Peterson House - Hunter Valley Winery — Attraction in Pokolbin

We were at Peterson House today for a wine tasting session, which we were so excited to visit when coming to Hunter Valley! Unfortunately, we were left quite disappointed with the service provided at our table.

We are a group of four: three adults and one toddler. We arrived at the premises at our reservation time -2pm and were told our table wasn't ready as the previous booking hadn't left. We waited 10 minutes until we were seated.

Once seated at our table, we weren't greeted or acknowledged by the waitstaff. When we tried to ask questions, the staff did not seem too keen to help. As it was our first time here, we asked the waitstaff if we could add one more wine tasting set and also wanted to order the antipasto platter. We were advised we had to pay at the bar, which we did.

When we came back to our table, the food arrived. However, with the set we prepaid for, we had also purchased a gelato ice cream set for the toddler but did not receive it, even though the table who came later got theirs first. When we told the staff that we never got our gelato, there were no apologies, just a dazed look and confusion, and they seemed to be judging us for reminding them about an order we had prepaid for online. We sat there for more than 20 minutes with no wine offered and no acknowledgment from their waitstaff. The older gentleman who worked as their waitstaff appeared quite reluctant to serve our table and seemed like he didn't want to serve us at all, he was very blunt.

After 30 minutes of waiting for our first glass of wine, with none in sight, I decided to confront one of their waitstaff who had served our gelato. I questioned her how the table that arrived 15 minutes after us was already on their second glass of wine, and we still hadn't been served. The waitstaff was polite but defensive and told us that she had just come back from her break and would be serving us now.

I wanted to write this for some improvement in your customer service. The service was so slow, and it made us wonder if it was because we were Asian that we were ignored on purpose. If we hadn't prepaid for our wine tasting set, we would have walked out. We stayed because we had already paid. We wasted almost 30 minutes just to drink a glass of wine, and we had somewhere else to be. The wine, view, and ambiance were amazing, but the lack of time efficiency and the customer service need a lot of improvement.

If you ever consider visiting Peterson House, be sure you don't have or make plans ahead because you will be sitting there waiting for 30 minutes plus just to be served a glass of wine! And you'll also be constantly wondering why all these five waitstaff are actively serving Caucasian customers...

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Suzanne & Michael’s wedding at Peterson House in the Hunter Valley, and I must say, this venue is nothing short of spectacular!

From a photographer’s perspective, Peterson House offers an incredible backdrop for wedding photography. The charming chapel, vineyard views, and the elegant reception space provide endless opportunities for stunning shots. The golden hour light over the vines creates a magical setting, making it a dream location for any couple looking for timeless wedding portraits.

The staff at Peterson House were exceptionally professional and accommodating, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Their attention to detail and commitment to making the couple’s day special was evident in every aspect, from the beautifully set-up ceremony space to the seamless reception coordination.

The food and wine selection were another highlight. As a well-known sparkling wine house, Peterson House truly delivers an exceptional experience, and guests were raving about the quality of both the meals and the wine pairings throughout the evening.

Overall, Peterson House is a top-tier wedding venue in the Hunter Valley—perfect for couples who want a romantic, picturesque setting with great service and world-class wine. If you're considering this venue for your wedding or special event, I highly recommend it!

📸 Photographed by PixelPinch Photography #HunterValleyWeddings #PetersonHouse #WeddingPhotography...

We spent a sparkling afternoon at Peterson House, and it ticked every box — bubbles, beauty, and brilliant company. Our group of six settled in for a tasting of six Peterson House sparkling wines, each with its own charm.

The real star of the show? Our host, Hunter — effortlessly warm, whip-smart, and with a cheeky sense of humour that matched our group perfectly. With her waterfall of hair and bright, laughing eyes, she guided us through the tasting with charm, knowledge, and just the right amount of sass. No question was too curly, no joke too silly — and she somehow kept us on track, even as the bubbles kicked in.

The setting was picture-perfect — lush green grounds, peaceful views, and the relaxed hum of happy guests. We shared great company, many good laughs, and a generous helping of sparkling wine-fuelled wisdom.

After the tasting, we wandered over to Restaurant Cuvée for a delicious lunch, where we continued the debate over our favourite drop — purely for research, of course. Then it was off to the cellar door to stock up on our favourites and a final stop at the chocolate shop to grab a few delightful treats.

In short: we came, we sipped, we laughed, we learned — and left with full bellies, clinking bags, and very happy hearts. A perfect day out with fabulous friends, made even better by a host who was all class, a little sass, and...