Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival
The month of May and the beginning of June saw tens of thousands of wine lovers, lifestyle enthusiasts, amateur cooks, and serious foodies flock to this year’s ultimate celebration of flavour, the Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival. For the first time ever, this ‘must-do’ event on the 2016 gastronomy calendar is being hosted over a two month period.
With only two weeks to go, Australia’s oldest wine and food region will continue to open its spectacular arms and warmly welcome visitors to wine, dine, learn, taste and stay as they get up close and personal with the very best of the Hunter’s renowned winemakers and chefs as they take part in series of decadent activities.
From festivals, magical dinners, exclusive culinary classes and winter indulgences, event-goers will truly rejoice in the mouth-watering taste of the Hunter Valley’s unrivalled delights.
Home to more than 150 wineries, the picturesque Hunter Valley is Australia’s most loved and visited wine region. Located just two hours’ drive north of Sydney, the region offers an extraordinary selection of accommodation packages, providing the perfect excuse for an indulgent winter getaway.
Visitors must get in quick to secure their tickets to this year’s flavour odyssey. Seats are limited: [email protected]. Here’s a delicious taste of the rest of June’s stunning line-up of events:
Chocolate & Sea Cooking Classes – Twine Restaurant – Saturday 18 & 25 June – $95pp
Learn how to cook a Confit Trout, Crispy Skin Salmon and Chocolate Fudge Cake at Twine Restaurant with owner Matt Dillow. Class includes lunch and wine www.twinerestaurant.com.au. Bookings are essential: 02 4998 7449 or [email protected]
Ocean to Paddock – Ridgeview – Saturday 18 June – $125pp
Executive Chef Donna Hollis draws inspiration from the local culinary offerings to bring you a seven course degustation matched with RidgeView wines. Meet the RidgeView crew and embark on a gastronomic journey up the valley – from the Ocean to the Paddock. ridgeview.com.au. Bookings are essential: 02 6574 7332 or [email protected]
From Pan to Paella – The Verandah – Every Sunday in June – $90pp
Learn how to cook a Spanish Paella and Churros at the Verandah Restaurant guided by Chef & owner Matt Dillow. Sit down to enjoy your efforts over some yummy Sangria. www.verandahrestaurant.com.au. Bookings are essential: 02 4998 7231 or [email protected]
Taste & Play – Around Hermitage Food & Wine Trail Hermitage Road Area – June – Check venue hours – Free
Feeling Playful? Hermitage Road and the surrounding beautiful countryside has a limited offer… come and play at our vineyards – wine tasting and games for all! Boules, croquet, giant chess, horseshoes, giant pickup sticks, giant jenga. At various locations on the Around Hermitage Wine and Food trail. www.aroundhermitage.com.au. Bookings not required: 02 4998 7781 or [email protected]
Beef-olution’ – Esca Bimbadgen – Lunch daily from 12pm / Dinner Fri & Sat from 6pm during June – $90pp
Enjoy a ‘taste’ of Bimbadgen and experience four sample size dishes which showcase a progression of beef with matching award winning Bimbadgen wines. Your ‘Edible Experience’ of the region incorporates ingredients sourced from the estate garden or from local producers located in the Hunter. www.bimbadgen.com.au. Bookings are essential: 02 4998 4666 or [email protected]
Nan’s Super Indulgent Afternoon Tea – Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen – Thurs – Mon in June from 12pm (last sitting 4pm)- $35pp
Nanna Kerr’s wouldn’t be right without a super indulgent afternoon tea. For $35 a head we offer a choice of organic teas (or coffee), a glass of Bonics Sparkling Blanc de Blanc and a supremely delicious selection of sweet and savoury treats. We are delighted to welcome vegans, vegetarians coeliacs and those interested in sugar-free and dairy-free diets to enjoy in the tradition as well. www.nannakerrskitchen.com.au. Bookings are essential: 0427 679 887 or [email protected]
Lovedale Arts Festival – Various cellar doors, restaurants, accommodation – June
The Lovedale Arts Festival will this year run through the entire months of May and June. Wineries, restaurants and other locations throughout Lovedale will be the venue for events and exhibitions such as music, new release wine launches, cooking classes, art and sculpture, pasta making and artisan chair making demonstrations which showcases the wonderful talent and diversity of our region all set against the stunning backdrop of Lovedale, the heart of the Hunter Valley. www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au. Enquiries: [email protected]
A full calendar of events is available online at www.winecountry.com.au
Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.