The village of Broke is at the base of the Brokenback Range on the Wollombi Brook. The area is blessed with a range of soils from sandy loam with river flat alluvial soil, to red volcanic soil and pockets of red basalt, known to wine makers as terra rossa.

The area, just to the west of Pokobin, is approximately a 2 hour drive from Sydney and 90 minutes from Newcastle.

Grapes were first planted in the area following World War I in 1919.

Until 1970, all grapes were taken to Pokolbin for processing. It was during this time that Dr Max Lake of Lakes Folly Wines described the grapes from the Fordwich area as providing the wines on which much of the reputation of Pokolbin rests. Fordwich wine, he said, is bigger flavoured.

In 1994, the Geographical Indications Committee of the Wine and Brandy Corporation of Australia formally recognised the Broke Fordwich area as a separate viticultural subregion of the Hunter Valley. This was the first such subregion declared in New South Wales. This declaration recognised that the wines of Broke Fordwich have their own regional characteristics based on the area’s climate and terroir.

In 2001, more than a quarter of the Hunter’s wine grape production came from the area and Broke Fordwich wines are achieving national and international recognition.

Broke Fordwich, in contrast with other wine producing areas, has retained its integrity as a rural community remaining free of large scale development, yet offering first class B & B and self catering accommodation, restaurants and activities.