How McGrath is Changing the Hunter Valley Vineyard Market

Australian wine is back on the table in a big way. Exports have recently jumped 13% in value. That’s a whopping $2.48 billion. And they’ve lifted 3% in volume to 639 million litres, according to Wine Australia’s latest report.

That confidence is spilling into the Hunter Valley. Vineyards here aren’t just beautiful lifestyle properties; they’re working businesses with global potential, and buyers are taking notice. Some are investors chasing international markets, others are winemakers looking to grow. Plenty are lifestyle buyers keen to snap up a slice of the Hunter’s prestige just a couple of hours from Sydney.

It makes for a competitive market where the right connections and insight count more than ever. That’s where McGrath steps in. Local expertise. Global reach. Punchy partnerships. All working together to help clients make the most of the Hunter’s unique opportunities. McGrath has partnered with two heavy hitters, Knight Frank and Bayleys. Knight Frank is the most prestigious residential agency globally, giving McGrath clients instant access to a powerful global network and high-networth international buyers. In the premium vineyard market, that reach isn’t a bonus; it’s a necessity. And every year, more than 50,000 Aussies and Kiwis cross the Tasman chasing great property. Having Bayleys, New Zealand's largest full-service real estate company, as a partner adds unmatched reach.

Tyson Nicholson, Rural and Lifestyle Specialist at McGrath Hunter Valley and Cessnock, says the powerful partnership opens more opportunities for clients than ever before. “Traditionally, there were just a few strong local agents in the vineyard market, and buyers or sellers often felt they had to pick either a local agent or someone from Sydney,” he says.

“Now they can work with a local, boots-onthe-ground agent who also has the backing of a global, triple-branded company. That gives them confidence and options like never before.” And with both the weather and the market warming up, Tyson expects the vineyard market to mirror trends we’re seeing in the acreage sector.

“With recent rainfall, the region is looking lush and green. Lower interest rates are bringing more buyers from Sydney, and first-home buyers are starting to move through the brackets,” he says. “Overall, I think we’re in for a strong three to five years; the market looks solid.”

But selling a vineyard isn’t just about the grapes. It's about the story. Buyers want to see the lifestyle, the passion, and the potential behind the property. For Tyson, capturing and conveying that vision is key.

“Buyers aren’t just looking at production or financial returns, they’re imagining their dreams, lifestyle ambitions, even their retirement goals,” Tyson says.

“It’s so important to showcase how a property is lived in, loved, and experienced. That’s why I spend so much time on the details – video, photography, and copy – because the storytelling really brings a property to life.’"

In the Hunter Valley vineyard market, McGrath stands apart. And with Knight Frank and Bayleys on board, McGrath is the trusted partner for anyone looking to buy or sell in this iconic region.