Tucked away in Salamander Bay, Tynan Wines is the ultimate wine lover's retreat.
Mark and Anthea Tynan opened the artisan winery and cellar door in 2020, however Mark officially launched Tynan Wines in 2009.
With a Master in Viticulture and Oenology, Mark has always had a passion for wine making and said he likes to focus on producing small batches of premium wine using the best grapes sourced from regional NSW and Australia.
"We get out on the road and find expert grape growers and then bring the grapes back to the Hunter Valley to make fine wine," he said.
Although, wine has been a part of Mark's life for as long as he can remember, he has had a number of careers before finally making wine in a Hunter Valley backyard.
"Our first vintage in 2006 we called ourselves dirt floor wine."
Mark's history with wine dates back to when he was three and said his first ever memory was climbing the old tree next to the hut at Tyrrell's while his parents went in wine tasting.
"I had a lot of exposure to wine tasting when I was growing up," he said.
For several years, Mark said he didn't give up his day job and was originally only selling his wines at markets.
Tynan Wines now has 351 wine club members and Mark said they get a mix of locals and domestic and international visitors to their cellar door.
"Being the only winery in Port Stephens, people google wineries near me and I come up," he said.
Tynan Wines brings a piece of Hunter Valley to Port Stephens and Mark said his range of wines is pretty broad, from whites and sparkles to rose and reds.
The Anna Bay resident has also invented some of his own wines, including a lemonchello spritz and white wine sangria, both proving to be rather popular.
"The lemoncello spritz has just become our number one seller so it's taken over my white sangria after four years," Mark said.
Tynan Wines also offer degustation dinners once a month and collaborate with a Nelson Bay couple who run a catering business called Delectable Delicacies.
"We've done an Asian inspired dinner and a dare to try dinner, both were very popular and the food was amazing," Anthea said.
Guests receive the full wine experience when they visit the Salamander Bay cellar door and Mark said they pride themselves on providing the ultimate experience.
"We don't charge for tastings and we want people to come for a beautiful tasting and hopefully they'll leave with some bottles to take home," he said.
"Cheese platters is also one of our main things."
Tynan Wines is located at 3/141 George Rd, Salamander Bay.
