Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

132
MAGAZINE ISSUE #05 REGIONAL GUIDE & MAP SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO • 1 HIGH-FLYING BALLOON COUPLE • 3 COOL CIDERS FOR A SCORCHING SUMMER • 5 TAPAS JOINTS FOR DIVVY DISHES • 10 OUTSTANDING CHARDONNAYS Why is Hunter Valley chardonnay so good?* * Just love the peachy f lavours

description

The Hunter Valley Magazine showcases the best food, wine and other experiences in Australia's oldest wine making region. The magazine also includes visitor information and business listings.

Transcript of Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Page 1: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

MAGAZINEISSUE #05

REGIONAL GUIDE & MAP

SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO

• 1 HIGH-FLYING BALLOON COUPLE

• 3 COOL CIDERS FOR A SCORCHING SUMMER

• 5 TAPAS JOINTS FOR DIVVY DISHES

• 10 OUTSTANDING CHARDONNAYS

Why is Hunter Valley chardonnay so good?** Just love the peachy f lavours

Page 2: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

S p e c i a l i s t Wi n e m a k e r s

Page 3: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

87 RESTAURANTS & CAFES Get a taste for the Hunter Valley way of life

97 GOURMET Enjoy local produce and brews

101 TOURS Discover the secrets of the Hunter Valley

107 EXPERIENCES Enjoy a range of activities and attractions

115 ACCOMMODATION Find your Hunter Valley home

126 WEDDINGS Wedding venues and services

128 SERVICES Essentials to cover all your needs

MAP129 REGIONAL MAP Get where you want to go with our pull-out touring map

NEWS6 ON THE GRAPEVINE A snapshot of what’s being shared on social media

8 SNIPPETS News, views and reviews from around the Valley

WINE14 C STANDS FOR CHARDONNAYA local wine writer’s favourite Chardonnays

20 CHEAT SHEET Your wine-tasting 101 guide

26 TOP TIPPLES Read all about the winners in the Hunter Valley Wine Show

DINE31 FRESH PERSPECTIVES Three restaurants that embrace paddock to plate

39 MADE IN THE HUNTER Spotlight on Tinklers Produce

EXPLORE 42 A TALE OF TWO HUNTERS Two visitors share their Hunter Valley experiences

45 REDS & GREENSWhere to tee off in the region

50 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Discover the boutique Lovedale region

57 EARLY RISERS Meet a high-flying couple of balloonists

60 WHAT’S ON A round-up of must-visit events in the region

DISCOVER67 VISITOR GUIDE Your guide to the Valley

72 CELLAR DOORS Sample the region’s award-winning wines

CONTENTS

Download the free Hunter Valley

Official Guide iPhone app

The Hunter Valley has a remarkable blend of unique

experiences. Book your accommodation

and tours online winecountry.com.au

COME VISIT

FOLLOW US

DISCOVERMORE

HunterValleyWineCountry

huntervalleywc

huntervalleywc

Huntervalleywc

45 50

3914

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 1

Page 4: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Audrey Wilkinson Cellar Door De Beyers Road, Pokolbin

(02) 4998 1866www.audreywilkinson.com.au

James Halliday Wine Companion

Cockfighter’s Ghost Cellar DoorDe Beyers Road, Pokolbin

(02) 4993 3688www.cockfightersghost.com.au

James Halliday Wine Companion

Discover: Pokolbin The heart of the Hunter.

Hunter Valley Magazine_DPS_Aug2015.indd 1 20/08/2015 10:16:47 PM

Page 5: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Audrey Wilkinson Cellar Door De Beyers Road, Pokolbin

(02) 4998 1866www.audreywilkinson.com.au

James Halliday Wine Companion

Cockfighter’s Ghost Cellar DoorDe Beyers Road, Pokolbin

(02) 4993 3688www.cockfightersghost.com.au

James Halliday Wine Companion

Discover: Pokolbin The heart of the Hunter.

Hunter Valley Magazine_DPS_Aug2015.indd 1 20/08/2015 10:16:47 PM

Page 6: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

4 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Welcome to the new-look Hunter Valley Magazine. We’ve been working with new publisher Edge to redesign the magazine to make it more enjoyable for you… and encourage you to be part of the magazine.

One of the exciting additions is that we will now be running stories from passionate Hunter Valley visitors who are eager to share their recommendations, photos and tips. So if you’re visiting Wine Country for the first or 50th time and you have a blast of enthusiasm for a place or product, let us know!

Of course, nobody knows the Hunter Valley as well as the locals, so their stories and experiences will continue to be the main focus of the editorial, with feature stories written by leading wine, food and travel writers. The magazine also includes visitor information, business listings and a regional map to help you get around one of the top 10 wine regions in the world.

As the new Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, I am thrilled to welcome you to the region and hope you come and visit us again and again.

WELCOME

MELINDA KELLYWith a passion for great wine and food, freelance journalist Melinda Kelly has been happily eating

and drinking her way around the globe for

over 20 years, but says there’s no better place to call home than the

beautiful Hunter Valley.

DANIEL HONANBorn and raised in the Hunter Valley, Daniel

is a news journalist turned wine writer and founder of In Grapes

We Trust events. He has been published in James

Halliday’s Wine Companion Magazine, Selector and

Newcastle Herald.

GRANT DODDGrant is a former PGA professional who now

commentates on golf for Channel 7 in Australia, and FOX Sports across Asia. A columnist for Australian Golf Digest

since 2002 and co-author of Barossa

Wine Traveller.

STEPHANIE CLIFFORD-SMITH

Stephanie is a food writer and author. She co-edited the Sydney Eats guide for three

years and now reviews for many guides,

including The Sydney Morning Herald

Good Food Guide.

REGIONAL GUIDE & MAP

SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO

• 1 HIGH-FLYING BALLOON COUPLE

• 3 COOL CIDERS FOR A SCORCHING SUMMER

• 5 TAPAS JOINTS FOR DIVVY DISHES

• 10 OUTSTANDING CHARDONNAYS

Why is Hunter Valley chardonnay so good?** Just love the peachy f lavours

The Hon. George SourisChairmanHunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

PRINTING Offset Alpine PrintingThe distribution records of this publication have been submitted for independent audit with the Circulations Audit Board. No responsibility will be taken for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, images or materials. The opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Reproduction of any content of this publication (including images and text) for any purpose is prohibited, unless prior written permission is obtained from the publisher. Prices, specifications and availability of products and services were correct at the time of printing and may change without prior notice. In this publication you will see advertising material submitted by third parties. Individual advertisers are solely responsible for the content of advertising material they submit to us, including ensuring that it complies with all relevant laws and regulations. Neither Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association nor the publisher accepts any responsibility whatsoever for the content of any advertising material contained herein, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. A selection of the images featured have been sourced from Getty Images and Thinkstock.

EDITOR Brenda Christian

MANAGING EDITOR Faye James

CHIEF SUBEDITOR Liani Solari

ART DIRECTORS Kristy McKay, Guy Pendlebury

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Josie Schwarzer

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Geoff Campbell

MANAGING PARTNERS Fergus Stoddart, Richard Parker

ADVERTISING MANAGERS Nicole Prioste 02 4932 7123

Kylee Zapatero 02 4932 7123

Hunter Valley Magazine is produced for the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association by

Level 4, 10–14 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

COVER PHOTO Photographer: Chris Elfes

HunterValleyWineCountry huntervalleywc huntervalleywc Huntervalleywc

SHARE WITH US

Page 7: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Open 7 days, 10am - 5pm. 638 DeBeyers Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320

P 02 4998 7580 www.tullochwines.com E [email protected]

E S T A B L I S H E D 1 8 9 5

The Tulloch family have been producing outstanding wines from the Hunter Valley since 1895. Now in its 120th year, the Tulloch name lives on as a founding producer of the Hunter continuing to strive for excellence in the production of premium wines. Visit our Cellar Door, Members Lounge and Tasting Lab to enjoy a great selection of wines from the Tulloch range.

Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year 2014 & 2007 - Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards

Wine of Provenance Award 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show - Hector Limited Release Shiraz

Heritage Award 2012 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards - Pokolbin Dry Red label

Legend Award 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards - J.Y. Tulloch

“The Tulloch brand continues to build success on success.”

James Halliday

Page 8: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

6 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NEWS INSTAGRAM

ON THE GRAPEVINETHE TASTES, PLACES AND PLATES YOU’RE SHARING FROM YOUR HUNTER VALLEY TRIP.

HUNTER VALLEY#

1. 2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

WANT MORE?

TAG #HUNTERVALLEY OR @HUNTERVALLEYWC AND SHARE YOUR PICS ON INSTAGRAM

1. @delahue3 The beautiful #huntervalley. 2. @krissykittycat Wassup!!? Lol #alpacas #huntervalley #outdoors #animals #cute. 3. @deegeoghegan Our room with a view #amelies #loveholidays #huntervalley #wine. 4. @daniela_mondello Hunter Valley weekend #huntervalley #thevintage #tempustwo #cheese #quincepaste #familyfun. 5. @ the_wandering_ginger Reflections of the beauty of Mother Nature #huntervalley. 6. @simonsteez Go harvest some mushrooms yo! Shrooms and roots #huntervalley. 7. @krissyfoster Roses are my favourite #huntervalley.

Page 9: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 7

NEWS TWITTER

TWEET SHEETHUNTER TIPS IN 45 WORDS

On her third trip to Australia, Heather Rudd Palmer and husband Gavin made a beeline to the Hunter Valley to enjoy a two-day country getaway. The couple from Virginia, USA, was blown away by all the region has to offer.

What did you uncover that really surprised you?I was surprised by the dozens of cows we saw as we drove around the Hunter Valley. I didn’t know it was home to livestock and farms as much as it is to vines, and I loved the country views and atmosphere.

After visiting the Hunter Valley, what did you discover that you didn’t know before?I love sweeter wines, but I’d never heard of a Botrytis wine until I noticed them at nearly every cellar door we visited. My husband has an even sweeter tooth than I do and we purchased a Botrytis Semillon from Hungerford Hill and Margan to enjoy back in the United States.

Any activities you would recommend to a friend?I learned so much during the guided vine experience at Hunter Valley Resort.

@notGarethHot air balloon over the

#huntervalley It’s a beautiful day at the home of Joey Johns.

@winechroniclesTwo Fat Blokes brunch

at one of the cutest cafes in the #huntervalley

@JazzyGCBeautiful confit ocean trout made

in a cooking class with Twine Restaurant head chef Matt Dillow.

#yum #huntervalley

GET

MORE!

WANT TO KNOW HEATHER’S MOST MEMORABLE FOOD EXPERIENCE IN THE #HUNTERVALLEY? GO TO WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

MY HIDDEN HUNTERWe began outdoors with an interactive discussion about the vines themselves, then moved indoors and learned about the differences in how white and red wines are made. I gained much more from the tour than I was expecting.

What’s your favourite thing about Wine Country?I’ll always remember how relaxed and at home I felt in the Hunter Valley. It’s not always easy to truly be in holiday mode, but unexpectedly it was the one time during our three-week holiday where I was completely at ease – all before wine-tasting!

What do you like most about Hunter Valley wine?I wasn’t a red wine drinker until I lived in Australia for a year in 2010. I found I enjoyed almost every Shiraz I tried in South Australia, so I was very much looking forward to tasting Shiraz in the Hunter Valley on this trip. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the peppery, spicy characteristics of a Hunter Shiraz.

KRINKLEWOOD BIODYNAMIC VINEYARD, BROKE

Page 10: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

8 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NEWS SNIPPETS

GET ON YOUR BIKETo pedal or not to pedal? Sutton Estate Bicycle Hire gives you the option, hiring out electric motor-assisted bikes to make those hill climbs around the Valley easier. There are 20 bikes available and you can whip along at 25 kilometres per hour using just the motor, or up to 45 kilometres per hour if you add pedal power. Helmet, bottled water, sunscreen, lock, map of recommended stops and roadside assistance are included in the hire rate. Two-hour bike hire is $40; four hours is $50 and full-day hire is $65.suttonestateelectricbikehire.com

CIDER COMEBACKWhat’s trending worldwide at the moment? Cider! A Canadian report says we’ll be consuming three billion litres of cider in 2020 (up from 2.4 billion in 2014). Enjoy your cider on tap? Head to Matilda Bay Brewhouse for Dirty Granny cider; Potters Hotel Brewery Resort for Tilse’s Apple Truck Cider; or Hope Brewhouse for apple cider brewed on site. Then pick up a few bottles of locally made cider to take home.

1. Oakvale 2014 Apple Cider $20: An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and so does a glass of apple cider. This sparkling alcoholic cider is hand-picked, basket-pressed and so, so more-ish. Oakvale makes a pear cider, too. oakvalewines.com.au 2. Grandis Wines Cloudy Cider $18: A dry sparkling cider with crisp apple flavours that’s a real summertime favourite served over ice. Tastings at Moorebank Vineyard. grandiswines.com.au 3. Pokolbin Cider House Raspberry & Cranberry Cider $12: This drop is a real fruit cocktail, with apples, raspberry juice and an acid hit from the cranberries. There’s also a classic draught cider. Tastings at Peterson House. petersonhouse.com.au

1.2.

3.

ANIMAL FUN FOR THE KIDS

Planning a family getaway to the Hunter Valley during the school holidays and looking for something to do with the anklebiters? Head to The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley and let them run wild in the grounds of this 70-acre estate, where they can also feed the resident pigs and chickens. There are four Australian Yorkshire pigs and 30 chooks, which are fed daily at 11am and everyone is welcome (you don’t have to be a guest). You can also collect fresh eggs from the stables and head down to the dam to check out the yabbies.See page 118 or sebelhuntervalley.com.au

Page 11: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16
Page 12: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

10 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NEWS SNIPPETS

#HUNTER HOUNDSDog-spotting is big in the Hunter Valley, with locals continually sharing pics of their spoilt pooches, such as this cutie, Eadie Vinden, above. Next time you tour the region, let us know about your favourite #hunterhounds on Facebook (HunterValleyWineCountry), Instagram (@HunterValleyWC) or Twitter (@huntervalleywc).

Name: Eadie VindenBreed: German shorthaired pointerAge: 12 weeksOwner: Vinden Estate general manager/winemaker Angus VindenPet hate: Grandma’s washing machineFavourite furry friend: Scrooge McDuck, her latest chew toyDirty deeds: Chewing the tassels off Grandma’s cushions

SHIRAZ SMACKDOWNMount Pleasant chief winemaker Jim Chatto made his thoughts known on the 2014 vintage when he tweeted: “1937, 1954, 1965, 2014. If you’re lucky you get one, maybe two, of these vintages in your career. Make it count.” And Hunter Valley winemakers did, producing some exceptional 2014 wines… and you can now get your hands on the much-hyped Shiraz just in time for those long summer barbies. If that’s not a buying tip, we don’t know what is. Grab a case, or three, and take advantage of one of the great Hunter Valley vintages. Here are five for the hit list.

1. Briar Ridge Single Vintage Dairy Hill Shiraz $60: Classic, with brambly and savoury oak spice notes. Drink with sticky BBQ beef short ribs. 2. Bimbadgen Palmers Lane Shiraz 2014 $50: Rich palate with red fruit, spice and subtle oak. Serve with beef oxtail and mash. 3. Gundog Estate Hunter’s Shiraz 2014 $35: Medium-bodied and pure-fruited, with creamy oak. Polish it off with slow-cooked lamb shanks. 4. McLeish Estate Hunter Valley Shiraz 2014 $25: The intense dark cherry and raspberry flavours pair perfectly with beef bourguignon. 5. David Hook Hunter Valley Shiraz 2014 $18: Sweet berry and spice aromas with a peppery palate. Great with barbecued steak.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Punch-down: If a winemaker

asks you to help with a

punch-down, you’re not in for a brawl. As wine

ferments, the skins and stems

rise to the top of the tank,

forming a ‘cap’, and it’s vital to break up this cap to extract more colour

and flavour into the wine.

Winemakers ‘punch down’

the cap manually with an instrument

to submerge it back into the wine.

WINE DICTIONARY

2015 Winemaker of the Year Mike De Iuliis answers some frequently asked questions.

How long does wine last once opened? I often judge the quality of a wine by how long it lasts once opened. The better the wine, the quicker it tends to disappear. You often see this happen at parties, when someone brings a good bottle and it doesn’t last long on the table. That said, realistically a young wine should easily

last a couple of days, and this can help a young wine to ‘open up’. The older the wine, the shorter the amount of time you have to drink it once opened.

Any tips for making it last longer? Buy two bottles – it will last twice as long. Buy a dozen and it will last even longer!

What to do with wine that’s past its best? Coq au vin or beef bourguignon.

ASK THE EXPERT

Page 13: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

PETERSON HOUSEP R E M I U M S P A R K L I N G W I N E S

Corner Broke Road & Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin NSW 2320P 02 4998 7881 E [email protected]

www.facebook.com/PetersonHouseltd www.petersonhouse.com.au

Breakfast 8.30am - 11am • Lunch 12pm - 3pm • Oyster Bar open from 10am on weekends

Cellar Door open 9am - 5pm • Functions and Weddings of an evening

Page 14: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

12 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NEWS SNIPPETS

HITTING THE SWEET SPOTThe ultimate goal for most golfers is to drive the ball longer and straighter. Callaway’s Big Bertha Alpha 815 Driver ($629.99, stockists at au.callawaygolf.com) is popular with golfers who want to hit solid tee shots with low spin, so they can max out their distance. Where to play in Wine Country? See our round-up of the region’s top golf courses by local golf writer Grant Dodd on page 45.

On the hunt for some share-plate joints? Here are five favourites where you can divvy up a feast with friends.1. While the menu changes regularly at The Verandah Restaurant, you’ll always find cumin-and-cayenne baby calamari with lime aioli on it. It’s so darned good they get complaints if they take it off the menu and it’s the number-one tapas dish with catering clients as well.2. For Mediterranean and Middle Eastern share-plate food, head to RidgeView Restaurant and order the signature mezedhes (tapas) dish: grilled Greek haloumi with caramelised pears and pistachios infused with estate-grown oregano and chiffonnade of radicchio.

3. At Tatler Tapas Cafe, chef Katy Carruthers believes variety is the spice of life, changing the menu weekly. When pressed for a signature dish, she says deep-fried goats’ cheese, but the big bowls of meaty mussels are also a hit with diners.4. Owner/head chef Emerson Rodriguez says the most popular shared item on the Emerson’s Cafe & Restaurant lunch menu is the housemade duck liver pate.5. At Brokenback Bar at Tuscany Wine Estate Resort (above) the menu has changed, but tapas is still the name of the game: everything from whitebait with tequila aioli and smoked paprika salt, to confit baby octopus with olive oil, garlic, chilli and herbs, and pizza bianca, to share.

FIVE TAPAS FAVOURITES

BESIDE STILL WATERSWant to unwind on the waterfront, even in Wine Country? Not a problem at Lilies Luxury Retreat. The lakeside location of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom retreat is striking, and so are the sunsets over the lake from the giant beanbags and handmade Brazilian hammocks on the wide, covered timber decks – the perfect spot to kick back with a vino. lilies.com.au For more places to stay, go to winecountry.com.au

Page 15: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Try something different...

Page 16: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

CSTANDS FOR CHARDONNAY

IT’S AS EASY AS ABC... LOCAL WINE WRITER RICK ALLEN REVEALS HOW HE GOT HOOKED

ON HUNTER VALLEY CHARDONNAY AND SHARES HIS FAVOURITE DROPS.

WORDS: RICK ALLEN PHOTOS: CHRIS ELFES

Page 17: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

IT WAS SCARBOROUGH that did it. Got me hooked on Hunter Valley Chardonnay, I mean.

I don’t remember the venue – it was a restaurant in East Sydney somewhere – but I remember the wine all right. Seven-hundred and fifty millilitres of peachy, buttery, creamy delight.

It was so good, in fact, that my wife and I decided then and there that it was time we revisited the Hunter Valley vineyards to see what we’d been missing.

And bang! We were struck by another lightning bolt called Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay.

If the Scarborough didn’t seal the deal, the Vat 47 surely did. It was different to the Scarborough – zesty, fresh and extroverted – but every bit as lip-smacking. My love affair with Hunter Valley Chardonnay was up and running, and it has stayed strong ever since.

Back then, there was only a handful of good Chardonnays – today, they’re as plentiful as the region’s kangaroos.

So, buckle up, consider me your designated driver and let’s go tasting.

TYRRELL’S WINESPerched upon a hill with sweeping valley views, the rustic cellar door at Tyrrell’s

is exactly as it was all those years ago – dirt floor down the back and all. It belies the high-quality modern wines that come out of this family-owned operation.

But let’s get straight to the Vat 47. I don’t know how many times I’ve said that at backyard barbecues over the years!

Given decent vintage conditions, this may well be the slowest-ageing Chardonnay in the Hunter Valley. Wait five years and it has hardly changed colour and is still as fresh as a daisy. It’s incredible. Mind you, if you’re patient – really patient – you’re well rewarded, as it picks up stunning complexity over time.

Fortunately, Vat 47 can be quite mesmerising as a youngster, too – extraordinarily vibrant, with loads of fine, citrusy acid and penetrating persistence of flavour.

RIGHT: TYRRELL’S CHIEF WINEMAKER ANDREW SPINAZE TESTS CHARDONNAY FROM THE BARREL WITH A PIPETTE.

“My love affair with Hunter Valley Chardonnay was up and running.”

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 15

WINE CHARDONNAY

Page 18: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

But, ahem, as good as it is, try to find time for one of the winery’s other Chardonnays if you can… for me, the other stand-out is the single-vineyard Belford. The Vat 47 gets the gold, all right, but this guy is also mighty impressive. Bright fruit, a hint of oak and mesmerisingly fresh and clean.

LAKE’S FOLLYOkay, confession time: if I had to pick just one Hunter Valley Chardonnay, this would probably be it. Don’t be fooled by the cellar door – nothing fancy there. It’s bland, even. But at Lake’s Folly it’s wine first, daylight second and… well, there’s no third.

I ask winemaker Rod Kempe what he strives for in his wines.

“Here,” he says, handing me a Lake’s Folly wine brochure and pointing to a paragraph on the back page. “Read that, I can’t put it any better.”

The paragraph reads: “The wine styles are restrained and elegant showing finesse and complexity. They have clarity of structure and great length of flavour. The unique style of Lake’s Folly has made it one of Australia’s distinguished wines.”

But be warned: if you want to get your hands on some Lake’s Folly, you’ll need a bit of Usain Bolt about you. At the time of writing, the recently released 2014 vintage had only about two or three weeks of stock left. The next vintage, the 2015, was already 75 per cent pre-sold. Get the picture?

Wine storage company Wine Ark says Lake’s Folly is the second most cellared Chardonnay in Australia – a testament to its quality and ageing potential.

Incidentally, the winery now does two Chardonnays: the regular Hunter Valley Chardonnay and the newer Hill Block, which has a more minerally core. Both classy, both delicious.

ABOVE: STEP INSIDE THE UNPRETENTIOUS LAKE’S FOLLY CELLAR DOOR FOR SOME SHOW-STOPPING CHARDONNAYS; LAKE’S FOLLY WINEMAKER ROD KEMPE ROLLING OUT THE OAK BARRELS; HARVESTING CHARDONNAY DURING VINTAGE.

16 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE CHARDONNAY

Page 19: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

LEFT TO RIGHT: MISTLETOE WINERY’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY IS A SERIOUS DROP; FIRST CREEK WINEMAKER LIZ SILKMAN SWIRLS TO RELEASE AROMA AND FLAVOUR.

MISTLETOE WINERYMistletoe came onto my radar rather late – in 2011, in fact, when the winery’s 2009 Reserve Chardonnay was named NSW Wine of the Year. Hunter Valley wineries win major awards time and again for their Semillon and Shiraz, but Chardonnay? You’d better believe it – and it was just one of a swag of awards and medals this wine claimed.

I managed to get my hands on a bottle… wow! I might have been slow on the uptake but I learned my lesson quickly and have followed Mistletoe ever since.

The Mistletoe cellar door is part art gallery with paintings around the walls and ironwork sculptures in the grounds.

I can’t give you much help with artwork but here’s a wine tip: while Mistletoe’s Reserve wine is the star, the entry-level Hunter Chardonnay is outstanding in its own right – a whole lot of yumminess for a modest $23 a bottle.

The grapes for the Reserve are picked earlier than most around the Valley because Mistletoe wants the wine to have high natural acid and a fresher style, rather than more developed flavours.

The result is a wine that will age gracefully – for seven to 10 years, easily, in good vintages – with stone fruit flavours at the core and some mineral and zesty citrus flavours. Very serious quality indeed.

FIRST CREEK WINESThe First Creek tasting room has a big window that overlooks the barrel room.

Is it just me or is there something special about sipping wine surrounded by barrels? Maybe I just like drinking while I can see others working.

The winery’s Reserve Chardonnay is the one I’m interested in and, of all the wines mentioned, it’s the one that could really use some time in the bottle – say, three years – to develop and come out of its shell.

Again, it has those white peach and citrus flavours, tightly coiled. With this little beauty you can’t help but feel there’s plenty more to come. If you’re familiar with French White Burgundies, this is along those lines: layered, brooding and complex.

“It has more richness to it, and stone fruit depth that needs time to fully integrate,” winemaker Liz Silkman admits.

“Enjoyable now but it will shine in three to five years.”

Trouble is, I’m not sure I can wait. Oh, and by the way, the following

vintage – the 2014 Reserve – won four trophies, including best wine of show at this year’s Royal Queensland Wine Show.

Yes sir, this fellow has form.

SCARBOROUGH WINE CO.Ah, Scarborough! On a hill overlooking a lake, Scarborough has one of the prettiest cellar door set-ups in the region. It’s a sit-down, structured tasting with cheese and crackers… and did I mention Chardonnay?

You know you’re in serious Chardonnay territory when they make not one, but three, labels. There’s the Blue Label – lean and flinty, the winery’s Chablis style. There’s the Yellow Label – totally

“I can’t give you much help with artwork but here’s a wine tip.. . Mistlet oe’s entry-level Hunter Chardonnay is outstanding.”

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 17

WINE CHARDONNAY

Page 20: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

18 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE CHARDONNAY

1. Allandale Chardonnay 2014, $20As a young buck without much money in my pocket (some things never change) this was my ‘go to’ wine, always over-delivering for the price. Years later, it still does. Terrific value.

2. Wombat Crossing Chardonnay 2011, $32It’s one of the tiniest wineries in the Valley but it’s big on quality and well worth seeking out. For me, Wombat Crossing’s Chardonnay is the star. It has already pulled in a

swag of show trophies and medals. Supremely elegant.

3. Audrey Wilkinson Reserve Chardonnay 2013, $38The winery has one of the best views in the Valley, no doubt, and its wines have never been better. This one’s a delight: peaches, some tangy green apple and citrus, and loads of natural acid.

4. Leogate Estate Wines Creek Bed Reserve Chardonnay 2012, $38Leogate’s Shiraz wines

have really made people sit up and take notice, so its whites have snuck under the radar a bit. But they’re mighty good, too. This is a delicious case in point.

5. Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Chardonnay 2013, $60 (sold in a collection)It’s powerful and packed with flavour, this guy, but beautifully balanced and quality from tip to toe. White peach, citrus, zingy acid and some minerally complexity. Could cellar easily, but when it’s this tasty already, why wait?

opposite to the Blue Label, a fuller, more voluptuous style. And, finally, Scarborough’s new label, The Obsessive (which replaces the old White Label) – a nod to founder Ian Scarborough, whose drive to create the best Chardonnay seemingly knows no bounds.

It’s the winery’s ‘best of the best’ and will only be made in outstanding years. It’s the one I love, a stunner. Exceptionally focused and, for me, the best Chardonnay that Scarborough has produced, full stop – and that’s saying something.

Yet it’s the bolder, full-bodied Yellow Label that is still far and away Scarborough’s biggest seller and hugely popular with mailing-list customers.

“I’d hate to think what would happen if we stopped making that,” says sales and marketing manager Sally Scarborough (known to locals as ‘the Chardonnay Queen’) with a laugh. “There’d be a riot!”

I guess it really gets down to personal preference. Which do you prefer: Jennifer Lopez or Keira Knightley? Brad Pitt or Dwayne Johnson? Porsche or Mercedes? Each is mighty impressive; it’s just whatever rocks your boat. For cellar door contact details, see page 72 or go to winecountry.com.au

5 OTHER FAVOURITES

WANT MORE?

DISCOVER OTHER LEADING CHARDONNAY PRODUCERS IN THE HUNTER VALLEY AT WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

LEFT TO RIGHT: SCARBOROUGH’S GILLARDS ROAD CELLAR DOOR, WHERE YOU CAN NIBBLE ON CHEESE AND BISCUITS WHILE YOU TASTE WINE; IAN SCARBOROUGH IN THE VINEYARD.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

18 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 21: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Open 7 Days, 10am - 5pm 101 Mcdonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 | 02 4998 [email protected] | www.gundogestate.com.au

Gundog Estate is a boutique wine producer owned and operated by the Burton family. Our passion for high quality, regionally distinct wine has inspired us to pursue two of Australia’s most unique and highly acclaimed

varieties - Semillon & Shiraz. We invite you to experience these wines in the relaxed ambience of the Gundog Hunter Cellar and Gourmet Pantry!

“Best Small Cellar Door Lower Hunter” Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine “Five Star Winery” 2016 James Halliday Wine Companion

“Rising Star” Winemaker Matt Burton, 2010 Hunter Wine Industry Awards

Page 22: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

SEMILLON (PRON. ‘SEMM-IH-OHN’)Arriving in Australia in the 1800s, the Semillon grape variety is a Hunter Valley classic, the basis for the region’s most distinctive white wine. Semillons are long-lived, typically light- to medium-bodied and bone-dry, with high acidity.

SMELLS LIKE: Fresh citrus fruits, lemons and limes, freshly cut grass. Older examples can acquire aromas of buttered toast, hay, honey and apricots.

TASTES LIKE: Young Semillons are fresh, crisp and high in acid. They can taste bright and citrusy, like crunching into a green apple that’s been splashed with lemon and lime juice. As Hunter Semillons age, the acid fades, leaving a soft, honey-like richness with a touch of nutty, buttered toast.

GREAT WITH: Fish and chips on the beach during summer.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Mount Pleasant. Gundog Estate. Tyrrell’s Wines.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “Hunter Semillon... delivers an authentic sense of place that is unique in the world of wine.” – Jim Chatto from Mount Pleasant

VERDELHO (PRON. ‘VER-DEL-LOH’)Originating from Portugal, Verdelho grown in the Hunter Valley is usually made into light, dry, fruity and easy-drinking white wines. However, there are also some excellent fortified examples made in the region.

SMELLS LIKE: Full-on tropical fruit and floral aromas similar to those of passionfruit, mango and guava.

TASTES LIKE: Light- to medium-bodied with hints of ripe tropical fruit, such as pineapple and passionfruit.

GREAT WITH: Enjoy chilled by the pool with a bunch of friends, the loud music pumping, served with a platter of fresh cheeses and a big bowl of fruit salad.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Bimbadgen Estate. Tulloch Wines. Macquariedale Organic Wines.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “Hunter Valley Verdelho is a wine that should compete with Sauvignon Blanc drinkers because of its clean, crisp and refreshingly ripe tropical flavours.” – Rauri Donkin from Bimbadgen Estate

CHARDONNAY (PRON. ‘SHAR-DOH-NAYE’)Chardonnay is one of the wine world’s most versatile grape varieties. Hunter Valley Chardonnay is generally full-bodied, soft and lush; great examples are dry, elegant and age-worthy.

SMELLS LIKE: Ripe yellow tropical fruits – golden pineapples, peaches and melons – usually with a slight scent of honey, oak and sometimes, surprisingly, flint and wet stones.

TASTES LIKE: Anything from bone-dry, crisp and lean, to rich, soft and fleshy, and sometimes buttery and oaky. Typically tasting of tropical fruit – soft peaches, pineapples and fresh melons.

GREAT WITH: Serve chilled with cheese, fresh seafood or roast chicken.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Tyrrell’s Wines. Oakvale Wines. Harkham Wines.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “I think good Hunter Chardonnays have a white peach character with grapefruit-like acidity. With age they get similar toasty, rich citrus characters to those that Semillons can develop.” – Chris Tyrrell from Tyrrell’s Wines

TASTING WINE CAN BE A BIT INTIMIDATING, SO WE’VE COME UP WITH A WINE-TASTING 101 GUIDE

TO HELP YOU SIP AND SWIRL LIKE AN EXPERT.WORDS: DANIEL HONAN

CHEAT SHEET

20 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE CHEAT SHEET

Page 23: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

PHO

TO C

ORB

IS IM

AG

ES

“Hunter Semillon.. . delivers an

authentic sense of place that

is unique in the world of wine.”

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 21 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 21

Page 24: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

SHIRAZ (PRON. ‘SHI-RAAZ’)This variety has been grown in the region for more than 200 years, producing some of the Hunter Valley’s greatest red wines. Renowned for its low alcohol and soft tannins, Hunter Valley Shiraz, if cellared carefully, can be kept for a long, long time.

SMELLS LIKE: Ripe red fruit, white pepper and earthiness, sometimes with a touch of worn leather, like the boots of a viticulturist.

TASTES LIKE: Medium-bodied, fine, sometimes with grainy tannins, accompanied by the flavours of ripe red fruits – plums and raspberries – as well as pepper and spice, with a deep undertow of earth and oak.

GREAT WITH: Sitting by the fireplace in a chesterfield lounge, or to accompany a weekend barbecue with loads of red meats – steaks, ribs and lamb – and a friend who wears a ‘Kiss the cook’ apron.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Brokenwood Wines. Hart & Hunter. Thomas Wines.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “Shiraz has been the mainstay of Hunter Valley grape-growing and winemaking since the early 1830s. Because of their medium-bodied nature, they have a great ability to age for many decades.” – Iain Riggs from Brokenwood Wines

TEMPRANILLO (PRON. ‘TEM-PRAH-NI-OH’)This Spanish grape is well suited to the warm Hunter Valley climate, producing deep-ruby-coloured, soft, juicy and easy-to-drink red wines.

SMELLS LIKE: Ripe red berries, cherries, plums and other red fruits, as well as cured and dried meats and, sometimes, cola.

TASTES LIKE: Typically medium-bodied, Tempranillo is smooth, with lingering flavours of ripe cherries, strawberries, raspberries and plums, leather, meatiness and, occasionally, cola. Has dry, ‘grippy’ tannins that pinch the insides of your cheeks and sap the moisture from your mouth for a moment.

GREAT WITH: Charcuterie, antipasto and other tapas-like share plates.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard. Domaine de Binet. Glandore Estate Wines.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “Hunter Tempranillo is still in the typical red profile of medium-bodied with savoury spice, but the Hunter adds a layer of dark currant and red fruits.” – Jeff Byrne from Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard

“ Renowned for its low alcohol

and soft tannins, Hunter Valley

Shiraz, if cellared carefully, can be kept for a

long, long time.”

22 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE CHEAT SHEET

Page 25: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16
Page 26: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Acidity: Picked up by the tastebuds on the sides of your tongue, acidity gives wine its crispness and freshness on the palate.

Sweetness & dryness: Most of the tastebuds for sweetness are on the tip and top surface of your tongue, but when you taste sweetness in a wine, it’s not always due to residual sugar from the fermentation process. Sometimes, intense fruit flavours can be mistaken for sweetness but the wine will still be dry.

Tannin: Tannin is felt, rather than tasted, as a dehydrating sensation, causing your mouth to feel dry and your lips to pucker. An acid found in the pigment of grape skins, more noticeable in reds, tannin allows a wine to age gracefully and softens over time.

Balance: Winemakers strive to achieve a balance between all of these various components of a wine: acidity, sweetness, dryness and tannin. Getting the mix of those components just right results in wines that are delicious to drink.

TALK THE

SANGIOVESE(PRON. ‘SAN-GIO-VASE-AHY’)This Italian variety, sometimes known as Chianti, has been grown in the Hunter Valley only in recent years. But there are some tremendous examples trickling out of cellar doors around the region.

SMELLS LIKE: Typically spicy and sweet when young, Sangiovese takes on more savoury aromas – of dark cherries, dried herbs, tomato vine and plums – as it ages.

TASTES LIKE: Celebrated for its high acid content, which lends freshness and structure to typically firm tannins, Sangiovese tastes of red fruits, peppered raspberry, prunes, black olives and damp earth.

GREAT WITH: Any and all classic Italian pasta dishes that feature rich tomato sauce, olives and a dash of cracked black pepper.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: De Iuliis Wines. Tintilla Estate. The Little Wine Company.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “The Hunter can produce light-bodied Sangiovese that is more down the savoury track than sweet. There are some excellent aged examples from here as well.” – Michael De Iuliis from De Iuliis Wines

CABERNET SAUVIGNON (PRON. ‘CAB-ER-NAY SO-VIN-YOHN’)Originating in Bordeaux, France, Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular red wines in the world. In the Hunter Valley it is used to make powerful, long-lived wines of elegance and force.

SMELLS LIKE: Dark black fruits such as blackcurrant, mulberry and blackberry, with subtle aromas of mint, forest floor, tobacco and cedar.

TASTES LIKE: Full-bodied, rich and sappy. Typically very dense, dark wines with robust tannins and rich flavours of black fruit, olives, leather and earth.

GREAT WITH: Slow-cooked lamb or beef, stews and steaks, blue and mouldy cheese.

LABELS TO LOOK FOR: Lake’s Folly. Margan Wines. Meerea Park.

WINEMAKER’S QUOTE: “These wines have a history and pedigree associated with what is one of the Hunter’s finest viticultural sites, which makes it one of Australia’s most collected Cabernets.” – Rodney Kempe from Lake’s Folly

WANT MORE?

TO MAKE YOUR WINE-TASTING EVEN EASIER WE HAVE MORE CHEAT SHEETS ON OTHER GRAPE VARIETIES. GO TO WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

“ T he Hunter can produce light-

bodied Sangiovese that is more down the savoury track

than sweet .”

TALK

24 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE CHEAT SHEET

Page 27: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16
Page 28: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WANT TO SEEK OUT THE BEST WINES AS JUDGED BY SOME OF THE BEST PALATES IN THE LAND? WE REVEAL THE WINNERS AT THE HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW. WORDS: DANIEL HONAN PHOTOS: CHRIS ELFES

26 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WINE AWARDS

TOP TIPPLES

Page 29: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

THE HUNTER VALLEY Wine Show has a long history in Australian wine, dating back to 1848, making it one of the first wine shows in the country. This year’s Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show featured wines from 69 producers, all vying for more than 25 trophies, including Best White Wine and Best Red Wine.

“The purpose of the Hunter Valley Wine Show is, essentially, to improve the breed,” says winemaker and chairman of judges PJ Charteris. “It allows winemakers to get a peer review of their wines for a given vintage, and it’s a great way to benchmark their wines against many other wines that are made in the Hunter. The wines are assessed by some of the best palates in the land.”

Each class of wine (for example, Semillon, Shiraz, aged and so on) is judged by a panel of wine industry professionals (including winemakers, sommeliers and wine writers), which is made up of a panel chair and includes three senior judges, three associate judges and one trainee judge. Seven judges initially see each wine, and then the

chairman of judges assesses the gold and silver medals awarded from each class. If a wine wins a trophy, it has been assessed by at least 20 judges to ensure everyone agrees the wine should receive a trophy.

Frequent visitors to Wine Country will know about the impressive accolades consistently earned by Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz. UK Master of Wine Jancis Robinson once described Hunter Semillon as a “great gift to the wine world” – a sentiment echoed by this year’s international wine judge, wine writer Sarah Ahmed, also from the UK.

“I can’t put it any better than Jancis Robinson,” Sarah says. “Hunter Semillon is a classic style that holds great merit.

“Hunter Shiraz has such a unique character,” she adds, “and I’ve been very taken by the different styles, ranging from pretty with emphatic red fruits, to firmer, darker, more savoury styles that are redolent of sour plum and cherry fruit.”

The 2014 vintage was hailed as a ‘vintage of a lifetime’ for Hunter Valley red wines, with generous amounts

of sunshine and rain at the right time allowing winemakers to pick the grapes at the optimum moment. This was proven true with a strong haul of medals awarded to the 2014 Shiraz class of wines.

“This was a superb class, which shows the hype of 2014 Shiraz from the Hunter not to be a myth,” says PJ Charteris. “A super class of fresh and balanced wines, including a couple of classic Hunter examples and some beautiful contemporary styles.”

Another class of reds that really impressed the judges was the alternative varietal classes, which include many Spanish and Italian grape varieties, including Vermentino, Tempranillo and Sangiovese. These grape varieties originate from the warmer climates of Europe and are considered by some to be the future of winegrowing in the Hunter Valley.

“Thinking more about drought-resistant varieties makes great sense, given climate change projections,” Sarah says. “In my experience, in Australia alternative varieties have been a great platform for experimentation into different techniques

FAR LEFT: THIS YEAR’S JUDGING PANEL INCLUDED WINEMAKERS ANDREW SPINAZE AND SCOTT COMYNS. LEFT: THE 2014 SHIRAZ CLASS SET A NEW BENCHMARK FOR THE HUNTER VALLEY. BELOW: THE LONGEVITY AND QUALITY OF SEMILLON WAS VALIDATED AGAIN.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 27

WINE AWARDS

Page 30: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

“Quality without compromise”

MISTLETOE WINERY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

771 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin 2320

Phone: 1800 055 080 Fax: 02 4998 7792Email: [email protected] Website: www.mistletoewines.com

OPEN 10AM UNTIL 6PM DAILYMISTLETOE is a small family owned and run winery that was established by the current owners in 1989. Now in its 26th year, Mistletoe’s “no-compromise” approach to producing small quantities of “true to origin” premium quality wine has seen it rewarded with many, many hundreds of awards and accolades. Recent accolades / awards include:• Trophy – Best Semillon – Winewise Small Vignerons Awards 2014• Trophy – Reserve Semillon 2013 – Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show 2014• Winestate 5 Star rating – 2013 Hunter Shiraz• Champion White Wine of Show – NSW Small Winemakers Show 2013• Blue/Gold Top 100 Award – Sydney International Wine Competition 2013• One of the Top 10 Australian Rosés – James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2014• NSW Wine of the Year 2011With over 20 different wines, including Sparkling, Whites, Reds, Rosés, Fortified and Dessert styles on tasting, Mistletoe has one of the most comprehensive ranges of wines to be seen in the Hunter.• All wines are made in our onsite winery• Working vineyard at the winery• Winery tastings available for larger groups – bookings essential!• Mistletoe Wines are only available for purchase from the Winery Cellar Door• Knowledgeable and friendly staff to make you welcome.

When visiting Mistletoe be sure to take time to visit POKOLBIN GALLERY and MISTLETOE SCULPTURE GARDEN also in the grounds of the Cellar Door.

MW_HunterValley Magazine_FPg.indd 2 17/10/2014 7:12 pm

Page 31: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

“Quality without compromise”

MISTLETOE WINERY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

771 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin 2320

Phone: 1800 055 080 Fax: 02 4998 7792Email: [email protected] Website: www.mistletoewines.com

OPEN 10AM UNTIL 6PM DAILYMISTLETOE is a small family owned and run winery that was established by the current owners in 1989. Now in its 26th year, Mistletoe’s “no-compromise” approach to producing small quantities of “true to origin” premium quality wine has seen it rewarded with many, many hundreds of awards and accolades. Recent accolades / awards include:• Trophy – Best Semillon – Winewise Small Vignerons Awards 2014• Trophy – Reserve Semillon 2013 – Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show 2014• Winestate 5 Star rating – 2013 Hunter Shiraz• Champion White Wine of Show – NSW Small Winemakers Show 2013• Blue/Gold Top 100 Award – Sydney International Wine Competition 2013• One of the Top 10 Australian Rosés – James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2014• NSW Wine of the Year 2011With over 20 different wines, including Sparkling, Whites, Reds, Rosés, Fortified and Dessert styles on tasting, Mistletoe has one of the most comprehensive ranges of wines to be seen in the Hunter.• All wines are made in our onsite winery• Working vineyard at the winery• Winery tastings available for larger groups – bookings essential!• Mistletoe Wines are only available for purchase from the Winery Cellar Door• Knowledgeable and friendly staff to make you welcome.

When visiting Mistletoe be sure to take time to visit POKOLBIN GALLERY and MISTLETOE SCULPTURE GARDEN also in the grounds of the Cellar Door.

MW_HunterValley Magazine_FPg.indd 2 17/10/2014 7:12 pm

and approaches to winemaking, which can help refresh the brand and add dimension.”

But it was the region’s young reds that really caused a stir. “The real highlights have been with the young reds, particularly the 2013 and 2014 Shiraz, with around 60 per cent awarded a medal,” says PJ Charteris. “This is a fantastic reflection of that great vintage and how Hunter winemakers were

able to interpret it. It’s seriously positive and makes for a great message for lovers of Hunter Shiraz. There are a number of great wines in the pipeline, which will make for good drinking over the next few years.”

We’ve checked the availability of the trophy winners below and provided retail prices if they’re still in stock so you can get your orders in before they sell out!

Petrie–Drinan Trophy Best White Wine of the Show Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy – Best Red Wine of the Show Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz, $250 (will be released June 2016)

Marshall–Flannery Trophy – Best Current Semillon First Creek Wines 2015 Premium Semillon, $25 (released 2016)

George Wyndham Memorial Trophy – Best Current and One-Year-Old Chardonnay First Creek Wines 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay, $60

J.Y. (Jay) Tulloch Trophy – Best Verdelho Briar Ridge Vineyard 2015 The Dam Verdelho, $23

Best Other White Trophy Bimbadgen Estate 2015 Vermentino, $24 (released soon)

Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy – Best Two-Year-Old and Older Chardonnay Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2013 Belford Chardonnay, $45

Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy – Best Current and One-Year-Old Shiraz Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz, $250 (will be released June 2016)

Ed Jouault Memorial Trophy – Best One-Year-Old Dry Semillon Brokenwood Wines 2014 Trevena Vineyard Semillon (will be released in 2020)

Elliott Family Trophy – Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz Briar Ridge Vineyard 2013 Dairy Hill Single-Vineyard Shiraz, $60

Best Other Red Trophy Agnew Wines Audrey Wilkinson 2014 Winemaker’s Tempranillo, $38

James Busby Memorial Trophy – Best Mature Three-Year-Old and Older Shiraz Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Single-Vineyard Shiraz 

McGuigan Family Trophy – Best Mature Two-Year–Old and Older Semillon Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy – Best Museum Red Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2007 Stevens Shiraz

Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy – Best Museum White Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2005 Belford Semillon

Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy – Best Shiraz Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz, $250 (will be released June 2016)

Innovative Red Wine Trophy Margan Family Wines 2014 Breaking Ground Shiraz Mourvedre, $40 (will be released May 2016)

Lone Pine Barracks Officers Mess Silver Bullet Margan Family Wines 2014 Tempranillo, Graciano, Syrah, $40 (will be released May 2016)

Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy – Best Semillon Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy – Best Chardonnay First Creek Wines 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay, $60

Drayton Family Trophy – Best Named Vineyard Red Wine Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz, $250 (will be released June 2016)

Tyrrell Family Trophy – Best Named Vineyard White Wine McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon, $120

Len Evans Trophy – Best Named Vineyard Wine Brokenwood Wines 2014 Graveyard Shiraz, $250 (will be released June 2016)

Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance Tyrrell’s Vineyards Johnno’s Shiraz 2004, ’09, ’13

“ T his is a fantastic ref lection of that great vintage and how Hunter

winemakers were able t o interpret it.”2015 TROPHY WINNERS

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 29

WINE AWARDS

Page 32: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16
Page 33: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 31

DINE FRESH FLAVOURS

WHEN IT COMES TO FRESH FLAVOURS, YOU CAN’T BEAT A RESTAURANT THAT GROWS ITS OWN. WE TALK TO SOME LOCAL CHEFS WHOSE GARDEN BEDS HELP FEED THEIR HUNGRY DINERS.

FRESH PERSPECTIVES

AS SPRING BREAKS, the Hunter Valley becomes a veritable Eden, with kitchen gardens supplying many top restaurants with ever more just-picked produce.

The trend towards eateries growing their own food has been felt as strongly in the Hunter Valley as anywhere, with restaurateurs recognising the environmental and economic benefits of the exercise.

It’s not always plain sailing, though. The winter frosts, which growers of wine grapes love because they trigger a protective dormant state in the vines, can be harsh on gardens. Then, when conditions warm, there’s the issue of what to do with a glut.

RidgeView Restaurant’s 18 garden beds supply its kitchen with herbs, chillies and plenty of potatoes, celery and citrus fruit. Come summer, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes will join the party, and there are plans to grow Camellia sinensis – tea to you and me.

Muse Restaurant’s commitment to local produce sees its chefs tending vegetables and herbs in a community garden. Over at The Sebel Kirkton Park, guests can wander outside to select the produce they want to eat and drink, which is then harvested to order for the restaurant’s dishes and cocktails.

Many kitchen gardeners adopt organic practices, while others favour permaculture and biodynamic methods.

WORDS: STEPHANIE CLIFFORD-SMITH PHOTOS: CHRIS ELFES

Page 34: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

32 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

DINE FRESH FLAVOURS“ T he fresh produce is not just a pot of herbs at the back door; it’s agri-dining.”

Page 35: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 33

DINE FRESH FLAVOURS

MARGAN RESTAURANTLong before the one-acre kitchen garden and orchard were planted at Margan Estate in 2007, owner Lisa Margan had an epiphany. A lunch of homegrown produce from her own garden, lamb from the farm next door and Margan wine from grapes grown on site was so fabulous that she vowed to establish a kitchen garden for when her restaurant opened. The vision has expanded over the years and is now much broader.

“Today we have our own free-range chickens, suckling pigs, olive groves, estate-reared Suffolk lambs and beehives,” she says. “It fits with our wine, which is estate-grown and estate-made. The fresh produce is not just a pot of herbs at the back door; it’s agri-dining. We can do all this because we’re farmers.”

Margan’s kitchen garden supplies all the herbs needed year-round as well as citrus and a bonanza of berries, leeks, onions, carrots, radishes, parsnips and turnips in season. There are five types of potato, seven tomato varieties, Jerusalem artichokes, salad leaves and more.

“We have a glasshouse to protect seedlings over winter, and in spring we’re seeing the first of those things, including asparagus, coming out,” she says.

Heirloom vegetable varieties are the focus, for their superior flavour, Lisa says. “We can pick them at full ripeness because we only have to get them from the garden to the restaurant,” she explains. “We also save the seeds and replant them.”

The menu is always developed around what’s in the garden, although chef Michael Robinson can request certain plantings if he’s prepared to wait a few months to use the produce.

“At peak growing time we get up to 90 per cent of our vegetables and herbs from our garden because we write the menu around what’s growing,” Lisa says. “In winter it’s similar, because we just don’t put it on the menu if it’s not coming out of the garden.”

Managing gluts has been a steep learning curve, she notes. “When we first put the garden in, it was a hilarious, rocky era. We just planted all the beds out and didn’t give much thought to it, and we had everything needing harvesting at once. There were gluts of everything so we were preserving like mad. Now we stagger the planting so we get continuity.”

There’s still the occasional strawberry surplus, though that’s a problem unlikely to elicit sympathy from many gardeners. “Because we want to pick them at perfect ripeness and they’re so perishable,” Lisa says, “we find we have to make coulis and jams to use them up.”

Margan has one full-time gardener, Pat Hansson, who has been in charge of the restaurant’s kitchen garden since it was established eight years ago. “When we need some muscle on a spade, we get one of the boys in to help, but she’s across the strategy and planting,” Lisa says.See page 90 or margan.com.au

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: MARGAN’S MENU IS DEVELOPED AROUND WHAT’S IN THE GARDEN; SCALLOP CEVICHE WITH BEETROOT, APPLE AND RADISH; CHEF MICHAEL ROBINSON PICKING THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE DAY’S DISHES.

Page 36: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

34 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

DINE FRESH FLAVOURS

CIRCA 1876If ‘tidy permaculture’ sounds like an oxymoron, a visit to the kitchen garden at Circa 1876 could be in order. Executive chef George Francisco, who established the garden in its current form in 2012, once dismissed the style as “lazy hippy gardening” with its acceptance of plants growing wherever they’d self-seeded, but he recognised some of its benefits. He avoided planting in neat rows, finding a ‘patchwork’ layout reduces loss to predators.

“If pests see a whole row of lettuces, they think it’s a buffet and go crazy, decimating the whole crop, but if you have a bit planted here and there, they only see a small takeaway and leave the rest,” he says. “What we have is permaculture but more organised and visually friendly.”

Circa 1876’s chef de cuisine, Trent Barrett, says companion planting is an effective weapon against pests as the team’s stance is firmly anti-pesticide. He says the garden is going from strength to strength and there are plans for expansion to increase yields.

With the restaurant looking out onto the garden, it was inevitable that guests would ask what on the menu had been grown there. “We’re now doing ‘garden tonics’ for amuse-bouche, and these create a connection between guests and the garden immediately,” Trent says.

“Every day we pick and juice whatever’s good and serve it in a shot glass,” he adds. “Within minutes of juicing it’s being consumed – anything from strawberry leaves to sorrel, parsley, kale, apples and mandarins. Almost everything is usable as a juice. I’m really into fennel pollen from our plants and I use that to rim the glasses.”

And the garden’s goodness just keeps coming, with spring and summer harvests including tomatoes, basil, watermelon

“If the garden doesn’t have what we need, we rethink the menu... and the dishes evolve.”

and beans. Trent estimates that produce from the on-site garden covers about 65 per cent of the kitchen’s needs.

“Before we had the garden we’d order a case of this and a case of that, have it in our coolroom and use it for up to a week. Now we pick every day, sometimes twice a day, so we can pick enough lettuce for a service each time.”

The restaurant’s menu is driven directly by what’s growing in the garden, Trent says. “If the garden doesn’t have what we need, we just rethink the menu. The dishes evolve and they’re often better for the evolution. When we ran out of Muscat grapes for a gel to go with kangaroo tartare, we replaced it with hibiscus and it’s much better – not as sweet.”

A farmgate stall was conceived originally to sell preserves resulting from excess produce, but with better crop management it’s rarely necessary. “The only excess we really have is zucchinis. We grow them for a zucchini-flower dish, but if we get a couple of rainy days it’s almost comical how big they get so quickly. Then they go into a pickled tomato-and-zucchini chutney.”

The other raging success is cucumbers. Pickles were about the only option for excess until the kitchen bought a Pacojet, which has opened up a world of savoury sorbet possibilities.

“We make one with cucumber, tomato and basil in summer,” Trent says. “It’s like a gazpacho, but frozen.”circa1876.com

LEFT TO RIGHT: GRILLED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, BEANS, DUCK LIVER BUTTER AND POTATO PUREE; PRODUCE FROM THE RESTAURANT’S ON-SITE GARDEN COVERS ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THE KITCHEN’S NEEDS AT CIRCA 1876.

Page 37: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

The Hunter’s Premier Wine Destination

Cellar Door. Fine Dining at Harvest. Craft Brewhouse. Brewhouse Café. Events and Weddings. And the odd concert for 20,000.

Visit hopeestate.com.au to find out what’s on.

Wine and Beer Tasting Open 7 Days 10am-5pm.

2213 Broke Road Pokolbin, NSW 2320 (Opposite Pokolbin Village) (02) 4993 3555

Page 38: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

36 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

DINE FRESH FLAVOURS

RESTAURANT BOTANICAThey’re a multiskilled bunch in the kitchen at Restaurant Botanica, not only cooking but also maintaining the garden.

“When it’s quiet we’ll pitch in and do a bit of hand-weeding,” says head chef Joshua Duncan. The garden is overseen by executive chef and co-owner Mark Stapleton, who follows the principles of biodynamics, planting seeds according to an astrological calendar. Another weapon in the natural gardening armoury is companion planting, in which paired species repel predators from their neighbours, reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides.

The 30 garden beds over about a quarter of an acre are filled with herbs, micro leaves, broccoli, cauliflower, beetroot, pomegranate, purple and yellow beans, baby heirloom carrots and tomatoes.

“Thirty beds sounds like a lot of area but it’s a really busy restaurant, so it’s not that much for the amount we go through,” Joshua says.

The garden was established so that the dining room could offer different, sometimes hard-to-find produce. “It’s also more economical than buying everything in, even factoring in maintenance costs,” he says.

Joshua estimates the garden services 30 per cent of the restaurant kitchen’s needs on average, though it’s much more than that for herbs, with every dish featuring at least one

ingredient from the garden. The side dish of mixed vegetables only ever uses what is growing in the garden at the time.

“We finish them with butter and chopped oregano, parsley and thyme from the garden, and sea salt,” he says.

Dealing with excess has yet to prove a problem for the kitchen. “We don’t really have an excess,” Joshua contends. “If we have a lot of parsley, for example, we’ll use it in dressings or make a batch of salsa verde, ready to go. The mint, which can take over, we give to the bar. We have three resident pigs – Salami, Chop Chop and Crackle – and we feed them all the vegetable trimmings, so excess and waste hasn’t been an issue.” See page 93 or spicersretreats.com/spicers-vineyards-estate

FROM TOP: HEAD CHEF JOSHUA DUNCAN IN THE GARDEN; PLATING UP GREEN PEA PANNACOTTA WITH WILD RICE, LEMON, SMOKED YOGHURT, GOATS’ CURD AND PEA TENDRILS.

“ We have three resident pigs – Salami, Chop Chop and Crackle.”

Page 39: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

feelalivethis spring

CALL OUR TEAM TODAY ON 1800 212 011 OR VISIT GOLDENDOOR.COM.AU

Experience time out to replenish and recharge at our world renowned retreat. For over 20 years Golden Door has changed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Our famous 2, 3, 5 and 7 night all-inclusive programs will leave you feeling invigorated.

“I have inspiration to live better. I feel recharged, restored and relaxed. It has been a significant boost to my well-being.” – Neil (past guest)

when you book your stay at Golden Door this Spring

save20%

up to

Page 40: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Growing Family Traditions!

Every year we bring thousands of families together to celebrate the magic of Christmas.

With exciting new displays including the Fairy Garden, Music Room, Santa’s Plane,

a Pink Unicorn, along with some favourites such as Cinderella’s Castle, Alice in Wonderland,

the North Pole scene, sound and light displays, Santa photos and so much more!

Christmas Lights open from 6.30pm - 10pm*

Admission charges apply. Gardens open 9am - 4pm. Closed 25 December. *This event will not open in adverse weather conditions. *Santas photos until 24th December. Program subject to change check social media for updates.

For information and online tickets - www.hvg.com.auBroke Road Pokolbin - Ph: 02 4998 4000Accommodation available at harrigans.com.au

Join us for updates & giveaways

MILLIONS

OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

6 Nov 15 to

26 Jan 16Fun for

the Whole

Family

Page 41: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 39

DINE PRODUCE

BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS better, according to Ebony Tinkler (pictured below) – at least when it comes to pumpkins. “We grow all types of pumpkins, from butternut and Kent, to Queensland blue and gramma, and last year had a 42-kilogram whopper. It was the largest pumpkin I can recall, but the cows got to enjoy it as, at that size, they aren’t particularly flavourful,” she explains.

Three generations of the Tinkler family have dedicated their lives to the land since Usher Gordon Tinkler established the farm

in 1948. “Back then, there were only three acres of grapes and four acres of orchards,” says Ebony, wife of third-generation winemaker Usher. “Today we have 100 acres under vine and 10 acres of orchards, plus resident chooks and a herd of Black Angus and Limousin cattle.

“In a good year we sell about five tonnes of grapes and 10 tonnes of fruit and veg,” she adds. “We supply a lot of fruit to local restaurants – Muse and EXP are big supporters – and leftover fruit is pickled and

preserved on site. But you need to be quick if you want the fig jam – it sells out first.”

Depending on the time of year, you can buy homegrown, hand-picked peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots and figs, as well as avocados, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, rockmelons and watermelons. Plus there are 30 varieties of wine and table grapes, which you can pick yourself if you book ahead. Visit daily at 53 Pokolbin Mountains Rd, Pokolbin

TOP PICKS

FIGS

In season from December to March, but they sell out

fast so call ahead. Black and white figs $1 each.

AVOCADOS

Tinklers grows two varieties: Hass and

Bacon. Available June to September, $1 each.

TABLE GRAPES

You can pick your own table grapes from

December to March. Prices start at $5 per kilogram.

WORDS: BRENDA CHRISTIAN PHOTOS: CHRISTOPHER IRELAND

HUNTERMADE IN THE FROM FARM GATE TO DINNER PLATE...

EASILY DONE WITH A VISIT TO TINKLERS PRODUCE.

Page 42: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

40 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

DINE PRODUCEMUSE RESTAURANT’S FIG AND GOATS’ CHEESE SALAD.

Page 43: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 41

DINE PRODUCE

“Figs are such a wonderful, sweet, versatile fruit. The combination of Tinklers’ rich soil and small-parcel pickings by Ebony and Usher, when required, is fantastic. Their figs work really well all over the Muse menu… entrees, mains and desserts, including simple salads like this recipe for home.” – Muse Restaurant chef/owner Troy Rhoades-Brown

SERVES 4Ingredients• ½ loaf organic ciabatta• 100ml extra virgin olive oil• 150g finely sliced guanciale*• 2 large bunches watercress• 1 large bunch sorrel• 6 Tinklers black figs• 150g Binnorie Dairy goats’ cheese • 80g roasted hazelnuts• 30ml good-quality sherry vinegar• sea salt• pepper• 80g fresh honeycomb

Method 1. Preheat oven to 150°C.2. Tear ciabatta into small pieces, add 50ml of the olive oil and place in preheated oven on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place slices of guanciale over bread. Return to oven for a further 5 minutes until golden.3. Wash watercress and sorrel, slice figs into thick wedges (about six wedges per fig) and crumble goats’ cheese, then combine in a large bowl or plate with guanciale, ciabatta and hazelnuts. Dress with remaining olive oil and sherry vinegar. Lightly toss, seasoning to taste.4. Scatter broken pieces of fresh honeycomb over the top and serve.

Wine match: Tinklers 2014 Poppy’s Chardonnay

*Guanciale is cured pork jowl and can be replaced with a good-quality prosciutto.

BLACK FIG, GUANCIALE, GOATS’ CHEESE, HONEYCOMB AND HAZELNUT SALAD

Page 44: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

42 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

MEET RIANTI

MEET DANIELLE TRANQUIL GARDENS

AQUA GOLF

A TALE OF TWO HUNTERSTHE HUNTER VALLEY HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PASSION, PALATE OR PARTY SIZE. HERE, TWO RECENT VISITORS SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCES AND INSPIRE YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN.

MAD HATTER

STORYBOOK TIME

Rianti Cartwright is an Indonesian actress who, with her husband, Cas Alfonso, was invited by Dwidaya Tour and Destination New South Wales to the Hunter Valley.

Danielle Evrat is a Sydney-based performer who has been on tour with the Australian production of WICKED. On one of her breaks she whisked partner Ben off for a romantic getaway.

Who says the children’s storybook area is just for kids? I loved sitting next to Humpty Dumpty!

Ben and I spent hours wandering around Hunter Valley Gardens. The landscaping is beautiful with different themed gardens to explore. And the sound of the waterfall… so relaxing.

Next up was an early-morning tea party with the Mad Hatter at Hunter Valley Gardens. Magical gardens with something for everyone.

Early-morning Aqua Golf at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village. My hubby, Cas, won a prize but I kinda sucked. Might have to practise some more.

Page 45: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 43

INCREDIBLE LUNCH

STAYING IN A TIPIEXPLORING

COOKING CLASS

DINNER

DINNER

TWO-WHEELING

WINE AND CHEESE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY

BEER PADDLE GRAPE-STOMPING

First time on a Segway, woohoo! Great way to whip around and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Then it was off for some wine-tasting. First cellar door was Scarborough Wines, where they serve cheese and biscuits with your wine. Brilliant experience.

Next stop was Roche Estate, where we checked out the vines. Beautiful sunshine, gorgeous grapevines. Totally in love with the Hunter Valley.

And a quick trip across the road to McGuigan Wines for a final taste for the day. The 2013 Personal Reserve Chardonnay was an absolute stunner. Delicious.

The grape-stomping at Hunter Valley Resort was so much fun. Hubby and I had grapes squishing between our toes in an old oak barrel, just like they used to press grapes years ago.

The beer paddle at Hunter Valley Resort made Cas very happy, indeed!

WANT MORE?

UNEARTH MORE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES AND SHARE YOUR OWN AT WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPLORE DAY TRIPPER

Page 46: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Château Élan at The Vintage Hunter ValleyVintage Drive Rothbury NSW 2320

Hotel 02 4998 2500 | Golf 02 4998 2208 | Spa 02 4998 2504 | Restaurant 02 4998 2213www.chateauelan.com.au

Page 47: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

REDS & GREENSGET INTO THE SWING OF THINGS IN WINE

COUNTRY WITH OUR GOLF COURSE ROUND-UP.

WORDS: GRANT DODD

I CAN STILL hear the words ringing in my ears. “Dodd, I saw you on TV today hitting a

two-iron from the tee. You’ll never win playing conservative, my boy. Never. Put that thing away and get the driver out. Go for it.”

The voice on the other end of the phone was that of Len Evans AO OBE. Restaurateur, raconteur and wine industry legend, Evans was also at one point a teaching professional at Mt Isa Golf Club.

A chance meeting with the Hunter Valley resident early in my professional career brought our mutual interests into alignment. Never hesitant with an opinion, Evans was my constant counsel on all things wine- and golf-related, and this burgeoning relationship

found me tracking northward from Sydney at every available opportunity in the mid-1990s.

At the time, the opportunity that awaited was much more closely aligned to wine than it was to golf. Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club (pictured) had only recently been opened. The Vintage Golf Club and Hunter Valley Golf were barely twinkles in their makers’ eyes, and Stonebridge Golf Club was still operating under its original name with the redevelopment of recent years not even a consideration.

Today, golfers are spoilt for choice. Having four quality courses within 20 kilometres of Pokolbin, the region can mount a strong case for being regarded as one of the pre-eminent golf-and-wine destinations in the country.

EXPLORE GOLFPH

OTO

CH

RIST

OPH

ER IR

ELA

ND

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 45

EXPLORE GOLF

Page 48: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

CYPRESS LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBOpened in 1992 in the heart of Pokolbin, and surrounded by some of the Hunter Valley’s most highly regarded wineries, Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club has an undulating par-72 course layout that offers something to golfers of all standards. Key holes include the short but challenging par-three 11th and par-four 17th, both proof that creative design trumps length more often than not.

On-site accommodation is available at the Cypress Lakes Resort by Oaks Hotels & Resorts, where one-, two- and three-bedroom self-contained villas are available for short- or long-term stays. Within walking distance of the golf course are tennis courts, a gymnasium, a spa, and a restaurant and bar. The Cypress Lakes complex is the perfect base for both playing golf and exploring the region’s attractions.See page 110 or cypresslakes.com.au

THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUBWith a design mapped out by former world number one Greg Norman and an Australian Golf Digest ranking that puts it among the top 50 courses in the country, The Vintage Golf Club sits, arguably, at the top of the regional pecking order. Formerly the home of the NSW Open on the Australian PGA Tour, The Vintage makes demands on every aspect of a golfer’s game.

Subtle use of natural water courses and creative green complexes are features of a par-71 design that winds its way through a residential estate notable for its adherence to modern architectural design.

For those more attuned to ‘après-golf’ activities, with a taste for the finer things in life, The Vintage is also home to the opulent resort Château Élan at The Vintage, as well as the Hunter Valley’s first international apartment hotel, Grand Mercure The Vintage.

Insider knowledge has it that, on occasion, golf buggies may or may not have been seen parked outside the tasting room of the adjacent Bimbadgen Estate winery. Despite refutation from management, rumours abound that the vehicles belong to escapees from the par-five 7th hole, availing themselves of Bimbadgen’s renowned regional hospitality when the pace of play is a little slow.

If your golf game is in need of some work, you’ll find the answers required to fix it with The Vintage’s head teaching professional, Richard Mercer. A PGA of Australia member for nearly 40 years, Mercer has coached everyone from beginners to tournament winners. See page 110 or thevintage.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF Mercer is also the designer of the course at Hunter Valley Golf, part of the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley resort complex.

PREVIOUS PAGE & BELOW: TEE OFF AT CYPRESS LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB.

RIGHT: AVOID THE MAN-MADE WATER HAZARDS AT HUNTER VALLEY GOLF.

FAR RIGHT, TOP & BELOW: THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUB, ARGUABLY THE TOP COURSE.

PHO

TO C

HRI

STO

PHER

IREL

AN

D

46 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPLORE GOLF

Page 49: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Construction of the course began in 1991 and didn’t end until 10 years later. Since its completion, the course has grown into itself, with the 25,000 casuarina trees hand-planted more than two decades ago now mature enough to provide shape and detail to the holes. A lack of undulation is made up for by clever use of large, man-made water hazards that are an intimidating feature of many tee shots.

In excellent condition, with firm, true greens, the Hunter Valley Golf course lives somewhat in the shadow of its more vaunted local rivals but is by no means a poor cousin. Enjoy the tranquil, relaxing walk among a diversity of native birdlife and the challenge of trying to par the demanding par-four 7th hole. Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley offers excellent play-and-stay packages and is within proximity to some of the Valley’s best restaurants and wineries.See page 110 or huntervalleygolfcc.com.au

“On occasion, golf buggies may or may not have been seen parked outside the tasting room of Bimbadgen Estate winery.”

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 47

Page 50: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

STONEBRIDGE GOLF CLUBStonebridge Golf Course in Cessnock (pictured above) has seen significant design changes in recent years. Overseen by Australian golf legend Jack Newton, the alterations have added a significant degree of challenge to the course, largely by increasing the size and contours of the greens. The result is a course on which approach shots require thoughtful planning and a conservative strategy pays dividends.

Perhaps the key selling point is its value-for-money proposition. The current Monday-to-Wednesday special offers 18 holes for two people, including cart hire, for the giveaway price of $50. It’s a deal that any course in the land will find difficult to match. Visit stonebridgegolf.com.au

WANT MORE?

WANT TO PLAY ALL FOUR COURSES? FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WINE COUNTRY GOLF SUPERPASS AT WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

If time is of the essence and your ambitions don’t stretch to a full 18 holes, two options may tickle your fancy. The first is the charming nine-hole layout of Branxton Golf Club, 15 minutes’ drive from the heart of Pokolbin. The second, and less formal, of the region’s short-course options is Aqua Golf & Putt Putt at Hunter Valley Gardens, where you can beat a bucket of floating balls into the lake in front of you without worrying about losing any.

SHORT COURSES

branxtongolfclub.com.au

huntervalleygardens.com.au

PHO

TO C

HRISTO

PHER IRELA

ND

PHO

TO C

HRISTO

PHER IRELA

ND

48 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPLORE GOLF

Page 51: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

tt

Page 52: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

50 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHTFROM BOUTIQUE WINE-TASTING AND LINGER-LONGER LUNCHES, TO COOKING CLASSES AND BIKE TOURS, IT’S EASY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE RURAL IDYLL THAT IS LOVEDALE.

WORDS: MELINDA KELLY

Page 53: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

PHO

TO H

OW

ARD

ARC

HBO

LD / W

INEPIX

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 51

EXPLORE LOVEDALE

WHAT A VIEW: CATCH A SPECTACULAR SUNSET AT ALLANDALE WINERY.

Page 54: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

52 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

IN THE HEART of the Hunter Valley, Lovedale is home to a fabulously eclectic mix of wineries, cellar doors and restaurants, all surrounded by pretty bushland, lush vineyards and large mobs of kangaroos.

Many of the winemakers and vignerons are locals, born and bred, with winemaking and farming stretching back in their families for generations. Others have made a career change and left the city to join them, making for an interesting and welcoming collection of characters.

Lovedale is now the main entry point to the region if you arrive via the Hunter Expressway, so it’s the perfect place to start your Hunter Valley wine and food trail.

DRINKLocated on Wilderness Road, Emma’s Cottage Vineyard is a must-do in Lovedale. Enjoy small-batch wines estate-grown and expertly crafted by award-winning winemaker David Hook. Also on site is an art gallery with works by local artists, including Megan Barrass and Frances Fussell, plus the latest addition to

the Hunter Valley’s diverse dining scene: Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen, which is operated by model Miranda Kerr’s brother, Matthew, and his partner, James Wright.

Next, head down Lovedale Road, where Jan and Jorg Gartelmann, both in their 70s, have been working tirelessly on Gartelmann Wines since 1996 and don’t look like slowing down. With the assistance of contract winemaker Liz Silkman, of First Creek Wines, the Gartelmanns’ range of 17 wines includes the flagships Jessica Verdelho, Benjamin Semillon, Diedrich Shiraz and Wilhelm Shiraz.

The next stop on Lovedale Road is Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove, where grapevines have been grown since the 1860s. The vines produce Hunter Valley

classics – Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz – while Adina’s range also includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Pinot Gris. Harvested from the property’s olive grove, olives are prepared on site to produce flavoured table olives, tapenades and beautifully fresh olive oils.

Also on Lovedale Road, on a hill overlooking Semillon and Chardonnay vineyards, Allandale Winery’s cellar door boasts an expansive 180-degree view of the Brokenback Range. Particularly known for its Shiraz, Chardonnay and Semillon, the winery makes all of its wine on site. Approaching his 33rd vintage with Allandale Winery, there’s not much that chief winemaker Bill Sneddon doesn’t know about Hunter Valley winemaking.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GET YOUR SUGAR HIT AT SABOR IN THE HUNTER; INDULGE IN THE LOVEDALE LONG LUNCH; LEARN THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE AND CREATE A FEAST WITH BEN SALES AT MAJORS LANE COOKING SCHOOL; SIP AND SWIRL ALFRESCO OR AT ALLANDALE WINERY; TUCK INTO TAPAS AT TATLER.

PHO

TO D

ESTI

NA

TIO

N N

SW

Page 55: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 53

EXPLORE LOVEDALE

Turn left out of Allandale Winery’s drive and a minute later you’re at Capercaillie Wines. While no longer operated by its founders, the late Alasdair Sutherland and his wife, Trish, it continues their tradition of producing boutique wines, ranging from the premium Ghillie Shiraz to the easy-drinking Capercaillie Moscato, at the hands of vineyard manager Lance Mikisch and winemaker Peter Lane.

EATA chef for more than 20 years, Emerson Rodriguez and his wife, Samantha, established Emerson’s Cafe & Restaurant at Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove a few years ago. It’s a favourite with locals and visitors and its contemporary Modern Australian menu highlights locally sourced produce, including herbs and vegetables from Emerson’s own garden.

With its front deck perched over a dam, Leaves & Fishes is a tranquil spot at which to kick back with family and friends and enjoy a laid-back lunch or dinner. The focus is on wonderfully fresh seafood, including fish grown in the dam, with a smart and funky Asian kick.

Headed by chef Katy Carruthers, Tatler Tapas Cafe offers tapas inspired by her world travels. Bacalhau and potato croquetas, sardines escabeche and little cups of New England clam chowder are just a few of the super-tasty dishes on a menu full of Mediterranean flavours.

The relaxing bushland setting of The Deck Cafe Lovedale at Gartelmann Wines is a fabulous place to unwind, but you’ll need to book if you want one of the coveted alfresco tables beside the dam. The extensive breakfast menu has all the favourites, while the lunchtime offerings include owner Matt Dillow’s specialties, such as spiced calamari with Asian salad and lime aioli, and pork belly spring rolls with spicy plum sauce.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be in your own kind of paradise at Sabor in the

“Many of the winemakers and vignerons are locals,

born and bred.”

PHO

TO C

HRIS ELFES

Page 56: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

54 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPLORE LOVEDALE

Feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair on a tour with Hunter Trikes. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, take a ride on a two-wheel cruiser and really make some noise – a totally fun and exhilarating way to see the countryside.

After a day of wine-tasting and sightseeing cleanse your palate and quench your thirst with a locally brewed beer at Lovedale Brewery. With a rotation of handcrafted beers, from ales to rich

oatmeal porter, there’s a pint to suit every season. Make sure you try the award-winning Lovedale Lager.

SEEEntering its 23rd year, the Lovedale Long Lunch has evolved from attracting a few hundred locals to about 20,000 passionate party-goers annually. Held on the third weekend in May, it’s the chance to wine, dine and dance your way around seven of Lovedale’s wineries, each paired with a local restaurant and packed with entertainment.

Another fun food and wine experience is the Hunter Valley Wine Festival held at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley each June. Sample superb wines from across the region and taste gourmet food from local restaurants – all in the one place.

Exploring this country idyll is even easier if you grab a copy of the Tour de Lovedale map, painted by local artist Megan Barrass, and follow the self-drive route. One thing is certain: however you spend your time, there’s a lot to love about Lovedale.

Hunter Dessert Bar. Serving more than 50 devilishly decadent desserts, including its award-winning Portuguese chocolate mousse, it’s the Hunter Valley’s sweetest spot. And the icing on the cake? Each dessert is paired with a matching Hunter Valley wine.

DODiscover your inner chef at Majors Lane Cooking School and prepare a feast inspired by the fusion of Asian cuisine and Hunter Valley produce in a fun cooking class hosted by owner-chef Ben Sales. Ben can also teach you the secrets of food smoking in his Lovedale Smokehouse smoking and curing masterclass.

A trip to the country is incomplete without browsing at the local antique store. Drop into Lovedale Antiques Old Wares & Gallery to get your fill of interesting and unusual antiques, art, collectables and perfect pieces.

“One thing is certain: however you spend your time, there’s a lot t o love about Lovedale.”

TOP: LOVEDALE BREWERY’S HEAD BREWER MICHAEL CAPALDO BREWS ON SITE AND DOESN’T USE KEGS. LEFT: STROLL THROUGH VINEYARDS AND SAMPLE AWARD-WINNING WINES.

WANT MORE?

FOR PLACES TO STAY IN LOVEDALE AND MORE INFO GO TO WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 57: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

ESTABLISHED 1978

Page 58: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

TO CHANGE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT 1. Please note any changes in black pen. 2. FAX to 4006-3077 OR 3. EMAIL to [email protected]

I DO NOT APPROVE THIS ARTWORK PLEASE SEE AMENDMENTS ABOVE

TO APPROVE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT SIGN & FAX/EMAIL

I APPROVE THIS ARTWORK FOR PRINTING

NAME: _______________________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________

ARTWORK PRODUCED BY AND COPYRIGHTED TO:

WCP MEDIA 12 HANBURY ST MAYFIELD NSW 2304 PH 4967-3200 FX 4006-3077

APPROVAL DRAFT THE MAP ISSUE 2 PUBLISHING JANUARY 2015 MAP SIDE: B POSITION: 17/18/22/23 � Please forward all amendments prior to

TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER

� We will require your proof to be approved and signed o� on and returned to us prior to FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER

� If amendments and /or signed approval is not received by these dates the item will publish as it appears on this proof sheet.

� If you need to send new images please

[email protected]. Please contact me on 4967-3600 should you require assistance

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in Wine2014 Sydney Royal Easter Show - 4 Trophies2013 & 2014 Sydney International Wine Competition2012 & 2013 London International Wine Challenge

Experience our ultra-premiumsingle vineyard wines

McLEISH ESTATE

McLeish Estate Wines462 DeBeyers Road Pokolbin

PH (02) 4998 7754www.mcleishhunterwines.com.au

L

2014

SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW

NSWWINE

OF THEYEAR

2014

SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW

BESTSEMILLON

2014

AUSTRALIAN BO

UTIQ

UE WINE AWARDS

BESTWHITEWINE

2014

NSW BOUTIQUE W

INE AWARDS

BESTWHITEWINE

2014

HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW

BESTWINE

WIN

NER INTERNATION

AL W

INE CHALENGE 201

3

GOLDAWARD

WIN

NER INTERNATIONAL W

INE COMPETITION 201

3

BESTWHITEWINE

WIN

NER INTERNATION

AL W

INE CHALLENGE 201

2

TROPHYLONDON

IWC

SYDN

EY INTERNATION

AL

WINE COMPETIT

ION

BESTSEMILLON

SYDN

EY INTERNATION

AL

WINE COMPETIT

ION

BESTWINE

JAMES HALLIDAY

’S

WINE COMPANIO

N 96POINTS

TO CHANGE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT 1. Please note any changes in black pen. 2. FAX to 4006-3077 OR 3. EMAIL to [email protected]

I DO NOT APPROVE THIS ARTWORK PLEASE SEE AMENDMENTS ABOVE

TO APPROVE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT SIGN & FAX/EMAIL

I APPROVE THIS ARTWORK FOR PRINTING

NAME: _______________________________________

SIGNATURE: _______________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________

ARTWORK PRODUCED BY AND COPYRIGHTED TO:

WCP MEDIA 12 HANBURY ST MAYFIELD NSW 2304 PH 4967-3200 FX 4006-3077

APPROVAL DRAFT THE MAP ISSUE 2 PUBLISHING JANUARY 2015 MAP SIDE: B POSITION: 17/18/22/23 � Please forward all amendments prior to

TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER

� We will require your proof to be approved and signed o� on and returned to us prior to FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER

� If amendments and /or signed approval is not received by these dates the item will publish as it appears on this proof sheet.

� If you need to send new images please

[email protected]. Please contact me on 4967-3600 should you require assistance

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in Wine2014 Sydney Royal Easter Show - 4 Trophies2013 & 2014 Sydney International Wine Competition2012 & 2013 London International Wine Challenge

Experience our ultra-premiumsingle vineyard wines

McLEISH ESTATE

McLeish Estate Wines462 DeBeyers Road Pokolbin

PH (02) 4998 7754www.mcleishhunterwines.com.au

L

2014

SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW

NSWWINE

OF THEYEAR

2014

SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW

BESTSEMILLON

2014

AUSTRALIAN BO

UTIQ

UE WINE AWARDS

BESTWHITEWINE

2014

NSW BOUTIQUE W

INE AWARDS

BESTWHITEWINE

2014

HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW

BESTWINE

WIN

NER INTERNATION

AL W

INE CHALENGE 201

3

GOLDAWARD

WIN

NER INTERNATIONAL W

INE COMPETITION 201

3

BESTWHITEWINE

WIN

NER INTERNATION

AL W

INE CHALLENGE 201

2

TROPHYLONDON

IWC

SYDN

EY INTERNATION

AL

WINE COMPETIT

ION

BESTSEMILLON

SYDN

EY INTERNATION

AL

WINE COMPETIT

ION

BESTWINE

JAMES HALLIDAY

’S

WINE COMPANIO

N 96POINTS

Experience our ultra-premium range of Estate grown single vineyard wines

Celebrating 30 Years ofExcellence in Wine2014 Sydney Royal Easter Show – 4 Trophies2013 & 2014 Sydney International Wine Competition – 2 Trophies2012 & 2013 London InternationalWine Challenge – 2 Trophies

McLeish Estate Wines462 DeBeyers Road Pokolbin

PH: (02) 4998 7754www.mcleishhunterwines.com.au

1596 BROKE ROAD, POKOLBIN NS W 2320phone: 02 4998 7088 email: [email protected] website: www.oakvalewines.com.au follow us : facebook.com/OakvaleWinery

G R E AT W I N E S A R E C R E AT E D I N T H E V I N E YA R D .

Page 59: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

EXPLORE PROFILE

EARLY RISERSFOR A HIGH-FLYING COUPLE WITH A PASSION FOR

SUNRISE BALLOONING IT’S EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE.WORDS: MELINDA KELLY

PHO

TO C

HRI

S EL

FES

Page 60: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

58 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPLORE PROFILE

LATE NIGHTS ARE a rarity at Nicola and Matthew Scaife’s Lovedale home. For this couple it’s early to bed and early to rise. As chief pilots and owner-operators of the Hunter Valley’s Balloon Aloft and its sister company, Balloon Safaris, they’re regularly up and about at 3am during summer and 5am throughout winter.

“We meet our passengers at Peterson House on Broke Road an hour before sunrise, so that’s approximately 4am in the summer and 6am in the winter,” says Nicola. “It may sound early but it’s the most beautiful part of the day.

“I’ve been getting up early to go ballooning for over 10 years now and, although sometimes it’s a challenge, I still really love it.”

Nicola, 30, says she simply chanced upon ballooning. “I went for a hot air balloon ride in Canberra and loved absolutely everything about it,” she recalls. “I was so smitten that I asked the pilot, who was also the owner, if he had any jobs – and, luckily for me, he did.

“I had dropped out of uni and was looking for a new adventure, so it was perfect timing,” she explains. “I met Matt a few months later when he came to work a summer for the same company.”

Raised in the UK, Matthew, 35, was born into ballooning. His father, Graeme Scaife, is the founder of Balloons Aloft and

has been running a ballooning company in West Sussex, about an hour from London, for 30 years.

“I had my first balloon ride at the age of five,” says Matthew. “As you can imagine, I was always pretty popular at school. My friends would come over and Dad would take us all up for a balloon ride – it was magic.

“Having said that, I decided to go to college in the US and was going to become a golf pro, but then I tore a tendon in my wrist, so I went back to the UK to help Dad out with the ballooning,” he recalls. “I got my commercial licence when I was 21 and I haven’t stopped flying since.”

The couple took over the Hunter Valley business about eight years ago after working in Canberra, on the Gold Coast and in Sydney.

“The Hunter Valley is an amazing place for ballooning – it’s just so beautiful,” says Matthew. “Around here, you’ve got the beauty of the hills and all of the vineyards stretched out below you, and that makes for a very special location.

“Valleys are great for ballooning,” he explains. “It means if there are any strong winds around, the Valley tends to be a bit more protected, being surrounded by the Brokenback Range, the Watagan Mountains and Barrington Tops.”

RACING FEVERWhile they now call the Hunter Valley home, Nicola and Matthew are also busy exploring the rest of the world, piloting racing balloons competitively in Australia and internationally.

Nicola won the inaugural Women’s Hot Air Balloon World Championship in Poland last year, beating current Hot Air Balloon World Champion Yudai Fujita to take out the 2015 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge (in which Matthew placed fifth), and is a hot contender for the 20th Australia

“You’ve got the beauty of the hills and

all of the vineyards stretched out below you.”

PHO

TO C

HRI

S EL

FES

Page 61: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 59

EXPLORE PROFILE

Nicola and Matthew say that while racing overseas is exhilarating, it’s also mentally and physically exhausting, so it’s always great to return home. “When we’re competing we race every morning and night for two to three hours each session and complete three to six different tasks each flight. The events generally run for six days straight, so coming home to rest and pilot one-hour commercial flights is so relaxing,” Matthew says.

LOCAL FAVOURITES“We’re really blessed to have a wonderful lifestyle, and it’s amazing living here in the Hunter Valley,” says Nicola.

“There are so many fantastic wines to choose from, but our favourites would have to be Hope Estate’s The Cracker Cabernet Merlot, Hanging Tree Wines Cabernet, De Iuliis Wines Verdelho and Oakvale Wines Pear Cider.

“We also have some amazing restaurants. The top breakfast spot is Restaurant Cuvée at Peterson House, and for a special night out you can’t beat Muse Restaurant; but for a quick catch-up with friends, we like to duck into the cafe at Simply D’Vine Nursery in Nulkaba – it’s a real locals’ hang-out.”

And what do they do to chill out after a busy day? “We love walking along Molly Morgan’s vineyards behind our house with our son and the two dogs. It’s so relaxing and the rural landscape is spectacular.

“We’re really not city people, so we love living here. With the beautiful vineyards, a great climate, great friends and the chance to share our love of ballooning, why wouldn’t we?” See page 110 or balloonaloft.com

National Hot Air Balloon Championship to be held in Northam, Western Australia, from August 27 to September 5, 2015.

The pair won the male and female titles at the 2014 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge and Matthew has also been placed in the top five to 10 in a swag of other international events.

Later this year they’ll travel to Japan to compete in the 2015 Saga International Balloon Fiesta FAI Pre-Worlds Hot Air Balloon Event, where it’s expected that 150 balloons will race. It’s a ‘practice run’ for the 22nd World Hot Air Ballooning Championship to be held in Saga, Japan, in late October and early November next year, and it’s the first time they will be competing against each other internationally.

WANT MORE?

DISCOVER MORE GREAT WAYS TO EXPLORE THE HUNTER VALLEY AND SHARE YOUR OWN AT WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: BUBBLES AND BREAKFAST IN THE AIR; MATTHEW, NICOLA AND SON HUGO; NICOLA STARTS THE BURNER UP; ENJOY SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE VALLEY YOU’LL WANT TO SHARE; PASSENGER BASKETS HOLD BETWEEN TWO AND 18 PEOPLE.

Page 62: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

60 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

WHAT’S ONA ROUND-UP OF LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS. SEE THE ROSE SPECTACULAR AT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS.

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

REGULAR EVENTSHIGH TEA @ THE SEBEL KIRKTON PARKDAILY: Enjoy a traditional high tea in The Conservatory overlooking the rose garden. $35pp inc glass sparkling wine. Bookings on 02 4998 7680.

SUNDAY TASTES WEEKLY: Dine at Twine Restaurant on Sunday and enjoy a mezze plate, a Tastes From Around the World main and dessert. $49pp. Bookings on 02 4998 7449.

MUSIC BY THE VINES WEEKLY: Head to Restaurant Botanica on Sundays for a three-hour music session, a leisurely lunch or a glass of wine and a snack beside the vines. Bookings on 02 6574 7229.

ROSE SPECTACULAR @ HUNTER VALLEY GARDENSSAT OCT 10–SUN NOV 15: You’ll be intoxicated by the scent of more than two million rose blooms at this floral display. Featuring more than 35,000 rose bushes in 125 varieties as well as talks by rose experts. hvg.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY UNCORKED BALMORAL, SYDNEYSUN 11: This popular festival is held on The Esplanade at Sydney’s beautiful Balmoral Beach, showcasing more than 20 premium Hunter Valley wineries, along with leading restaurants and producers, live music and more. Free entry. winecountry.com.au

HUNTER VALLEY BALLOON FIESTASAT 17–SUN 18: The fifth Balloon Fiesta will see 20 hot air balloonists from around the country take to the skies in a beautiful display of colour with 100 ballooning enthusiasts on board. Bookings essential on 02 4990 9242.

SONGS FOR THE FALLENWED 14: See Songs for the Fallen – part vaudeville, part punk opera, part MTV-does-baroque – at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre. It’s a musical

SPRING FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS @ HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS TUE 1–WED 30: Immerse yourself in the heady scents and sights of 100,000 annuals planted throughout the gardens. Plus enjoy entertainment, activities, demonstrations, talks, tours and workshops. hvg.com.au

ART AFTER HOURSTHU 24: Head to Cessnock Regional Art Gallery on the last Thursday of each month from 5–8pm to enjoy a free social and cultural event, with evening access to its exhibitions, along with music and local wines. 02 4991 6619 crag.net.au

WOLLOMBI MUSIC FESTIVALSAT 26: Listen to an eclectic mix of bands on two stages with a majestic mountain backdrop. This boutique festival also features markets, food trucks and drum and dance workshops. Camping available. wollombimusicfestival.com.au

SPRING FOOD & WINE CELEBRATION SAT 17: Head to Pepper Tree Wines and dance to the groovy tunes of

HIGH TEA @ GEMELLI ESTATE MONTHLY: Enjoy Sunday high tea in the garden or gallery on October 25, November 29 and December 6. $35pp inc glass of wine. Bookings on 02 4998 7910.

party charting the wild life of early 19th-century courtesan, party girl, liar and legend Marie Duplessis. cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au

Page 63: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 61

EXPLORE CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

OKTOBERFEST @ HOPE ESTATESAT 24: Hope Estate’s celebration of beer during October includes tasty new brews, live music every weekend, and the Oktoberfest dinner in the Great Cask Hall on Oct 24. Bookings on 1800 777 444.

JAZZ IN THE VINES @ TYRRELL’S WINERYSAT 31: Not your average jazz festival, this party in the paddock boasts Australia’s big names in jazz, great food and fine wine. jazzinthevines.com.au

SPRING CRUIZ-IN SUN 18: Share the passion for veteran and vintage, classic and commercial, hot rods, street machines and bikes. The great event begins at 9am from Bunnings at Wallsend and travels to Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village. Book tickets online at hvg.com.au

SCULPTURE IN THE VINEYARDSSAT OCT 31–SUN NOV 29: A celebration of art and wine along the

MELBOURNE CUP @ ESCA BIMBADGENTUE 3: Dress your fabulous best and cheer your winner home at Esca Bimbadgen. Enjoy a glass of Bimbadgen sparkling wine on arrival at 11am, followed by three courses from the specially created menu. $85pp. Bookings essential on 02 4998 4666.

NEIL DIAMONDSAT 7: See talented troubadour Neil Diamond on stage at Roche Estate (formerly Tempus Two Winery), singing his much-loved classics as well as new material from his 32nd studio album, Melody Road. ticketmaster.com.au

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SPECTACULAR @ HUNTER VALLEY GARDENSFRI NOV 6–TUE JAN 26, 2016: Now in its ninth year, with millions of Christmas lights on display, live entertainment and a special appearance from Santa. Special night rates apply. Closed Dec 25. hvg.com.au

KATIE NOONAN IN CONCERTSUN 8: Spicers Vineyards Estate hosts Katie Noonan’s Vanguard as part of her Transmutant album tour, with support act MKO from 2.30pm. Enjoy a chilled day of music, food stalls, picnic packages and lunch and dinner packages. Tickets $45pp. Bookings on 02 6574 7229.

FLEETWOOD MACSAT 14 & SUN 15: Legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac is touring with all five iconic band members, including Christine McVie, playing two concerts among the vines at Hope Estate during their On With The Show world tour. ticketmaster.com.au

MUDD SWEAT & TEARS SAT 7: International obstacle course race Mudd Sweat & Tears launches in the vines of Hope Estate with 6km and 12km mud runs. muddsweatandtears.com

ELTON JOHNSAT 5: Music legend Sir Elton John kicks off his Australian tour in the Hunter Valley at Hope Estate. Support acts at this outdoor show include Australian pianist/composer Tate Sheridan and singer/songwriter Megan Washington. ticketmaster.com.au

COLD CHISEL SAT 12: Aussie rock icons Cold Chisel are bringing their One Night Stand tour of Australia to the Hunter Valley’s Hope Estate for a massive night of rock, with support act The Living End. ticketmaster.com.au

JACK NEWTON CELEBRITY CLASSICMON 14–WED 16: Watch professional golfers and 50 celebrities get into the swing of things at the pro-am Jack Newton Celebrity Classic golf tournament held at Hunter Valley Golf at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

jacknewtongroup.com

The Big Bang while sampling some sensational Pepper Tree Wines. Tickets include tasting glass, food and wine tokens, Contango coffee voucher and a masterclass with chief winemaker Scott Comyns. $55pp. Bookings essential on 1800 655 965.

Wollombi Valley Wine Trail; includes guided sculpture tours, degustation tour, workshops, night tours and twilight bus tours hosted by Ngurra Bu Aboriginal Tours. sculptureinthevineyards.com.au

Page 64: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

EXPLORE CALENDAR

62 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

REGULAR EVENTS

CHRISTMAS DAY FRI 25: There are numerous restaurants hosting festive Christmas feasts, including The Mill Restaurant, Restaurant Botanica and The Sebel Kirkton Park. For a full list go to winecountry.com.au

NEW YEAR’S EVE @ HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS THU 31: Celebrate the start of 2016 with entertainment, rides, fireworks display and the Christmas Lights Spectacular! Tickets available online at hvg.com.au

NEW YEAR’S EVE THU 31: You can also ring in the New Year at many other venues in the Hunter Valley, including Esca Bimbadgen and Peppers Guest House, to name just two. For a full list go to winecountry.com.au

AUSTRALIA DAY IN SINGLETONTUE 26: Celebrate Australia Day on the Civic Green with a free BBQ breakfast at 8am, 9.30am ceremony, a selection of food and market stalls and live entertainment. singleton.nsw.gov.au

VALENTINE’S DAY @ SPICERSSUN 14: Discover why Spicers Vineyards Estate was voted Australia’s most

MAITLAND TASTE – FOOD, WINE & MUSIC FESTIVALSAT 12–SUN 13: A two-day festival in Maitland’s Heritage Mall celebrating the Hunter Valley’s best wine, coffee, chocolate and local cuisine with market stalls and cooking demonstrations, wine education and food-matching sessions. maitlandtaste.com.au

KURRI KURRI NOSTALGIA FESTIVAL FRI 18–SUN 20: A fantastic line-up of rock ’n’ roll bands, rockabilly dances, classic cars, hot rods, fashion and market stalls. kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au

FOLK IN BROKESAT 26: Fun folk festival with quality food, brews and local wines served from vintage caravans, and handmade goods by Sacred Tree Markets. Tickets strictly limited via Facebook site facebook.com/FolkInBrokeFestival

EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA @ THE SEBEL KIRKTON PARKFRI 25: The popular Good Friday Seafood Dinner Feast is back. Bookings essential on 02 4998 7680. Also enjoy egg-and-spoon races, plus an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. sebelhuntervalley.com.au

EASTER LONG WEEKEND FRI 25–MON 28: Head to Hunter Valley Gardens on Easter Saturday and Sunday and join the Easter Bunny to search for lots of coloured eggs in the gardens’ Giant Easter Egg Hunt. Book tickets online at hvg.com.au

romantic hotel in Australia on TripAdvisor in 2015. Enjoy a glass of Champagne on arrival and a four-course lunch or dinner for $95pp. Bookings on 02 6574 7229. PARKRUN

SINGLETONWEEKLY: A free 5km run/walk each Saturday. Register online, print out your barcode and bring it along each week to have your time recorded. parkrun.com.au/singleton/

WINE AND CHOCOLATE TASTINGWEEKENDS: Taste four wines matched with BRIX premium chocolate and finish off with a Contango Espresso Roasters coffee at Pepper Tree Wines. $20pp. Bookings essential on 02 4909 7100.

FLICKS ON THE GREENMONTHLY: Watch a movie by moonlight at Flicks on The Green in Wollombi from October. Bookings on 02 4998 3483. flicksonthegreen.com.au

MARKETS MONTHLY: Broke Village Market – first Sunday of each month. brokefordwich.com.au

MONTHLY: Sacred Tree Markets – third Sunday at Branxton. sacredtreemarkets.com.au

FORTNIGHTLY: Handmade Hunter Markets – second and fourth Saturdays in Pokolbin.handmadehuntermarkets.com.au HOLIDAY MONDAYS: Wollombi Markets – holiday Mondays of each long weekend (Easter Monday March 28). wollombimarkets.com

Page 65: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WWW.BROKENWOOD.COM.AU

Semillon of the Year

Halliday Wine Companion Awards 20162009 ILR Reserve Semillon - 97 Points

Best of the Best by Variety

401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin, NSW 02 4998 7559

Page 66: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16
Page 67: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

H U N T E R VA L L E Y

PROU

DLY LOWNED

BYTHE McW

ILLIAMFAFFMILYLL

N.S.W.

SINCE

19 3 2

Page 68: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO

the hook shot.David has always made wines that stand out.

Wines that hit all the right spots.

Wines that knock your socks off.

Wines that you won’t forget.

Get hooked up now, visit our cellar or

visit us online at davidhookwines.com.au

Page 69: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

O F F I C I A L G U I D E

Your guide to the region’s essential sights and services.

• Cellar Doors • Restaurants & Cafes • Gourmet •

• Tours • Experiences • Accommodation • • Weddings • Services •

+ pull-out touring map

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 67

Page 70: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Australian Family Owned Since 1858

Fine dining in the heart of Pokolbin.Lunch 7 days, Dinner Friday / Saturday

hopeestate.com.au/harvest

2213 Broke Road Pokolbin, NSW 2320 (Opposite Pokolbin Village)

(02) 4993 3599 [email protected]

Page 71: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Drive time Discover the Hunter Valley way of life – it’s just a two-hour drive north of Sydney. With the new Hunter Expressway you can now travel a more convenient route to the vineyards, and it will cut travel times between Newcastle and the Hunter Valley by up to 25 minutes.

Did you know?There are 2664 hectares of wine grapes planted in the Hunter Valley (1153 red, 1511 white).Source: ABS Vineyards Survey

A world of wineSo close to Sydney yet truly a world away, the Hunter Valley is the birthplace of Australian wine. Wine Country – as the Hunter Valley is known – is a dynamic wine region with more than 150 premium wine producers, 60 tempting restaurants and 180 inviting places to stay. It has all the ingredients for a perfect getaway, from gourmet regional produce, boutique breweries, indulgent spas and action-packed adventures, to acclaimed gardens, galleries and heritage towns.

Pokolbin and Rothbury represent the traditional heart of the Hunter Valley, but there are plenty of other towns to explore and secrets to discover. The rural community of Wollombi is famed for its colonial architecture, convict-built buildings and lush bushland, while Lovedale, Mount View and Broke exude an air of tranquillity with boutique wineries, family-owned restaurants and cafes, and hospitable B&Bs.

Wind your way between old delights and new surprises as you relax and unwind in this remarkable region.

1 LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO DRINK BAD WINE The Hunter Valley is famous for its Semillon and Shiraz, but you’ll also find Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and specialty varieties (organic, biodynamic, sparkling, fortifieds and dessert wines).

2 CREATIVE CUISINE Lunch at a casual alfresco cafe overlooking the vines or enjoy dinner at a fine-dining restaurant with a crackling fire.

3 GOURMET PRODUCE Sample everything from olives, olive oils, tapenades, jams, chocolate, cheese and coffee to beer and spirits, all locally grown and made.

4 TOURS OF ALL TYPES Take a tour in a horse-drawn carriage, a Cadillac convertible or a modern limousine or on the back of a bike (more tour options on page 101).

5 CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF Tee off among the vines at one of three international-class

courses, which take advantage of the views.

6 FLOWER POWER Hunter Valley Gardens has over 25 landscaped hectares of themed display gardens to see, which change from season to season.

7 FLIGHTS OF FANCY Greet the morning with a sunrise hot air balloon flight, then see the sights in your own private helicopter (see pages 101 and 109 for more aerial activities).

8 RESCUE REMEDY The Hunter Valley boasts several destination spas, so you can sign up for an hour, a day or a week of indulgent treatments.

9 ARTISAN LANDSCAPES Explore galleries showcasing a range of local artists’ work, from paint and sculpture to glasswork and woodwork.

10 EVENTS TO REMEMBER Watch your favourite performer and enjoy great food and wine at one of the Valley’s signature events, concerts and festivals (see pages 60–62 for What’s On).

10 great reasons to visit

Discover.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 69

Page 72: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

BROKE FORDWICHThe Broke Fordwich region, a 20-minute drive from Pokolbin, is nestled at the foothills of the Brokenback Range in the shadow of the majestic Yellow Rock escarpment. It has a rustic charm and is pin-drop quiet, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing rural retreat. Peppered with boutique and biodynamic vineyards, olive groves, cosy accommodation options and restaurants, it has two big-ticket events: A Little Bit of Italy held each April and the Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display in September.

LOVEDALEWhen you exit the Hunter Expressway at Lovedale Road

and turn left you’ve arrived in Lovedale, a relaxed neighbourhood east of Pokolbin. The winding country roads are lined with cellar doors, eateries and an eclectic collection of places to stay – pick up a copy of the Tour De Lovedale map, painted by local artist Megan Barrass, and follow the self-drive route. It’s also home to mobs of kangaroos and wallabies, and the Lovedale Long Lunch, which takes place on the third weekend in May each year.

MOUNT VIEWAs far as idyllic rural backdrops go, you can’t ask for much better than Mount View. Weaving its way past terraced vineyards, tasting

While it is the Hunter Valley as a whole that is recognised and remembered as a world-class food and wine destination, the region is made up of a number of smaller subregions. Each has its own secrets to reveal and subtle nuances in terms of wine characteristics. They can be discovered on their own or as part of the Hunter Valley food and wine trail.

Hunter Valley subregions. rooms and charming B&Bs, Mount View Road takes you up to the Bimbadeen and Mount Bright Lookouts, with breathtaking views in every direction. It’s off the beaten track, but the mountain-top outlook, peaceful setting and memorable food and wine experiences are worth seeking out.

POKOLBINPokolbin isn’t a town or village, but it’s hailed as the hub of the Hunter Valley because it has the highest concentration of wineries, restaurants, accommodation and activities in the region. The first vineyards were planted in Pokolbin in the mid-1800s, and it continues to play a pivotal role in winemaking today with winemakers producing the region’s award-winning flagship wines – Shiraz and Semillon – as well as new varieties that receive widespread acclaim. While Pokolbin revolves around Broke and McDonalds Roads, it also includes established trails such as Palmers ‘Wine Lovers’ Lane and the Around Hermitage Trail.

UPPER HUNTERThe Upper Hunter is the largest horse-breeding region in Australia with an extensive viticultural industry based around Denman, Muswellbrook and Jerrys Plains. Stretching from Singleton in the south to Murrurundi in the north, it has a bevy of paddock-to-plate produce to sample, including olives, cheese and boutique wines, as well as outdoor and water-based activities at Lake St Clair and Lake Glenbawn.

WOLLOMBI VALLEYDrive 30 minutes south-west of Pokolbin to the quaint village of Wollombi and you’ll be transported back to a bygone era. Established in the mid-1800s, the pretty hamlet is famed for its colonial architecture and old-world general store. The gateway to the Wollombi Valley, it offers a heady mix of attractions, from ancient Aboriginal sites, national parks and the Great North Road convict trail to farmgate produce and boutique wines.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: VINEYARDS IN BROKE AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BROKENBACK RANGE; SHIRAZ IS THE REGION'S FLAGSHIP RED; EXPLORING THE ABORIGINAL SITES OF WOLLLOMBI; MCDONALDS ROAD, POKOLBIN.

70 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 73: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Home GrownPassionFor Ian Scarborough, his passion for making great wine started over 30 years ago when he and wife Merralea planted the first vines at the Scarborough family vineyard overlooking the Hunter Valley.

It’s a passion that saw Ian & Merralea personally delivering cases of wine to kitchens all over Sydney three times a week. Over shared meals with some of Sydney’s best-known chefs, relationships were forged, talking of his passion for producing

a ubiquitous style of Hunter Valley Chardonnay, the Yellow Label Chardonnay.

Today you can taste Scarborough wines in two unique locations in the gorgeous Hunter Valley.

When you drink Scarborough wine, you get more than a great wine, you become part of the family. Our Home. Your Wine.

Scarborough Wine Co. 179 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin

Scarborough on Hermitage 972 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

www.scarboroughwine.com.au1300 888 545 or [email protected]

WINE • DINE • STAY • PLAY

www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.authe heart of the Hunter

H U N T E R V A L L E Y

Page 74: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TOUR

S

GROU

P WIN

E TAS

TINGS

REST

AURA

NT/CA

FE

LOCA

L PRO

DUCE

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

ART G

ALLE

RY

BBQ

CONF

EREN

CE FA

CILITI

ES

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

KIDS’ P

LAYG

ROUN

D

CHAR

DONN

AY

RIESL

ING

SAUV

IGNON

BLAN

C

SEMI

LLON

VERD

ELHO

CABE

RNET

SAUV

IGNON

MERL

OT

PINOT

NOIR

SHIRA

Z

BLEN

DS

ROSÉ

MOSC

ATO

SPAR

KLIN

G WIN

ES

DESS

ERT W

INES

FORT

IFIED

WIN

ES

OTHE

R VAR

IETIES

BIODY

NAMI

C/ORG

ANIC

PAG

E

MAPBROKE FORDWICH � MILBRODALEKrinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard 712 Wollombi Rd, Broke 02 6579 1322 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Margan Winery & Restaurant 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 02 6579 1372 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Mount Broke Wines 130 Adams Peak Rd, Broke 02 6579 1314 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 I0

Stomp! Wines 1273 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 0409 774 280 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Whispering Brook Rodd St, Broke 02 6579 1386 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H0

LOVEDALE � NORTH ROTHBURYAdina Vineyard & Olive Grove 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7473 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H11

Allandale Winery 132 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4990 4526 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 J10

Capercaillie Wine 4 Londons Rd, Lovedale 02 4990 2904 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 K10

Emma’s Cottage Vineyard 438 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale 02 4998 7734 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 G10

Gartelmann Wines 701 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7113 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H12

Tatler Wines 477 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 9139 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 H12

Tellace Wines 356 Tuckers Ln, North Rothbury 02 4938 7173 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 D12

NULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURYAudrey Wilkinson Vineyard 750 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 1866 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 L3

Ballabourneen Wine Co. 2347 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6505 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 J9

Bimbadgen 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4600 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 H7

Blueberry Hill Vineyard 999 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7295 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 F8

Brokenwood Wines 401–427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7559 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 K6

Chateau Francois Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7548 ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 J3

Cockfighter’s Ghost Wines Cnr McDonalds & DeBeyers Rds, Pokolbin 02 4993 3600 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 L5

Constable Estate 205 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7887 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 I5

David Hook Wines Cnr Ekerts & Broke Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7121 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J4

De Bortoli Wines 532 Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4993 8800 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J10

De Iuliis Wines 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 8000 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J2

Drayton’s Family Wines 555 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7513 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 M5

Eagles Rest Wines 534 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6714 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 M5

Ernest Hill Wines 307 Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba 02 4991 4418 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 L10

First Creek Wines 600 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 2992 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 I7

Gemelli Estate 168 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7910 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 I8

Glandore Estate Wines 1595 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7140 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 I2

Gundog Hunter Cellar & Gourmet Pantry 101 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6873 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 L4

Hanging Tree Wines 294 O'Connors Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6608 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 N9

Hermitage Road Cellars & Winery Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 F2

Hope Estate 2213 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 3555 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 J6

Hungerford Hill Wines 2450 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7666 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 J9

James Estate 1210 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7992 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 H1

Keith Tulloch Wine Cnr Hermitage & Deasys Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7500 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 G3

Kelman Vineyard 2 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4991 5456 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 O10

Kevin Sobels Wines 5 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7766 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J8

Lambloch Estate 2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6722 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J9

Macquariedale Organic Wines 170 Sweetwater Rd, Rothbury 02 6574 7012 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 E4

Marsh Estate 95 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7587 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 G3

Cellar doors.SAMPLE THE REGION'S AWARD-WINNING WINES.

72 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 75: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TOUR

S

GROU

P WIN

E TAS

TINGS

REST

AURA

NT/CA

FE

LOCA

L PRO

DUCE

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

ART G

ALLE

RY

BBQ

CONF

EREN

CE FA

CILITI

ES

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

KIDS’ P

LAYG

ROUN

D

CHAR

DONN

AY

RIESL

ING

SAUV

IGNON

BLAN

C

SEMI

LLON

VERD

ELHO

CABE

RNET

SAUV

IGNON

MERL

OT

PINOT

NOIR

SHIRA

Z

BLEN

DS

ROSÉ

MOSC

ATO

SPAR

KLIN

G WIN

ES

DESS

ERT W

INES

FORT

IFIED

WIN

ES

OTHE

R VAR

IETIES

BIODY

NAMI

C/ORG

ANIC

PAG

E

MAPBROKE FORDWICH � MILBRODALEKrinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard 712 Wollombi Rd, Broke 02 6579 1322 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Margan Winery & Restaurant 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 02 6579 1372 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Mount Broke Wines 130 Adams Peak Rd, Broke 02 6579 1314 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 I0

Stomp! Wines 1273 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 0409 774 280 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 I0

Whispering Brook Rodd St, Broke 02 6579 1386 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H0

LOVEDALE � NORTH ROTHBURYAdina Vineyard & Olive Grove 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7473 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H11

Allandale Winery 132 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4990 4526 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 J10

Capercaillie Wine 4 Londons Rd, Lovedale 02 4990 2904 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 K10

Emma’s Cottage Vineyard 438 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale 02 4998 7734 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 G10

Gartelmann Wines 701 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7113 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 MAP 1 H12

Tatler Wines 477 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 9139 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 H12

Tellace Wines 356 Tuckers Ln, North Rothbury 02 4938 7173 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 D12

NULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURYAudrey Wilkinson Vineyard 750 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 1866 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 L3

Ballabourneen Wine Co. 2347 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6505 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 J9

Bimbadgen 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4600 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 H7

Blueberry Hill Vineyard 999 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7295 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 F8

Brokenwood Wines 401–427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7559 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 K6

Chateau Francois Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7548 ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 J3

Cockfighter’s Ghost Wines Cnr McDonalds & DeBeyers Rds, Pokolbin 02 4993 3600 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 L5

Constable Estate 205 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7887 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 I5

David Hook Wines Cnr Ekerts & Broke Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7121 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J4

De Bortoli Wines 532 Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4993 8800 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J10

De Iuliis Wines 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 8000 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 J2

Drayton’s Family Wines 555 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7513 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 M5

Eagles Rest Wines 534 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6714 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 M5

Ernest Hill Wines 307 Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba 02 4991 4418 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 MAP 1 L10

First Creek Wines 600 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 2992 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 MAP 1 I7

Gemelli Estate 168 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7910 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 I8

Glandore Estate Wines 1595 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7140 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 I2

Gundog Hunter Cellar & Gourmet Pantry 101 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6873 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 L4

Hanging Tree Wines 294 O'Connors Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6608 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 N9

Hermitage Road Cellars & Winery Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 F2

Hope Estate 2213 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 3555 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 J6

Hungerford Hill Wines 2450 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7666 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 J9

James Estate 1210 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7992 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 H1

Keith Tulloch Wine Cnr Hermitage & Deasys Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7500 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 G3

Kelman Vineyard 2 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4991 5456 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 MAP 1 O10

Kevin Sobels Wines 5 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7766 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J8

Lambloch Estate 2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6722 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J9

Macquariedale Organic Wines 170 Sweetwater Rd, Rothbury 02 6574 7012 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 E4

Marsh Estate 95 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7587 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 G3

WINE VARIETIESThe Hunter Valley produces less than two per cent of Australia’s wine, yet lays claim to some of the industry’s oldest and most well-known winemaking families, and consistently produces an impressive, award-winning array of varieties and styles.

Semillon The Hunter Valley sets the world benchmark for Semillon, and it is, both nationally and internationally, the most highly awarded variety produced in the region. In its youth, it is zesty, bright with lemon/lime aromas and flavours, and has a delicate acidity to finish – perfect for fresh seafood. Those who are prepared to wait are rewarded with complexity – biscuit, malt, honey and toasty richness.

Chardonnay Typically medium- to full-bodied in style, Hunter Valley Chardonnay is characterised by peach, fig and tropical fruit-like flavours with crisp and fresh unwooded styles, and full-bodied, rich and fulfilling wooded styles.

Verdelho A style unique to the Hunter Valley, Verdelho, customarily made without oak, is a fruit-driven medium-bodied wine.

Shiraz Shiraz is undoubtedly the most important red variety in the Hunter Valley. Regionally distinctive, it is medium- to full- bodied, characterised when young by blackberry, mulberry and plum characters, as well as spice, chocolate and liquorice with the characteristic regional earthy, leathery tones and complexity developing with age.

Cabernet Sauvignon Hunter Valley Cabernet is something of an enigma, producing wines with firm tannins, a fragrant bouquet and smoky aromas developing into cigar-box complexity with age.

Merlot Merlot from the Hunter Valley shows suppleness, fine tannins and leafy complexity.

A number of specialty wines, including organic, sparkling, fortified and dessert wines, are also produced. No matter what your preference, you’ll always find a style to share and enjoy in the Hunter Valley.

Cellar doors.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 73

Page 76: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANT BIODYNAMIC/ORGANICACCOMMODATIONTOUR

Cellar doors.SAMPLE THE REGION'S AWARD-WINNING WINES.

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TOUR

S

GROU

P WIN

E TAS

TINGS

REST

AURA

NT/CA

FE

LOCA

L PRO

DUCE

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

ART G

ALLE

RY

BBQ

CONF

EREN

CE FA

CILITI

ES

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

KIDS’ P

LAYG

ROUN

D

CHAR

DONN

AY

RIESL

ING

SAUV

IGNON

BLAN

C

SEMI

LLON

VERD

ELHO

CABE

RNET

SAUV

IGNON

MERL

OT

PINOT

NOIR

SHIRA

Z

BLEN

DS

ROSÉ

MOSC

ATO

SPAR

KLIN

G WIN

ES

DESS

ERT W

INES

FORT

IFIED

WIN

ES

OTHE

R VAR

IETIES

BIODY

NAMI

C/ORG

ANIC

PAG

E

MAPNULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURY CONTINUED

McGuigan Wines 447 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7402 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J6

McLeish Estate 462 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7754 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 L6

Meerea Park @ Roche Estate Complex, Pavilion B, 2144 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7474 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J6

Mistletoe Winery 771 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 1800 055 080 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 F2

Misty Glen Wines & Cottage 293 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7781 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 G5

Moorebank Vineyard Estate 150 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7610 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 I8

Mount Pleasant Estate 401 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7505 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 N5

Oakvale Wines 1596 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7088 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 I2

Pepper Tree Wines 86 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4909 7100 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 K8

Peter Drayton Wines @ IronBark Hill Vineyard, 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7085 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 F2

Peterson House Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4998 7881 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 J9

RidgeView Wines 273 Sweetwater Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7332 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 E4

Rothvale Winery 223 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7290 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 G4

Saddler’s Creek Wines 15 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin 02 4991 1770 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 O9

Scarborough on Hermitage 972 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6538 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 G2

Scarborough Wine Co. 179 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7563 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 I5

Small Winemakers Centre 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7668 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Tempus Two Cellar Door Cnr Broke & McDonalds Rds, Pokolbin 02 4993 3999 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Thomas Allen Wines 1733 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7250 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J3

Thomas Wines @ Small Winemakers Centre, 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7668 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Tinklers 53 Pokolbin Mountains Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7435 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 M4

Tintilla Estate Wines & Olives 725 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7093 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 F2

Tulloch Wines 638 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7580 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 L4

Tyrrell’s Wines 1838 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 7028 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 J3

Vinden Estate Wines 138 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7410 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 I5

Wombat Crossing Vineyard 530 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7357 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 D2

Wynwood Estate 310 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7885 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 N7

MILLFIELD � MOUNT VIEWBriar Ridge Vineyard 593 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 3670 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 P8

Petersons Wines 552 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 1704 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 P8

Savannah Estate 402 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 6326 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 O9

Tallavera Grove Vineyard 749 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 7535 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 P8

UPPER HUNTERJames Estate 951 Bylong Valley Way, Baerami 02 6547 5168 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 D00

Two Rivers Wines 2 Yarrawa Rd, Denman 02 6547 2556 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 D00

WOLLOMBINoyce Brothers Wine 2884 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3483 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R2

Stonehurst Wines 1840 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 1576 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R4

Wollombi Wines Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3427 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R3

74 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 77: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Cellar doors.

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS ANNOUNCEDThe Hunter Valley’s night of nights, the Hunter Valley Legends Awards, is a black-tie celebration at which the outstanding achievements of those who have made major contributions to and have excelled within the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries are recognised. At the 2015 Awards, the newest Hunter Valley Wine Industry Legend was inducted and winners in five categories were announced.

› Michael De Iuliis from De Iuliis Wines took home the Winemaker of the Year Award, which is sponsored by First Creek Winemaking Services and awarded to an outstanding Hunter Valley winemaker who is a leader in the profession.

› Tyrrell’s Wines was the proud recipient of the Cellar Door of the Year Award, sponsored by CBA Local Business Banking, which recognises all-round excellence at the cellar door.

› The Rising Star of the Year Award, sponsored by Riedel, is usually awarded to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution to the region’s wine and tourism industries over the preceding 12 months. In 2015, for the first time, there were joint winners in this category: Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown, owners of Muse Restaurant & Muse Kitchen; and Gwyn Olsen, winemaker at Briar Ridge.

› The Viticulturist of the Year Award, sponsored by Laffort, recognises an outstanding viticulturist involved in the management of Hunter Valley vineyards, and this year’s recipient was Andrew Margan of Margan Family Wines.

› Ken Bray was inducted into the Hunter Valley Hall of Fame as the 2015 Living Legend. Widely regarded as the Hunter Valley’s leading viticulturist, Ken has been responsible for tending to some of the region’s most cherished vineyards for almost 40 years.

› And this year, the Hunter Valley Award for Excellence, acknowledging a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries in the previous 12 months, went to Melissa Romeyn.

Congratulations to all. For full details of the results, visit winecountry.com.au

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TOUR

S

GROU

P WIN

E TAS

TINGS

REST

AURA

NT/CA

FE

LOCA

L PRO

DUCE

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

ART G

ALLE

RY

BBQ

CONF

EREN

CE FA

CILITI

ES

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

KIDS’ P

LAYG

ROUN

D

CHAR

DONN

AY

RIESL

ING

SAUV

IGNON

BLAN

C

SEMI

LLON

VERD

ELHO

CABE

RNET

SAUV

IGNON

MERL

OT

PINOT

NOIR

SHIRA

Z

BLEN

DS

ROSÉ

MOSC

ATO

SPAR

KLIN

G WIN

ES

DESS

ERT W

INES

FORT

IFIED

WIN

ES

OTHE

R VAR

IETIES

BIODY

NAMI

C/ORG

ANIC

PAG

E

MAPNULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURY CONTINUED

McGuigan Wines 447 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7402 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J6

McLeish Estate 462 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7754 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 L6

Meerea Park @ Roche Estate Complex, Pavilion B, 2144 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7474 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 J6

Mistletoe Winery 771 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 1800 055 080 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 F2

Misty Glen Wines & Cottage 293 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7781 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 G5

Moorebank Vineyard Estate 150 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7610 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 80 MAP 1 I8

Mount Pleasant Estate 401 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7505 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 N5

Oakvale Wines 1596 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7088 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 I2

Pepper Tree Wines 86 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4909 7100 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 K8

Peter Drayton Wines @ IronBark Hill Vineyard, 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7085 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 F2

Peterson House Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4998 7881 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 J9

RidgeView Wines 273 Sweetwater Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7332 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 81 MAP 1 E4

Rothvale Winery 223 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7290 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 G4

Saddler’s Creek Wines 15 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin 02 4991 1770 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 O9

Scarborough on Hermitage 972 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6538 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 G2

Scarborough Wine Co. 179 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7563 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 I5

Small Winemakers Centre 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7668 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Tempus Two Cellar Door Cnr Broke & McDonalds Rds, Pokolbin 02 4993 3999 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Thomas Allen Wines 1733 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7250 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J3

Thomas Wines @ Small Winemakers Centre, 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7668 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 82 MAP 1 J6

Tinklers 53 Pokolbin Mountains Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7435 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 M4

Tintilla Estate Wines & Olives 725 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7093 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 F2

Tulloch Wines 638 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7580 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 L4

Tyrrell’s Wines 1838 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 7028 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 J3

Vinden Estate Wines 138 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7410 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 I5

Wombat Crossing Vineyard 530 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7357 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 D2

Wynwood Estate 310 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7885 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 N7

MILLFIELD � MOUNT VIEWBriar Ridge Vineyard 593 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 3670 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 P8

Petersons Wines 552 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 1704 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 83 MAP 1 P8

Savannah Estate 402 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 6326 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 O9

Tallavera Grove Vineyard 749 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 7535 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 P8

UPPER HUNTERJames Estate 951 Bylong Valley Way, Baerami 02 6547 5168 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 D00

Two Rivers Wines 2 Yarrawa Rd, Denman 02 6547 2556 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 D00

WOLLOMBINoyce Brothers Wine 2884 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3483 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R2

Stonehurst Wines 1840 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 1576 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R4

Wollombi Wines Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3427 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 MAP 1 R3

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 75

Page 78: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

ALLANDALE WINERY ��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4990 4526 E [email protected]

Allandale boasts a distinguished portfolio of classic Hunter Valley wines, as well as more contemporary varieties such as Pinot Gris and Tempranillo. Tastings are held in the winery where friendly cellar door staff will help you find wines that you’ll enjoy while taking in the breathtaking Valley views. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

CAPERCAILLIE WINE � LONDONS RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4990 2904 E [email protected]

Capercaillie winery and cellar door is situated on some of the best vineyards in the Lovedale region. It offers a range of Hunter Valley wines, including the flagship Ghillie Shiraz, as well as a selection of multi-regional blends using specific parcels of fruit from other areas.Daily 10am–4pm

BROKE FORDWICH • LOVEDALE

STOMP! WINES���� MILBRODALE RD, BROKE M 0409 774 280 E [email protected]

Owners Michael and Meredith will guide your tasting of highly awarded, contemporary brands Stomp! and Pssst ’n’ Broke, as they share their passion for growing and crafting fresh, fruit-driven wines. Savour classic estate-grown Hunter Valley varieties and a rare sparkling Verdelho and Fiano. Fri–Sun 10.30am–4.30pm

WHISPERING BROOKRODD ST, BROKET 02 6579 1386 E [email protected]

“Whispering Brook is one of the best cellar doors in the area, with sweeping vistas and a stellar wine list,” wrote CNN Travel’s Thomas Woodgate. See for yourself and experience a tutored tour through the winery, vineyards and olive groves followed by a wine tasting. Fri 1.30–4.30pm, Sat 10.30am–5pm, Sun 10.30am–4.30pm

MARGAN WINERY � RESTAURANT���� MILBRODALE RD, BROKE T 02 6579 1372 E [email protected]

Leading winemaker Andrew Margan hand-crafts premium estate-grown, estate-made wines from the Margan old vine vineyards. Enjoy expansive views of the vineyards and spectacular Brokenback Range from the cellar door. Awarded Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year 2013 and a 5-star James Halliday rating from 2009 to 2014. Daily 10am–5pm

KRINKLEWOOD BIODYNAMIC  VINEYARD��� WOLLOMBI RD, BROKE T 02 6579 1322 E [email protected]

Krinklewood is a certified biodynamic/organic, family-owned vineyard, managed in a holistic and sustainable way. The French-inspired cellar door is set in Provençal gardens with Wollombi Brook and the Brokenback Range spectacular backdrops. Cheese platters available. Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

CELLAR DOORS

EMMA’S COTTAGE VINEYARD��� WILDERNESS RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4998 7734 E [email protected]

Try estate-grown wines, including sparkling and liqueur wines, at this friendly family-owned cellar door. Plus, you can browse the adjoining art gallery filled with original works by a number of local artists. There is also a restaurant and accommodation onsite. Fri 1–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

GARTELMANN WINES��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4930 7113 E [email protected]

Experience the Gartelmann difference. Come in and be absorbed by the tranquil surrounds of this eco-friendly designed cellar door while you enjoy the quality boutique difference at Gartelmann Wines. The wines represent the best of the Hunter and beyond. Family owned and operated with passion. Mon–Sat 9am– 5pm, Sun 10am–4pm

ADINA VINEYARD � OLIVE  GROVE��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4930 7473 E [email protected]

Adina Vineyard is a destination with something for everyone – great wines, estate-produced providore products, extra virgin olive oils, 4.5-star accommodation, cafe/restaurant and day spa. The friendly staff is ready to welcome you and ensure you enjoy the Adina experience. Daily 10am–5pm

76 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 79: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

CELLAR DOORSNORTH ROTHBURY • NULKABA • POKOLBIN

TELLACE WINES��� TUCKERS LN, NORTH ROTHBURY T 02 4938 7173 E [email protected]

Tellace Wines is a working vineyard with a cosy cellar door and three-bedroom cottage surrounded by bushland in a quiet country lane. With local boutique beer on tap and wine available by the glass or bottle, it’s an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a picnic. Fri–Sun 10.30am–5pm

AUDREY WILKINSON VINEYARD��� DEBEYERS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 1866 E [email protected]

Planted in 1866, Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard was the first vineyard established in the Parish of Pokolbin, more than 140 years ago. With breathtaking views of the Hunter Valley, this James Halliday red 5-star winery is an absolute must-visit for visitors to the region. Daily 10am–5pm (closed Xmas & Boxing Day)

BALLABOURNEEN WINE CO.���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6505 E [email protected]

Experience Ballabourneen’s friendly approach to wine education and excellent range of Hunter Valley wines made by prize-winning winemaker Daniel (Buckets) Binet, including the only Gamay Noir in the region, a light-bodied Beaujolais-style red. Nominated a Dark Horse Winery to watch in James Halliday’s 2012 Australian Wine Companion. Daily 10am–5pm

BLUEBERRY HILL VINEYARD��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7295 E [email protected]

You’ll find your thrill at Blueberry Hill, a well-established vineyard growing six varieties – Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The boutique cellar door boasts panoramic views across vineyards to the Brokenback Range and there’s lovely B&B accommodation too.Daily 10am–5pm

BIMBADGEN��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 4600 E [email protected]

Located high on a hill in the heart of Wine Country, Bimbadgen is a striking winery with a cellar door featuring more than 23 varieties and blends, award-winning Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant, cafe, outdoor amphitheatre and accommodation all in the one stunning location. A James Halliday 5-star winery. Sun–Thu 10am–5pm, Fri–Sat 10am–7pm

BROKENWOOD WINES���–��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7559 E [email protected]

Brokenwood’s cellar door boasts an impressive array of premium wines. From the flagship and highly acclaimed Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz to the popular Cricket Pitch range, Brokenwood is a red 5-star James Halliday winery and a must-visit while you’re in the Hunter Valley. Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

CHATEAU FRANCOISBROKE ROAD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7548

Established in 1969 by former NSW Director of Fisheries Dr Don Francois, who is dedicated to producing classic Hunter Valley varieties Semillon and Shiraz at modest prices. Rated a red 5-star winery in the James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2015. Sat–Sun 9am–5pm or by appointment

ERNEST HILL WINES��� WINE COUNTRY DR, NULKABA T 02 4991 4418 E [email protected]

Known for its superb wines and excellent service, this family-owned and operated cellar door is the home of the multi-award-winning Alexander Chardonnay and William Henry Shiraz. It also produces delicious lighter-style dessert wines and a liqueur Muscat. All wines are exclusive to the cellar door. Daily 10am–5pm

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 77

Page 80: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

CONSTABLE ESTATE��� GILLARDS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7887 E [email protected]

Try the mouth-watering Sparkling Pink Moscato and Botrytis Semillon, and then meet Matilda the cow and solve the mystery tune painted on her shoulder at this delightful property. There are also beautifully landscaped gardens, bronze and marble sculptures, and a new lookout to explore. Daily 10am–4pm

DAVID HOOK WINESCNR EKERTS � BROKE RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7121 E [email protected]

One of the district’s most exclusive small cellars, David Hook Wines specialises in single-vineyard wines made from the region’s traditional varieties including Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz, and is also renowned for the Italian varieties Barbera and Pinot Grigio. A 5-star James Halliday winery. Daily 10am–5pm

DE BORTOLI WINES��� WINE COUNTRY DR, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 8800 E [email protected]

Proudly family owned since 1928. This cellar door, at the gateway to Wine Country, offers an extensive portfolio of wines, including the iconic Noble One dessert wine, local Semillon and Shiraz, delicious Moscato as well as premium fortified wines and sparkling wines. Daily 10am–5pm

EAGLES REST WINES ��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6714 E [email protected]

At the heart of Eagles Rest Wines is the renowned Maluna vineyard with a history stretching back to the 1860s. Replanted in 1971, this vineyard produces super-premium wines which exemplify the notion of distinguished single-vineyard sites for Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz. Daily 10am–5pm

FIRST CREEK WINES��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 2992 E [email protected]

Immerse yourself in the wine experience at First Creek Wines, with daily winery tours from 10.30am and cellar door tastings of Hunter classics, emerging varieties and a trophy winner or two. With a red 5-star James Halliday rating, First Creek Wines is not to be missed. Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 9.30am–4pm

POKOLBIN CELLAR DOORS

DE IULIIS WINES���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 8000 E [email protected]

One of the hardest names to say in the Australian wine industry, but one of the best! This acclaimed producer focuses on regionality and a modern winemaking approach to ensure unique yet highly identifiable wines with a sense of time and place. A James Halliday red 5-star winery. Daily 10am–5pm

DRAYTON'S FAMILY WINES ��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7513 E [email protected]

Drayton’s Family Wines is proud to be one of the oldest, 100 per cent family-owned producers of quality wines. The range of wines is indicative of the Hunter’s best and a visit to the cellar door will provide you with an authentic Hunter Valley Wine Country experience. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

COCKFIGHTER’S GHOST WINESCNR MCDONALDS � DEBEYERS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 3600 E [email protected]

The Cockfighter’s Ghost label is stabled in a state-of-the-art, architecturally designed building. Located on the historic Post Office Vineyard and surrounded by the region’s oldest Shiraz vines, a visit to the Cockfighter’s Ghost cellar door is one of the highlights of the Hunter Valley. Daily 10am–5pm (closed Xmas & Boxing Day)

78 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 81: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

GEMELLI ESTATE��� PALMERS LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7910 E [email protected]

At this boutique, family-owned business you can sample hand-picked wines and buy wine by the glass or bottle and enjoy with a cheese platter while taking in the stunning views. You can indulge further and book in for the monthly high tea or stay in the quaint cottage on the property.Sat–Sun 10am–5pm, Mon & Fri 10am–4pm

GLANDORE ESTATE WINES���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7140 E [email protected]

Glandore Estate’s aim has been to produce wines of great character, regionality and style from the traditional varieties known in the Hunter Valley to new and exciting alternative varieties such as Tempranillo and Savagnin. Visit the boutique cellar door and taste what everyone’s talking about. Daily 10am–5pm

GUNDOG HUNTER CELLAR  � GOURMET PANTRY��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6873 E [email protected]

Discover high-quality regionally distinct wines and a hand-picked selection of gourmet products, reflecting Gundog’s ‘quality over quantity’ philosophy at this 5-star James Halliday winery. Awarded Best Small Cellar Door – Lower Hunter by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine in 2013. Daily 10am–5pm

POKOLBIN CELLAR DOORS

HANGING TREE WINES��� O'CONNORS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6608 E [email protected]

Hanging Tree cellar door is located in the heart of Pokolbin. It is one of the most picturesque properties in the Valley with rose gardens, a duck pond and an antique-filled cellar door, all teeming with character. Pop in and taste the award-winning wines. Fri–Sun 10am–5pm & public holidays, or by appointment

JAMES ESTATE���� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7992 E [email protected]

The lush grounds provide a scenic spot for a picnic lunch or a glass of wine. Taste wines from the extensive Estate and Reserve labels, as well as small-batch, cellar-door-only wines and museum releases. Group and private tastings can also be booked. Daily 10am–4.30pm (closed Xmas Day)

HUNGERFORD HILL WINES���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7666 E [email protected]

Rated a 5-star winery in the 2014 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion, Hungerford Hill offers a premium tasting experience in stylish surrounds. Enjoy a traditional stand-up tasting, or book in for a seated Epic™ food and wine tasting experience with bites prepared by Muse Restaurant. Sun–Thu 10am–5pm, Fri–Sat 10am–6pm

HERMITAGE ROAD CELLARS  � WINERYCNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777 E [email protected]/wine/index.htm

Nowhere else in the Valley can you try so many wines under the one roof. Offering an exclusive range of premium wines from small Hunter Valley winemakers, including Thomas Wines, David Hook, Margan Wines, Little Wine Co, Polin & Polin and Stormy Ridge. Daily 10am–5pm (closed Xmas Day)

HOPE ESTATE���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 3555 E [email protected]

Hope Estate is perfectly situated in the heart of Wine Country, set on 420 acres of rolling countryside and picturesque vineyards. The Estate boasts an inviting cellar door, craft brewery, Harvest Restaurant, the Great Cask Hall wedding and function venue, as well as concert amphitheatre seating 19,000 people. Daily 10am–5pm

KELMAN VINEYARD� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4991 5456 E [email protected]

Nestled at the gateway to Mount View, Kelman is a community-owned vineyard producing both classic, premium wines and a sweet wine range. Visit the Pokolbin cellar door and try the wines, and you can also sample a range of delicious local olives, olive oils and condiments. Daily 10am–4pm

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 79

Page 82: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

POKOLBIN CELLAR DOORS

MARSH ESTATE�� DEASYS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7587 E [email protected]

Marsh Estate was planted more than 40 years ago on two of the most famous soil profiles in the Hunter Valley, qualifying for the Heritage Listing Old Vines. Everything is grown, handpicked, made, matured and bottled onsite, and the entire vineyard is non-irrigated. Daily 10am–4.30pm

MCLEISH ESTATE��� DEBEYERS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7754 E [email protected]

Over 29 vintages this James Halliday 5-star winery has established itself as one of the region’s most awarded premium boutique wineries, including winning the Best Semillon Trophy at the 2013 London International Wine Challenge. It’s an essential stop for anyone who enjoys exceptional wines. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

MCGUIGAN WINES��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7402 E [email protected]

Winner of the 2009, 2011 and 2012 International Winemaker of the Year, and 2009, 2012 and 2013 International White Winemaker of the Year, McGuigan Wines is a must-visit destination. Enjoy award-winning museum and cellar-door-only wines in the recently refurbished tasting rooms. Daily 9.30am–5pm

MOOREBANK VINEYARD ESTATE��� PALMERS LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7610 E [email protected]

Moorebank offers an extensive selection of sustainably grown, ultra-premium wines as well as a collection of ginseng-infused wines. There’s also a wide range of handmade, wine-inspired condiments and sauces, including its famous Spicy Grape Sauce and handmade Lemonade Syrup, which are all available for tasting. Daily 10am–5pm

MISTY GLEN WINES � COTTAGE��� DEASYS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7781 E [email protected]

At Misty Glen Wines you can try a diverse range of medal-winning wines, from traditional Semillon to the more unusual Chambourcin, all from grapes grown on the 16-acre vineyard. You can enjoy the wines with a sumptuous meal or while relaxing on the verandah.Fri, Sun & Mon 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–5pm

MISTLETOE WINERY��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 1800 055 080 E [email protected]

Mistletoe is a small family-owned and operated vineyard and winery established by the current owners in 1989. From vineyard to bottle, Mistletoe’s ‘quality without compromise’ approach to producing small quantities of premium wine has earned it a James Halliday 5-star rating from 2007 to 2014.Daily 10am–6pm (closed Xmas Day)

MEEREA PARK@ ROCHE ESTATE COMPLEX, PAVILION B, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7474 E [email protected]

Meerea Park was established in 1991 by Rhys and Garth Eather. It has a red 5-star rating by James Halliday – his highest winery rating – and is ranked in his Top 100 Australian wineries. It offers a broad portfolio of wines, specialising in individual vineyard Semillon and Shiraz. Daily 10am–5pm

LAMBLOCH ESTATE���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6722 E [email protected]

There is no cellar door quite like Lambloch Estate. Enjoy picturesque views of the vineyard with its stunning backdrop of the Brokenback Range. It’s the perfect spot to relax, unwind and enjoy some of the Hunter Valley’s finest premium wines. Daily 10am–5pm

KEVIN SOBELS WINES� HALLS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7766 E [email protected]

The Sobels winery stands on the corner of Broke and Halls Roads in Pokolbin, and every wine for sale under the Sobels label is made, aged and bottled onsite. The sales room is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable people offering a range of dry and sweeter style Hunter Valley wines. Daily 9am–5pm

80 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 83: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

POKOLBIN

CELLAR DOORS

OAKVALE WINES���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7088 E [email protected]

Established in 1893, Oakvale is one of the oldest working wineries in the Valley. Family-owned and operated, it is dedicated to producing premium hand-crafted wines, available exclusively at the state-of-the-art cellar door. Enjoy benchmark wines and apple cider, available by the glass. Daily 10am–5pm, Anzac Day 12–5pm (closed Xmas Day)

PEPPER TREE WINES�� HALLS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4909 7100 E [email protected]

Pepper Tree was established in 1991 and hand-crafts wines of purity, elegance and distinction. It continues to receive national and international recognition for its wines, which you can taste at the picturesque cellar door and also relax with an award-winning coffee roasted onsite at Contango Espresso Roasters.Daily 9am–5pm

PETER DRAYTON WINES @ IRONBARK HILL VINEYARD, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7085E [email protected]

Boutique cellar door and vineyard with an outstanding collection of medal-winning wines including Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Semillon. Sparklings, fortifieds and a James Halliday 95-point rated Shiraz. Onsite accommodation and a relaxed cafe with vineyard vistas. Daily 10am–5pm

PETERSON HOUSECNR BROKE RD � WINE COUNTRY DR, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7881 E [email protected]

Peterson House is the specialist producer of sparkling wines in the Hunter Valley. It offers an array of sparkling varieties, from the easy-drinking Blush to the premium blends. Allow the time to enjoy a glass of bubbles on the deck with an oyster or cheese platter.Daily 9am–5pm

RIDGEVIEW WINES��� SWEETWATER RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7332 E [email protected]

Boutique family-owned winery showcasing award-winning wines in Riedel glasses. Renowned Generations and Impressions ranges, and an eclectic mix of lesser-known varietals. Private tasting room available for small groups (bookings essential). Onsite restaurant specialising in food-wine pairing and cottage accommodation. Wed–Sun 10am–5pm

MOUNT PLEASANT ESTATE ��� MARROWBONE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7505 E [email protected]

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant is one of the great wine estates of Australia with a red 5-star James Halliday rating. You can taste benchmark wines and enjoy outstanding customer service, acknowledged by TripAdvisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence Award. Daily 9am–5pm

S O M E O F O U R V I N E S A R E O L D E R T H A N T H E O N E S I N F R A N C E . L U C K Y Y O U .

A curious fact but true. Planted in 1867, our vines were untouched by the phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s which wiped out all of France's vineyards.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 81

Page 84: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

TEMPUS TWO CELLAR DOORCNR BROKE � MCDONALDS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 3999 E [email protected]

The striking Tempus Two cellar door stands out from the crowd and so does the wine. There’s a fashionable collection of award-winning wines for tasting, many hand-crafted exclusively for the cellar door, including the Copper Series Shiraz and Semillon. Groups and private tastings welcome (bookings essential). Daily 10am–5pm

POKOLBIN CELLAR DOORS

THOMAS WINES @ SMALL WINEMAKERS CENTRE, ��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN  T 02 4998 7668 E [email protected] thomaswines.com.au

Specialising in single-vineyard Semillon and Shiraz, Thomas Wines has access to some of the Hunter Valley’s most distinguished vineyards, producing world-class uniquely regional wine styles. You can also taste Thomas Wines at the Hunter Valley Resort cellar door. A red 5-star James Halliday winery.Daily 10am–5pm

THOMAS ALLEN WINES���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7250 E [email protected]

Thomas Allen Wines’ stunning new cellar door is nestled at the foot of the Brokenback Range on the famous Moon Mountain vineyard. Drop in and enjoy the spectacular views and wines, especially the estate wines, including Mango Tree Chardonnay, The Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon and Alasdair Shiraz. Daily 10am–5pm

SCARBOROUGH WINE CO.��� GILLARDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7563 E [email protected]

This family-owned business is one of the leading names in quality Hunter Valley wine, specialising in Chardonnay. You’ll be wooed by the distinctly regional wines and the sweeping views at the cosy cellar door, which offers a relaxed seated tasting.Daily 9am–5pm

SMALL WINEMAKERS CENTRE��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7668 E [email protected]

With six of the best winemakers under one roof, the Small Winemakers Centre is your must-do cellar door. Home to Thomas Wines, Little Wine Co., Hart & Hunter and a great selection from David Hook, Margan Wines and Keith Tulloch Wine. Also home to the unique Icon Lounge. Daily 10am–5pm

SCARBOROUGH ON HERMITAGE��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6538 E [email protected]

Scarborough on Hermitage is another home for the Scarborough Wine Co. This bright, modern space is one of the Hunter Valley’s most exciting venues, offering an exceptional tasting experience, amazing views and winery tours. For the Scarboroughs, it’s not just making wine, it’s a way of life. Thu–Mon 10am–5pm

ROTHVALE WINERY��� DEASYS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7290 E [email protected]

Enjoy some classic Hunter Valley varieties and learn about the wine production process and how to taste wine with father-and-son team Max and Luke Patton at this 75-acre working vineyard. You can also sleep among the vines in one of the five comfortable country cottages. Daily 10am–4pm

SADDLER’S CREEK WINES�� MARROWBONE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4991 1770 E [email protected]; clubequus.com.au

Saddler’s Creek, a James Halliday 5-star rated winery, crafts regional premium white, red and dessert wines that are distinctively different. Be welcomed at the cellar door and enjoy award-winning wines from some of Australia’s premium growing regions. Saddler’s, the home of Bluegrass and Club Equus. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm

82 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 85: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

POKOLBIN • ROTHBURY • MOUNT VIEWCELLAR DOORS

TINTILLA ESTATE WINES � OLIVES��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7093 E [email protected]

Tintilla finds that perfect blend of food, wine and family. Take a seat at the table in the cellar door, sip the wines and taste estate-grown olives, vinegars, verjuice and homemade relishes while looking out over the rolling vines. Cheese platters also available.Daily 10.30am–6pm

TULLOCH WINES��� DEBEYERS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7580 E [email protected]

Tulloch’s story began in 1895 when John Younie Tulloch accepted a neglected vineyard as payment of a debt and so began the proud family tradition that continues today with 24 wines for tasting, including the acclaimed Verdelho. A James Halliday red 5-star winery. Daily 10am–5pm (closed Good Friday & Xmas Day)

TINKLERS�� POKOLBIN MOUNTAINS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7435 E [email protected]

Enjoy quality single-vineyard wines made from 100 per cent estate-grown grapes at this James Halliday 5-star winery in the foothills of the Pokolbin Mountains and share the history of the Tinkler family, who have lived in the Hunter Valley for more than 100 years. Daily 10am–5pm

TYRRELL’S WINES ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 7028 E [email protected]

Tyrrell’s family-owned and operated winery has been awarded more than 5000 trophies and medals. It was named 2010 Winery of the Year and has been rated a red 5-star winery for the eighth consecutive year by James Halliday. Visit this friendly cellar door and experience award-winning wines and hospitality. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm

VINDEN ESTATE WINES��� GILLARDS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7410 E [email protected]

This family-owned boutique winery has an exceptional reputation among Sydney’s top sommeliers, supplying many hatted restaurants. It produces small quantities of premium wine onsite from hand-picked grapes using traditional methods of open fermentation, hand plunging and basket pressing. Wed–Sun 10am–5pm

WYNWOOD ESTATE��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7885 E [email protected]

The refurbished cellar door and unique ambience, combined with great views across the vineyards, make this Estate a must-visit on your next Hunter Valley wine tour. Wynwood Estate offers a wide range of wines, from easy-drinking styles, limited release and reserve ranges through to Hunter Valley classics. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

MACQUARIEDALE ORGANIC  WINES��� SWEETWATER RD, ROTHBURY T 02 6574 7012 E [email protected]

Visit Macquariedale and experience striking views and an award-winning range of certified organic and biodynamic wines, rich in flavour, full of colour and with a fabulous diversity of aromas (as well as low in sulphur preservatives) achieved through sustainable farming practices. Vineyard tours by arrangement.Daily 10am–5pm

BRIAR RIDGE VINEYARD��� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 3670 E [email protected] briarridge.com.au

This James Halliday red 5-star winery is a leading producer of iconic Hunter Valley wines, consistently winning awards. The charming cellar door offers wine tasting and sales under the watchful eye of winemaker Gwyn Olsen and the onsite function centre is ideal for special occasions. Daily 10am–5pm

PETERSONS WINES��� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 1704 E [email protected]

The family-owned Petersons Wines has been making award-winning wines for more than 30 years. Sitting among the rolling hills of Mount View, the cellar door has a spectacular backdrop with impressive views and friendly staff who will treat you to a taste of the current releases. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 83

Page 86: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

MOUNT VIEW • UPPER HUNTER • WOLLOMBICELLAR DOORS

WOLLOMBI WINESWOLLOMBI RD, WOLLOMBI T 02 4998 3427 E [email protected]

Wollombi Wines boasts a scenic setting on the banks of Wollombi Brook, just 1km from the historic village of Wollombi. Savour winemaker Nick Paterson’s superb wines and enjoy a picnic and BBQ facilities under shady pergolas. Groups, kids and pets all welcome. Daily 10am–5pm

NOYCE BROTHERS WINES���� WOLLOMBI RD, WOLLOMBI T 02 4998 3483 E [email protected]

Noyce Brothers Wines is situated in Grays Inn, a beautiful two-storey Georgian sandstone building in the centre of historic Wollombi. The award-winning local wines can be savoured in the lovely cellar door and delightful garden, then enjoy a walk around the Village, seeing the various convict-built buildings.Thu–Mon 10.30am–4.30pm

STONEHURST WINES���� WOLLOMBI RD, WOLLOMBI T 02 4998 1576 E [email protected]

Stonehurst believes that a great wine begins in the vineyard, producing award-winning wines from organically grown, hand-picked fruit. Enjoy a warm welcome at this boutique winery, tucked away in the historic hamlet of Wollombi, and then explore the rest of the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail. Daily 10am–5pm

TWO RIVERS WINES � YARRAWA RD, DENMANT 02 6547 2556 E [email protected]

Escape to the tranquillity of the Upper Hunter at Two Rivers, near the picturesque village of Denman, just an hour’s drive from Pokolbin. Enjoy award-winning wines with a tasting platter filled with local produce while relaxing on the sun-drenched deck overlooking the new sandstone sculpture collection. Ancient topography, timeless beauty. Daily 11am–4pm

DEEPLY FASCINATING WITH RICH OVERTONES

OF ENJOYMENT AND A LONG, MEMORABLE FINISH.

TALLAVERA GROVE VINEYARD��� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 7535 E [email protected]

Nestled in the scenic hills of Mount View with breathtaking views over the Valley, this James Halliday 5-star winery offers single-vineyard, small production wines, including cult Italian varieties such as Vermentino and Sagrantino. All wines are available to enjoy over lunch at the adjoining Bistro Molines restaurant. Thu–Mon 10am–5pm

JAMES ESTATE��� BYLONG VALLEY WAY, BAERAMI T 02 6547 5168 E [email protected]

More than just a winery, this unique site offers highly awarded wines, bike trails, camping facilities and 4km Ridge Walk, with outstanding views of the Wollemi and Goulburn River National Parks. Australia’s Best Cellar Doors 2013 Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine – Star Cellar Door – Upper Hunter. Daily 10am–4.30pm (closed Xmas Day)

SAVANNAH ESTATE��� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 6326 E [email protected]

Cosy and inviting boutique cellar door with medal-winning wines at the gateway to Mount View. Taste a range of sparkling, dessert, red and white wines made from select parcels of fruit from the Hunter Valley and other regions on the verandah or indoors by the fire in winter. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

84 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 87: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

JE-HV-120x180-4.indd 1 13/08/2015 4:43 pm

Page 88: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

A little birdie told me .. .

. . . . it ’s magic!Lunch: Thursday - Monday

Dinner: Friday - SaturdayOpen for group bookings by special arrangement

Tel: (02) 4990 9553 www.bistromolines.com.au

R E S T A U R A N T

Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a relaxed, friendly

environment.

Open forlunch and dinner

Monday to Saturday.

Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Broke Road, Pokolbin02 4998 7584 • www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au

Page 89: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

NAME ADDRESS PHONE BREA

KFAS

T

LUNC

H

DINN

ER

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

AL FR

ESCO

DINI

NG

BYO

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

HAMP

ERS

KIDS’ M

ENU

LICEN

SED

VEGE

TARIA

N OPT

IONS

SPEC

IAL DI

ETS

TAKE

AWAY

S

WINE

RY/CE

LLAR

DOOR

PAG

E

MAPBROKEMargan Winery & Restaurant 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 02 6579 1372 SUN FRI–SUN FRI–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 I10

MOUNT VIEW

Bistro Molines @ Tallavera Grove, 749 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 9553 THU–MON FRI–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 P8

LOVEDALE � NORTH ROTHBURY

Emerson’s Cafe & Restaurant @ Adina Vineyard, 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7029 SAT–SUN WED–SUN THU–SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 H11

Lovedale Smokehouse Cafe 64 Majors Ln, Lovedale 02 4930 7832 THU–MON ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 H12

Redsalt Restaurant @ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0944 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 K10

Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar 319 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale 1300 958 850 FRI–SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 G10

Shakey Tables @ Hunter Country Lodge, 1476 Wine Country Dr, North Rothbury 02 4938 1744 SAT–SUN 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 E9

Tatler Tapas Cafe @ Tatler Wines, 477 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 9139 SUN THU–TUE ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 H12

The Deck Cafe Lovedale @ Gartelmann Wines, 701 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 9007 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 H12

The Lovedale @ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0000 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 90 MAP 1 K10

NULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURY

Amanda’s on the Edge @ Windsor’s Edge Vineyard, 1039 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7900 FRI–MON 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 F8

Bistro Vinden @ Vinden Estate, 138 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7410 SAT-SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 I5

Bodega Restaurant & Bar @ Cypress Lakes Resort, Cnr McDonalds & Thompsons Rds, Pokolbin 02 4993 1555 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 K5

Brokenback Bar @ Tuscany Wine Estate Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7288 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 F2

Cafe Elan @ The Vintage, Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2500 FRI-MON FRI-MON ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 1 H7

Cafe Enzo @ Peppers Creek Village, Cnr Broke & Ekerts Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7233 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 J4

Corpiii Cafe Shop 5, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 0433 975 283 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 J5

Elements Restaurant & Bar @ Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 2000 SAT–SUN 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 J6

Esca Bimbadgen @ Bimbadgen, 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4666 7 DAYS WED–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP1 H7

Harrigan’s Irish Pub 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4300 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 J5

Harvest Restaurant @ Hope Estate, 2213 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 3599 7 DAYS FRI–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 J6

Il Cacciatore Restaurant @ Hermitage Lodge, 609 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7639 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 I7

Infuzion Restaurant 336 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7680 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 M7

IronBark Hill Cafe @ Peter Drayton Wines, 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7085 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 F2

Matilda Bay Brewhouse + Dining

@ Hunter Valley Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 F2

Muse Kitchen @ Keith Tulloch Winery, Cnr Hermitage & Deasys Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7899 WED–SUN SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP1 G3

Muse Restaurant @ Hungerford Hill Wines, 2450 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6777 SAT–SUN WED–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP1 J9

Oishii @ Roche Estate Complex, Cnr Broke & McDonalds Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 7051 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 92 MAP 1 J6

Old Brickworks Brasserie @ Potters Hotel Brewery Resort, Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba 02 4991 7922 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 MAP 1 M11

Restaurant Botanica @ Spicers Vineyards Estate, 555 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7229 SAT–SUN 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 D2

Restaurant Cuvée @ Peterson House, Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4998 7881 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 J9

Restaurants & cafes.GET A TASTE FOR THE HUNTER VALLEY WAY OF LIFE.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 87

Page 90: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Restaurants & cafes.GET A TASTE FOR THE HUNTER VALLEY WAY OF LIFE.

BYOACCOMMODATIONWINERY/CELLAR DOOR KIDS' MENU

Gemelli Estate 1 x Gas BBQ

Hermitage Road

Cellars & Winery 2 x Gas BBQs

Kevin Sobels Wines 1 x Gas BBQ

McLeish Estate 4 x Gas BBQs

Pepper Tree Wines Picnic Area

Petersons Wines 1 x Gas BBQ

Stonehurst Wines Picnic Area

Tellace Wines 2 x Gas BBQs

Tyrrell’s Wines 3 x Electric BBQs

Wollombi Wines 2 x Gas BBQs

Families should also consider making tracks to Hunter Valley Gardens Village, which offers the biggest and best public barbecue and picnic area, featuring six electric barbecues and a children’s playground to keep the little ones happy.

RUGS & ROLLS

Pick up some goodies from one of the Hunter Valley’s gourmet producers and head to a vineyard for a picnic or barbecue:

NAME ADDRESS PHONE BREA

KFAS

T

LUNC

H

DINN

ER

ACCO

MMOD

ATIO

N

AL FR

ESCO

DINI

NG

BYO

FREE

WIFI

FUNC

TIONS

HAMP

ERS

KIDS’ M

ENU

LICEN

SED

VEGE

TARIA

N OPT

IONS

SPEC

IAL DI

ETS

TAKE

AWAY

S

WINE

RY/CE

LLAR

DOOR

PAG

E

MAPNULKABA, POKOLBIN � ROTHBURY CONTINUED

RidgeView Restaurant & Cafe @ RidgeView Wines, 273 Sweetwater Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7332 FRI–SUN THU–SUN THU–SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 E4

Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar @ Lambloch Estate, 2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 1300 958 939 THU–MON THU–MON FRI–SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 J9

Taste of the Country Shop 11, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6605 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 J5

The Cellar Restaurant Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7584 MON–SAT MON-SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 J5

The Legends Grill @ The Vintage Golf Club, Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2213 7 DAYS 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 1 H7

The Mill Restaurant @ Tuscany Wine Estate Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7288 7 DAYS SAT-SUN 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 F2

The Verandah Restaurant @ Calais Estate, 151 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7231 THU–SUN THU–SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 I8

Twine Restaurant @ Wynwood Estate, 310 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7449 7 DAYS FRI–SUN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 93 MAP 1 N7

Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Kitchen

@ De Iuliis Wines, 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6699 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 1 J2

CESSNOCKAl-Oi Thai Restaurant 17 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 8666 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 2 B3

Australia Hotel 136 Wollombi Rd, Cessnock 02 4990 1256 7 DAYS 7 DAYS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 1 P10

Ink Cafe & Takeaway 109 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 4371 MON-SAT MON-SAT ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 94 MAP 2 C3

88 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 91: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

492 Lovedale Road, Lovedale NSW 2325emersonsrestaurant.com.au

0249 307 029

emersons

BREAKFAST SATURDAY & SUNDAY 8-11LUNCH WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY 11-3DINNER THURSDAY - SUNDAY 6-10

EVENT

WINE

GROW

A

TR

SLEEP

DINE

SHAKEY TABLES RESTAURANTAT THE HUNTER COUNTRY LODGE

Dinner 7 nights • Lunch Saturday & Sunday

www.shakeytables.com.au • 1476 Wine Country Drive North Rothbury • 4938 1744

Page 92: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANTS � CAFESBROKE • MOUNT VIEW • LOVEDALE

MARGAN WINERY � RESTAURANT���� MILBRODALE RD, BROKE T 02 6579 1372 E [email protected]

Savour the complete food and wine experience, with seasonal cuisine sourced locally and from Margan’s kitchen garden with estate-grown wines. Top 10 Best NSW Regional Restaurants 2014, Gourmet Traveller; Sustainable Restaurant of the Year, SMH GFG 2014; Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. Breakfast Sun 9–10am, lunch Fri–Sun 12–3pm, dinner Fri–Sat 6–9pm

BISTRO MOLINES @ TALLAVERA GROVE, ��� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 9553 E [email protected] bistromolines.com.au

Bistro Molines boasts spectacular views overlooking Mount View vineyards. Robert and Sally Molines take pleasure in offering French Provincial dishes combined with attentive, friendly service and beautiful surrounds. Awarded one chef’s hat Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2010–2014. Lunch Thu–Mon 12–3pm, dinner Fri–Sat 7–9pm

EMERSON’S CAFE � RESTAURANT@ ADINA VINEYARD, ��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4930 7029 E [email protected]

Emerson’s caters for hungry diners with hearty breakfasts, lunches and Modern Australian cuisine during dinner service, with the option of an eight-course degustation menu Thu–Sun nights. Awarded an Australian Good Food Guide chef’s hat in 2011, 2012 & 2013. Breakfast Sat–Sun 8–11am, lunch Wed–Sun 11am–3pm, dinner Thu–Sun 6–10pm

THE LOVEDALE @ CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY, ��� WINE COUNTRY DR, LOVEDALET 02 4991 0000 E [email protected]

A place where scrumptious meals are made, where the drinks run cold and where conversations just flow, with live entertainment and more. Daily 8am–late, lunch daily from 11am

SABOR IN THE HUNTER DESSERT BAR – LOVEDALE��� WILDERNESS RD, LOVEDALET 1300 958 850 E [email protected]

Offering more than 50 desserts paired with local wines. Try the award-winning Portuguese mousse, handmade chocolates, individual decadent cakes, pastries and barista-made coffee for dine-in or takeaway. Also a large range of sweet gourmet products to choose from. Sat–Sun 10am–4.30pm

TATLER TAPAS CAFE@ TATLER WINES, ��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4930 9139 E [email protected]

Tatler Tapas Cafe serves generous tapas-style food in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Boasting a view of the spectacular Brokenback Range and 100 acres of vines from the al fresco dining area, it’s a popular choice for a casual lunch or a special occasion. Breakfast Sun 8–11am, lunch Thu–Tue from 12pm

THE DECK CAFE LOVEDALE@ GARTELMANN WINES, ��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4930 9007 E [email protected]

The Deck Cafe, located at Gartelmann Wines, is a stylish restaurant-style cafe open for breakfast and lunch daily. The cafe provides a diverse menu complemented by Gartelmann wines and a generous range of beverages, including Piazza D’oro coffee. Mon–Fri 8.30am–3.30pm, Sat–Sun 8am–3.30pm

LOVEDALE SMOKEHOUSE CAFE�� MAJORS LN, LOVEDALET 02 4930 7832 E [email protected]

Lovedale Smokehouse Cafe serves handmade artisanal charcuterie including smoked and cured meats, fish and cheese. Enjoy a relaxing lunch with a glass of estate-grown wine in the stunning courtyard complete with water features and vineyard views, or indoors surrounded by local artwork. Lunch Thu–Mon 10.30am–4pm

REDSALT RESTAURANT @ CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY, ��� WINE COUNTRY DR, LOVEDALET 02 4991 0944 E [email protected]

Redsalt was inspired by the fundamental flavours of red river salts and has an uncompromising focus on enhancing excellent produce, particularly meat, with beef sourced direct from Australia’s very best producers. Breakfast Mon–Fri 6.30–10am, Sat–Sun 6.30–10.30am, dinner daily 6–10pm

90 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 93: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANTS � CAFESNORTH ROTHBURY • NULKABA • POKOLBIN

SHAKEY TABLES@ HUNTER COUNTRY LODGE, ���� WINE COUNTRY DR, NORTH ROTHBURY T 02 4938 1744 E [email protected] shakeytables.com.au

Enjoy award-winning contemporary cuisine matched with fine wines in a colourful and creative dining space. Awarded 2009 Hunter Region Restaurant of the Year and Modern Australian Restaurant of the Year 2001–2009. Functions and private groups by arrangement. Onsite accommodation available. Lunch Sat–Sun 12–3pm, dinner daily 5–9pm

OLD BRICKWORKS BRASSERIE @ POTTERS HOTEL BREWERY RESORT, WINE COUNTRY DR, NULKABA T 02 4991 7922 E [email protected]

Family-friendly venue with large indoor/outdoor eating areas, lounge bar with unique tree table, kids’ playground and jumping castle on Sundays. Daily restaurant specials plus beer brewed onsite at Hunter Beer Co. Phone reception re courtesy bus. Daily, breakfast 7.30–10am, lunch 12–3pm, dinner 6–9pm

AMANDA’S ON THE EDGE@ WINDSOR’S EDGE VINEYARD, ���� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7900 E [email protected]

Amanda’s on the Edge offers magnificent vineyard views from every table. Dine on delicious international and Modern Australian seasonal flavours by the log fire in winter, al fresco on the verandah or at lawn tables that are ideal for families with young children.Lunch Fri–Mon 12–3pm, dinner daily 5.30–9.30pm

BISTRO VINDEN@ VINDEN ESTATE, ��� GILLARDS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7410 E [email protected]

At Bistro Vinden you can enjoy an al fresco lunch on the terrace overlooking the estate vineyard. The seasonal menu has a distinct focus on high-quality meals with incredible depth of flavour. Food is matched with highly awarded Vinden Estate Wines, available for tasting at the cellar door. Lunch Sat–Sun 12–3pm

BODEGA RESTAURANT � BAR @ CYPRESS LAKES RESORT, CNR MCDONALDS � THOMPSONS RDS, POKOLBINT 02 4993 1555 E [email protected]

Bodega is located on the grounds of Cypress Lakes Resort, overlooking the stunning lake and hinterland surrounds. Experience contemporary cuisine coupled with an extensive selection of local wines. Breakfast Mon–Fri 7–10am, Sat–Sun 7–10.30am, lunch daily 11am–5pm, dinner daily 5pm–late

CAFE ENZO@ PEPPERS CREEK VILLAGE, CNR BROKE � EKERTS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7233 E [email protected] enzohuntervalley.com.au

Sip a Campos coffee while feasting on seasonal menus using homemade and locally grown produce. Cafe Enzo is known for its sandstone surrounds, relaxed al fresco dining and Victorian fireplace. Functions on request. Open for breakfast and lunch. Mon–Thu 9am–4pm, Fri 9am–4.30pm, Sat 8.30am–4.30pm, Sun 8am–4pm

ELEMENTS RESTAURANT � BAR@ MERCURE RESORT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 2000 E [email protected] mercurehuntervalley.com.au

Executive chef Jean Marc Pollet has created a new menu driven by the food philosophy of the fusion of classic French cuisine with the best Australian produce. Ingredients are of the finest quality, including produce sourced from his garden. Lunch Sat–Sun 12–2.30pm, dinner daily 5.30–8.30pm

ESCA BIMBADGEN@ BIMBADGEN, ��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 4666 E [email protected]

Dedicated to the art of food and wine matching, Esca’s Modern Australian cuisine and spectacular views make for a memorable dining experience. Winner of over 15 awards for excellence in its 12-year history, Esca exemplifies the unique nature of a winery restaurant. Lunch daily from 12pm, dinner Wed–Sat from 6pm

BROKENBACK BAR@ TUSCANY WINE ESTATE RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7288 E [email protected]

The casual Mediterranean menu includes wood-fired pizza and tapas, but you can also call in for coffee, cake and ice-cream, or cook your own barbecue lunch or dinner and enjoy the expansive vineyard and mountain views. Takeaway also available. Daily 12–9pm

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 91

Page 94: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANTS � CAFESPOKOLBIN

HARVEST RESTAURANT@ HOPE ESTATE, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 3599 E [email protected] hopeestate.com.au

Hope Estate’s signature dining experience is located on the top floor with sweeping views of rolling vineyards and picturesque lakes. Executive chef Mert Tansu has created an innovative menu with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce that perfectly matches Hope Estate’s wines and craft beer. Lunch daily 12–2pm, dinner Fri–Sat 6–8pm

OISHII@ ROCHE ESTATE COMPLEX, CNR BROKE � MCDONALDS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7051 E [email protected] oishii.com.au

This Thai/Japanese restaurant offers an extensive menu including traditional favourites such as teriyaki chicken, Thai curries, sushi and sashimi. Dine inside the Asian-themed room or on the undercover terrace overlooking the vines and architecturally designed amphitheatre. Takeaway available. Daily, lunch 11.30am–3pm, dinner 5.30–9.30pm

MUSE RESTAURANT@ HUNGERFORD HILL WINES, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6777 E [email protected] musedining.com.au

Focused on delivering refined, seasonal produce with professional, intuitive service that strives to impress, comfort and connect, Muse is one of Australia’s finest regional restaurants. After five successful years, multiple awards and thousands of delighted diners, Muse continues to deliver a memorable experience. Lunch Sat–Sun 12–3pm, dinner Wed–Sat 6.30–10pm

MUSE KITCHEN @ KEITH TULLOCH WINERY, CNR HERMITAGE � DEASYS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7899E [email protected] musedining.com.au

Located at Keith Tulloch Winery, this European-inspired bistro is the little sister to Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill Wines. Inspired by seasonal produce and quality-controlled cooking, Muse Kitchen offers an award-winning casual dining experience for you to enjoy, relax and share. Lunch Wed–Sun 12–3pm, dinner Sat 6–9pm

IL CACCIATORE RESTAURANT@ HERMITAGE LODGE, ��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7639 E [email protected] ilcacciatore.com.au

Il Cacciatore offers Northern Italian-inspired cuisine using fresh, local produce and authentic Italian ingredients. Dine in a relaxed atmosphere indoors or al fresco overlooking the reed-lined dam with friendly, attentive service. Takeaway pizzas and pastas from 5pm daily. Gnocchi-making classes on request. Dinner daily from 6pm; lunch for private functions only

INFUZION RESTAURANT��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7680 E [email protected]

Located on 70 acres at The Sebel Kirkton Park estate, Infuzion Restaurant offers diners classic Australian cuisine in an intimate setting. Enjoy breakfast and lunch in the conservatory overlooking the rose garden and a memorable dinner in the main restaurant with its sandstone-encased fireplace. Daily, breakfast 7.30–10am, lunch 11am–3pm, dinner 6–9pm

IRONBARK HILL CAFE @ PETER DRAYTON WINES, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBINT 02 6574 7085 E [email protected]

Looking for a scenic spot for a leisurely light lunch? IronBark Hill Cafe is set within a picturesque vineyard with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu that includes a sensational ploughman’s lunch, as well as antipasto or cheese platters sourced from local suppliers, along with coffee and cake. Lunch daily 10am–5pm

MATILDA BAY BREWHOUSE  + DINING@ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD  � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777E [email protected] hunterresort.com.au

Offering bites, pizza and pasta, with all pasta made from scratch in the traditional Italian way. Sample the 12 craft brews, see the wine theatre, wine and cooking school, and the candymaking class. Dine in or takeaway. Daily, breakfast 7.30–9.30am, lunch 12–4pm, dinner 6pm–late

HARRIGAN’S IRISH PUB  � ACCOMMODATION���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 4300 E [email protected]

This family-friendly hotel offers excellent value meals with live entertainment every weekend and a jumping castle for the kids. Enjoy a pint of Guinness or select from the range of boutique Australian and imported beers. Daily, breakfast 7–10.30am, lunch 12–3pm, dinner 5.30–9pm

92 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 95: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANTS � CAFESPOKOLBIN

RESTAURANT BOTANICA@ SPICERS VINEYARDS ESTATE, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7229 E [email protected]/spicers-vineyards-estate

With stunning vineyard and mountain views, an award-winning wine list, a welcoming and passionate team, and an abundant kitchen garden, Restaurant Botanica offers intimate and relaxed regional dining at its best. Lunch Sat–Sun 12–3pm, dinner daily from 6pm

RESTAURANT CUVÉE@ PETERSON HOUSE, CNR BROKE RD � WINE COUNTRY DR, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7881 E [email protected]

Located within the atmospheric sandstone walls of Peterson House, Restaurant Cuvée is a popular stop for bubbles with breakfast or a leisurely lunch gazing over the vines. The à la carte menu uses fresh local produce, offering Mod Oz cuisine at its best. Daily, breakfast 8.30–11am, lunch 12–3pm

TWINE RESTAURANT@ WYNWOOD ESTATE, ��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7449 E [email protected]

Twine is known for its Mod Oz food with a twist, offering à la carte dining on Friday and Saturday evenings and a fireside dining menu on Sunday nights. Perfect for all occasions, from romantic dinners for couples to group functions and weddings. Lunch daily 12–3pm, dinner Fri–Sat 6–9pm, Sun 5.30–7.30pm

THE VERANDAH RESTAURANT@ CALAIS ESTATE, ��� PALMERS LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7231 E [email protected]

Located on the award-winning Calais Estate, The Verandah Restaurant has sweeping views over the vineyards and Brokenback Range. Enjoy all-weather dining on the verandah or inside by the fireplace on cold winter nights, plus a modern tapas-style menu showcasing the best local produce.Lunch Thu–Sun 12–4pm, dinner Thu–Sun from 6pm

THE MILL RESTAURANT@ TUSCANY WINE ESTATE RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7288 E [email protected] tuscanywineestate.com.au

Savour fusion cuisine while enjoying panoramic vineyard and mountain views. Award-winning chef Rebecca Kaye also offers quality catering for weddings and groups with exclusive use of the restaurant. Bookings recommended. Breakfast daily 8–10am, lunch Sat–Sun 12.30–4pm, dinner daily from 6pm

THE CELLAR RESTAURANTHUNTER VALLEY GARDENS VILLAGE, BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7584 E [email protected]

The Cellar Restaurant specialises in rustic Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on quality steaks, as well as a range of other meats, poultry and fish, all cooked to your liking on the char-grill. Dine inside in the indoor garden setting or al fresco in the courtyard. Lunch Mon–Sat 12–3pm, dinner Mon–Fri 6.30–9pm & Sat 6–9pm

RIDGEVIEW RESTAURANT � CAFE@ RIDGEVIEW WINES, ��� SWEETWATER RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7332E [email protected] ridgeview.com.au

RidgeView’s Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine uses fresh seasonal produce from the onsite kitchen garden. All dishes – both modern and traditional Mezedhes and Cypriot Meze Feast – are designed to share, with an emphasis on food/wine pairing. Breakfast uses free-range eggs from the owner’s hens. Thu 12–8pm, Fri–Sat 9am–late, Sun 9am–8pm

SABOR IN THE HUNTER DESSERT BAR – POKOLBIN@ LAMBLOCH ESTATE, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 1300 958 939 E [email protected]

Offering more than 50 desserts with local wines overlooking the picturesque vineyards and Brokenback Range. Try the award-winning Portuguese mousse, individual cakes, pastries and barista-made coffee for dine-in or takeaway. Thu 10am–4.30pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9.30pm, Sun–Mon 10am–4.30pm

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 93

Page 96: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

RESTAURANTS � CAFESPOKOLBIN • ROTHBURY • CESSNOCK

INK CAFE � TAKEAWAY ��� VINCENT ST, CESSNOCK T 02 4990 4371

Ink Cafe offers friendly service, great coffee, all-day breakfast, made-to-order focaccias, wraps, burgers, sandwiches and light meals. The homemade and gluten-free slices and cakes are delicious, and the specials menu changes weekly to complement the season and fresh produce available. Mon–Fri 7am–5pm, Sat 7am–2pm, Sunday pending Hunter Valley events

THE LEGENDS GRILL@ THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUB, VINTAGE DR, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 2213 E [email protected] thevintage.com.au

With its contemporary interior and welcoming ambience, Legends Grill is the place to unwind, relax and indulge. Enjoy the experience of savouring mouth-watering Australian steaks, local produce, premium wines and delicious cocktails while overlooking the magnificent golf course and Brokenback Range. Daily 7am–late

CAFE ELAN@ THE VINTAGE, VINTAGE DR, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 2500 E [email protected] chateauelan.com.au

Whether you choose to experience the famous high tea or indulge in a gourmet picnic hamper, Cafe Elan is a decadent way to spend an afternoon in the Valley. Enjoy the Parisian-style surrounds and range of gourmet delights. Fri–Sun 7.30am–5pm, Mon 7.30am–1pm

AL-OI THAI RESTAURANT �� VINCENT ST, CESSNOCK T 02 4990 8666 Traditionally Thai meals are always shared and Al-Oi Thai provides the perfect venue for sharing, whether it’s a romantic dinner or a celebration with family and friends. Al-Oi Thai is a family-run restaurant that uses only the best produce. Deliveries available. Lunch daily 11am–3pm, dinner daily 5–10pm

AUSTRALIA HOTEL ��� WOLLOMBI RD, CESSNOCK T 02 4990 1256 Offering pub-style accommodation, this country hotel has an award-winning bistro (NSW AHA 2002/2003), caters specifically for big groups and has WiFi, full bar and TAB facilities, golf stay-and-play packages and more. AHA Best Traditional Bar NSW 2010. Lunch daily 12–2pm, dinner Sun–Thu 6–9pm, Fri–Sat 6–10pm

TWO FAT BLOKES GOURMET KITCHEN @ DE IULIIS WINES, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6699 E [email protected]

A European-style deli/cafe matching wine and beer with a menu that revolves around the deli, which is stocked with cheeses and smallgoods. Tasting platters, Swiss cheese and chocolate fondues, and a cheese and wine experience daily at 11am and 3pm (bookings essential). Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat–Sun 7.30am–5pm

HOW AN EXQUISITE

VINEYARD LUNCH LED

TO A FRESH TASTE FOR

SUCCESS IN THE OFFICE.

hvbusinessevents.com.au

94 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 97: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

You’re always welcome at Oishii• A favourite dining experience for locals and visitors • Always fresh ... Always vibrant• Open 7 days for lunch and dinner• Takeaway available every day

Tempus Two Complex, Hunter ValleyCorner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, PokolbinP 02 4998 7051 W www.oishii.com.au

Ph: (02) 4930 9007

Open 7 days breakfast and lunch • Bookings recommended Cnr Broke & Ekerts Rd Pokolbin • 4998 7233

www.enzohuntervalley.com.au

Page 98: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Pick ups 7 daysSydney | Central Coast | Newcastle | Hunter Valley

HUNTER VALLEY GUIDED WINERY TOURS

Boutique Winery, Brewery, Vodka Distillery & 4WD ToursConcert, Restaurant & Airport Transfers

Special Occasions | Corporate Events | Golf Packages

M 0408 987 057 • E [email protected] cheersbus.com.au

Hall of Food | Pavilion G, Tempus Two Complex, 2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin | p 02 4998 6713 | f 02 4998 7650 | e [email protected] Village Shop | Shop 3, 2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin | p 02 4998 6960 | e [email protected] | w www.smellycheese.net.au

gourmet products cheeses gelato pizza

HUNTER VALLEY SMELLY CHEESE SHOPS• Providores of the finest local and imported gourmet foods.• Home of the Hunter Valley Gelato Company - the only “real” Italian hand made gelato in the Hunter region ‘made on site’ with over 200 flavours, including our very own Aussie range. • Delicious products can be purchased to take home or sit and indulge whilst in store with a glass of one of our local wines or beers. Fully licensed• Smelly’s Kitchen also has ‘French’ style bread baked daily, gourmet pizzas, stuffed baguettes, wraps, burgers and chips.

STOP! No need to look any further. We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smelly’s own, Binnorie Dairy, Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe.• A gourmands’ delight - you have to see it to believe it! Come on in, have a big snoop around.• Enjoy a Merlo coffee with a hand made Adora chocolate.• Hampers, Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be ordered. Gives us a call.• Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day).

Hall of Food | Pavilion G, Tempus Two Complex, 2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin | p 02 4998 6713 | f 02 4998 7650 | e [email protected] Village Shop | Shop 3, 2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin | p 02 4998 6960 | e [email protected] | w www.smellycheese.net.au

gourmet products cheeses gelato pizza

HUNTER VALLEY SMELLY CHEESE SHOPS• Providores of the finest local and imported gourmet foods.• Home of the Hunter Valley Gelato Company - the only “real” Italian hand made gelato in the Hunter region ‘made on site’ with over 200 flavours, including our very own Aussie range. • Delicious products can be purchased to take home or sit and indulge whilst in store with a glass of one of our local wines or beers. Fully licensed• Smelly’s Kitchen also has ‘French’ style bread baked daily, gourmet pizzas, stuffed baguettes, wraps, burgers and chips.

STOP! No need to look any further. We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smelly’s own, Binnorie Dairy, Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe.• A gourmands’ delight - you have to see it to believe it! Come on in, have a big snoop around.• Enjoy a Merlo coffee with a hand made Adora chocolate.• Hampers, Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be ordered. Gives us a call.• Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day).

HUNTER VALLEY SMELLY CHEESE SHOPS

Hall of Food Pavilion G, Tempus Two Complex,

2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin Tel: 02 4998 6713 | Email: [email protected]

Pokolbin Village Shop

Shop 3, 2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin Tel: 02 4998 6960 | Email: [email protected]

Website: www.smellycheese.net.au

Providores of the finest local and imported gourmet foods. Our cheese range includes international and hard-to-find

Australian cheeses. We are also the home of the Hunter Valley Gelato Company, the only real Italian

homemade gelato in the region. We bake French-style bread daily and offer wraps, gourmet pizza and burgers.

Take our products home or stay in for a bite to eat with a glass of local wine or beer.

Page 99: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 97

NAME ADDRESS PHONE FREE

TAS

TING

S

TOUR

S

PAG

E

MAPBREWERIES � DISTILLERIESHope Brewhouse @ Hope Estate, 2213 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 3555 ✓ 97 MAP 1 J6

Hunter Beer Co. @ Potters Hotel Brewery Resort, Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba 02 4991 7922 ✓ ✓ 97 MAP 1 M11

Hunter Distillery 1686 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6737 ✓ ✓ 97 MAP 1 J3

Lovedale Brewery @ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0900 98 MAP 1 K10

Matilda Bay Brewhouse @ Hunter Valley Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 98 MAP 1 F2

PRODUCEBinnorie Dairy @ Tuscany Wine Estate, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 6660 ✓ 98 MAP 1 F2

Gundog Hunter Cellar & Gourmet Pantry 101 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6873 98 MAP 1 L4

Hunter Valley Cheese Factory @ McGuigans Complex, 447 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7744 ✓ ✓ 98 MAP 1 J6

Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop @ Roche Estate Complex, Pavilion G, 2144 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6713 ✓ 98 MAP 1 J6

Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop @ Pokolbin Village, 3/2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6960 ✓ 98 MAP 1 J6

La Glace Dessert Bar @ Hunter Valley Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 98 MAP 1 F2

Lovedale Smokehouse 64 Majors Ln, Lovedale 02 4930 7832 ✓ 98 MAP 1 H12

Pokolbin General Store @ Pokolbin Village, 2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7633 ✓ 98 MAP 1 J6

Pukara Estate @ Ballabourneen Wine Co., 2347 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 0408 144 149 ✓ 99 MAP 1 J9

Pukara Estate 1440 Denman Rd, Muswellbrook 02 6547 1055 ✓ ✓ 99 MAP 1 B00

Tinklers Produce 53 Pokolbin Mountains Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7435 99 MAP 1 M4

Tintilla Estate Wines & Olives 725 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7093 ✓ 99 MAP 1  F2

Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Kitchen @ De Iuliis Wines, 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6699 94 MAP 1 J2

FREE TASTING TOURS

Gourmet.FEAST ON LOCAL PRODUCE AND DISCOVER BOUTIQUE BEERS.

HOPE BREWHOUSE@ HOPE ESTATE, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4993 3555 E [email protected]

Overlooking Hope Estate’s concert amphitheatre, Hope Brewhouse, Pokolbin’s newest craft brewery, offers a wide range of beers and cider brewed on site and served from 12 taps. With limited-edition and seasonal varieties, there’s always something different to try on a tasting paddle or take-home growler. Daily 10am–5pm

HUNTER BEER CO.@ POTTERS HOTEL BREWERY RESORT, WINE COUNTRY DR, NULKABA T 02 4991 7922 E [email protected]

Hunter Beer Co. runs brewery tours at 4pm Mon–Fri and noon and 4pm Sat–Sun. Head in to learn about how the beer is made or sit in the brewery room and enjoy a tasting paddle from the selection on tap.Daily 10am–5pm

HUNTER DISTILLERY���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6737 E [email protected]

Enjoy a tasting experience like no other at the Valley’s only certified organic distillery. Hunter Distillery uses premium-quality organic raw ingredients to produce an exceptional range of top-shelf spirits, including vodka, flavoured vodkas, gin, liqueurs, schnapps and specialty spirits. Daily 10am–5pm

Page 100: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

98 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY@ MCGUIGANS COMPLEX, ��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7744 E [email protected] huntervalleycheese.com.au

Watch the cheesemakers through viewing windows, sample handmade cheese made onsite, and enjoy free cheesemaking talks daily at 11am and 3pm at this boutique cheesery. Plus, there’s a range of regional and housemade produce, cheeseboards and charcuterie for al fresco snacks. Daily 9am–5.30pm

HUNTER VALLEY  SMELLY CHEESE SHOP@ ROCHE ESTATE COMPLEX, PAVILION G,  ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6713 E [email protected]

Providores of the finest local and imported cheeses, gourmet foods and gelato, including their own product range. You can take the goodies home or sit down and enjoy a pizza, baguette or burger with a glass of local wine or beer. Daily 10am–5pm

GOURMETBREWERIES � DISTILLERIES • PRODUCE

POKOLBIN  GENERAL STORE@ POKOLBIN VILLAGE, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7633

Call in for all your supplies – takeaway food and drinks; newspapers and magazines; groceries, local produce and ice-creams; espresso coffee, ice and giftware; tourist maps and information; and the little things you have left behind. Sun–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–6pm

LA GLACE DESSERT BAR @ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777 E [email protected]

La Glace is the oldest confectionery in Denmark, founded in 1870. Hunter Valley Resort owners also have generations of Danish heritage as hoteliers in Copenhagen and La Glace was their favourite cafe growing up. Stop by for the freshest ice-creams, cakes, chocolates and, of course, coffee. Wed–Sun 11am– 4pm

LOVEDALE SMOKEHOUSE�� MAJORS LN, LOVEDALET 02 4930 7832 E [email protected]

Creators and providores of handmade artisanal charcuterie, including smoked seafood, cheese, lamb, beef, pork, poultry, game and sausages. The Gourmet Pantry is also stocked with cured meats, terrines, pates, olive oils, sauces, salad dressings, chutneys, jams and sweet treats. Tastings and smoking and curing classes available. Thu–Mon 10am–5pm

MATILDA BAY BREWHOUSE @ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7777 E [email protected]

What better way to finish a hard day of wine-tasting than with one of Matilda Bay Brewhouse’s 12 craft beers? Try the beer-tasting paddle with each of the brews, laze away the afternoon listening to great music or try something delicious off the blackboard menu. Daily 10am–late

LOVEDALE BREWERY @ CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY, ��� WINE COUNTRY DRT 02 4991 0900 E [email protected]

From the heart of the Hunter Valley, Lovedale Brewery is dedicated to creating the best craft beers in Australia. Brewed lovingly by hand in small batches, each variant is designed to epitomise the style, personality and people that make the Hunter Valley and Sydney great. Daily

BINNORIE DAIRY@ TUSCANY WINE ESTATE, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6660 E [email protected]

Simon Gough opened Binnorie Dairy in 2003 after making cheese in Europe and Victoria’s Yarra Valley. He creates hand-crafted soft cow and goat cheeses made from locally sourced milk, which are the gourmet choice in many local restaurants. Drop in for a free tasting. Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm

GUNDOG HUNTER CELLAR  � GOURMET PANTRY��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 6873 E [email protected]

The Gundog Hunter Cellar & Gourmet Pantry offers a premium tasting experience. Set in the historic Pokolbin Schoolhouse, visitors not only have the chance to taste award-winning wines, but also discover a selection of gourmet products reflecting Gundog’s quality over quantity philosophy. Daily 10am–5pm

Page 101: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 99

PUKARA ESTATE@ BALLABOURNEEN WINE CO., ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN M 0408 144 149 E [email protected]

Pukara Estate delights tastebuds with an extensive range of flavoursome olive oils, vinegars, dukkahs, relishes, tapenades and mayonnaises. Enjoy a free tasting at the Pokolbin tasting room or visit the grove and tasting room at 1440 Denman Rd, Muswellbrook. Daily 10am–5pm (Muswellbrook 9.30am–4.30pm)

GOURMETPRODUCE

TINKLERS PRODUCE�� POKOLBIN MOUNTAINS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7435 E [email protected]

The Tinkler family has been farming for more than 60 years, growing an abundance of seasonal produce including table grapes, peaches, nectarines, avocados, figs, mixed citrus and vegetables. You can buy the home-grown, hand-picked produce fresh or there’s a wide range of jams and preserves. Daily 10am–5pm

TINTILLA ESTATE WINES  � OLIVES��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBINT 02 6574 7093 E [email protected] tintilla.com.au

Tintilla Estate olives are hand-picked and bottled with traditional herbs and spices. Sample fine olives, regional oils, luscious fig jams, mustards, verjuice, vinegars and local honey or order a cheese platter and sit on the deck with a glass of vino. Daily 10.30am–6pm

Page 102: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

&boutique wine olive tasting

SC10196_DL flyer CellarDoor_D2.indd 1 20/02/12 9:45 AM

Venture beyond the cellar door for a memorable experienceA visit to Whispering Brook provides an experience that goes beyond

wine. The estate is renowned for its welcoming ambience, relaxed Australian architecture, intimate cellar door with artisan wine and

olives, boutique winery and natural beauty. The panoramic mountain views, estate vineyards and olive groves, casual dining, annual events

and large guesthouse provide for a memorable experience.

Open weekends 10:30am – 5pm, Fridays 1:30pm-4:30pm and week days by appointment

Telephone 02 6579 1386 or 02 9818 4126CELLAR DOOR – Rodd Street, Broke NSW

www.whispering-brook.com

See the beauty, experience the life, taste the wine. The subtle difference of artisan in every aspect

HunterHoney

Hive

Hunter Valley Gardens VillageEnter Via Ye Olde General Store

Honey TastingBee and Honey Giftware

Honey CosmeticsClothing

open daily

10-5Tastings

daily

HVMag_AD_180x120h_05656_3p_o.indd 1 25/08/2015 8:17 am

Page 103: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

NAME ADDRESS PHONE SYDN

EY PI

CK-U

P

TRAN

SFER

SERV

ICES

LARG

E GRO

UP TO

URS

SMAL

L GRO

UP TO

URS

PAG

E

MAPA Grape X Pectations Tour 0405 155 456 102 N/A

All Around the Vines 0459 145 065 ✓ ✓ ✓ 102 N/A

All Hunter Wine Tours 0400 427 050 102 N/AAlmighty Tours & Transport Hunter Valley 0401 827 568 ✓ ✓ ✓ 102

Arrive First Class 131 Hill St, Carrington 0421 036 280 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 102 N/A

Best Tour 0437 149 612 ✓ ✓ 102 N/A

Cheers Bus 0408 987 057 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 102 N/A

Country Trails Private Tours 0430 543 465 ✓ ✓ 102 N/A

diVine tours 0414 858 671 ✓ 102 N/A

Fine Wine Tours 0421 855 355 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 103 N/A

Grace Coaches 02 4930 6058 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 103 N/A

Grape Vine Tours 0437 451 742 ✓ ✓ ✓ 103 MAP 1 O10

Hall’s Private Transfers 0431 810 548 ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A N/A

Hertz Rent A Car 1A Aberdare Rd, Cessnock 02 4991 2500 103 MAP 1 P11

Hunter Private Tours 0419 851 010 ✓ ✓ 103 N/A

Hunter Trikes 332 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4991 7533 103 MAP 1 J11

Hunter Valley Cadillacs 02 4996 4059 ✓ 103 MAP 1 E15

Hunter Valley Classic Carriages 02 4991 3655 ✓ 103 N/A

Hunter Valley Horses @ Hunter Valley Resort, 917 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 0431 337 367 ✓ ✓ 104 MAP 1 F2

Hunter Valley Private Tours by Wendt on Tours 02 4998 6757 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 N/A

Hunter Valley Vine Link 02 4930 7689 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 N/A

Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tours 02 9357 5511 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 N/A

Hunter Vineyard Tours 02 4991 1659 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 N/A

iHop Hunter Valley Hunter Valley 0455 535 035 ✓ 104

James’ Vineyard Tours 0437 151 500 ✓ 104 MAP 1 B0

Mr Wilson Hire Car Hunter Valley 0403 185 237 ✓ ✓ N/A N/A

Silver Service Limousines 02 6571 1600 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 MAP 1 B0

Sydney Helitours 472 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot 02 9317 3402 ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 N/A

TexTours 0410 462 540 ✓ ✓ 105 MAP 1 K10

Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Tours 0414 316 859 ✓ 105 N/A

Vineyard Shuttle Service 02 4991 3655 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 105 N/A

Wine Country Limousines 02 4990 2852 ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 Q8

Wine Country Tours 02 9484 0477 ✓ ✓ ✓ 105 N/A

Wine D Road Tours Hunter Valley 0437 543 078 ✓ ✓ 105 N/A

Wine Rover 02 4990 1699 ✓ ✓ 105 MAP 2 E3

Zepher Tours 5/14 Frederick St, Bondi 0406 757 295 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 105 N/A

Tours.DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE HUNTER VALLEY.

SYDNEY PICK-UP

A REMARKABLE BLEND OF UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 101

Page 104: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

A GRAPE X PECTATIONS TOURM 0405 155 456 E [email protected] grapetours.com.au

Enjoy a grape time with a guided tour, private tailored tour or food and wine matching experience. A Grape X Pectations tour showcases the real taste of the Hunter Valley with hand-crafted premium wines and delicious food from renowned eateries for the ultimate sensory sensation. Daily (closed Good Friday, Xmas & New Year’s Day)

ALL AROUND THE VINES  M 0459 145 065 E [email protected] allaroundthevines.com.au

Join All Around the Vines and tour the picturesque Hunter Valley on a half- or full-day wine tour. The company caters for small or large groups, runs private tailor-made tours, golf packages, and cheese, chocolate and olive tours. Restaurant, social functions and airport transfers also available. Daily

ALL HUNTER WINE TOURSM 0400 427 050 E [email protected] allhunterwinetours.4t.com

All Hunter Wine Tours offers a great day out at competitive prices, visiting the smaller cellar doors for personalised tastings with prices and wine styles to suit all. Group tours for up to 13, or special private charter packages tailored to suit you. Daily

BEST TOUR M 0437 149 612 E [email protected] besttour.com.au

Family-owned and operated, Best Tour has been running winery tours since 2001. For a great day out, hop aboard the Best Tour bus and join a small-group tour that showcases the best of the Hunter Valley Wine Country, including tastings of some benchmark wines. Bookings essential

ARRIVE FIRST CLASS M 0421 036 280 E [email protected]

Arrive First Class provides Hummers and helicopters with quality professional service and multiple package options including wedding cars, school formals, private helicopter getaways, fly and drive vineyard packages, airport transfers, hens nights, concerts and corporate events. Super-stretch limousines are ideal for an intimate evening or lavish celebration. Daily

ALMIGHTY TOURS � TRANSPORT M 0401 827 568 E [email protected]

Indulge in that extra glass of wine and leave your driving worries behind. Almighty Tours specialises in private wine tours and transport to/from Sydney. Create your own itinerary or leave it to Almighty Tours. Efficient and reliable transport services, day or night. Tours daily, transport anytime

DIVINE TOURS M 0414 858 671 E [email protected] divinetours.com.au

Offering gourmet wine tours for small groups including restaurant lunch, wine tasting, cheese and chocolate tasting, commentary and a behind-the-scenes winery tour to make the day informative and fun. Private tours with exclusive use of the bus and an itinerary tailored to you are available on request. Daily

COUNTRY TRAILS PRIVATE TOURSM 0430 543 465 E [email protected]

Country Trails offers small-group shared and private wine tours, departing from Sydney or the Hunter Valley. Providing a highly personalised service, the shared tours are for a maximum of six and private tours are tailored to your requirements. Luxury Mercedes Viano tour vehicle. Daily

TOURS

CHEERS BUS M 0408 987 057 E [email protected] cheersbus.com.au

Cheers Bus offers personalised and professional full-day wine tours in an air-conditioned minibus seven days a week. Specialising in boutique winery tours for the young and young at heart, Cheers caters for both small and large groups. Also provides restaurant, wedding, airport and conference transfers. Sydney pick-ups now available. Daily

102 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 105: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

FINE WINE TOURSM 0421 855 355 E [email protected] finewinetours.net

Discover, learn and enjoy with Fine Wine Tours. This tour company offers guided educational wine appreciation tours of the Hunter Valley and other regions within NSW/ACT. Specialises in small readily formed groups of 10–20 guests, but caters for larger groups on request. On request

GRAPE VINE TOURSM 0437 451 742 E [email protected] grapevinetours.com.au

Grape Vine Tours is family owned and operated out of the Hunter Valley, and is committed to providing you with the most enjoyable wine tour experience, whether you’re completely new to wine or a wine connoisseur. Daily

GRACE COACHES T 02 4930 6058 E [email protected] gracecoacheshuntervalley.com.au

Looking for airport transfers, transport for your corporate or wedding guests or like to take friends on a winery tour? Grace Coaches offers personalised solutions for all occasions, providing bus and coach charters and tours, with minibuses and coaches that accommodate from five to large groups. Daily, 24 hours

HUNTER TRIKES��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4991 7533 E [email protected]

There are wine tours of the Hunter Valley... and then there are wine tours of the Hunter Valley that involve you roaring around the countryside on a trike looking awesome. Relaxing picnic lunches, evening cruises or the fastest wine tour in the Valley. The choice is yours. Daily

TOURS

HERTZ RENT A CAR�A ABERDARE RD, CESSNOCK T 02 4991 2500 E [email protected]

Explore the Hunter Valley at your own pace with a Hertz rental car. Hertz offers competitive rates, one-way rentals, delivery to your hotel, hatches, sedans, wagons and buses, and you can earn Virgin Australia frequent flyer points. The friendly team is waiting to assist you. Also covers Maitland. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–12pm

HUNTER PRIVATE TOURS M 0419 851 010 E [email protected] hunterprivatetours.com.au

Exclusive private tours showcasing the best of Wine Country. Indulge in premium local wines, gourmet produce and gorgeous scenery. Ideal for special occasions, special events or corporate activities. Each tour is unique and private to you and your chosen companions. Daily

HUNTER VALLEY CADILLACS T 02 4996 4059 E [email protected] huntervalleycadillacs.com.au

Private and exclusive wine-tasting tours. Fun, friendly and unique, a tour in a 1960 Cadillac convertible or 1958 Cadillac limousine is the ultimate way to enjoy all the Hunter Valley has to offer. Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Daily

HUNTER VALLEY  CLASSIC CARRIAGEST 02 4991 3655 E [email protected] huntervalleyclassiccarriages.com.au

Clip-clop your way along tree-lined back roads of Pokolbin in unique old-style covered wagons or Victorian and Landau carriages. Offering full- or half-day general tours for couples or groups, plus exclusive tours for two to four guests. Family horse-drawn carriage rides and wedding carriage hire available. Daily

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 103

Page 106: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

JAMES’ VINEYARD TOURSM 0437 151 500 E [email protected]

Join James for a wonderful day of wine tasting, visiting a selection of boutique cellar doors where you can share the passion of those creating great wines. Cheese, chocolate and olive oil tastings included. Group discounts and private 4WD tours available. Daily 9am–5pm

SILVER SERVICE LIMOUSINES T 02 6571 1600 E [email protected] taxico.com.au

Silver Service Limousines provides transfer services and private wine tours by sedan, minibus or stretch limousine. Coordinators Derek and Dave have many years of experience as a cellar door manager and assistant winemaker, which ensures you have a unique tour every time you visit. Daily 24 hours

TOURS

HUNTER VINEYARD TOURST 02 4991 1659 E [email protected]

Hunter Vineyard Tours is a family-owned and operated company that specialises in winery tours with great commentary and personal service. It also offers transfers for conference and incentive tours, social events, excursions and sporting trips, as well as airport and restaurant transfers. Daily (closed Good Friday & Xmas Day)

HUNTER VALLEY WINE  TASTING TOURS � TRANSFERST 02 9357 5511 E info@huntervalleywinetastingtours.com.auhuntervalleywinetastingtours.com.au

Specialists in small, personal day tours of the Hunter Valley wineries in luxury Mercedes-Benz mini-coaches. Daily 10am-4pm wine tours include wine tastings at a selection of five cellar doors, lunch options and visits to cheese and chocolate outlets. Half-day tours and restaurant transfers available. Daily 10am–4pm

HUNTER VALLEY VINE LINK T 02 4930 7689 E [email protected] vinelink.com.au

Tour operator Bradley Garrett has 40 years’ experience in food and wine and it shows. His tours are laced with relevant information and useful hints to help build your confidence, including how to interpret wine label info, food and wine matching tips and more. Daily 9.30am–5.30pm

SYDNEY HELITOURS ��� ROSS SMITH AVE, MASCOT T 02 9317 3402 E [email protected] sydneyhelitours.com.au

Whether you’re after a Hunter Valley lunch package, a helicopter transfer to or from Sydney or a custom tour where you decide the itinerary, Sydney Helitours can provide a solution. Complimentary minibus service to and from Sydney’s CBD. Winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 and 2014. Flights daily

HUNTER VALLEY PRIVATE TOURS  BY WENDT ON TOURS T 02 4998 6757 E [email protected] huntervalleyprivatetours.com.au

Full- and half-day personalised group or private boutique wine tours conducted by local hosts Glenn and Margaret Wendt. A one-course gourmet lunch is included with the full-day wine-tasting experience. Hosted in Mercedes-Benz MPVs that seat up to seven passengers. Daily (closed Xmas Day & Good Friday)

HUNTER VALLEY HORSES@ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN M 0431 337 367 E [email protected] huntervalleycarriages.com.au

A ride on the horse or a drink in the carriage, it’s fun for the kids and good for the marriage! Offering horseriding, pony rides, full- and half-day horse and carriage wine tours, private charters and wedding carriage hire. Daily 9am–5pm, bookings essential

iHOP HUNTER VALLEY M 0455 535 035 E [email protected]

Explore picturesque Pokolbin aboard the Hunter Valley’s only hop-on hop-off bus service and experience the best in local produce, cellar doors, breweries, distillery, shopping, restaurants and local attractions via 13 hops (stops) and over 40 attractions! One- or two-day Hopper, one-way or return passes available. Wed–Mon 10am–5pm

104 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Page 107: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINE ROVER T 02 4990 1699 E [email protected]

Wine Rover moves you effortlessly through one of the world’s great wine regions, stopping at specially selected wineries and attractions, including Pokolbin Village and Hunter Valley Gardens Village, so you can experience the best of the Valley. Pick-ups arranged from all Wine Country accommodation. Mon–Sat 9.30am–4.30pm

ZEPHER TOURS �/�� FREDERICK ST, BONDI M 0406 757 295 E [email protected]

Zepher Tours is a fun, new Hunter Valley experience. Emphasising great music and no boring commentary. Wine, cheese, chocolate and organic vodka tastings. Group tours, private tours, Hunter Valley music events. Tours run from Sydney (8am–6.30pm) and the Hunter Valley (10am–4pm). Daily

WINE COUNTRY TOURS T 02 9484 0477 E [email protected]

Small-group specialist with tours from Sydney or within the vineyards hosted by experienced winemaker Richard Everett. Richard conducts private guided tastings at the region’s most interesting wineries. Morning tea at Peppers with lunch options including Muse Kitchen or Esca Bimbadgen. Private tours and larger groups on request. Daily

WINE D ROAD TOURS T 0437 543 078 E [email protected]

Spend your day at hand-selected wineries being guided through their offerings in private tastings. Travel in comfort stopping for a beautiful restaurant lunch, some Hunter Valley cheese tasting and finish with an optional beer tasting. Limited to 11 guests to keep your tour personal. Daily, bookings essential

VINEYARD SHUTTLE SERVICE T 02 4991 3655 E [email protected]

Relax and enjoy the best the Hunter Valley has to offer in air-conditioned comfort with daily guided tours. Visit wineries of your choice or leave it up to Vineyard Shuttle Service to show you the highlights. Restaurant shuttle service, airport transfers and wedding guest transfers available. Daily

TOURS

TEXTOURS M 0410 462 540 E [email protected] textours.com.au

Small-group specialist (maximum 12 people) offering comprehensive and informative tours. Enjoy structured group tastings at each vineyard, cheese and olive oil tastings, as well as chocolate and fudge tastings. A casual and complete experience that only a TexTour can deliver. Daily

TWO FAT BLOKES  GOURMET TOURS  M 0414 316 859 E [email protected] twofatblokes.com.au

The Hunter Valley’s No. 1 tour operator – awarded a Certificate of Excellence for the past four years by TripAdvisor. Offering full- and half-day snapshot tours, or tailor a tour to suit your needs. Small groups only (2–10 guests). Daily (closed Good Friday, Xmas, Boxing & New Year’s Day)

W H Y D R I V E Y O U R S E L F ? B O O K A T O U R O R

T R A N S F E R O N L I N E .

winecountry.com.au

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 105

Page 108: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

SPI1270_122x88_4C_Hunter Valley Botanica Press Ad_FA_OL.indd 1 14/08/2015 1:54 pm

Hunter Valley Christmas Shop

Open 7 Days, 10am to 5pmHunter Valley Gardens Village Shops. Broke Road, Pokolbin, NSWPh 02 4998 6834. www.hvchristmasshop.com.au

Spectacular Hunter Valley and Wine Country ViewsIncredible Native Wildlife - Kangaroos

HORSE RIDING - For the Beginner and Experienced RiderSunset Rides - Picnic Rides - Personalised Rides

Hens & Bucks Days - Corporate GroupsPONY Rides - Hay Rides - Farm Animals

Ride over 300 Magnificent AcresSTAY - In Villa and Guest House Accommodation

Just 3.88km from the Hunter Expressway

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures

288 Talga Road, Rothbury, NSW 2320 P: 02 4930 7111 E: [email protected]

W: www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Page 109: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 107

NAME ADDRESS PHONE FREE

WIF

I

PAG

E

MAPACTIVITIESAqua Golf & Putt Putt @ Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7896 109 MAP 1 J5

East Coast Corporate & Group Xperiences @ Hunter Valley Resort, cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 1300 465 636 109 MAP 1 F2

Hunter Wine Theatre @ Hunter Valley Resort, cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 109 MAP 1 F2

ARTS � CRAFTSOgishi Craft Centre 540 Wilderness Rd, Rothbury 02 4998 7979 ✓ 109 MAP 1 H9

Pokolbin Gallery & Mistletoe Sculpture Garden 771 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7770 109 MAP 1 F2

ATTRACTIONSHunter Valley Gardens 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4000 109 MAP 1 J5

Roche Estate Cnr Broke & McDonalds Rds, Pokolbin 02 4998 4000 109 MAP 1 J6

Wollombi Tavern 2994 Great North Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3261 109 MAP 1 S2

BALLOON FLIGHTSBalloon Aloft Meeting @ Peterson House, Broke Rd, Pokolbin 1300 723 279 110 MAP 1 J9

Balloon Safaris 1800 818 191 110 MAP 1 J9

Cloud 9 Balloon Flights Meeting @ The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley, 336 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 1300 555 711 N/A MAP1 M7

Wine Country Ballooning Meeting @ Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4991 7533 110 MAP 1 J6

COOKINGHunter Valley Wine, Cooking & Candy School @ Hunter Valley Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 110 MAP 1 F2

Majors Lane Cooking School 64 Majors Ln, Lovedale 02 4930 7832 110 MAP 1 H12

The Cooking School @ Tuscany Wine Estate, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7288 110 MAP 1 F2

GOLFCypress Lakes Golf & Country Club 15 Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 1555 110 MAP 1 K5

Hunter Valley Golf @ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0977 110 MAP 1 K10

The Vintage Golf Club Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2208 110 MAP 1 H7

HORSERIDINGChapman Valley Horse Riding 7054 Putty Rd, Howes Valley 02 6579 4593 N/A MAP 1 I00

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures 288 Talga Rd, Rothbury 02 4930 7111 ✓ 111 MAP 1 F11

SHOPPINGAustralian Alpaca Barn 1946 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6669 111 MAP 1 J4

Come What May 151 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 0400 747 072 111 MAP 1 I8

Handmade Hunter Markets @ Kevin Sobels Wines, 5 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4936 6726 N/A MAP1 J8

Hunter Valley Christmas Shop Shop 16, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6834 N/A MAP 1 J5

Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4000 111 MAP 1 J5

Lovedale Antiques Old Wares & Gallery 820 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7239 111 MAP 1 G13

Pokolbin Village 2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7670 ✓ 111 MAP 1 J6

Sacred Tree Markets Cnr Station St & New England Hwy, Branxton 111 MAP 1 B9

Wine Glass Gallery Shop 3, Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6888 N/A MAP 1 J5

Ye Olde General Store Pokolbin Shop 17, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7191 N/A MAP 1 J5

SPASBhutra Thai Massage 185 Wollombi Rd, Cessnock 02 4991 2630 112 MAP 2 B3

Château Élan Spa Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2500 ✓ 112 MAP 1 H7

Golden Door Spa Elysia 165 Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin 02 4993 8500 112 MAP 1 K4

Heavenly Hunter Massage Centre @ Hunter Valley Resort, Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 0438 010 359 N/A MAP 1 F2

Spa Anise @ Spicers Vineyards Estate, 555 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7229 112 MAP 1 D2

Thai Nature Massage, Cessnock 40 Cumberland St, Cessnock 02 4991 3331 112 MAP 2 D5

Ubika Spa @ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0959 112 MAP1 K10

Experiences.ENJOY A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS.

Page 110: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

820 HERMITAGE ROAD, POKOLBIN 2320T: 02 4998 7388 E: [email protected]

W: www.thegrangeonhermitage.com.au

Affordable country style self catering cottages & guestrooms situated on 28 acres of natural bush and our family vineyard.

Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Hunter Wine Country, by relaxing on the verandah, watching kangaroos at dusk or wandering through

our vineyard, accompanied by Zena, our friendly Black Labrador.

Our property is situated within minutes from a wide range of wineries, restaurants, gardens, golf courses and other attractions.

A R O U N D H E R M I TAG E

w w w. a r o u n d h e r m i t a g e . c o m . a u

P o k o l b i n N o r t h W i n e T r a i lWhy you should visit:

W I N E A N D F O O D T R A I L

Page 111: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 109

OGISHI CRAFT CENTRE��� WILDERNESS RD, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 7979 E [email protected] ogishi.com.au

This gallery exhibits and sells Setsuko Ogishi’s glass, as well as a variety of Australian-made fine crafts. Enjoy a green tea cappuccino or hot chocolate on the verandah and book in for a glassblowing lesson for a fun and creative experience that will put a smile on your face. Fri–Mon 11am–4pm

EAST COAST XPERIENCES@ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 1300 465 636 E [email protected] eastcoastxperiences.com.au

Experience the fun of riding a Segway Personal Transporter through the vines at Hunter Valley Resort or explore the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley property. The tour is ideal for families and friends, and you’re guaranteed to have so much fun, you won’t want to get off! Daily, bookings essential

AQUA GOLF � PUTT PUTT@ HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS VILLAGE,  BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7896 E [email protected]

Hit golf balls into a beautiful lake and land them in the target net to win cash or vouchers to restaurants, cellar doors and activities. You can also challenge family and friends to 18 holes of mini golf on the picturesque putt putt course. Golf club hire is free.Daily 9.30am–4.30pm

EXPERIENCESACTIVITIES • ARTS � CRAFTS • ATTRACTIONS

HUNTER WINE THEATRE@ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7777 E [email protected]

Watch grapes being harvested, see the winemaking process and learn about the Hunter Valley’s wine heritage up on the big screen. After the 15-minute show, up come the lights and it’s down to the business of tasting a bracket of Hunter Valley wines. Daily, 11am and 2pm (closed Xmas Day)

POKOLBIN GALLERY � MISTLETOE SCULPTURE GARDEN��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7770 E [email protected] pokolbingallery.com.au

Pokolbin Gallery and Mistletoe Sculpture Garden are located in the grounds of Mistletoe Winery. Unique collectable art, sculptures, internal and external, paintings in all media, photography, ceramics and exclusive handmade jewellery are all on exhibit and available for purchase. Daily 10am–6pm

HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 4000 E [email protected]

Winner of NSW Best Tourist Attraction and inducted into the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame, Hunter Valley Gardens is exquisite. Explore 10 internationally-themed feature gardens over 60 acres, enjoy garden talks and annual family events such as the Christmas Lights Spectacular, or plan your perfect wedding. Daily 9am–5pm (closed Dec 25)

WOLLOMBI TAVERN���� GREAT NORTH RD, WOLLOMBIT 02 4998 3261 E [email protected]

This family-friendly country pub is home of the famed Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice. It has a bistro open daily for lunch, and dinner Friday and Saturday, an open fire and a wraparound verandah overlooking Wollombi Brook. Self-contained, log cabin accommodation is available, including single nights on weekends. Daily Sun–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–10pm

EXPLORE THE VALLEY

WITH OUR MAP &

TOURING GUIDE.

PAGE 129

ROCHE ESTATECNR BROKE � MCDONALDS RDS, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 4000 tempustwo.com.au

Roche Estate is a premier concert venue attracting international and national artists alike. Experience exceptional fine dining, award-winning wines, signature cocktails and spirits, local gourmet produce and a sophisticated function room all in one exclusive venue. Check with the individual businesses for trading hours

Page 112: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

110 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

THE COOKING SCHOOL@ TUSCANY WINE ESTATE, CNR HERMITAGE RD  � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7288 E [email protected] tuscanywineestate.com.au

Cook up a storm with friends, family, work colleagues or a great idea for your hens party; book The Cooking School at Tuscany Wine Estate Resort. This hands-on cooking school is for groups of two people and upwards. Brilliant fun, educational and team building. By appointment

BALLOON SAFARIST 1800 818 191 E [email protected] balloonsafaris.com.au

Enjoy panoramic views of Wine Country from a Balloon Safaris hot-air balloon. This award-winning local operator uses local pilots with local knowledge and boasts a 100 per cent safety record. Features modern, colourful balloons, VIP and group flights, in-flight photos and optional gourmet breakfast. Daily sunrise flights

BALLOON ALOFT MEETING @ PETERSON HOUSE, BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 1300 723 279 E [email protected] balloonaloft.com

Experience a balloon flight over the vineyards with the award-winning Balloon Aloft, followed by a gourmet breakfast and bubbles at Peterson House. The most experienced hot-air balloon operator in Australia has been offering daily sunrise flights for more than 30 years. Awarded TripAdvisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence. Daily sunrise flights

EXPERIENCES BALLOON FLIGHTS • COOKING • GOLF

CYPRESS LAKES GOLF � COUNTRY CLUB�� THOMPSONS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 1555 E [email protected] oakshotelsresorts.com

This 18-hole championship golf course offers visitors an unrivalled experience in the Hunter Valley with panoramic views across the vineyards and surrounding mountain ranges promised from each tee and green. Offers corporate golf event packages, club memberships or rounds at leisure. Daily 6am–dusk

WINE COUNTRY BALLOONING MEETING @ MERCURE RESORT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS, ���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4991 7533 E [email protected] winecountryballooning.com.au

Keep it special! Fly with the Hunter Valley's original boutique balloon flight company, which guarantees no more than 10 people ballooning on any morning. Come fly with Daren, the region’s most experienced full-time local pilot. VIP flights, photos, videos and breakfast all available. Daily sunrise flights

MAJORS LANE COOKING SCHOOL�� MAJORS LN, LOVEDALE T 02 4930 7832 E [email protected] majorslane.com

Have fun and be inspired by a hands-on, outdoor Asian cooking class on a beautiful vineyard. Learn how to balance the fundamental flavours of Asian cuisine as you prepare and enjoy a wonderful feast featuring Hunter Valley produce. Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Sichuan classes available. Sat 10am–1pm, smoking and curing classes also available

HUNTER VALLEY WINE, COOKING � CANDY SCHOOL@ HUNTER VALLEY RESORT, CNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777 E [email protected] hunterresort.com.au

Take part in a fun, hands-on class and learn a new skill, be it a daily two-hour wine or cooking school, candymaking class, grape stomping or craft beer-making tutorial. Minimum numbers apply. Daily, bookings essential

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF@ CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY, ��� WINE COUNTRY DR, LOVEDALE T 02 4991 0977 E [email protected]

Enjoy a spectacular 18-hole championship course set among the Hunter Valley’s world-famous vineyards with premium resort facilities, impressive mountain range views and warm, friendly service. Experience the home of golf in the Hunter Valley. Daily 6.30am–5.30pm (daylight savings 6.30am–6.30pm)

THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUBVINTAGE DR, ROTHBURYT 02 4998 2208 E [email protected]

Tee off at the Hunter Valley’s prestigious Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course, which is ranked among the best in Australia and ideal for golfers of all levels. Facilities include a fully stocked golf shop, Spike Bar, Cafe and Grill. Stay & Play packages available. Daily from 7am

Page 113: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 111

EXPERIENCESHORSERIDING • SHOPPING

POKOLBIN VILLAGE���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7670 E [email protected]

The Pokolbin Village complex in the heart of Wine Country has something for everyone. Explore the range of specialty stores selling chocolate, cheese, homewares and jewellery, or enjoy relaxed dining at the restaurant and general store. Self-contained and hotel-style accommodation is available. Daily, breakfast from 8am, shopping from 10am

LOVEDALE ANTIQUES OLD WARES � GALLERY��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4930 7239 E [email protected]

Lovedale Antiques Old Wares & Gallery is an antique store with a difference. It has plenty of genuine, unusual and interesting antiques, together with many collectables and artworks. Visit this collector’s paradise for a glimpse into the past. Fri–Sun (and some public holidays) 10am–4pm

HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS  SHOPPING VILLAGE���� BROKE RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 4000 E [email protected]

Located next to the Gardens in the heart of Pokolbin, the Village features boutique shops, restaurants, essential services such as a pharmacy and more. Visit the Aqua Golf driving range or enjoy the BBQ facilities and children’s playground. Daily 10am–5pm (check individual store trading hours)

AUSTRALIAN ALPACA BARN���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6669 E [email protected] australianalpaca.com

The Australian Alpaca Barn specialises in quality Australian alpaca fashion, homewares and accessories. Discover the luxury, the softness and the lightness of alpaca by visiting the Australian Alpaca Barn at Peppers Creek Village or the new outlet in the Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village. Daily 10am–5pm

COME WHAT MAY��� PALMERS LN, POKOLBINM 0400 747 072 E [email protected]

This homewares and gift shop combines both vintage treasures and modern pieces. The collection has many special items that help make a house a home, ranging from beautiful soaps to unique furniture. Thu–Sun 10am–5pm

HUNTER VALLEY  HORSE RIDING � ADVENTURES��� TALGA RD, ROTHBURY T 02 4930 7111 E [email protected] huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Stay and play at Hill Top, a 300-acre property famed for its friendly horses and scenic trail rides – from pony and picnic rides to romantic sunset rides. Enjoy guesthouse and villa accommodation, spectacular Valley views, kangaroos, hiking and hayrides to feed the farm animals. Daily 8am–sunset

SACRED TREE MARKETSCNR STATION ST � NEW ENGLAND HWY, BRANXTONE [email protected]

The largest boutique market in the area, Sacred Tree Markets is a vibrant, eclectic mix of more than 100 local artists, producers, makers, healers and foodies. Only 10 minutes from Pokolbin, this inspirational and uplifting family event is not to be missed while visiting the Hunter Valley. Third Sunday of the month 9am–2pm

PLAN YOUR PICNIC, TURN TO PAGE 88.

Page 114: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

112 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

EXPERIENCESSPAS

GOLDEN DOOR SPA ELYSIA��� THOMPSONS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4993 8500 E [email protected] goldendoor.com.au

The Golden Door Spa Elysia is a haven of relaxation and healing located within Golden Door’s Health Retreat. The world-class spa boasts 26 treatment rooms, a spacious relaxation lounge and complimentary steam rooms and spa baths, all created for you to take time out, relax and rebalance. Daily 9am–6pm

CHÂTEAU ÉLAN SPAVINTAGE DR, ROTHBURYT 02 4998 2500 E [email protected]

Relaxation, rejuvenation, recuperation – whatever your reason for visiting the Spa at Château Élan Hunter Valley, it’s dedicated to your peace of mind and physical wellbeing. The Spa has highly trained staff and a large range of indulgent treatments and products to cater to your needs. Daily 9am–7pm

BHUTRA THAI MASSAGE��� WOLLOMBI RD, CESSNOCKT 02 4991 2630 E [email protected]

Feel your body relax and your thoughts drift away at this Thai massage spa, only a few minutes from Wine Country. Customised services for your romantic spa getaway, honeymoon, anniversary or just relieve muscle tension from your travels. This treatment is for you. Daily 9am–9pm

THAI NATURE MASSAGE, CESSNOCK�� CUMBERLAND ST, CESSNOCK T 02 4991 3331 thainaturemassage.com.au

Visit our Cumberland Street shop in Cessnock and experience an amazing massage with a range of heavenly hands and treatment options embracing the most effective Thai massage techniques, to refresh your mind, relax your body and reawaken your spirit. Also ask about the mobile Thai massage to your door. Daily 9am– 9pm

SPA ANISE @ SPICERS VINEYARDS ESTATE, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7229 E [email protected] spicersretreats.com

Spa Anise is located at leading Hunter Valley retreat, Spicers Vineyards Estate, and offers intimate spa experiences in relaxed luxury. Matching breathtaking Australian-made Waterlily products with indulgent treatments carried out by highly experienced therapists, Spa Anise is home to your own private spa experience. Daily 10am–6pm

UBIKA SPA @ CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY, ��� WINE COUNTRY DR, LOVEDALE T 02 4991 0959 E [email protected] ubikaspa.com

Relax your body, soothe your soul and uplift your spirits with a visit to the recently refurbished Ubika Spa. Spoil yourself with a treatment from the extensive spa menu or indulge in the Spa Sanctuary and VIP suites, perfect for couples as well as groups. Sun–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri–Sat 9am–7pm

RELAX... REJUVENATE...

REVIVE.

Page 115: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

HUNTER COUNTRY LODGE& SHAKEY TABLES RESTAURANT - DINNER 7 NIGHTS • LUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY

www.huntercountrylodge.com.au • 1476 Wine Country Drive North Rothbury • 4938 1744

Page 116: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Boutique accommodation in beautifully designed and tastefully furnished villas, nestled in 25 acres of lovely Australian bushland.136 Thompsons Road, Pokolbin NSW 02 4998 7630 / 0408 414 051

[email protected] winecountryvillas.com.au

Twice winner of the World Luxury Lodge Awards, Tower Lodge is available

only for exclusive use. An ideal location for executive conferences, corporate

incentives, retreats and boutique weddings ensuring uncompromising

privacy and confidentiality.

Inspections by appointment, contact via [email protected]

towerestate.com.au

The Ultimate Exclusive Experience

Page 117: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 115

Accommodation.FIND YOUR HUNTER VALLEY HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

$101–$200 $201–$300 $301–upwards$0–$100 INDICATIVE ONLY. TARIFFS BASED ON TWO ADULTS FOR ONE NIGHT AT WEEKEND RACK RATES.

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TARI

FF

AIR

CO

ND

ITIO

NED

BBQ

BREA

KFA

ST (I

NC

L’D)

FREE

WIF

IFU

NC

TIO

N A

REA

LOG

OR

GA

S FI

RES

PET

FRIE

ND

LYRE

STA

URA

NT

SPA

SSW

IMM

ING

PO

OL

WIN

ERY/

CEL

LAR

DO

OR

PAG

E

MAPRESORTS/HOTELSCarriages Boutique Hotel & Vineyard @ Diamond Estate, 112 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7591 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 K7Cháteau Élan at The Vintage Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2500 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 H7Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale 02 4991 0900 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 K10Cypress Lakes Resort by Oaks Hotels & Resorts

Cnr McDonalds & Thompsons Rds, Pokolbin 1300 886 091 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 K5

Grand Mercure The Vintage Vintage Dr, Rothbury 02 4998 2222 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 H7Harrigan’s Irish Pub & Accommodation Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 4300 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 J5Hermitage Lodge 609 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7639 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 I7Hunter Country Lodge 1476 Wine Country Dr, North Rothbury 02 4938 1744 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 MAP 1 E9Hunter Valley Resort Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 F2Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens 2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 2000 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 J6Pokolbin Village 2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7670 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 J6Potters Hotel Brewery Resort Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba 02 4991 7922 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 M11The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley 336 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7680 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 M7Tuscany Wine Estate Resort Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7288 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 F2SELF-CONTAINEDAmelies on Pokolbin Mountain 338 Pokolbin Mountains Rd, Pokolbin 0413 813 399 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 N3Avoca House & Cottage Accommodation 2683 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 0404 032 303 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 S3Bellbird Cottages & Swallows Homestead Lewis Ln, Mount View near Millfield 0414 786 705 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 MAP 1 Q5Blackwattle Luxury Retreats 169 Talga Rd, Lovedale 0421 419 371 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 F12Bluebush Estate 196 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 7177 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 G10Broken View Estate 547 Old North Rd, Pokolbin 0400 112 341 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 F4Buffs at Pokolbin 47 Coulson Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7636 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 F7Casa La Vina 657 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 0406 770 294 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 I7Cedar Creek Cottages 1840 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 1576 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 R4Cedars Mount View 60 Mitchells Rd, Mount View 02 4990 9009 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 P6Clydes at Mount View 27 King Rd, Mount View 02 9918 4149 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 P6Cottages on Mount View 1329 Mount View Rd, Mount View 02 4990 8989 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 Q6Dandaloo Cottages 70 Green Ln, Lovedale 0419 200 017 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 MAP 1 I11Earth Inspired Retreats 277 Wollong Rd, Quorrobolong 02 4998 6003 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 S14Emma's Cottage 438 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale 02 4998 7734 $ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 G10Englewood Ridge 65 Talga Rd, Lovedale 0417 287 345 $ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 F12Grapevines Boutique Accommodation 1941 Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6766 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 J5Gundog Hunter’s Retreat 101 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6873 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 L4Gypsy Willows Wollombi 201 Narone Creek Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3404 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 S3Hill Top Country Guest House 288 Talga Rd, Rothbury 02 4930 7111 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 F11Hunter Hideaway Cottages 234 Tuckers Ln, North Rothbury 0408 499 557 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 D11IronBark Hill Accommodation 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4964 4028 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 F2Ironstone Estate 97 Olsen Rd, Lovedale 0416 048 424 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 MAP 1 K12Lilies Luxury Retreat 60 Majors Ln, Lovedale 0428 698 881 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 H12Lillians on Lovedale 356 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4990 6958 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 I11Lovedale Cottages 77 Brickmans Ln, Lovedale 0409 246 661 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 I11Lovedale Lodge 197 Londons Rd, Lovedale 02 4384 3394 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 J12Madigan Vineyard 504 Wilderness Rd, Rothbury 02 4998 7815 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 G9Midnight’s Promise Estate 300 Talga Rd, Lovedale 02 9235 3947 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 F11

Page 118: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

116 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

Accommodation.FIND YOUR HUNTER VALLEY HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

$101–$200 $201–$300 $301–upwards$0–$100 INDICATIVE ONLY. TARIFFS BASED ON TWO ADULTS FOR ONE NIGHT AT WEEKEND RACK RATES.

RESTAURANT WINERY/CELLAR DOOR

NAME ADDRESS PHONE TARI

FF

AIR

CO

ND

ITIO

NED

BBQ

BREA

KFA

ST (I

NC

L’D)

FREE

WIF

IFU

NC

TIO

N A

REA

LOG

OR

GA

S FI

RES

PET

FRIE

ND

LYRE

STA

URA

NT

SPA

SSW

IMM

ING

PO

OL

WIN

ERY/

CEL

LAR

DO

OR

PAG

E

MAPSELF-CONTAINED CONTINUED

Nirvana Vista Resort Lot 3 Sweetwater Rd, Rothbury 0409 461 711 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 1 E4Old Hillside Homestead 493 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7504 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 N4Quest Singleton 5–7 Civic Ave, Singleton 02 6570 3800 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 MAP 4 A4RidgeView Cottages 273 Sweetwater Rd, Pokolbin 0419 475 221 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 E4Rothvale Vineyard Cottages 223 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7290 $$$ ✓ 122 MAP 1 G4Serenity Grove 556 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 02 6579 1444 $$ ✓ N/A MAP 1 H00Somewhere Unique Narone Creek Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3257 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 S3Tatler Vineyard Accommodation 477 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 02 4930 9139 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 H12Tellace Wines Accommodation 356 Tuckers Ln, North Rothbury 02 4938 7173 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 D12The Grange on Hermitage 820 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7388 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 F2The Vintry 780 DeBeyers Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6825 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 L3The Wattle Lodge 1402 Glendon Brook Rd, Glendon Brook 02 6577 6193 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 A9 The Woods at Pokolbin 107 Halls Rd, Pokolbin 0412 627 316 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 MAP 1 K8Wattle-Wilde Country Hideaway 154 Londons Rd, Lovedale 0407 559 917 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 K11Wine Country Villas 136 Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7630 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 K5Wirral Grange Cottage 168 Lomas Ln, Lovedale 02 4991 2874 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 L11Woolshed Hill Estate 342 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 7685 $$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 G5GUESTHOUSESCapers Guesthouse & Cottage 2859 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 3211 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 S2Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin 02 6574 7229 $$$$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 D2MOTELSCessnock Motel 13 Allandale Rd, Cessnock 02 4990 2699 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A MAP 1 O11Hunter Valley Hotel Academy McLeod Rd (off Heddon St), Kurri Kurri 02 4936 0341 $$ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 2 A10Hunter Valley Retreat 626 Sandy Creek Rd, Quorrobolong 02 4998 6007 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 123 MAP 1 S14Wine Country Motor Inn 5 Darwin St, Cessnock 02 4993 2999 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ 124 MAP 1 P11BED � BREAKFASTSBrilex Park B&B 1214 Leggetts Dr, Mount Vincent 0438 505 045 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 124 MAP 1 S15CARAVAN PARKS AND BACKPACKERSActive Holidays BIG4 Hunter Valley 137 Mount View Rd, Cessnock 1800 649 156 $$ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 124 MAP 1 O10

T H E L U X U R Y O F M A N Y A C C O M M O D A T I O N O P T I O N S , W I T H T H E C O N V E N I E N C E O F O N L I N E B O O K I N G .

Page 119: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 117

ACCOMMODATIONRESORTS/HOTELS

HARRIGAN’S IRISH PUB  � ACCOMMODATIONBROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 4300 E [email protected]

Harrigan’s offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with hotel facilities including a pool and conferencing facilities. It is the perfect venue for business or pleasure, close to Hunter Valley Gardens, Roche Estate and Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, including aqua golf, a picnic area and playground.

GRAND MERCURE THE VINTAGEVINTAGE DR, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 2222 E [email protected] grandmercurehuntervalley.com.au

Grand Mercure The Vintage offers resort-style living with spacious one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments clustered around a sparkling swimming pool. Facilities within The Vintage precinct include an award-winning restaurant, spa, BBQ area and Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course.

CYPRESS LAKES RESORT  BY OAKS HOTELS � RESORTSCNR MCDONALDS � THOMPSONS RDS, POKOLBIN T 1300 886 091 E [email protected]

Nestled in the Hunter Valley’s picturesque surroundings, Cypress Lakes Resort by Oaks Hotels & Resorts promises a tranquil and indulgent escape, ideal for a leisurely holiday with family and friends, golfing break, memorable wedding, bachelorette and bucks party, or unique conferencing experience.

CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER VALLEY��� WINE COUNTRY DR, LOVEDALE T 02 4991 0900 E [email protected]

Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and golf course greens, and framed by the rugged Brokenback Range, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley epitomises the best in award-winning hospitality and deluxe accommodation, including two- and three-bedroom villas and a range of onsite facilities for you to enjoy.

CARRIAGES BOUTIQUE HOTEL  � VINEYARD@ DIAMOND ESTATE, ��� HALLS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7591 E [email protected]

Unwind in this boutique hotel, set among vineyards at the end of a pretty lane. Ten luxury suites feature crisp white sheets, goose-down duvets and log fires, plus there’s a saltwater swimming pool, tennis court and a breakfast basket delivered each morning.

CHÂTEAU ÉLAN AT THE VINTAGEVINTAGE DR, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 2500 E [email protected]

Widely regarded as Australia’s finest golf, spa and conference resort, Château Élan at The Vintage offers luxury retreats for 200 guests. The resort overlooks the fairways of The Vintage golf course and features a large day spa and Cafe Élan.

HERMITAGE LODGE��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7639 E [email protected]

Set on 25 acres, the award-winning Hermitage Lodge is nestled in the centre of the vineyards, within easy walking distance of many wineries and tourist attractions. It also has an award-winning restaurant, Il Cacciatore, which is open seven nights and serves Northern Italian-inspired cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

HUNTER COUNTRY LODGE���� WINE COUNTRY DR, NORTH ROTHBURY T 02 4938 1744 E [email protected]

Wake up to birdsong and grazing kangaroos at Hunter Country Lodge, which is tucked away on 100 acres of bushland, deep within a working vineyard. The Lodge has 16 ensuite rooms with vineyard views, a swimming pool, entertainment deck and BBQ, and is home to the award-winning Shakey Tables Restaurant.

Page 120: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

118 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

ACCOMMODATIONRESORTS/HOTELS • SELF-CONTAINED

POTTERS HOTEL BREWERY  RESORTWINE COUNTRY DR, NULKABA T 02 4991 7922 E [email protected]

Featuring 68 well-appointed villas and suites situated on 11 acres of landscaped gardens, including bar, restaurant, TAB and conference and event facilities. 2013 AHA NSW Winner for Best TAB (Country).

TUSCANY WINE ESTATE RESORTCNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7288 E [email protected] tuscanywineestate.com.au

This award-winning, four-star boutique hotel is set on 26 acres with a stunning backdrop of the Brokenback Range and vineyards. It features 38 rooms, a tennis court, a swimming pool, massage therapist and onsite cellar door, as well as the acclaimed Binnorie Dairy, Mill Restaurant and Brokenback Bar.

THE SEBEL KIRKTON PARK  HUNTER VALLEY��� OAKEY CREEK RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7680 E [email protected]

Set on 70 acres of manicured gardens with panoramic vineyard views, this stylish hotel contains 71 rooms and suites – all with ensuites, cable television, WiFi and minibars. Facilities include indoor heated pool, floodlit tennis courts, basketball court and gymnasium.

BELLBIRD COTTAGES �  SWALLOWS HOMESTEADLEWIS LN, MOUNT VIEW NEAR MILLFIELD M 0414 786 705 E [email protected] bellbirdcottage.com.au

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend magazine’s Best Weekend Away. Just 15 minutes from Pokolbin, concert venues and other attractions, yet wake up to bellbirds on the tranquil side of the Valley. Three vintage cottages on 120 private acres, for couples or groups of up to 20. Pooch friendly.

HOW AN HOUR PRESSING GRAPES

PRODUCED A VINTAGE YEAR FROM THE SALES TEAM.

hvbusinessevents.com.au

POKOLBIN VILLAGE���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7670 E [email protected]

With an unrivalled location right in the centre of Wine Country, Pokolbin Village is the ideal base for couples, families and groups seeking comfortable accommodation with a charming and friendly village atmosphere. Relax by the swimming pool, play tennis or boules, dine onsite or explore the shops.

MERCURE RESORT  HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 2000 E reservations@mercurehuntervalley.com.aumercurehuntervalley.com.au

With an enviable location next to the display gardens and boutique shopping village, this 72-room resort is the ideal place for a conference, celebration or a relaxing escape. Facilities include a steak restaurant, day spa, swimming pool, tennis courts and fitness centre.

HUNTER VALLEY RESORTCNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777 E [email protected] hunterresort.com.au

Everything you love about the Hunter Valley at one resort. Featuring four-star accommodation as well as Matilda Bay Brewhouse + Dining, La Glace Dessert Bar, wine, cooking and candy schools, cellar door/winery, wine theatre, massage centre, horseriding and Segway and carriage tours, all nestled within 40-year-old vineyards.

Page 121: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 119

ACCOMMODATIONSELF-CONTAINED

BLUEBUSH ESTATE��� WILDERNESS RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4930 7177 E [email protected]

Recipient of TripAdvisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence Award. Ideal for family reunions, wedding guests, golf weekends, small conferences and meetings for up to 40 people. Enjoy a game of tennis, billiards, volleyball or unwind by the pool or gas log fire. Intimate B&B accommodation available weekdays.

BROKEN VIEW ESTATE��� OLD NORTH RD, POKOLBIN M 0400 112 341 E [email protected]

Looking for the perfect place to recharge, rekindle, rediscover and relax? The ★★★★ AAA-rated villas at Broken View Estate combine privacy, luxury and romance with king-sized beds, two-person spa baths and open fires, overlooking the expansive dam to the picturesque Brokenback Range.

BUFFS AT POKOLBIN�� COULSON RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7636 E [email protected]

A bush getaway set in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Buffs’ four cottages are spacious and private, one or two bedrooms, each with a wood-burning fire, A/C, BBQ and large covered verandah. Relax with a glass of wine, listen to the kookaburras and spot a kangaroo. Close to restaurants and wineries.

CEDARS MOUNT VIEW�� MITCHELLS RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 9009 E [email protected]

Designed specially for couples celebrating a special occasion, these fully equipped, modern spa villas are scattered over a beautiful mountain valley with a meandering creek. Cedars offers unparalleled privacy, gas log fires, expansive views, WiFi, flatscreen satellite TVs, personalised itineraries and in-house romance packages.

CASA LA VINA��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN M 0406 770 294 E [email protected]

Casa La Vina offers three new, unique luxury villas for an intimate couples’ escape in the heart of the Hunter Valley. The Santa Fe-inspired adobe villas boast exposed log timber ceilings, gas log fireplaces, plush king-sized beds, outdoor jacuzzis, private courtyards and undercover parking. AAA ★★★★ rating.

CEDAR CREEK COTTAGES���� WOLLOMBI RD, WOLLOMBI T 02 4998 1576 E [email protected]

Picturesque self-contained cottages overlooking vineyards in beautiful Wollombi Valley – for two, four, six or more. Relax and enjoy bushwalks, bird-watching and a taste of Stonehurst premium wines at the sandstone cellar door. Includes spa bath, log fire, BBQ, breakfast hamper and noon check-out.

COTTAGES ON MOUNT VIEW���� MOUNT VIEW RD, MOUNT VIEW T 02 4990 8989 E [email protected]

Expect wallabies, birdsong, peace and quiet at this tranquil retreat. The deluxe spa cottages sleep up to six and feature your own private open-air spa, wood fire, fully equipped kitchen and hammock under the gumtrees where you can drift away. AAA ★★★★ rating.

DANDALOO COTTAGES�� GREEN LN, LOVEDALEM 0419 200 017 E [email protected]

Country accommodation nestled in a quiet, secluded bush enclave on a 320-acre property in the heart of Lovedale. The self-contained cottage has three bedrooms, two with queen beds and one with two singles, two bathrooms, air conditioning, log fire and verandahs with uninterrupted views.

Page 122: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

120 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

ACCOMMODATIONSELF-CONTAINED

GUNDOG HUNTER’S RETREAT��� MCDONALDS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6873 E [email protected]

This luxurious single-bedroom studio apartment has an unbeatable location in the heart of Wine Country, attached to Gundog’s cellar door. It has all the mod cons, including a fully equipped kitchen, free WiFi, king-sized bed, ensuite with spa bath and fully stocked wine fridge.

HILL TOP COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE��� TALGA RD, ROTHBURY T 02 4930 7111 E [email protected]

Stay in the guesthouse and play on the 10-foot billiard table and grand piano. Enjoy large verandahs and wood fires and, in the villas, king beds, double spa baths and balconies; 300 acres of spectacular Valley views, along with kangaroos and wildlife. Activities include horseriding, hayrides, hiking and massages.

HUNTER HIDEAWAY COTTAGES��� TUCKERS LN, NORTH ROTHBURY M 0408 499 557 E [email protected]

Spot kangaroos at dusk and dawn in this quiet bushland setting. Three cedar cottages are hidden among shady gums, featuring cosy gas log fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, A/C, shady verandahs and BBQs. Each two-bedroom cottage accommodates up to eight and is pet friendly.

IRONSTONE ESTATE�� OLSEN RD, LOVEDALE M 0416 048 424 E [email protected]

Ironstone Estate consists of two spacious, self-contained country homes located on a 45-acre vineyard estate in the scenic Lovedale area. The Lodge has six bedrooms, all with ensuites, while the Homestead has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a swimming pool. Both houses have wood fires and BBQ facilities.

IRONBARK HILL@ PETER DRAYTON WINES, ��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4964 4028 E [email protected]

IronBark Hill’s deluxe contemporary accommodation is nestled among the vines, with room for up to 15 people. Relax and enjoy the log fireplace, huge deck overlooking the vineyard, BBQ area, floodlit tennis court, in-ground swimming pool and onsite Peter Drayton Wines cellar door, which is open daily.

GRAPEVINES BOUTIQUE  ACCOMMODATION���� BROKE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6766 E [email protected]

Grapevines provides a peaceful environment for couples and smaller groups up to 22. The self-contained villas have breathtaking views and are within walking distance of Harrigan’s Irish Pub and Hunter Valley Gardens and Village. Wine and cheese board included. AAA ★★★★rating.

ENGLEWOOD RIDGE�� TALGA RD, LOVEDALE M 0417 287 345 E [email protected]

Enjoy the wildlife, views and walks with the furry members of the family at the pet-friendly Englewood Ridge. This comfortable country house is set on 25 acres with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two dining areas, a swimming pool, gas BBQ and fenced yard.

EMMA'S COTTAGE��� WILDERNESS RD, LOVEDALE M 02 4998 7734 E [email protected]

Emma’s Cottage Vineyard is located in peaceful Lovedale, the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country. There are four self-contained cottages to choose from, all with views over the vineyard, and an onsite restaurant. Emma’s is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the country.

EARTH INSPIRED RETREATS��� WOLLONG RD, QUORROBOLONG T 02 4998 6003 E [email protected]

Earth Inspired Retreats offers total seclusion and separation from our busy world. Set on 50 acres of virgin bush complete with wildlife galore, the retreat comprises three apartments with five bedrooms. Huge verandahs, living area and swimming dam. Perfect for quiet family retreats and company gatherings.

Page 123: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 121

ACCOMMODATIONSELF-CONTAINED

LILLIANS ON LOVEDALE��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALET 02 4990 6958 E [email protected]

Minutes from wineries and restaurants, this very private, generously proportioned, elegantly furnished country house is set on 25 acres and caters for four. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large spa, A/C, open fire, hooded BBQ, full kitchen, breakfast provisions and TV/DVD/CD. It’s a supremely relaxing house... go on, you deserve it.

LOVEDALE COTTAGES�� BRICKMANS LN, LOVEDALEM 0409 246 661 E [email protected]

Private one-, two- or three-bedroom self-contained, log fire and spa cottages, walking distance from wineries and restaurants. Free tennis, WiFi, mini-golf, heated indoor pool and golf course. Perfect romantic escape for two or can cater for up to 34 guests.

LOVEDALE LODGE��� LONDONS RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4384 3394 E [email protected]

Charming AAA ★★★★-rated homestead, villa and two cottages on a secluded 36-acre property. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, meet the kangaroos or relax with a glass of wine. Perfect for a weekend getaway with a group of friends (sleeps 4–30).

MADIGAN VINEYARD��� WILDERNESS RD, ROTHBURY T 02 4998 7815 E [email protected]

Conveniently located with the focus on the peaceful country surroundings of Lovedale, Madigan Vineyard offers four self-contained cottages and a homestead suitable for couples, families and groups of up to 30. All are well equipped & comfortable with private balconies and BBQs. Your ideal Hunter Valley accommodation.

QUEST SINGLETON�–� CIVIC AVE, SINGLETON T 02 6570 3800 E [email protected]

Ideally located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Quest Singleton offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom self-contained serviced apartments as well as an onsite gym, barbecue terrace and conference facilities. It is minutes from the local vineyards, the deep valleys of the coalmines and the Singleton Army Base.

NIRVANA VISTA RESORTLOT � SWEETWATER RD, ROTHBURY M 0409 461 711 E [email protected]

This luxurious seven-bedroom, four-bathroom homestead accommodates up to 20 and is ideal for wedding parties. There’s a bridal suite with a large ensuite and circular spa bath, an in-ground pool, outdoor spa and huge deck. It also boasts a wedding gazebo and wedding marquee for up to 120 guests.

MIDNIGHT’S PROMISE ESTATE��� TALGA RD, LOVEDALE T 02 9235 3947 E [email protected]

Located in the foothills of Lovedale, this Estate offers secluded, luxury self-contained accommodation in a vineyard setting. There are two country cottages (three bedroom and two bedroom with queen-sized beds and A/C) or a romantic Balinese-themed couples-only retreat: Villa Janji (villa of promise).

FOOD FANATIC

OR EDUCATED

PALATE?

Download the official Wine

Country iPhone app and discover

your Hunter Valley personality.

Page 124: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

122 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

ACCOMMODATIONSELF-CONTAINED

THE VINTRY��� DEBEYERS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 6825 E [email protected]

A luxury country house with a AAA ★★★★ rating located in the vineyards with a beautiful bushland setting. You’ll enjoy something truly unique at this award-winning property, whether it’s a weekend with friends or an escape with your partner, with all the extra touches adding to the experience.

THE WATTLE LODGE���� GLENDON BROOK RD, GLENDON BROOK T 02 6577 6193 E [email protected]

Escape to the country. Wattle Lodge is located on a rural grazing property halfway between Pokolbin and the Barrington Tops. The lodge has two bedrooms with ensuites, kitchenette, spacious dining/living room, reverse-cycle A/C and barbecue on the deck overlooking the countryside. Dog stays are welcome by request.

THE WOODS AT POKOLBIN��� HALLS RD, POKOLBIN M 0412 627 316 E [email protected]

The Woods features two luxury houses, each offering accommodation for groups of two to eight guests. Exclusive and private use of each house and facilities is included with the use of four ensuite, queen-sized bedrooms on weekends and between one and four bedrooms mid-week. Centrally located near wineries and restaurants.

THE GRANGE ON HERMITAGE��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7388 E [email protected]

Quality affordable country accommodation on a 28-acre property, with a family-run vineyard. Offering guestrooms and two-bedroom cottages with complimentary breakfast hamper, ensuites, equipped kitchens, disability facilities, king- and queen-sized beds, spa, A/C, log fire and WiFi. Close to wineries, restaurants and other attractions.

TATLER VINEYARD  ACCOMMODATION��� LOVEDALE RD, LOVEDALE T 02 4930 9139 E [email protected]

Offering luxury accommodation for up to 14 on a working vineyard. Choose between the contemporary loft apartment or Tatler Lodge, and enjoy a complimentary bottle of Tatler wine while watching the sun set over the majestic Brokenback Range or cuddling up by the fire.

TELLACE WINES  ACCOMMODATION��� TUCKERS LN, NORTH ROTHBURY T 02 4938 7173 E [email protected]

Watch kangaroos at play and take in the fabulous views across the vineyard from this modern three-bedroom, self-contained homestead, just a short walk from the Tellace Wines cellar door. It’s a tranquil spot with all the activities and attractions just a 10-minute drive away.

SOMEWHERE UNIQUENARONE CREEK RD, WOLLOMBIT 02 4998 3257 E [email protected]

Nestled in the bushland of the beautiful Wollombi Valley sit two completely private couples-only retreats. Enjoy peace and quiet, a king-sized bed, two-person soaker bath, gorgeous views and more. Only minutes from boutique vineyards, cafes and historic Wollombi village. Eco-certified, award-winning and ★★★★ AAA-rated.

ROTHVALE VINEYARD COTTAGES��� DEASYS RD, POKOLBINT 02 4998 7290 E [email protected]

Stay on a 75-acre working vineyard complete with winery and cellar door. One-, two- and three-bedroom rustic, self-contained country cottages offer all you need for a comfortable getaway. Enjoy fires in winter and the pool in summer. Cook a barbecue or taste wines with father-and-son team Luke and Max all year round.

RIDGEVIEW COTTAGES��� SWEETWATER RD, POKOLBIN M 0419 475 221 E [email protected]

Beautifully furnished country cottages in a secluded setting among vineyards and bushland. Features include spa bath, double shower, log fire, A/C, full kitchen, undercover parking, private undercover BBQ area, jacuzzi, sauna, infinity-edge swimming pool and tennis court – plus onsite cellar door and restaurant.

Page 125: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 123

ACCOMMODATIONSELF-CONTAINED • GUESTHOUSES • MOTELS

HUNTER VALLEY HOTEL ACADEMYMCLEOD RD (OFF HEDDON ST), KURRI KURRI T 02 4936 0341 E [email protected]/CareerAreas/FSH/Pages/Accommodation.aspx

Located on 200 acres of bushland, just 15 minutes from the region’s best wineries, Hunter Valley Hotel Academy features king, queen or twin beds, ensuites, TV and complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, with conferencing facilities onsite. Rover Coach pick-up and return for concerts available.

HUNTER VALLEY RETREAT��� SANDY CREEK RD, QUORROBOLONG T 02 4998 6007 E [email protected]

Awarded 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Situated on 200 acres of bushland at the foot of the Watagan Mountains, ideal for a weekend away, family gathering, wedding or conference. Friendly team, relaxed environment. Accommodates 140 people in garden studios through to six-bedroom villas. Conference room seats 180 guests.

SPICERS VINEYARDS ESTATE��� HERMITAGE RD, POKOLBIN T 02 6574 7229E [email protected]/spicers-vineyards-estate

Intimate escape, special celebration or gourmet indulgence – whatever your reason, Spicers has all the ingredients for the perfect Wine Country getaway. All 12 guestrooms offer complimentary arrival minibar, open fire and spa ensuite, and access to the property's outdoor pool, spa, games area, day spa and Restaurant Botanica.

CAPERS GUESTHOUSE  � COTTAGE���� WOLLOMBI RD, WOLLOMBI T 02 4998 3211 E [email protected]

For those wishing to experience a delightful mix of luxury accommodation with full service and stunning views, Capers is a sanctuary of comfort, peace and privacy for a handful of guests. Also available is the self-contained Capers Cottage for up to eight guests.

WOOLSHED HILL ESTATE��� DEASYS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7685 E [email protected]

Discover a boutique resort with its own private golf course – the perfect place for your Wine Country getaway. Woolshed Hill specialises in large groups of up to 30 adults with log fires, swimming pool, tennis court and everything else you need for a memorable weekend away with family and friends.

WATTLE-WILDE COUNTRY HIDEAWAY��� LONDONS RD, LOVEDALE M 0407 559 917 E [email protected]

Designed for up to three couples and set on 25 acres of bushland, this two-bedroom, self-contained cottage is private and secluded, yet only minutes from cellar doors, concert venues and restaurants. Complete with spa, wood fire, complimentary wine and deck to watch the kangaroos.

WINE COUNTRY VILLAS��� THOMPSONS RD, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7630 E [email protected]

Escape to your haven in the Hunter. With eight stylish split-level villas overlooking 25 acres of lush Aussie bush, Wine Country Villas is the ideal spot to chill out. Each villa has a king-sized bed, full kitchen, generous breakfast basket, coffee maker, deck with BBQ and views.

WIRRAL GRANGE COTTAGE��� LOMAS LN, LOVEDALE T 02 4991 2874 E [email protected]

This delightful three-bedroom cottage is set in the centre of a working vineyard and farm in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country, and features a fully equipped kitchen, log fire, A/C, pool and BBQ. Breakfast provisions and complimentary bottle of wine included. Pets welcome.

Page 126: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

124 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

ACCOMMODATIONMOTELS • BED & BREAKFASTS • CARAVAN PARKS

BRILEX PARK B�B���� LEGGETTS DR, MOUNT VINCENT M 0438 505 045 E [email protected]

Located in Mount Vincent, midway between the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie, this comfortable B&B consists of a three-bedroom, self-contained cottage for up to eight guests with continental breakfast provided. The B&B has a ‘one group at one time’ policy, so you’ll have the place to yourself.

ACTIVE HOLIDAYS BIG� HUNTER VALLEY��� MOUNT VIEW RD, CESSNOCKM 1800 649 156 E [email protected]/huntervalley

With a variety of accommodation types, from three-bedroom villas to budget-style accommodation, as well as powered caravan and camp sites, this is the perfect location for a Hunter Valley getaway. Park facilities include a jumping cushion, camp kitchen, barbecues as well as a wood-fired pizza oven.

WINE COUNTRY MOTOR INN� DARWIN ST, CESSNOCK T 02 4993 2999 E [email protected]

Located in the centre of the Cessnock CBD, Wine Country Motor Inn is only 10 minutes’ drive from Hunter Valley Gardens and all of the other major attractions. It has 50 rooms on two floors offering a range of room types in a 100 per cent non-smoking environment, with free WiFi and parking.

Page 127: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

• Resort style pool with spa and lap pool• Camp kitchen with woodfired pizza oven• Powered caravan and camping sites • Jumping cushion• On-site Thai restaurant• Pets welcome (sites)

conditions apply

PERFECT HUNTER VALLEY FAMILY HOLIDAY

137 Mount View Road, Cessnock NSW 2325Tel 1800 649 156 | Email [email protected]

www.ahp.com.au/huntervalley

$10.99ONLINE

Page 128: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

126 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NAME ADDRESS PHONE PAG

E

MAP

2GoodReasons Newcastle 02 4962 1855 N/A N/A

Beveridge’s Menswear 88 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 1310 N/A MAP 2 D4

Fuse Gallery Hair. Skin. Body 89 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4991 4247 127 MAP 2 C3

Helen Hising Marriage Celebrant Hunter Valley 0417 677 668 N/A N/A

Hunter Valley Resort Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7777 127 MAP 1 F2

Hunter Wedding Ceremonies Hunter Valley 0418 637 890 N/A N/A

Jason Thomas Marriage Celebrant Small Winemakers Centre, Suite 5, 426 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 0409 337 000 N/A MAP 1 J6

Maree Callaghan – Hunter Marriage Celebrant 80 Caledonia St, Kearsley 02 4990 4917 N/A MAP 1 Q13

Maree Garvey Celebrant 333 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin 0428 277 276 N/A N/A

Mindaribba Weddings 532 Tocal Rd, Mindaribba 0417 290 224 N/A MAP 1 E15

Photography on Hermitage 10 Bowen St, Branxton 02 4938 3547 N/A MAP 1 B9

Prestige Wedding & Event Hire 13 Ace Cres, Tuggerah 02 4353 4599 127 N/A

Restaurant Cuvée @ Peterson House, cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4998 7881 127 MAP 1 J9

Rouge Beauty 139 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 6539 N/A MAP 1 D3

Spark Ceremonies Hunter Valley 18 Casuarina Dr, Rothbury 0429 354 177 N/A MAP 1 H7

St Michael’s Wollombi 2887 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi 02 4998 1576 N/A MAP 1 S2

St Patrick’s of Nulkaba Cnr Wine Country Dr & Kerlew St, Nulkaba 02 4991 2555 N/A MAP 1 N11

Studio Valentine Photography 4B Pinchen St, Nulkaba 02 4991 4400 N/A MAP 1 N11

Tuscany Wine Estate Resort Cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin 02 4998 7200 127 MAP 1 F2

Wine Country Wedding Venues Peppers Creek, Roche Estate & Mount Pleasant Estate, Pokolbin 02 4998 7780 127 MAP 1 J4, J6, N5

Weddings.VENUES AND SERVICES FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY.

Serene beauty, breathtaking views… there’s no setting more romantic to begin your married life than the spectacular Hunter Valley.

Whether you’re imagining an intimate event tucked away from the madding crowds or a large gala celebration, the Hunter Valley can confidently meet all of your expectations – no matter your tastes. From distinctive venues to hold your ceremony or reception, an award-winning photographer who will produce a picture that is worth

a thousand words, to celebrants who will craft a ceremony just for you, Wine Country has them all. You will also find myriad hair and beauty consultants who will pamper you from top to toe and ensure you look your best on the big day, entertainment to get the party started, specialists in theming for a unique wedding, head-turning transport options, luxurious lodgings for your friends and family, and the perfect honeymoon options to begin your new life together.

E X P E R I E N C E A D A Y Y O U W I L L A L W A Y S

R E M E M B E R I N A P L A C E Y O U W I L L N E V E R F O R G E T .

Page 129: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU 127

WEDDINGS

RESTAURANT CUVÉE@ PETERSON HOUSE, CNR BROKE RD � WINE COUNTRY DR, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7881 E [email protected]

Restaurant Cuvée is an award-winning wedding venue with a beautiful sandstone building and sweeping vineyard views providing an ideal backdrop for your reception. Whether it’s a small, intimate wedding or a larger wedding of 140, the experienced staff can tailor a package that will suit any dream. Daily, evenings

TUSCANY WINE ESTATE RESORTCNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7200 E [email protected]

Tuscany is the perfect venue that has it all – accommodation, pre-wedding events, ceremony, reception and after party, with the vineyards and Brokenback Range as your majestic backdrop – be it winter with the stark rustic beauty of the Valley or the flourishing lush green hues of summer. Daily, by appointment

WINE COUNTRY WEDDING VENUESPEPPERS CREEK, ROCHE ESTATE � MOUNT PLEASANT ESTATE, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7780 E [email protected]

Mount Pleasant Lovedale Room offers authentic country ambience, Peppers Creek Chapel and Barrel Room has the charm of a European country wedding, or opt for the modern elegance and style of Roche Estate Barrel Room. Daily

PRESTIGE WEDDING  � EVENT HIRE�� ACE CRES, TUGGERAH T 02 4353 4599 E [email protected]

Prestige prides itself on hiring quality equipment and providing excellent personal service. It offers AV, exhibition/trade booths, marquees, lighting, dance floors, furniture, coolrooms and more. With many years of expertise, Prestige can ensure your event is a success. Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm, Sat 8.30am–12pm

FUSE GALLERY HAIR. SKIN. BODY�� VINCENT ST, CESSNOCK T 02 4991 4247 E [email protected] fusegallery.com.au

5000 brides can’t be wrong... The Hunter Valley’s leading and most contemporary salon in hair, skin and body is located in the Cessnock CBD, just five minutes from Pokolbin. The large salon boasts cutting-edge technology and facilities. Mon, Wed & Fri 9am–5.30pm, Tue 9am–7pm, Thu 9am–8pm, Sat 8am–2pm

HUNTER VALLEY RESORTCNR HERMITAGE RD � MISTLETOE LN, POKOLBIN T 02 4998 7777 E [email protected]

Hunter Valley Resort caters for small and intimate weddings, and for occasions of up to 250 guests. Most importantly, the management and staff recognise this is your special day and aim to make it nothing short of perfect. Call for a tailored proposal

Book accommodation and tours online winecountry.com.au

Download the free Hunter Valley Official Guide iPhone app and discover more

Like us – HunterValleyWineCountry

Follow us – @huntervalleywc

Watch us – Huntervalleywc

Page 130: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

128 WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU

NAME ADDRESS PHONE MAP

Airport – Newcastle 1 Williamtown Dr, Williamtown 02 4928 9800 N/A

Bespoke Hunter Hunter Valley 0418 148 283 N/A

Council – Cessnock 62–78 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4993 4300 MAP 2 C4

Council – Singleton Cnr Queen St & Civic Ave, Singleton 02 6578 7290 MAP 4 A4

EMERGENCY – Ambulance, Fire & Police 000 N/A

Everest Team Events Hunter Valley 1300 434 512 N/A

H Events Unit 5, 522-524 High St, Maitland 02 4934 8138 N/A

HOSPITAL – Cessnock View St, Cessnock 02 4991 0555 MAP 2 A1

HOSPITAL – Singleton Dangar Rd, Singleton 02 6571 9222 MAP 4 C5

Hospitality Recruitment Solutions Newcastle & Hunter Valley 02 4961 2971 N/A

Hunter Valley Events Hunter Valley 02 4933 5400 N/A

Mai-Wel Limited 115A South St, Telarah 02 4932 8599 N/A

Newspaper – The Advertiser 155 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 1244 MAP 2 D3

Pharmacy – Pokolbin Village Pharmacy Shop 13, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Broke Rd, Pokolbin 02 4998 6677 MAP 1 J5

Pinnacle Team Events Hunter Valley 02 4962 5034 MAP 1 K5

Sally Sneddon Graphic Design 12 Yilen Cl, Beresfield 02 4088 7032 N/A

Saywells Chartered Accountants 12 Vincent St, Cessnock 02 4990 9766 N/A

Sheer Design Maitland 02 4933 9000 MAP 1 N11

TAXI – Cessnock Radio Cabs 52 Cumberland St, Nulkaba 02 4990 1111 MAP 2 E5

TAXI – Singleton Taxico 15 Mary St, Singleton 02 6572 1133 MAP 1 B0

Thrill Team Events Hunter Valley 02 9630 2222 N/A

Visitor Information – Hunter Valley 455 Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin 02 4993 6700 MAP1 K10

Visitor Information – Maitland Cnr New England Hwy & High St, Maitland 02 4931 2800 MAP 1 K10

Visitor Information – Newcastle @ The Maritime Centre, 3 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle 1800 654 558 N/A

Visitor Information – Singleton Townhead Park, New England Hwy, Singleton 1800 499 888 MAP 4 D5

Services.ESSENTIALS TO COVER ALL YOUR NEEDS.

from rock legend bruce springsteen to swedish pop-rockers roxette,

the hunter valley plays host to some of the world’s biggest acts.

Recent star performers also include The Rolling Stones, The Eagles,

Sting & Paul Simon, Jimmy Barnes, Fleetwood Mac, Bernard Fanning,

Alicia Keys, Leonard Cohen, Lionel Richie, John Farnham, Hunters &

Collectors, Daryl Braithwaite, Ian ‘Mossy’ Moss, Richard Clapton and

country music favourites Toby Keith and Lee Kernaghan.

Visit winecountry.com.au to find out who’s headlining in 2016 and book your tickets.

BIG-NAME ACTS

Page 131: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16

Bringing the old vines back to their former glory.

Wynwood Estate- 310 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin 2320P: (02) 4998 7885 [email protected] www.wynwoodestate.com.au

Bringing the old vines back to their former glory.

Wynwood Estate- 310 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin 2320P: (02) 4998 7885 [email protected] www.wynwoodestate.com.au

Page 132: Hunter Valley Magazine - Issue 5, 2015/16