Aussies are serious about wine, so much so that we produce enough bottles to circle the Earth 13 times every year.
What you might not think about when you sit down for an evening glass of red is how local wineries can contribute to what your house is worth.
As it turns out, homes in NSW’s wine regions are ageing like a fine vintage according to new research from Ray White’s 2025 Regional Report.
While it is not the prestige of living in a wine region that directly leads to rising home values, Ray White’s analysis reveals that the jobs, export volume and tourism created by the local wine industry can underpin regional property growth.
In Hunter Valley and Mudgee – two of NSW’s top wine regions — the industry has been a cornerstone for the local economy, with strong seasons influencing property values.
A private vineyard in Fordwich, Hunter Valley.
Ray White head of research Vanessa Rader highlighted the dynamic between pinots and price growth.
“Those regions that have shown really good production and provide that economic uplift for that region have actually translated into the markets that have had the best growth in terms of price,” she said.
Ms Rader said home prices in wine regions “correlate quite well” to the performances of their local crushes.
According to Ms Rader, their production provides “economic stability” to their local centres which in turn drives price growth and activity.
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Property performance in wine regions across Australia. Source: Ray White Regional Report 2025.
Hunter Valley is NSW’s most prolific wine region, having crushed 5,635 tonnes of grapes last harvest.
The main wine region consists of Branxton, Greta and Pokolbin, where wine production, tourism and events provide major economic support to the area.
Ray White Rural Scone director Hamish Firth said Hunter Valley’s wine industry was a “huge drawcard” for tourism and real estate interest, which have kept home prices stable.
“Values have held high because of its proximity to Sydney and also the tourism factor,” he said.
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A winery in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley.
According to Mr Firth, there is a “strong contingent” of Sydney buyers in the region, whether they are seeking a lifestyle change or buying up an investment property.
Ms Firth said he expects Hunter Valley’s property market to continue its “steady” growth, adding that new housing developments in Lovedale and Maitland were bringing more supply to the market.
“Those areas are expanding extremely quickly,” he said.
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The home at a private vineyard in Hunter Valley which sold for $4.5m in 2023.
Mr Firth sold a vineyard two years ago to a couple from Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The vineyard property in Fordwich sold for $4.5m in October 2023, with Mr Firth saying the couple had “bought into their dream” of owning a property in Hunter Valley.
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Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee.
Over 300km west of Hunter Valley, Mudgee is another of NSW’s most popular wine-filled weekend getaways.
The area recorded a population of 11,456 in the 2021 Census.
The median price house price has risen 5.1 per cent in the last year, and by $239,500 in the past five years.
With economic performance strongly influenced by its viticulture industry, the median house price now sits at $715,000.
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Lowe Family Wine Co owner David Lowe.
David Lowe has been the owner of Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee for the last 25 years.
Mr Lowe, whose family have owned the property for six generations, said tourism was “very strong” in the area, with 43,000 people visiting the winery last year.
According to Mr Lowe, visitors mainly come from Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and other local areas, in that order.
Mr Lowe said Mudgee’s wineries were “very excited” about the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport, which will bring tourists closer to their vineyards.
“We think that it’s the greatest opportunity for our region because it’ll be an hour closer from Sydney,” he said.
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