Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of wine on this delicious Hunter Valley food and wine tour. The Hunter Valley – Australia’s oldest wine region – is fast becoming one of its most interesting. Alongside icons like Tyrrell’s Vat 1 and Lake’s Folly Cabernets, there’s a bunch of young guns doing some very exciting things with food and wine.
From dinner Friday to late afternoon Sunday, we’ll go behind-the-scenes to explore the most exciting food and wine in the Hunter Valley and off-the-beaten path to discover some of its most beautiful corners. Meet winemakers, taste from barrel and eat in some of the Hunter Valley’s most exciting restaurants, all in the company of a small group of fellow food and wine lovers.
Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious novice, this small-group food and wine tour of the Hunter Valley promises an unforgettable experience. Scroll down for more details and to see what previous food and wine explorers have to say about the chance to learn a little while enjoying great food, wine and culinary camaraderie.
Get ready for a weekend trip of adventure, discovery, and gourmet delights!
This Hunter Valley food and wine tour kicks off with Friday night dinner followed by two days of fully escorted touring around some of the Hunter Valley’s best wineries and restaurants. It includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals and transport around the Hunter Valley.
The below itinerary covers the tour highlights, the order of activities may vary.
Arrive Friday afternoon at beautiful Hermitage Lodge and settle into your spacious room in the heart of Pokolbin. Breakfast includes house-made granola, yoghurt and fresh fruit coulis with English muffins, local jams, juice, espresso coffee and tea.
Friday night we'll stroll next door to Pescara for a shared feast of Italian classics, including the delicious scampi that Kelvin Foster and Nicole Panetta were famous for at DC’s in Mosman. Here we'll start our tasting of local wines including a very special Hunter icon.
Saturday morning we'll visit Winmark, where owner Karin Adcock has created an intriguing sculpture garden in one of the Hunter Valley’s most beautiful corners. We’ll stroll among the sculptures before a guided tasting overlooking the vines.
Next it’s a scenic drive to Lovedale for lunch. The team behind some of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants serves up fresh, tasty produce with a sprinkling of pan-Asian flavours. And we’ll sample another glass or two of local wine of course.
Chemistry teacher turned winemaker, Peter (a.k.a. Pierre) Went, is best known for his Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines. He'll guide us through a tasting and explain the differences between sparkling and still wine production.
Saturday dinner is at Muse, the only two-hatted restaurant in the Hunter/Newcastle region. Chef Troy Rhoades-Brown's creative fare, excellent wine list and service has put the Hunter Valley on the fine-dining food map.
Sunday morning we’ll enjoy a tasting with winemaker Dan Binet, winemaker of choice for many of the Valley’s vignerons. Then a light lunch overlooking his vines, or in the atmospheric barrel room if the weather is inclement.
The final stop on our Hunter Valley food & wine tour is Vinden Wines. Here we’ll take a stroll through the vineyard before settling in for a guided tasting with Young Gun of Wine multiple award-winner, Angus Vinden.
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