destination – Hunter Region

HUNTER REGION
Romance in the Vineyards

These days there are many reasons to choose the Hunter Valley as your destination for a romantic weekend away with so many activities that it is almost possible to forget to visit the vineyards. Almost, but not quite.

The Hunter has over 120 vineyards with some of Australia’s oldest and most respected family names on its honour roll and many wines which are revered around the world. Accolades listed on the Hunter Valley Wine Country website include one from famous UK wine buff Jancis Robinson who says: “Hunter Valley Semillon is Australia’s unique gift to the wine world”. Others agree and the Shiraz is also held in high regard, its characteristics being unique to the Hunter.

>> Destination Hunter Region, Weekends For Two

Of course many grape varieties are grown here and that’s what makes touring wine country so interesting as you have the chance to try different varietals and blends at the cellar door with informed and friendly people to help point you in the right direction. Visitors often fall in love with a particular label they haven’t previously been aware of and join its wine club which brings them back to the Hunter again and again

The Hunter has several regions including Pokolbin, Lovedale, Mount View, Rothbury, Wollombi and Broke Fordwich which has been classified a viticultural sub region of the Hunter it its own right.

Only 10 minutes’ drive from Pokolbin, Broke Fordwich is a lovely area dominated by the imposing Yellow Rock escarpment and producing interesting wines at its 50 or so vineyards with Merlot and Verdelho just two of the success stories. Margan’s impressive, award-winning Cellar Door & Restaurant is just one of the must-visits at Broke at the Margan Winery. One look at chef Lisa Margan’s menus will be enough to persuade you to dine at this restaurant which has earned a great name for itself in the Hunter.

Wherever you stay it is easy to tour the Hunter with many ways to travel including chauffeur-driven limousines and classic cars, Harley bikes and even a horse-drawn carriage. As well as the wines you will find local produce including cheese and chocolate and any number of local cafes and restaurants to call in on as you travel around.

The Hunter has a busy calendar of events and concerts with many in the spring and summer months. Wyndham Estate hosts Opera in the Vines, Tyrell’s hosts Jazz in the Vines and Bimbadgen Estate has Days On the Green.

From October to January, Wollombi presents the Sculpture in the Vineyards trail with sculptures set amongst the vines. The event is hosted by five vineyards – Undercliff Winery, Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Wollombi Wines, Noyce Bros, and Wollombi Village Vineyard.

There are also activities aplenty as ballooning, scenic flights, golf and even polo are synonymous with the Hunter. The Upper Hunter is horse-breeding country and polo is an activity that goes with the turf, so to speak.

Alison Plummer