There’s always so much to love about Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival season; and this year, it’s even bigger and better than before as this special little corner of the world celebrates the good life with a program of food and wine experiences sure to tempt the tastebuds of every visitor.
Spanning May and June, the festival showcases the premium produce and wine the Hunter Valley is famed for all over the world. Featuring more than 40 events from delicious gourmet dinners at award-winning restaurants to vineyard tours, wine masterclasses, hands on cooking classes and long lunches, this year’s Festival has it all!
Fear not, there’s an array of events still running for the remainder of June simply check out the website: www.winecountry.com.au to check what’s still on.
Presented by Wine Selectors, the program features 17 new events including Smokey Sundays at Matilda Bay Brewhouse, Semillon and Sushi Tasting at Briar Ridge Vineyard, Then and Now Tasting Event at Pepper Tree Wines and Scarborough Sensory Schooling at Scarborough Wine Co.
Complimenting these new events are iconic Festival favourites including the Hunter Valley Wine Festival, the 100 Metre Meal at Margan, Glandore Estate Burning of the Barrel, Music In The Woods at Stonehurst Cedar Creek and the Olive Long Table Luncheon with guest chef Frank Fawkner at Whispering Brook in Broke Fordwich.
There’s also a host of vertical wine tastings and set-price lunches and dinners on offer during the Festival.
Just a two-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 150 wineries and is bursting with all the delights of its highly acclaimed food and wine culture. With accommodation and experience packages for every budget, the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is the perfect opportunity for a sumptuous winter getaway.
Here are just some of the highlights of this year’s program that you can still enjoy:
BURNING OF THE BARREL
Glandore Estate Wines
When the sun beings to set, Glandore Estate lights the flame on the annual Burning of the Barrel bonfire! Warm up beside the blazing bonfire with a drop of Hunter Valley Shiraz.
Saturday 29 June
SEMILLON, SHIRAZ & CHEESE MATCHING EXPERIENCE
De Iuliis Wines
To showcase its award-winning wines, De Iuliis has paired two Semillons and two Shiraz with four sensational Hunter Valley cheeses from Binnorie Dairy and Hunter Belle Cheese. This is an event that will take your tastebuds on a journey you won’t forget!
Daily
OCEAN TO PADDOCK
RidgeView Degustation
Executive chef Donna Hollis draws inspiration from the local culinary offerings to bring you a seven-course degustation feast matched with RidgeView wines. A gastronomic journey from the Ocean to the Paddock.
Saturday 22 June
HARVEST LUNCH SERIES
Margan Restaurant
Margan joins forces with local producers to present a delicious five-course lunch showcasing the best Hunter Valley produce and the people behind it.
Sunday 30 June
SMOKEY SUNDAYS
Matilda Bay Brewhouse
Roll up those sleeves and tuck into good old’ fashioned comfort food with a slow-cooked Texan barbecue, matched with brews.
Every Sunday
TULLOCH WINE & GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Salami & Wine Pairing
Tulloch Wines have partnered with Australia’s finest artisan salami makers Goose on the
Loose for this fun and interactive wine tasting experience.
Daily for the rest of the month
HUNTER CULINARY ASSOCIATION FOOD FIGHT
A highlight this year will be the highly-anticipated tenth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight on 17 June when leading Hunter Valley chefs go head to head with the best chefs on the Sydney restaurant scene.
Monday 17 June
OAKS AND VINE MASTERCLASS
Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
A culinary masterclass experience lead by award winning Executive Chef Praveen Leelavathy and Head Chef Viktoria Markwell Burgmann. Prepare your own two-course meal accompanied by a glass of bubbles to finish.
Every Wednesday
VINEYARD TOUR, WINE TASTING & BLENDING WORKSHOP
Briar Ridge Winery
Immerse yourself in this 2.5 hour experience from vine to bottle. A guided vineyard tour, wine tasting matched with cheese, blend your own wine then finish off with a blind-tasting judged by our own winemaker.
To find out more about this year’s Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival visit: www.winecountry.com.au/festival
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