We were in the vineyard by daybreak on the 12th of January.
The first of the 2026 vintage is finally bottled and sitting on the shelves in Broke. It was a season defined by healthy winter rain and a steady, dry ripening period.
Because of those mild Broke Fordwich nights, the acidity in this Verdelho stayed crisp while the flavours moved into white peach and pineapple. We aged it simply in stainless steel to keep that clarity. It’s a textural wine, bright citrus zest on the nose with a bit of passionfruit on the finish.
It’s a quiet, honest start to the new vintage, and it’s finally ready to pour.
Link in bio for more.
#CaelsGate #BrokeFordwich #Verdelho #HunterValleyWine
Happy Mother’s Day from Cael’s Gate Wines.
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the women who ground us and the stories that grow here.
To the woman who makes every day brighter, today is for you.
If you are joining us "Behind the Gate" today, the wine is poured and we’re ready with a slow Sunday pace. Whether it’s a quiet moment over a 5-star Halliday-rated Reserve Tasting, a long Ploughman’s lunch, or a pairing of our reds with handcrafted chocolates, we hope your day feels as steady and elevated as the landscape around us.
If you’re celebrating from a distance this morning, you can still gift a "choose-your-own-adventure" experience with a digital voucher, a road trip for her to look forward to when the time is right.
A world awaits. Come and see what’s behind the gate.
#BrokeFordwich #Halliday5StarWinery #BehindTheGate #SmallBatchWines #AWorldAwaits
A road trip for those who want Mother’s Day to feel real and steady, tucked away from the usual Sunday crowds.
We appreciate the 5-star Halliday rating, but we’re more interested in the way the light hits the floorboards of our blue gum cabin while you’re sharing a bottle. You might sit for a Reserve Tasting to compare the characteristics of our estate fruit, or spend a long afternoon over a Ploughman’s lunch and handcrafted truffles overlooking the vines.
It’s about the textures and the time spent.
If she prefers to set her own pace, a digital voucher is a simple way to invite her for a drive later on. It’s luxury that’s actually comfortable.
Send us a DM to book a table for Sunday or check the link in our bio for gift vouchers.
Come and see what’s behind the gate.
#BrokeFordwich #Halliday5StarWinery #BehindTheGate #SmallBatchWines #AWorldAwaits
We are still taking this in! 🏅
Word reached us from London this morning. Our 2024 Petra Stella Cabernet Sauvignon just picked up a Gold Medal at the London Wine Competition. This follows the Silver our 2023 Shiraz received last year, which tells us we are on a steady path.
While our home is here in Broke Fordwich, we specifically look to Mudgee for this fruit to showcase the distinct character of that region. After two years in French oak, the result is a wine with concentrated dark fruit and a lingering warmth.
We don't chase medals, but it feels good when the quiet, minimal-intervention work we do translates so clearly to the glass.
Send us a DM if you'd like to secure a bottle from this vintage.
Come and see what’s behind the gate.
#CaelsGateWines
#BrokeFordwich
#PetraStella
#BehindTheGate
#HandcraftedWine
A beautiful afternoon hosting @jessfarchione ✨🍷
We had the absolute pleasure of pouring for Jess during last month's A Little Bit of Broke roaming wine and food celebration! We love seeing new faces discover our quiet hidden gem in the Hunter.
While the celebration weekend brought a wonderful buzz, the everyday reality here is all about taking it slow.
These stunning wrap-around balcony views, our award-winning, minimal intervention wines, and that authentic Broke Fordwich charm are here all year round.
Come and see what's behind the gate.
Link in BIO to book your experience! 🔗
#caelsgatewinery #huntervalleywines #caelsgate #boutiquewinery
It didn't start with a cellar door.
Actually, Cael’s Gate began in a garage. Chris was a lifelong collector who just wanted to see what he could make with his own hands. By 2018, those garage experiments were winning awards across Australia and New Zealand. We are still that small, family-run estate at our core. While we’ve grown into a 5-Star Halliday-rated winery, we’ve kept things quiet and personal.
It’s a simple story of family, land and a deep respect for the craft.
Book your exclusive tasting experience via the link in our bio.
📷mjkcreative
#CaelsGateWines #BrokeFordwich #SlowTourism #UnderstatedLuxury #Handcrafted #HunterValleyHiddenGem
This Saturday is about the texture of simple, well-made things. 🍷🍇
Our Saturday pop up focaccia bar is a nod to the Italian influences we love. We are serving two specific builds made with a fermented dough that is airy and light. You can choose between the Mortadella with strachiatella and pistachio pesto, or the Sopressa with herb ricotta. The meats are sliced paper thin, making this a proper companion for a glass of our small batch wines. We have ham and cheese toasties with ice cream for the kids, so everyone is looked after.
Our regular cheese boards and Ploughman’s lunches are also available for those wanting our usual staples. Because we handcraft everything in small batches, the focaccia is limited.
You must phone 0408 098 596 to pre-order your focaccia. We are open 10am to 4pm on Saturday, April 4th.
Come and see what’s behind the gate.
#caelsgate #focacciapopup #slowfood #huntervalleyeats Broke Fordwich Wine Region @brokefordwich
The drive out to Cael's Gate Wines always feels like a bit of a reset. It happens specifically when you pull into the driveway and see the light hitting the vines.
We are open Good Friday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm for the Easter break. Our cellar door sits in a renovated blue gum cabin and is a quiet spot to spend an afternoon with a flight of small batch wines.
Easter Saturday is a standout because we are hosting a one day only pop-up Italian focaccia bar. It is a simple, rustic way to eat while you work through our 5-star Halliday rated wines.
We follow a minimal intervention philosophy here and our wines are real and full of character. We will be closed on Easter Monday to give the team a rest but are here all weekend otherwise.
The focaccia needs to be pre ordered by phoning 0408 098 596. Regular tastings and Ploughman's lunches can be booked via the website.
Come and see what’s behind the gate.
#caelsgate #brokefordwich #huntervalley #easterweekend
From the moment the gates opened for A Little Bit of Broke last Saturday, the pace just felt right.
It was the finer details, like our artisan Italian-style focaccia, delicate hand-crafted dolce treats, and premium small batch wines which really set the scene.
Between the live music drifting across the vines and the constant clink of glasses, it was great to see the cellar door so full of life.
Thanks to everyone who joined us behind the gate. 🍷✨
#CaelsGateWines #BrokeFordwich #ALittleBitOfBroke #HunterValley #ArtisanFocaccia @brokefordwich
Tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, the pace picks up just enough for A Little Bit of Broke. It’s not a loud, traditional festival; it’s a roaming celebration where you wander at your own speed across 15 local cellar doors.
We’re preparing the cabin for our "Vines & Vibes" lunch. Think artisan focaccia layered with mortadella and fresh pesto, paired with our delicious small-batch wines.
You grab your glass and tokens at the Broke Event Hub, then find your way here to settle on the grass while Jordan Brady plays live indie-pop.
It’s simple, steady and exactly how we like to spend a Saturday.
Grab your $35 trail tickets via link in BIO at @brokefordwich PLUS don't forget to pre-book your $30 focaccia lunch on our site to secure your spot.
Come and see what’s behind the gate.
12 Days to Go until A Little Bit of Broke!
Don't miss out on pre-purchasing your ticket, book now for one fabulous day roaming, relaxing and immersing in wine, produce, experiences and live music whilst taking in the stunning views of Broke Fordwich.
Enjoy live music throughout the day at these venues:
🍷 @beckelsvineyard and @riverflatsestate at @barenatureskin – live music with wine and farm-gate eats.
🍷 @caelsgate – Jordan Brady on the lineup, giving soft indie-pop vibes among the vines.
🍷 @greenway_wines – live acoustic music throughout the day.
🍷 @kawalrockdistillery – live entertainment alongside cocktails and food trucks.
🍷 @marganwine – live music in the courtyard to be enjoyed with a glass of Margan wine.
Plan your itinerary and secure pre-sale tickets for $35 👉 LINK IN BIO
#ALittleBitofBroke #BrokeFordwich #FamilyFriendlyHunterValley #TakeTheTrailLessTravelled #StarlineAlpacas #RiverFlatsEstate
Linger a little longer behind the gate this March. 🍷
On Saturday, 14th March, Cael’s Gate Wines invites you to experience "Vines & Vibes" as part of A Little Bit of Broke. Join us for a day dedicated to award-winning small-batch wines and the relaxed, rustic-chic charm of our estate.
Settle in for an afternoon of live indie-pop by Jordan Brady while overlooking the sweeping views of the Brokenback Range. To complete the experience, we are offering a pre-bookable Artisan Focaccia Lunch. Enjoy Italian-style focaccia layered with silky mortadella, creamy stracciatella and fresh pesto, finished with a dolce treat and a glass of Cael’s Gate wine.
We also have a dedicated children’s lunch available, making it the perfect stop for the whole family to enjoy the trail less travelled.
Secure your lunch booking and view the full experience here - /VinesandVibes
Purchase your Little Bit of Broke Tickets via the link in BIO at @brokefordwich
#ALittleBitofBroke #CaelsGateWines #BrokeFordwich #HunterValley #TakeTheTrailLessTravelled 🍷
