines remains home to full-bodied reds and classic Chardonnay, Savannah Estate is where the family lets its curiosity run free.
That curiosity is shared with Gary Reed and Mark Woods, the well-known Hunter Valley winemakers Savannah works alongside to develop new and alternative varieties and styles. Together they balance a healthy respect for traditional methods with a love of experimenting, and the results are well worth exploring. Alongside Hunter favourites, the range takes in varieties such as Albariño, Vermentino, Grüner Veltliner and Chambourcin. These wines sit beautifully on a warm Spring afternoon and give even seasoned Hunter visitors something new to talk about.
The other secret is where the fruit comes from. Savannah Estate hand-selects small parcels of premium fruit from regions including the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Armidale and South Australia. Each wine is made to reflect where it was grown, which is how a Mudgee Marsanne and Durif can end up sharing the tasting list. It makes for a tasting that feels a little like a road trip, without leaving your seat. There's plenty of choice, too. Sparkling, whites, reds, fortifieds and dessert wines all feature, with special-occasion bottles and easy everyday drinkers sharing the same shelves.
As for which cellar door to choose, there's no wrong answer. The original Mount View cellar door is a charming country cottage with some of the valley's prettiest views, with plenty of outdoor space for the kids and fur-babies, where a cheese plate or charcuterie board is made for lingering under the trees or out on the peaceful back terrace. Over on Broke Road's Golden Mile in Pokolbin, the newer cellar door brings a livelier buzz to the heart of wine country. Sitting on one of the valley's best-known wine routes, it's an easy stop to slot into a day of cellar door hopping and a handy meeting point for groups, who are wise to book ahead. It's made for good company and easy conversation, the kind of place where a quick tasting has a habit of turning into a long, lazy catch-up with friends.
Whichever door you walk through, the experience is unhurried and personal. Tastings are guided by people who know the wines inside out and are happy to tailor the journey to your palate, whether you arrive a confirmed Semillon devotee or someone keen to try a variety you can barely pronounce. Grab a glass of your favourite drop, settle right in, and let the afternoon unfold at its own pace.
What connects both venues is the team. Savannah has built a crew of knowledgeable staff, many with deep roots in the region, who take their wine seriously without ever taking themselves too seriously. Visitors regularly rave about hosts who are friendly, fun and genuinely keen to help them find a new favourite, and that's no accident. Savannah has always made the tasting experience a priority, believing a great day at the cellar door is as much
about the people as it is about the wine.
It's an approach that sees plenty of guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends, with many returning on every trip to the valley. For those who can't get enough, the Savannah Estate Wine Club is an easy way to keep the good times flowing between visits.
For something a little different, Savannah Estate’s Pie & Wine Tasting is available at both the Mount View and Broke Road cellar doors. Five handcrafted savoury pies, made locally by the team at Ben Ean Patisserie, are matched with five Savannah Estate wines for a playful take on traditional wine tasting. It’s become a firm favourite with visitors and is best enjoyed with a little extra time and a healthy
appetite.
So when you're mapping out your next Hunter wine trail, leave room for something a little unexpected. Bring an open mind and a healthy appetite, and let Savannah and her team pour you something you haven't tried before.
Savannah Estate's cellar doors are located at 312 Mount View Road, Mount View, and 2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin. Bookings are recommended. For more information, visit www.savannahestate.com.au.
