Your Hunter Valley Magazine | March - April Issue 2021 by WCP MEDIA

The No.1 magazine for visitors to Hunter Valley Wine Country | MAR-APR 2021 | ISSUE #186

WATCH OUT! There’s DINOSAURS About! HANDMADE CHOCOLATES FOR EASTER

THE FESTIVAL OF TWO PALETTES

FLAGSHIP WINES OF THE HUNTER

“Quality Without Compromise”

5-Star Winery 2007 to 2020

MISTLETOE is a small, family owned and run, vineyard and winery that was established by the current owners in 1989.

HA L L I DAY 2

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“WE ARE FAMILY” TOP 100

AUSTRALIAN

WINE

–

P O IN TS

–

NOW G! TASTIN ve ser 2019 Re n Semillo

Now in its 31st year, Mistletoe’s “no-compromise” approach to producing small quan��es of “true to origin” premium quality wine has seen it rewarded with many, many hundreds of awards and accolades. With three genera�ons of the founding family now ac�vely engaged in running the business on a day to day basis, Mistletoe is a truly unique family winery. With over 20 different wines, including Sparkling, Whites, Reds, Rosés, For�fed and Dessert styles on tas�ng, Mistletoe has one of the most comprehensive ranges of wines seen in the Hunter. COVID-19 PROTOCOLS So we can offer you a safe, informa�ve, and sa�sfying, wine-tas�ng experience, it is essen�al to make a tas�ng reserva�on by calling Mistletoe on 1800-055-080. • All wines are made in our onsite winery • Working vineyard on site • Mistletoe Wines are only available for purchase from the Winery Cellar Door • Knowledgeable and friendly staff to make you welcome • “Simply the Best” – No-obliga�on to purchase Wine Club. With Pokolbin Fine Art Gallery and Mistletoe Sculpture Garden located on site it makes Mistletoe a must see, a very special place to visit, a place that Hunter wine country visitors return to time and time again. To learn more about our area go to www.aroundhermitage.com.au We look forward to welcoming you! - The Mistletoe Family.

Open 10am–5pm 7 days | 771 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin PH 1800 055 080 | E office@mistletoewines.com.au | www.mistletoewines.com.au

IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH...

A WORD FROM THE EDITORS

MAR-APR PUBLISHED BY: WCP Media ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: PH +61 2 4943 2888 www.yourhuntervalley.com.au enquiries@wcpmedia.com.au WCP MEDIA 297 Brunker Road Adamstown, NSW 2289 MARCH–APRIL 2021 Copyright © 2021 WCP Media Published monthly by WCP Media All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, WCP Media cannot guarantee the legality, completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

Welcome to Autumn in Wine Country. Perhaps the most Instagramable season of the year – its certainly our favourite, and with the busy Vintage period over, March is a more relaxed time in Wine Country and the perfect time to get out and enjoy everything Wine Country has to offer. Towards the end of the month, our terrain will revert to a time 300 million years ago when the environment was both harsh and spectacular, with a volcano popping up at Hunter Valley Gardens. Yes – you read correctly – a volcano! Experience the deep rumbling and fiery light shows of the regions eruptive past at this year’s Mega-Creatures at the Gardens, or for a truly terrifying experience, step out after dark for a Night Safari session. With all creatures great and small roaming the gardens, kids big and small will fall in love with everything from baby dinosaurs in the nursery to the roaring T-Rex, mythological dragons and giant insects. Read more on page 13. Easter is one of those rare times in a year where you can eat as much chocolate as you like without the fear of friends giving you that judgy sideways glance, so this month, we speak to local Chocolatelier Peter Carpenter from Hunter Valley Chocolates about what makes their chocolates so delightfully delectable. Check it out on page 18 (guilt-free!)

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE From 16th March 2021 until the 15th April 2021 inclusive, or while stocks last.

Speaking of yum – we also caught up with Angela Mason of GiGi & Chix Bonbon in Pokolbin to find out where the inspiration for her authentically French Parisian café came from. Read more on page 22. There’s something romantic about browsing works of art, a glass of wine in hand, and this month we check out Wine Country’s latest Art & Wine experience alongside a couple of established galleries and sculpture gardens. A long time favourite is the annual Festival of Two Palettes at Morpeth Gallery, which is also on show this month. With 13 artists in residence over the weekend, most painting at their easels, it’s the perfect opportunity to see some amazing art in action and speak to the artists about all things art! This issue also looks at some of the stunning ‘FlagshipWines’ of the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is renowned for having a talented list of winemakers at the forefront of their profession and producing some of the world's best and most distinctive wines, and this month we showcase the best of the best.

Enjoy!

is h t n i ’s t a h W Issue?

What’s On in March & April

Hot in the Hunter

Enjoy a Weekend of Art & Gourmet Food 10 Watch Out! There's Dinosaurs About! 12 Meet the Maker – Karen Scott Murals 17

21 GET MOBILE! View this month’s issue of Your Hunter Valley Magazine on your iPhone, iPad, android tablet or android phone. Visit www.yourhuntervalley.com.au/read-online

Get Your Hands on Some Exquisitely Fresh Chocolate 18 Your New Fave Parisian Cafe – In Pokolbin! 22 Travel the Art in the Vines Trail in Wine Country 24

Put a Local in Your Pocket and Find... Tintilla Estate 28 Flagship Wines of the Hunter

Autumn Dining Guide

Your Hunter Valley Map

3 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

On? WHAT'S

Events not to miss in the Hunter Valley Region

FIND THE LATEST EVENTS ONLINE AT YOURHUNTERVALLEY.COM.AU

BOOK NOW

MARCH + APRIL

LOCAL

Markets

The Valley Markets At Townhead Park, Singleton 14 MARCH – 8am–1pm

Handmade in The Hunter Markets At Kevin Sobels Wines 20, 27 + 28 MARCH 3 ,4 + 10 APRIL 9am–3pm

Broke Village Markets At Stewart McTaggart Park

EASTER TWILIGHT MARKET 4 APRIL – 4pm–7pm (PLEASE CHECK SOCIALS FOR ANY CANCELLATIONS)

HUNTER Through the Ages At McGuigan Wines McGuigan Wines are opening their reserved Show Stock just for you. Experience multiple vintages of their award winning Bin 9000 Semillon and Personal Reserve Shiraz as well as other premium cellar door wines. Relax in their newly renovated members room with a tasty cheese plate from their friends at the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory. Be the first in to receive an exclusive special offer on their trophy winning wines, we’re sure you will fall in love with every drop you taste! (Cost – $25 pp. pre-paid reservations for parties of 2–10 people) Visit www.mcguiganwines.com.au and click on Experiences to book.

yhv 4 | MAR–APR 2021

St. Patrick's Day At Harrigan's Hunter Valley

WED 17 MARCH Join in the festivities at Harrigan's Hunter Valley for St Patricks Day. There will be live music, Irish dancers, an Irish pipe band and drink specials. Make sure you stick around all day as there will be lots of give aways! The entertainment lineup on the day includes Get Jiggy Duo from 12–3pm and 4–7pm; Irish dancers at 11.45am, 12:45pm and 1:45pm; and the Traditional Pipe band at 3:30pm. To make a booking phone 4998 4300 or visit www.harriganshuntervalley.com.au

Weekends at Saddler's At Saddler's Creek Wines

EVERY FRI, SAT+SUN Kick off your weekend at Saddler’s Creek Winery every Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Book one of their Wine Tasting experiences, enjoy casual eats by their exclusive food truck, YelloWood and relax in their wine garden while listening to local artists playing live acoustic music. Guests can also enjoy a bottle of Saddler’s Creek wine then “WINE & CHILL” outdoors in the picnic areas. Friday from 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm–4pm. Visit www.saddlerscreek.com/ cellar-door-experience

Your always welcome at...

Sunset Sounds At Roche Estate SAT 27 MARCH Triple M Newcastle and Empire Touring

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival At Kurri Kurri SAT 27 + SUN 28 MARCH

are thrilled to announce the return of music in Wine Country with Sunset Sounds set to take over Roche Estate! On the killer lineup are 13 of our all-time favourite Aussie heroes – Daryl Braithwaite, Ian Moss, The Black Sorrows, Kate Ceberano, Ross Wilson, Glenn Shorrock, Richard Clapton, Thirsty Merc, Dragon, Russell Morris, Shannon Noll and 1927. Grab your tickets quick from www.ticketek.com.au

Oishii Japanese

Home Delivery Fri–Sun Dinner only

Thai Restaurant

There is nothing quite like a fes�ve sushi pla�er to impress your guests. It tastes healthy, light and delicious. A favourite dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Always fresh... Always vibrant

J A P A N E S E T H A I C U I S I N E

Open 7 days for Lunch and Dinner. Takeaway available 7 days. Roche Estate, Hunter Valley Corner of Broke Rd & Mcdonald Rd’s Pokolbin, NSW 2320 PH 02 4998 7051 www.oishii.com.au

/OishiiPokolbin

The annual Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is all about rock n roll, classic cars, hot rods, fashion, music, dancing and everything good about the 50’s and 60’s. The festival may look a little different this year with restrictions, but there is much fun to be had with dance demos, parades and competitions, plenty of classic cars and hotrods, ticketed dance events plus much more. Visit www. kurrikurrinostalgiafestival. com.au

Dashville Nights

WE BELIEVE IN THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE. THEY JUST NEED TO BE AMAZING.

At Dashville FRI 26-SAT 27 MARCH Enjoy another glorious evening of live music, dinner and friendly company at Dashville! Camp and make a night of it with friends and family. This fully licensed event is held in the Dashville Arena, with the campground open from 3pm, dinner from 6pm and local emerging singer songwriter Georgie Winchester opening up the night at around 7pm. Ben Mastwyk & His Millions

are making their way up from Melbourne, along with esteemed special guests and Dashville favourite Dan Brodie and full band. Tickets include camping, from $15 for youth and $30 for adults. Visit www.dashville.com.au

Huntlee Easter Fair

Art N Sip!

Triton Blvd, North Rothbury

At Greenway Wines

SUN 28 MARCH Hosted in the park outside the Huntlee Land Sales Centre, this fun-filled event will feature free activities for children of all ages, face-painting, food and refreshments and an Easter Scavenger Hunt. A range of market stalls will be on offer, plus you can also have a professional family photo portrait taken to remember the day (by gold coin donation). The event runs 9.30am–1.30pm.

FRI 2 APRIL Bring out your inner art enthusiast and sommelier as you learn and paint in the seclusion of the boutique Greenway Wines. Enjoy a vineyard tour, wine tasting, a cheese board and painting your very own masterpiece... No experience necessary! Art N Sip is $150 pp and runs 11am–3pm on Fridays. To book, contact Anne on 0418 164 382 or email anne@greenwaywines.com.au

SMART CASUAL DINING FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE WEDDINGS | EVENTS | PRIVATE FUNCTIONS LOCATED ON THE VINE AT COCKFIGHTERS GHOST VINEYARD 576 DE BEYERS ROAD, POKOLBIN Ph 4998 7776 | info@huntersquarter.com.au www.huntersquarter.com.au

OPEN LUNCH FRI, SAT & SUN; DINNER FRI & SAT

Easter Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Lunch & Dinner

5 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Comedy Night At Harrigan's Hunter Valley WED 31 MARCH Enjoy a night full of laughter at Harrigan's Hunter Valley, featuring three great comedy acts. Tahir is an award-winning

and internationally acclaimed comedian, co-creating and starring in sit-coms such as "Fat Pizza", plus 3 feature films. Julia Wilson is described by many as the toughest woman in comedy, touring the world with her dubious morals. You would have seen Joel Ozborn with the likes of Arj Barker, Akmal and Jimeoin. Joel has toured his funny and spontaneous stand-up comedy to Las Vegas, L.A and New York. Bookings are essential – grab your tickets ($30) through www.eventbrite.com.au

Easter at Hungerford Hill At Hungerford Hill Wines 2–4 APRIL This Easter, the talented chefs at Muse Restaurant, Hungerford Hill Wines will be swapping fine dining for tasty toasties – yum! Expect quality local produce, from wood-smoked meats to halloumi and pickled veggies, as well as plenty of wine tastings and a jumping castle for the kids. Visit www.hungerfordhill.com. au for more information.

The Cellar Restaurant delivers modern contemporary Australian cuisine, utilising local and seasonal quality ingredients. Dine in our indoor garden setting or outside in the courtyard.

Try our NEW Autumn Menu! Mark “Chopper” Read Art Exhibition At Morpeth Gallery THURS 8–SUN 11 APRIL 41 original artworks painted by Chopper Read whilst he was in gaol, will be on show and for sale, as well as signed

Chopper memorabilia and a full sized coffin featuring a portrait of Chopper that has been crafted into a coffee table. Chopper signed and dedicated all his paintings to underworld criminals, and people who inspired him – for example Flowers for Carl and Tribute to Nancy Wake. He was inspired by Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly Figures, Picasso and Van Gough. This is your chance to own a piece of Australian criminal lore. Free entry, 10am–5pm (closed Good Friday). For more information visit www.morpethgallery.com

Pasta Making Class At Nicita Estate, 138 Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin

Located at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Road Pokolbin • Phone 4998 7584 LUNCH from 12pm Mon – Sat; DINNER from 6pm Mon – Sat

www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au yhv 6 | MAR–APR 2021

VARIOUS DATES Get your hands all floury in this hands on 3-hour pasta class where you will learn the art of traditional hand rolled pasta, seasonal sauces, bread and dessert. After the class enjoy lunch around the long table of everything made during the class, concluding with coffee and biscotti. The class is also BYO, with spots available (as we go to print) at the end of March and throughout April and beyond. For private classes, mid-week dates and groups, contact Jen at jen@nicita.com.au or on 0412 229 521. Visit www.ouritaliantable.com.au to book.

HV Gin & Jazz Festival 2021 At Hope Estate SAT 10 + SUN 11 APRIL Hope Estate is proud to announce that in 2021, one of the Valley's favourite music days, Jazz in the Vineyards, will be enriched with botanicals and cocktails to become the first annual Hunter Valley Gin & Jazz Festival. There's a huge lineup of events including G&T tasting, Gin

masterclasses, wine and beer tastings, markets, a Long Lunch, food trucks and picnicking, plus 2 days of great live music. Tickets start from $39 +bf, visit www.hopeestate.com.au

Tocal Field Days At Tocal 30 APRIL–2 MAY See today's farming on show at Tocal Field Days! All the latest farm, gardening, and outdoor equipment will be

The Gum Ball At Dashville 16–18 APRIL 2020 was indeed a wild ride, with many twists and turns along the way, with COVID throwing the ultimate spanner in the works. See Harts Plays Hendrix, The Beautiful Girls, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks plus loads more! So load up the caravan, pack the swags, pick out your Op Shop Bop

outfits and get ready for the triumphant return of The Gum Ball! For more information and the full lineup visit www.dashville.com.au

Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience At Hunter Valley Resort THURS 13 MAY Chaos reigns right from the beginning as Basil, Sybil

on show and for sale, as well as plenty of animals to see, kids activities and competitions. Check out the future of farming, watch the piglet races, talk to a bee expert and lots more. Watch the working dogs work, get your picture taken with a llama and indulge in some great food. Entry is from 9am–5pm Friday and Saturday, and 9am–4pm Sunday. Prices are $18 for adults, kids $2 and seniors $15 on the Friday. For more information visit www.tocalfielddays.com

and Manuel serve a 3-course meal along with plenty of laughs. Totally immersive and reactive, this show is a true blend of ingenious comedy and unique theatrical script, creating the perfect experience for comedy lovers, theatre fans and anyone who fancies going out for a meal they won't forget! This 3-course, 2 hour show is $94 pp – to book visit www.faultytowersdining.com or phone 1300 308 193.

A Small Mouth doesn't have room for just anything...

Small Mouth Vodka is a small family run business that specialises in Shimmering Vodka and Gins – handcrafted from only premium and organic ingredients. We boast full �avour with a long smooth �nish in every sip of our Vodkas, Gins, and Liqueurs.

TASTE OUR

NEW

PRODUCTS!

We are open every day of the week, 10am–5pm and we try to show even the non-spirit drinkers that with our products its di�erent, that it is smoother and overall a more enjoyable experience than our competitors.

Find us at

HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS SHOPPING VILLAGE, BROKE ROAD, POKOLBIN.

For any bookings phone 0492 031 862 or email info@smallmouthvodka.com

smallmouthvodka.com

SmallMouthVodka

7 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

WHAT'S HOT IN THE

Hunter

JAC KP O T!

Get Swinging at Aqua Golf & Putt Putt

D IS C OV E R

The Ultimate Pit-Stop With Winter only a couple of months away, it’s the perfect time to pop in to Mortels and grab a pair of their world-famous Australian Ugg Boots! From Uggs, cosy seat covers to cowhide home décor – Mortels truly has it all. After some shopping, treat yourself to a delicious breakfast or lunch at the Café or step back in time at The Sheep’s Back Museum. Plus, don’t forgot to snap a photo at the world’s biggest Ugg Boots! WHERE 1 Weakleys Drive, Thornton PH 4966 0990 Shop online now: www.mortels.com.au

Looking for the ultimate activity to do in Wine Country for kids (big and small) these School Holidays? Aqua Golf & Putt Putt has you covered. Get swinging and keep your eye on the target, with the aim of the game to hit the golf ball into the lake in front of you and try make it land on a floating target! The further away the target is the better the prize, with vouchers for restaurants, cellar doors, hot-air balloon rides, golf games, bus tours and CASH JACKPOTS! Jump onto the Hunter Valley Gardens website to claim your exclusive activity combo offer. For more information visit: www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/location/ aqua-golf-putt-putt

Introducing the Hunter Valley's

N AUTUM L A I SPEC ny 3

Hunter Valley

ea Combin for bottles

15% oﬀ

RRP

AT HILLTOP

The Lad y in

Wine Country’s Native Wildlife Sanctury Lovedale’s Hill Top Farm Stay Spectacular Valley Views • Riding over 300 acres Trail Rides for Adults and Children, for Beginners and Experienced Riders Personalised Rides • Marriage Proposals • Weddings on Horseback Pony Rides • Pony Parties • Family Rides • Sunset Rides Picnic Rides • BBQ • Tractor Hay Rides to Feed the Farm Animals Peddle Go Karts for Ages 5 – 99 Years

Pin k

...

POKOLBIN ESTATE VIN EYARD

Book early for Easter and School Holidays. Book your accommodation and meals created by Executive Cheff Len O’mally, Horse Riding and activities - Phone 0417 233 008

Tempranillo | Nebbiolo | Sangiovese | Nebbiolo Rosé Get your taste for adventure today at ...Pokolbin Estate. Winery – 2019 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion

Pokolbin Estate Vineyard 298 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin | Open 7 Days 9am - 5pm PH 4998 7524 | www.pokolbinestate.com.au

yhv 8 | MAR–APR 2021

For Bookings Phone Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008 Stay & Play at Hilltop 288 Talga Road, Lovedale So close to all of Wine Country’s attractions, yet you feel a million miles away..

ORS EDIT PICK

The Flight of a Lifetime! Experience Australia’s oldest wine country from a bird’s eye view this Autumn! Celebrating 40 years, the multi award-winning Balloon Aloft will take you on a flight of a lifetime, capturing the stunning views of Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury and Broke all while the sun rises over the Hunter Valley. After your flight, enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast and Champagne celebration at the famous Peterson House. Use the exclusive promo code of “Take20” to receive $20 off applicable tickets when booking online. Book your experience now at: www.balloonaloft.com

HO LI DAY F U N

Your AUTUMN Adventure Awaits… The best way to see the picturesque Hunter Valley is to get outdoors and experience it firsthand with Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures! Ride the beautiful Molly Morgan Range, witness spectacular views of Wine Country, the Lower Hunter and as far North as Barrington Tops. With rides suitable for both experienced riders and beginners including trail rides, personalised rides, sunset rides, pony rides, school holiday camps and family rides, Hunter Valley Horse Riding offers a ride for everyone. Book your adventure now! WHERE 288 Talga Road, Lovedale PH 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008 www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Stock up for Easter Taste your way through one of the oldest cellar doors in Wine Country – The Garden Cellars! With an extensive range of premium wines, beer and spirits, there is certainly something to cater for everybody’s taste. The “Tunnel of Beer” has over 800 different beers from around the world on offer, an essential stop for any beer enthusiast visiting the Hunter. Pop into their cellar door at the HVG Shopping Village and grab an Easter bargain or taste some of their amazing products today! Visit www.gardencellars.com.au for more.

Hunter Valley Resort Corner Hermitage Road & Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin (02) 49987777 sales@HunterResort.com.au www.HunterResort.com.au

9 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Ian Hansen -HMS Speedy Original Oil on Canvas 25cm x 20cm $990

Leander and Thermopylae Original Oil on Belgian Linen 90cm x 60cm $9000

ENJOY A WEEKEND OF ART & GOURMET FOOD WORDS DI VON ESSEN

Morpeth Gallery will host the annual Festival of Two Palettes over the weekend of 20 and 21 March. With 13 artists in residence over the weekend, most painting at their easels it’s the perfect opportunity not just to see some amazing art in action but also to speak to the artists about all things art! Find out what projects they have planned for 2021, delve into the details about their new artworks on exhibition, or perhaps you would like to commission an artist to paint something special for you, whether it be Landscape, Marine Art, Wildlife or Still Life. Amongst the artists-in-residence over the weekend is marine artist Ian Hansen. Ian is a Fellow of The Royal Art Society, a Fellow of The

Australian Institute of History and Arts and a Fellow of The Australian Society of Marine Artists. His works hang in Government House Sydney, Sydney Stock Exchange, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Heritage Fleet, Royal Australian Navy, Naval Historical Society, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Lady Denman Museum, AMP building and many corporate and private collections throughout the World. For maritime art lovers, owning an Ian Hansen is a very sound investment. Recognising his talent and career, Ian was recently asked to create a painting for Australia Post of a Naval shipwreck called Cerberus, located in Victoria. The postage stamp is being launched the day after the Festival of Two Palettes on 22 March, along with memorabilia, including a postcard, firstday cover and medallion. Visit the exhibition to have Ian sign a copy of Stamp Bulletin 370, take a sneak peek at the new release stamp and see if you can find the tiny ‘F’ in the lower left-hand side of his paintings. Rumour has it that Ian’s nickname in the Navy was "Fritz", and his first paintings were sold to the captain of his ship, who later asked him to continue to put the F for Fritz into all of his paintings, so he would know it was him. Also in residence will be Natalie Jane Parker. This Hunter Valley-based artist is the author/illustrator of dozens of children’s books. Her artwork is featured on mugs, trays, tea towels and jigsaw puzzles for giftware giant Ladelle under their Ashdene brand. Natalie has recently collaborated with fabric specialists ‘Two Green Zebras’. Her artworks have been printed in Korea onto fabric panels, which may be cut up to F

“Largest beer range

Stock up this Easter

in the valley!”

at The Garden Cellars

$144 cases available!

Come in and visit the ‘Tunnel of Beer’. Stocked to the brim with delicious brews from around the world.

alley Hunter V nter d Hu Wine an Vodka Distillery s tasting daily! available

THE GARDEN

CELLARS yhv 10 | MAR–APR 2021

You will find us at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village Broke Road, Pokolbin OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 5pm | PH 4998 7466 www.gardencellars.com.au

make quilts, cushions, tote bags and T-Shirts. Each panel features at least three different designs, and they retail for $15 per panel of three or more images. The range is called the Devonstone Collection, and they will be available for sale throughout the Festival. Festival of Two Palettes originated 18 years ago as a hybrid version of The Art Palette and The Food & Wine Palate, and includes plenty to tempt your own palette as well. Drop in for a wine tasting at Boydell’s Cellar Door & Restaurant (directly across the road from Morpeth Gallery in Green Street). Linger longer (bookings recommended) for an a la carte two or three-course lunch or dinner – you will not be disappointed. For a big brekky or light lunch, look no further than the Servant’s Quarter’s Tearoom within the Campbell’s Store complex. Open from 9am for breakfast on weekends (and 10am weekdays), the tearoom closes around 4pm. To make a booking phone 4934 1857 (Thursday – Sunday). Meanwhile, the recently opened High Tea on the Hunter, diagonally opposite Morpeth Bridge at 119 Swan Street, is a venue passionately dedicated to High Tea. Walk through the door and step back in time – when life was simpler, calmer, and dare we say it, more refined—phone Kez on 0407 776 621 to book. For a complete list of artists in residence during the Festival of Two Palettes and more information about Morpeth Gallery – visit the website at www.morpethgallery.com.au. The gallery can be found at 175 Swan Street, Morpeth; entry is free, and it is open from Thursdays to Sundays from 10am until 4pm. P

STAMP, COIN AND BANKNOTE VALUATION DAY

Morpeth Antique Centre Discover 21 dealers

And The Servant’s Quarters Tearoom, all under one roof. All things Ancient, Antique, Vintage, Retro, Heirloom, Collectable.

OPEN Thursday to Sunday, 10am–5pm Open Easter Long Weekend – Thursday to Monday (closed Good Friday) 175 Swan Street, Morpeth, Hunter Valley PH 02 4933 1407 E info@morpethgallery.com www.morpethantiquecentre.com

AUSTRALIAN ALPACA BARN

SUNDAY 28 MARCH Morpeth Antique Centre is hosting a Stamp, Coin & Banknote Valuation Day at St James Anglican Church Hall from 10am–3.30pm. Dealers will be both buying and selling, with trading tables set up featuring Australian stamps, coins and banknotes for sale, valuation guides for both hobbies and accessories in which to keep your collection. If you have been wondering whether that tin of old coins hidden at the back of the sock draw has any value other than the sentimental kind, bring them along to Morpeth, where four coin and banknote experts will be on-site to take a look at your hoard, along with members from the Newcastle Philatelic Society to value and talk all things stamps. Previous coin & banknote valuation days at Morpeth revealed a pre-decimal ‘Rainbow Pound’ banknote, which was valued at over $10,000 and thirty gold sovereigns with a current retail value of around $1,000 each. Twenty four of the sovereigns were discovered by the owner hidden in a bag of wool she purchased from a local op shop for $3. Check your bags of yarn, people! Doors will be open from 10am until 3.30pm at St James Anglican Church Hall (Corner of Tank and High Streets on Sunday, 28 March. Entry & Valuations are free. For more information, contact Kylie Richards at Morpeth Antique Centre on 4933 1407 or email info@morpethgallery.com

11 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

WATCH OUT!

We’ve got this giant volcano this year, which is very exciting. It’s going to be tied into a whole T-Rex scene, which will look amazing, especially at night, which is what it was purposely bought for. yhv 12 | MAR–APR 2021

There's

DINOSAURS ABOUT! WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN

ore than 300 million years ago, the area now known as Pokolbin would have been a very different place.

Deep in the midst of the geological period known as the Carboniferous, the Lower Hunter region was a harsh but spectacular environment, beset by a freezing climate and frequent eruptions of fiery hot lava. While local volcanoes such as Mount Bright have long been extinct, their legacy can still be felt today in the distinctive wines produced from the region’s rich red volcanic soils. Now, after hundreds of millions of years, locals and visitors alike will get a chance to experience the deep rumbling and fiery light shows of Pokolbin’s eruptive past thanks to the latest addition to Hunter Valley Gardens. Rising up spectacularly on the western edge of the glorious 14-hectare gardens, a newly-formed volcano will strike awe into visiting crowds this April as it spews forth plumes of bright (artificial) flames to light up the night sky. The geological landmark will become a temporary part of the iconic Hunter Valley Gardens landscape as one of the highlights of Mega Creatures, an annual event that transports visitors back through history to the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Featuring more than 100 animatronic and static ‘mega creatures’, the event will see the gardens overrun with everything from the scariest Cretaceous-era dinosaurs and some of the most chilling hunters of the Ice Age to the mythical might of dragons and unimaginably giant insects. Hunter Valley Gardens Marketing and Communications Manager Kim Jacobs said Mega Creatures began six years ago as a far smaller addition to the Christmas Lights Spectacular before eventually evolving into a separate event. “The first one started in conjunction with the Christmas lights. We rolled it out in January as an extra element, but it was so popular that eventually, we decided to make it a standalone event,” she said.

“It has moved around a little bit on the calendar, it was in the September holidays at one point, but for the last couple of years, it’s been held over Easter. “We’re always looking for new things to bring people to the Gardens, and this was a natural progression from the events we already had like Snow Time and the Christmas lights. “The dinosaurs excite kids so much; they love them. Some even come dressed up as dinosaurs to wander in the gardens. “But it’s actually a real family experience. We get a lot of grandparents bringing their grandkids in to see it, and the grandparents love it just as much as everybody else. “We try to add to it every year, and this year’s Mega Creatures will once again be bigger and better than ever with the addition of more than 20 new displays; there’ll be something for everyone. “A couple of our most anticipated items are the volcano and a walking dinosaur, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” Hunter Valley Gardens Event Manager Charise Foulstone said while the volcano would certainly be impressive to look at during the day, it’s true magnificence would remain dormant until the sun sinks below the horizon. “We’ve got this giant volcano this year, which is very exciting. It’s going to be tied into a whole T-Rex scene, which will look amazing, especially at night, which is what it was purposely bought for,” she said. This will be the first time visitors can take part in a night-time experience during Mega Creatures, with the launch of the Night Safari sessions. Held from 6pm to 10.30pm, they will showcase the displays like never before with an eerie night-time landscape that will have you nervously wondering what is lurking around the next bend in the path or behind that tree. Special lighting has been installed to make the displays come to life, and the night-time calls of the dinosaurs will have you jumping out of your skin. “It actually came about because some of us were in the gardens at night last year when everybody else had left and all of the lights were out,” Ms Jacobs said. “The dinosaurs were still on and roaring in the dark, and it was quite spectacular to be on one side of the gardens and to hear them roaring on the other. (Continued next page) F

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(Continued) “They were being set off by some of the little animals that run around. They’re all motion controlled, so a rabbit would run in front of a sensor, and a T-Rex would roar over 600 metres away, and it was very inspiring. So from that, we thought it would be great to have visitors experience it as well.” While the volcano will be the most spectacular point of difference between the night and day sessions, the Night Safari will also inject a whole new atmosphere into some of the other displays as well. “The Night Safari is a chance to see Mega Creatures like never before. I’m very excited about all of the displays and how they will look at night,” Ms Foulstone said. “The dinosaur nursery is adorable. I’ve been setting that up at the moment, and it is looking very cute. It will look amazing under the lights. “The Ice Age exhibit will be really exciting this year. We’ve put a lot of effort and work into making it look more like you’re going through an ice cave, and we’ve got an extra 3m tall woolly mammoth to go with our existing mammoth and the two sabre-toothed tigers.

“The spider tunnel is going to be pretty cool as well. It’s got all of those spider sounds; it’ll be totally black in there and will be very scary with lots of spider webs and animatronic spiders. There’s nothing quite like walking through a dark spider tunnel at night… it’s not for the fainthearted.” With so many elements in the mix, it’s little wonder that planning for and setting up this spectacular event is virtually a year-round operation. “Ideas come right throughout the year,” Ms Foulstone said. “Obviously, it takes quite a long time to plan what dinosaurs we want, so as soon as we finish this event, we will be preparing for the next one, deciding what we’d like to include, what we think would work, how we can add to it and improve it. “Initially, we’ll come up with a bit of a plan as to what we require from China and then we will finetune it throughout the year, but really knuckle down probably in January and get a really good plan together. “Towards the end of February, we start setting up the areas that could be closed off to the public. We then do all the marquee displays, the cave displays and then as soon as they’re done, we keep moving on really because it does take some time to get it all set up. “Because we’re a display garden, a lot of the dinosaurs require planting around them, it makes them more natural in their surroundings, and that will start in early March as well. “Then the bigger dinosaurs need a crane to put them in place, but we are a little bit weather dependent on when we can get them in.” Mega Creatures will run from 27 March until 25 April, with day sessions from 9am to 4.30pm and Night Safari sessions from 6pm to 10.30pm. The giant Easter Egg hunt will not run this year due to COVID-19 restrictions; however, the Easter Bunny will still pop by to hand out chocolate eggs from 10am–2pm each day over the Easter long weekend. For more information and to book tickets visit www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/events/mega-creatures ►

Uniquely Ivanhoe Ivanhoe Wines offers seated wine masterclass tastings with spectacular views, great wines with a friendly knowledgeable team. When you visit our cellar door, you will not only enjoy a wine tasting, but a complete wine experience. Join us to experience the Estate, Cellar Door and learn about wine and winemaking. We’ll help you find wines that you love. Please arrive 10 mins before your booking time.

Open 7 Days 10am–5pm. Online bookings are essential & available through our website 525 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin NSW

yhv 14 | MAR–APR 2021

02 4998 7325

www.ivanhoewines.com.au

MEGA CREATURE MUST-SEES

While there are far too many elements to list individually, a few of the key highlights of this year’s Mega Creatures event will be: • DINOSAURS – Featuring an all-new flying Pterosaur and 16m long animatronic Brachiosaurus plus all your favourites, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Spinosaurus and more. • DRAGONS – Hunter Valley Gardens is home to various dragons, including the 6-metre-long winged dragon, a two-headed dragon and the new black dragon. • MEGA CREATURES – Be amazed by the gigantic spidersaurus, cicada, frogs and creepy crawlies, with new additions including oversized butterflies, a praying mantis and even a talking tree! • TRAIL APP – A specifically designed app that creates a more interactive experience for visitors, including GPS located dinosaurs, fun facts, photo challenges and a dinosaur quiz. • DINO EGG HUNT – Each day, a dinosaur egg will be hidden in the garden for kids to find. The winner will receive a family pass to the Christmas Lights Spectacular and a dinosaur prize. One winner per session per day (available for day entry sessions only). • WALKING DINOSAUR – A 2.5m dinosaur will be on the prowl around the garden to excite and scare kids of all ages. From 10.30am–2.30pm and 6.30pm–9.30pm. • FOSSIL FIND – The ever-popular fossil find will be located undercover in the marquee. Hidden dinosaur skeletons will be covered under the sand, and special tools will be provided to uncover what is beneath. • RIDES – Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Gardens 25m above the ground in the spectacular Ferris wheel, get your adrenaline pumping as you fly 11m above the ground in the swing chair or enjoy the slightly more sedate delights of the traditional Venetian carousel and tea cup ride. ■

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ALL NEW

G N I K L A W INOSAUR! D

GET READY TO EXPERIENCE AN AWESOME WORLD OF MEGA CREATURES!

Hunter Valley Gardens Mega Creatures returns, with an all new twist for 2021... Mega Creatures Night Safari. Running along side our popular day time Mega Creatures event the new Night Safari session is a thrilling new adventure, adding a whole new dimension discovering mega dinosaurs and mythical creatures... Day Session: 9am - 4:30pm | Night Safari: 6pm - 10:30pm Limited tickets per session. Individual Tickets required for each session.

Visit hvg.com.au for details and online tickets.

Broke Road Pokolbin - Ph: 02 4998 4000 Guest numbers are strictly limited and tickets must be purchased on our website prior to arrival. Entry to the Gardens closes one hour before the completion of the evening. Admission charges apply. Program subject to change. Terms and conditions of entry apply. Limited access to Gardens during the Night Session. Tickets for Mega Creatures Day Session and Mega Creatures Night Safari can be purchased separately, and Mega Creatures Day/Night combo tickets are valid for same day use only. Tickets are valid for nominated session only. All guests are required to check in via the NSW Government Service NSW COVID Safe Registration App and present proof of registration to a member of staff prior to entry. *Rides are user pay, height restrictions apply. Some activities may not open in adverse weather conditions, unscheduled maintenance or if COVID-19 restrictions change.

MEET THE MAKER

Karen Scott Murals After more than two decades teaching the next generation of aspiring artists, Karen Scott’s own career as a painter has gone to the dogs – literally! The Martinsville woman has switched from teaching art to selling it, putting her skills into practice as a pet portrait artist, sculptor and muralist. From humble beginnings painting her own pooch’s portrait, she now has a flourishing business – Karen Scott Murals – which sees her create custom sculptures and portraits for doting pet owners, as well as murals for homeowners and businesses. “I spent 21 years as a high school visual arts teacher travelling to the Central Coast to teach every day,” Karen said. “And while I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the skills of artmaking to aspiring young artists, I rarely had the time to enjoy creating my own art. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever dare to imagine that one day I would resign from teaching to pursue my passion for art and actually create my own small business from it!” Owners email a photo of their pet to Karen, who then creates a realistic portrait either with paint on canvas, watercolour and pencil, as a pet stone, or even a polymer clay “Doggy Dangler” or small 3D sculpture. Tapping into people’s love of animals even further, Karen has also created a huge range of mini pet portraits, hand-sculpted Teacup Pet Sculptures and Doggy Danglers. But she doesn’t just cater to dog owners, as she has now expanded her collection to include her newest creations, which are a quirky line of upcycled teapots featuring polymer clay birds and animals! Aside from the custom commissions, Karen sells her unique range of artworks and products at the Handmade in the Hunter Markets, which are held each weekend on the grounds of Kevin Sobels Wines. “I love market day and look forward to every single one, along with the promise of meeting new clients who would like their fur-children painted sculpted or painted as a treasured keepsake,” she said. Stop by Karen's stall at Handmade in the Hunter Markets on 20, 27 and 28 March, plus 3, 4 and of 10 April. To see Karen’s work online visit www.karenscottmurals.com.au or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karenscottmurals

FOOD VAN ONSITE FRI–SUN

WEEKENDS AT SADDLER’S

Friday, Saturday & Sunday’s GREAT WINE + FOOD + LIVE MUSIC BOOK ONLINE WWW.SADDLERSCREEK.COM.AU

15 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin Open 7 Days 10am–5pm | Ph 02 4991 1770 17 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Get Your Hands on Some Handmade Chocolate Gelato • Gifts 30+ Fudge Flavours Located in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Chocolate Company has been a family owned and operated Hunter Valley gem for the last 20 years. Visit us at one of our 3 great locations on Broke Road to indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience!

Hunter Valley

Chocolate Company EST. 1999

OPEN 7 DAYS | Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village Twenty-3-Twenty (2320 Broke Rd) | Peterson House

www.hvchocolate.com.au | Ph 4998 6999

ANDANTÉ BRASSERIE

EXQUISITELY FRESH CHOCOLATE INTERVIEW LIANE MORRIS

Easter is one of those rare times in a year where you can eat as much chocolate as you can without the fear of friends giving you that judgy, sideways glance. With Easter just around the corner and the supermarkets filled with all the usual boring chocolates, we caught up with expert chocolatier Peter Carpenter from Hunter Valley Chocolates to talk all things chocolate and find out what unique and delicious delights can be found, right here in the Hunter Valley. HV Magazine: What is your top seller, and how do you make it? Over the past 20 years, our top seller has been Peppermint Thins, closely followed by Rocky Road. The secret to our exquisite chocolate is in the freshness and the quality. We make it in 5-kilogram batches, and everything is packed in-store – so nothing has to travel. Due to the ►

Pokolbin Wins Top Tourist Town in NSW Wotif.com has announced Pokolbin as the top NSW destination and second place nationally in the Wotif 2021 Aussie Town of the Year Awards.

ENJOY AN inviting and relaxed atmosphere Andanté Brasserie is a locally owned café and restaurant located in the heart of the Hunter Valley – a great spot for a quick catch up or long lunch with friends and family.

Open 5 DAYS For Breakfast and Lunch Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Ph 4998 7932 Leisure Inn, 485 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin www.andantebrasserie.com.au yhv 18 | MAR–APR 2021

In its fourth year, Wotif’s Aussie Town of the Year awards recognises ten locations across the country for their contribution to Australian tourism. Designed to celebrate the many Australian cities, towns and regions worthy of the spotlight, the awards provide travellers with inspiration on where to go in Australia in 2021. The 2021 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year awards are based on a data index that considers a destination’s accommodation quality, affordability and traveller satisfaction on Wotif.com from January 2020 through to September 2020. This year’s winning destinations, which NSW dominated overall, have been awarded based on their accommodation quality, affordability and traveller satisfaction. Also introduced to this year's awards was recognition for destinations that have met the changing needs of travellers over the last twelve months by offering increased flexibility, good-value deals and appealing activities and attractions. Commenting on the awards, Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said it’s no surprise Pokolbin is the top destination in our state. “We are home to so many fantastic tourism operators who provide a first-class experience, surrounded by our natural beauty,” he said. For a complete list of winners, visit www.wotif.com/vc/blog/top-aussie-towns-2021

Chocolatier Peter Carpenter

FIND HUNTER VALLEY CHOCOLATE At Twenty-3-Twenty and Peterson House both on Broke Road, plus in the Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village

small batches, the chocolate is turned over quite quickly, which guarantees its freshness. We’re making chocolate almost every day, and the chocolate that we make Saturday to Tuesday is gone by Sunday. There is no one else in Pokolbin who makes their chocolate on-site. This is our main point of differentiation and the reason our chocolate tastes the best – because it’s FRESH.

VINEYA R D

In the Peppermint Thins, we use top-quality peppermint oil and smashed peppermint candy. The Rocky Road contains Turkish Delight, almonds, hazelnuts and marshmallows. It took me four years to find a decent marshmallow, and now we have a supplier that makes it just for us. Our Chilli Chocolate used to be our top seller and marquee product. We were the first to create it in 1999, and these days you can even get Chilli Tim Tams! Twenty years ago, we were approached by an elderly Norwegian lady who asked for chocolate-coated chillies, which started us thinking. Of course, chilli and chocolate go together! Chocolate originates in South America, where they drank hot chocolate with chilli. There was no sugar – it wasn’t sweet. Christopher Columbus reported (Continued next page) F

Wine Tours & Transfers

Bo ut i q u e H unt e r W i ne s

TEMPRANILLO 2020 A lovely red-fruited Tempranillo with a wonderful juicy palate of red fruits. Think cherries, cranberries and raspberries. Hand-picked from the best fruit of the 2020 vintage, this wine has great texture and depth of flavour from 8 months in seasoned French oak. Ready to drink now and will even take a slight chill to accompany outdoor BBQs.

2 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin Cellar Door open for tastings Sat & Sun, 10am 4pm www.kelmanvineyard.com.au Small groups welcome – call 0492 993 282

VIP Rolls-Royce for Two or an 8 Seater Kia Carnival DriveUNow - Ph 0477 626 942 Enquire at driveunow@gmail.com or visit www.driveunow.com.au

19 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

(Continued) that the hot chocolate he was served in South America made his mouth feel as though it had daggers in it. We still do chilli chocolate, but it’s not as popular as it used to be. HV Magazine: What ingredients do you use the most, and approximately how much do you use each year? We use 8 tonnes of chocolate every year – 5 tonnes of milk chocolate, 2 tonnes of dark and 1 tonne of white. Dark chocolate has been rising in popularity over the past 15 years due to people becoming more health-conscious. Lately, the vegan movement has also contributed to its popularity because excellent dark chocolate contains no dairy. Our base is from Belgium. We’ve tried to source it from Australia, but it doesn’t grow in the quantities we need. It really only grows 10 to 20 degrees on either side of the equator. So obviously, our Belgian base originates in Africa. Columbus took the plants and seeds from South America, and once Europe had developed a taste for chocolate, the various European countries, with their colonies in Africa, started growing it there so that it was cheaper to transport. Easter is coming up. What advice can you give to budding Easter bunnies who want to do better than a supermarket egg? Don’t buy anything from the supermarket. We have a full range of Easter chocolates, including bunnies, bilbies, eggs, unique blown painted eggs filled with chocolate, candy-coated sugar eggs with chocolate inside, and we create hampers made to order. What is something surprising that tastes great covered in chocolate? Pretzels! Probably because they’re salty. Salted caramel has taken over from chilli as another flavour trend. I’ve heard of potato chip clusters covered in chocolate and fruits like watermelon. Once, when I was doing some chocolate training for the Hyatt, I heard about one unfortunate apprentice cook who dipped prawns in chocolate and was sacked for his trouble! Of course, the South Americans use it in savoury

cooking to deepen the flavour and add depth. We don’t sell anything that’s too ‘out there’. What is the most obscure place or furthest away you’ve shipped your chocolates? We don’t ship our chocolates – we avoid it as much as possible. Anything more than a 200km radius, and you risk spoiling the chocolate. If you had to recommend one item from your shop, what would it be? I would recommend anything that I make, but Dark Chocolate Rocky Road is particularly difficult to find, and it’s so much better with dark chocolate. My personal favourite, though, is the Fruit & Nut Bark. Really, there's no better way to find a favourite than for people to come and see/taste for themselves and make their own decision. We’ve got three locations in Pokolbin, and it’s a great time of year to visit the Hunter Valley. ■

HAND FORGED WROUGHT IRON • EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY Since 1784

Specialising in artistic restoration and new works, Danish born René Rasmussen has the blacksmith’s skill to restore and recreate the style of yesteryear in many creative and varied forms. When you walk in Rene’s blacksmith shop, you will get the feeling you walk 100 years back in history. Fire in the coal forge, and tools that are 100, even 150 years old. If the tools could talk, you'd have part of the history here.

~ Former blacksmith and farrier for the Queen of Denmark ~ Former blacksmith and farrier for Carlsberg breweries ~ Traditional Danish Family Blacksmiths since 1784

619A Medowie Road, Medowie Ph 4981 7174 | M 0402 190 835 E cosyiron@optusnet.com.au www.cosyiron.com.au yhv 20 | MAR–APR 2021

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS With the Easter Weekend almost upon us, shops are stocking their shelves with Easter eggs, bunnies and bilbies and people across Australia are getting ready to tuck into chocolate treats. But have you ever wondered why we eat chocolate eggs at Easter? While the chocolate Easter egg is a relatively new tradition, the Easter egg's origin and many more modern-day Easter symbols, such as the Easter bunny, go back a very long way and pre-date Christianity. Throughout the ages, decorated eggs were often given as presents around Easter time, symbolising rebirth and new life. Eggs were usually boiled and decorated with dyes until French and German chocolatiers started producing edible chocolate eggs. Early chocolate eggs were filled with sugared almonds until John Cadbury cracked the recipe for making moulded, hollow eggs in 1875. The earliest Cadbury chocolate eggs were made of 'dark' chocolate with a plain smooth surface and were decorated using chocolate piping and marzipan flowers. The launch in 1905 of the famous Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate made a tremendous contribution to the Easter egg market. This new kind of chocolate's popularity vastly increased sales of Easter eggs and did much to establish them as seasonal best sellers. Today the Easter egg market is predominantly milk chocolate.

Mocha

ESPRESSO MARTINI With Easter just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself with the Ultimate Mocha Espresso Martini! Combining some of our favourite flavours of chocolate and coffee, this cocktail will impress your guests over the holidays and leave your usual morning Mimosa for dead. Ingredients: 80ml Espresso 15ml Chocolate Vodka X 30ml Chocolate Liqueur

15ml Coffee Vodka 30ml RumChata X 1/2 cup of ice

Method: 1. Brew your Espresso and set to the side to cool in the refrigerator or freezer 2. In a shaker pour your espresso, vodka, rum chata and chocolate liqueur over ice. 3. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds and then let it settle for 10 seconds. 4. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with some chocolate powder over the top. For the sweet tooth: If you’re a true chocoholic, for a sweeter martini add some chocolate syrup around the martini glass before pouring the other ingredients in.

Add Hunter Distillery Chocolate Vodka ($65) and Valli Coffee Vodka ($65) Shop online now at: www.hunterdistillery.com.au

Come in and try our top shelf spirits through a unique test tube tasting experience!

OPEN FOR TASTINGS AND SALES 7 DAYS, 10AM–5PM Bookings essential 1686 Broke Road, Pokolbin PH (02) 4998 6737 E info@hunterdistillery.com.au www.hunterdistillery.com.au Check out local artist Tanya Loviz from Loviz Art Gallery’s amazing new piece “Cocktail-In-Fusion” inspired by Hunter Distillery. www.lovizarts.com.au/shop 21 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

FRENCH PATISSERIE HIGH TEA • PASTRIES COFFEE & TEA AB O UT G IG I & CHIX BONBON We are a contemporary Parisian Patisserie specialising in delicious pastries that not only taste delightful but look fabulous as well. The menu includes a stunning range of cakes, pastries and savouries made from scratch using only the best ingredients as well as the famous ‘The Grounds of Alexandria’ Coffee. We also have an exclusively local wine list to choose from. So, discover our brand-new patisserie at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village today.

Book in for a delicious High Tea this Autumn!

AT H UNTE R VALLEY GARDENS S HOPPING VILLAGE OPEN Thursday & Friday 9am–4pm Saturday 9am–3.30pm | Sunday 9am–3pm Monday 9am–4pm | Closed Tuesday & Wednesday PH 02 4998 7050 | info@gigichix.com.au

www.gigichix.com.au

yhv 22 | MAR–APR 2021

Your New Fave Parisian Café – in Pokolbin! WORDS LIANE MORRIS

If you’re missing Europe and love the idea of watching the world go by in a Parisian café, nibbling on treats that only the French can create, then you need to visit the authentically French patisserie, Gigi & Chix BonBon in the Hunter Valley Gardens, where the flavour and experience are most definitely European. Angela Mason, who originally hails from Zimbabwe, is passionate about food and expressing her love of life through sharing her culinary creations. She has been cooking from the youngest age and thanks her mother for allowing her ultimate freedom in the kitchen. Angela and her two young daughters, Gigi (four) and Chix (seven), (who she adores, “they are delicious to me”), spent a year living in Bordeaux, France, where she was inspired by a local patisserie with an open kitchen. Angela and her girls felt at home there and learnt from watching and talking to the chefs. When it was time to return home, she wanted others to experience the same joy she had felt in Bordeaux, and Gigi & Chix BonBon was born. Angela secured a space at Hunter Valley Gardens and set about creating her vision, working daily with the builders and letting her girls see the hard work that goes into building a dream. The space is beautiful, the crockery gorgeous, and the napkins comfortingly soft. Every detail has been carefully considered to bring the European flair for style and comfort to the Hunter Valley. There is an open kitchen so that customers can watch her delectable creations coming to life. Children in particular love watching and sometimes get to pop the bubbles on the macaroons. Everyone asks questions, and Angela loves to answer them.

Seeing the shock and delighted surprise on her customers' faces as they bite into one of her delicious offerings is one of Angela’s favourite things. Often people have a preconceived notion of what something will taste like, and their expectations are pre-set. Angela delights in smashing these expectations with her commitment to never compromising on taste and delivering something you won’t find anywhere else. With a loyal and growing customer base, Angela is looking forward to extending her opening hours to include Friday and Saturday evenings now that she has secured a liquor licence. She plans Fondue and Wine evenings that promise to whisk you away to Europe without the need to travel anywhere. The future may include an expansion to Newcastle, where many of her repeat customers come from. Her best-selling product is the humble Ham & Cheese Croissant because it's unlike any you’ve ever tasted before. A Vanilla Slice at Gigi & Chix BonBon does not look like an ordinary vanilla slice; it includes white chocolate, the flakiest of pastry and a secret ingredient that has diners moaning in ecstasy. A visit to Gigi & Chix BonBon is unforgettable. Why not book in for a delicious High Tea by visiting www.gigichix.com.au

23 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Travel the

Art in the Vines Trail IN WINE COUNTRY WORDS DI VON ESSEN

Winmark Wines Gallery

There’s something romantic about browsing works of art, glass of wine in hand. Maybe it’s that the wine loosens our minds a little to enable us to see the meaning behind the art – or perhaps it’s the beauty of the vines that forges the visual connection of a shared environment. Whatever it is, there are plenty of places around Wine Country that let you appreciate and experience all things art and wine together. The latest offering is the addition of a gallery to the sculpture gardens at Winmark Wines. The Winmark Art Gallery is placed alongside the new Cellar Door, connecting art, nature and wine when visiting the vineyard. Over 250 guests braved the weather last month to attend the official opening by Danish Ambassador Pernille Dahler Kardel. With some of the artists and sculptors being present at various times throughout the day, guests had the unique opportunity to speak to them about their pieces and meet distinguished guests Ambassador Pernille and her husband Peter while enjoying canapes and, of course, Winmark Wines speciality Chardonnays. Owner and vigneron Karin Adcock has always been a passionate art collector and has now been able to realise a long-held dream of curating a gallery introducing some of the renowned artists and sculptors that she has discovered through her travels. The Gallery proudly represents Rebecca Pierce, Felicia Aroney, James Ainslie, Erik Flygenring and Sculptors David Ball, Michael Purdy, Ulan & Rachel and Katarina Wells, to name but a few. Karin said that the sales of pieces on the opening day were outstanding. “We were so happy with how guests embraced the opening of the gallery,” she said. “The sales on the day allow us to now add new pieces to the gallery from our existing artists and others that I hope to discover on my ►

N E W A RT GA LLERY Spanning 130 breathtaking acres, Winmark is not just a premium Chardonnay producer, but a destination designed to connect guests with nature, art and the vineyard. The former awardwinning vineyard has been re-established and is once again producing exceptional Chardonnays.

The Winmark Art Gallery has opened alongside the new Cellar Door, overlooking grounds that are a wonderland of their own. Karin’s long held dream of curating a gallery to introduce some amazing artists she discovered through her travels, as well as creating a home for an extraordinary collection of sculptures, has come to life.

A R T G A L L E R Y A N D C E L L A R D O O R O P E N 7 DAY S T: 0417 100 824 | E: info@winmarkwines.com.au | 229 Wollombi Road, Broke NSW 2330, Australia @winmarkwines | winmarkwines.com.au

yhv 24 | MAR–APR 2021

Emma's Cottage Vineyard Tall Timbers by Annie Palmer. Mixed media on canvas

journeys and share with visitors.” Over in Lovedale, the Gallery at Emmas Cottage Vineyard has been delighting guests for some years. Owner, Therese Kramer, says that it’s difficult for most people to know why art and wine fit together so beautifully. “We know the what, but for many, the why is a little more difficult to discern, and the knowledge of this takes time to develop. Art and wine, to most people, are abstract concepts. When you think about it, the making of wine or a work of art is an art in itself. Knowing how to manipulate the components into a final form that tells a story is masterful,” said Therese. “Why do we love something or not? What is it that evokes the OMG moment with either wine or artwork? What is it that causes us, at times,

to have a visceral response to a taste, an observation or a feeling?” Therese says that choosing artists to invite to hang work in the Emmas Cottage Gallery is complex. “There is no real process for choosing. We tend towards the same group of artists as they are familiar with the space, the distance constraints of some display walls and the level of light,” she said. “What I have to avoid is choosing work which reflects my own personal style. I can’t move in any one direction as much as I would sometimes like to, and it often surprises me which art piece from a new exhibition sells first.” Taking the art into the vines is something that wineries like Winmark, Mistletoe Wines (Pokolbin Fine Art Gallery) and Constable Estate have invested in – adding Sculpture Gardens to their properties. The beauty of art in the vines has long been recognised and was the impetus behind the annual Sculpture in the Vineyards event held throughout Wollombi each year. The magnificent sculpture created by David Bell for Winmark has become somewhat of a landmark in the area, welcoming visitors to the iconic location. “There is just something special about placing pieces into the natural environment, making the vineyard vistas just that little bit more spectacular. Tasting wine and appreciating art is a sensory experience that resonates with so many people,” said Karin. P

TRAVEL THE ART I N THE VI NE S TRA IL Winmark Wines – 229 Wollombi Road, Broke Emmas Cottage Vineyard – 438 Wilderness Road, Lovedale Mistletoe Wines (Pokolbin Fine Art Gallery) – 771 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin Constable Estate – 205 Gillards Road, Pokolbin

EMMA’S COTTAGE VINEYARD · CELLAR DOOR & GALLERY: Friday 12pm–4pm, Saturday 10am–5pm & Sunday 10am–2pm. 438 Wilderness Road, Lovedale 2320 · Ph (02) 4998 7734 · www.emmascottage.com.au

Re-Discover Mortels

Factory, Store, Museum and Café... all at this location!

FIND US

Located 2.5km from the end of the M1 1 Weakleys Drive, Thornton. Open 7 Days Visit www.mortels.com.au for more information

25 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Two-Hatted Toastie Pop-Up at Hungerford Hill

From 11am to 3pm each day, hungry visitors can enjoy an indulgent toastie courtesy of Muse chef Gordon Cooke. With a focus on quality local produce, the menu features Reuben, Cubanos and Haloumi (vegetarian) options. The classic ham and cheese or tomato and cheese toasties will be available for children. Tuck in with a glass of Hungerford's famous wine, and you'll be set for the afternoon. Rosemary-salted chips will also be gracing the menu, as will a charcuterie board boasting cured pork, double brie, beetroot hummus, dill pickle and rye sourdough croute. And if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the Hunter Valley Splice, which is packed with Udder Farm vanilla yoghurt, Hungerford Hill verjuice, lime granita, finger lime, and honey. Takeaway will also be available all weekend. Throughout the Easter long weekend, guests are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and settle down on the winery’s grounds, enjoying the live music as the kids head off to the jumping castle. Hungerford Hill will be selling award-winning wine by the glass or bottle and offering a standard wine-tasting for $10. Please note, bookings are required for tastings prior to the Easter weekend.

Have you made plans for Easter? If not, grab your family and friends and head to Hungerford Hill for a long weekend brimming with good wine, food and entertainment. From Friday 2 April to Sunday 4 April, the talented team behind Muse, one of the Hunter Valley’s premier restaurants, are collaborating with the boutique estate on The Press and Pickle, a pressed sandwich pop-up at Hungerford Hill’s award-winning cellar door.

yhv 26 | MAR–APR 2021

Hungerford Hill 2450 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Open daily from 10am–5pm www.hungerfordhill.com.au

OPEN LAoLnLg

Easter d Weekooed Fnriday)

H A PPY

Easter!

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For an altogether sweet experience, a visit to Sabor Dessert Bar is a MUST! The Sabor Dessert Menu features over 50 different desserts, each one created individually. Nothing is served by the slice and this brings a new level of culinary delight to desserts in the Hunter Valley. Pair something scrumptious with a delicious Hunter Valley wine... It’s a unique Hunter Valley experience that you can only enjoy at Sabor Dessert Bar. Indulge in multi-award winning Portuguese chocolate mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, hand-made chocolates, Portuguese tarts and gourmet ice-cream.

Enjoy a world of desserts at Sabor Dessert Bar in Pokolbin!

There is also a large range of gluten free desserts, barista-made Glinelli coffee and a selection of teas to enjoy with our amazing view of the vines and mountain ranges or to take away and savour in your home or hotel.

B AN

eGift Card

TODAY

2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin Open Thurs & Fri 10am - 4.30pm, Sat 10am - 5.30pm, Sun & Mon 10am - 4.30pm PH 1300 958 939 • www.sabordessertbar.com.au

PUT A LOCAL IN YOUR POCKET

And Find... Tintilla Estate WORDS DI VON ESSEN

A short trip to the Hunter Valley (let’s say a sneaky weekend) will no doubt leave you wishing you’d allowed more time to fully experience and taste the delights of the region. And if you didn’t know before you arrived, you will be surprised to learn that the area boasts more than 150 wineries and cellar doors and over 60 restaurants. The Hunter Valley truly is a wine and food lovers mecca. The mobile optimised Hunter Valley Guide (which can be found at www.huntervalleyguide.com.au) requires no app downloading or updating and is always available to help guide you to your next favourite winery or restaurant. Each month we’ll be bringing you our fave fans right here!

Last month, more visitors found the picturesque Tintilla Estate on the guide than any other winery, and there’s no doubt it’s one of our favourites too! This thoughtful family-run vineyard, winery and olive grove is a leader in the boutique cellar door wine and food experience. The winery cellar door has that wholesome family warmth that keeps people returning. A truly unique experience, at Tintilla, you can take a seat across the table in their tasting room and sip from a large Riedel glass while eating a cheese platter with an assortment of Tintilla condiments, all whilst looking out over the magnificent rolling vineyard! Olives are also an important element of this grand estate, with five

varieties grown amongst the vineyard and adding to the overriding feeling that you could actually be sitting somewhere in Tuscany. Interestingly, the olives were planted in 1994 before the vines, and whilst award-winning wines flow from the 25-hectare estate, Tintilla’s essence is a vineyard that has managed to find that perfect blend of food, wine and family. “Our travels in the USA and Europe have shown us that internationally the Europeans, especially the Tuscans and Burgundians, showed the way with integrating family, wine and food. We have sought to take this international experience and knowledge and do this as well in the Hunter Valley,” says Robert Lusby, who founded Tintilla Estate almost 27 years ago. At the Tintilla cellar door, the visitor will not only gain insight into the array of European olives but get an education on the Hunter region and its gourmet produce. The produce will vary from season to season, with Tintilla producing its fine olives, luscious chilli tomato relish, fig jams, and local hunter honey throughout the year. Oh – and did we mention the exquisite wines? You can find Tintilla Estate at 725 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin or on your phone at www.huntervalleyguide.com.au/wineries

olives, olives, olives Come visit us for a range of Estate Grown Olives, Tapenade and local olive oils or a Cheese platter on the deck with a glass of wine

Bookings are a MUST!

725 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin Hunter Valley www.tintilla.com.au #tintillaestate

Sunrise Flights over the Hunter Valley

$20 OFF 40 years experience!

Promo Code Take20

Use this code to receive $20 off applicable tickets when booking online

www.balloonaloft.com

yhv 28 | MAR–APR 2021

THE BIR T HPL ACE OF AUST RAL IAN WINEMAKING

WINE A W

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201

WINE

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Celebrating 100 Years Of Winemaking Excellence Established in 1921 by legendary winemaker, Maurice O’Shea – Mount Pleasant is one of the great wine estates of Australia. Enjoy a true Hunter Valley wine tasting experience or simply take in the beautiful surrounds with a glass of wine.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR WINE TASTING, VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR AVAILABILITY

401 MARROWBONE ROAD POKOLBIN NSW 2320 | (02) 4998 7505 | MOUNTPLEASANTWINES.COM.AU

The Mill Restaurant Brokenback Bar Accommodation Events Weddings Conferences Cooking Schools Food Wine Takeaway PH 4998 7288 www.estatetuscany.com.au

29 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

Flagship

WINES

OF THE HUNTER The Hunter Valley is renowned for having a talented list of winemakers at the forefront of their profession and producing some of the world's best and most distinctive wines – particularly Semillon and Shiraz, the region's hallmark. Other varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Verdelho, which have all produced great Hunter wines. The term ’Signature’ or ‘Flagship’ wine does not have a specific definition within the wine industry, so no rules dictate how a winery, or a region for that matter, chooses their flagship wine or even if they have one. For many, these are wines that reflect the typical style of the person who has made it, wines coveted by wine lovers and collectors alike (think Mount Pleasant’s acclaimed single-vineyard Lovedale Semillon and the highly awarded Maurice O’Shea Shiraz). Some winemakers are concerned that selecting an iconic wine will limit them, but this is not usually the case. The reasoning is that a winery needs to have an iconic wine to enable consumers to differentiate and recognise the winery. An excellent example of this is Tyrrells’ Vat 1 Semillon – an aristocratic wine first produced in 1963 and considered Australia's best Semillon. A flagship wine does not always have to be limited to a variety. Instead, it could be a wine style (such as sparkling or Rosé) or a blend such as the Lakes Folly Cabernet Blend – a medium-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Shiraz and the most collected Cabernet in Australia.

This same principle also applies to wine-growing regions throughout the world, with some wine regions receiving global recognition for producing excellent wines amongst certain varieties. The Douro in the north of Portugal is the country’s flagship red-wine region, but while it is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, its fame has historically been due to it being the home of Port. Bordeaux is France's most famous wine region and the reference point for Cabernet Sauvignon. For South Africa, it’s Chenin Blanc and the unique red variety Pinotage. In Argentina, it’s Malbec; for Chile, it’s Cabernet Sauvignon; in Italy (particularly Tuscany), it’s Sangiovese, and for the major Spanish wine regions, it’s Tempranillo. Closer to home, the flagship variety for the Swan Valley is Verdelho, and South Australia’s Clare Valley is better known for its Riesling. In the Yarra Valley and also the Tamar Valley in Tasmania, the flagship variety is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. At the end of the day, these flagship varieties serve to attract consumers to a winery and experience all the other varieties on offer in the region.

s ’ sall er tt a T

NEW LOOK!

HOTEL GRETA

88 High Street, Greta | Ph (02) 4938 7302 | OPEN 7 DAYS

yhv 30 | MAR–APR 2021

KELMAN VINEYARD

Flagship WINES

2019 Barrel Reserve Shiraz – RRP $40

Following in the fine tradition of the gold medal and trophy winning Kelman flagship Shiraz of previous vintages, this exceptional wine from the 2019 vintage was drawn from the best five new (40%) and seasoned (60%) French oak barrels. TASTING A classic medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz that displays blue and red fruits and fine-grained tannins. Smooth and beautifully integrated fruit and oak. FOOD MATCH A perfect match to meat dishes from roast beef and lamb to beef cheeks. Also great with hard cheeses. CELLARING The wonderful length of this wine makes it ideal to drink now. Will reward careful cellaring for 12–15 years.

TAMBURLAINE ORGANIC WINES

2018 Marlowe – Act I Syrah Cabernet Available to Members for $360 / 3-pack maximum per Customer Tamburlaine's take on the quintessential great Australian blend, with high altitude, cool climate elegance. A true ‘winemakers selection’. TASTING Dark berry and briar fruits, cedar and slight baking spice on the nose. Ripe plum and dark forest fruit on the palate with subtle tannins and freshness giving length and drive. FOOD MATCH Pairs well with hearty meat dishes like osso buco or sirloin steak and baked vegetables. Vegetarian option – portebello steaks with avocado chimichurri. Also great with aged cheddars and blue cheeses. CELLARING 5 years+.

GARTELMANN WINES

SAVANNAH ESTATE

The Diedrich is our icon Shiraz, fruit sourced from a single vineyard in the Orange wine region, full bodied and rich. TASTING Aromas of florals, red berried fruits and dusting of spice. Medium-weighted with supple, sleek tannins, lean acidity and plenty of ripe fruit in between. FOOD MATCH A style that marries well with rich red meats such as lamb shoulder or braised beef cheeks. CELLARING Drink now or cellar until 2025+.

Produced from Savannah's old vine Mudgee Vineyards, this traditional style Chardonnay has seen 100% barrel fermentation in both French and Hungarian oak, and also underwent the traditional practice of bâtonnage (lees stirring). TASTING Delicate perfume of nectarine, apricot jasmine and wax flower on the nose. The palate is abundant with white peach, guava and a Kiwi tang, all balanced with a rich, full and decadent creaminess with subtle notes of vanilla, coconut, hazelnut and brioche-like characters. FOOD MATCH Lobster thermidor with confit duck fat potatoes. CELLARING 3–7 years.

2016 Diedrich Shiraz – RRP $50

HUNGERFORD HILL

Heavy Metal Shiraz Cabernet 2018 – RRP $55 One of the most iconic wines that Hungerford Hill produces, our interpretation of the good old Australian red blend has become an instant classic. TASTING Deep red in colour, a heightened aroma of mocha coffee and spicy dark fruits with a creamy vanillan oak background note. The palate is both powerful and voluminous with layers of unravelling flavour of plumb and blueberry fruits balanced with very fine and structured tannins that linger. FOOD MATCH Pair with osso bucco. This traditional Italian dish requires a powerful wine to match its rich flavours and the Heavy Metal Shiraz Cabernet will bring out the best in the braised veal. CELLARING Drinking beautifully now but hold onto these wines for another 5–8 years. Drink by 2030.

2018 Platinum Chardonnay – RRP $60

MOUNT PLEASANT

2014 Lovedale Semillon – RRP $70 The late Maurice O'Shea planted the Lovedale vineyard in 1946 with incredible foresight, recognising that the unique structure of the land and the surrounding environment would deliver the tightness and acidity for world-class Semillon. Rated 95+ points by Gary Walsh and named Best Semillon in Show at the 2020 Royal Adelaide Wine Show. TASTING Intense citrus and lemongrass combine with bottle age characters of lanolin and toast showcasing the amazing length of this wonderful aged style. FOOD MATCH Pairs great with fresh oysters or sashimi. CELLARING This wine provides exceptional drinking now or can be carefully cellared up to fifteen years or more from vintage.

31 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

RUNNING HORSE WINES

Autumn Dining Guide

The most unique cellar door in Broke... A must visit! Specialising in Aged Wines

ANDANTE BRASSERIE We are a locally owned café and restaurant located in the heart of the Hunter Valley. The inviting and relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place for a quick catch up, long lunch with friends or family. Relax in our outdoor area with delicious food and a nice cold beer, glass of wine or cocktail. Leisure Inn, 485 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin, MAP REF K10 PH 4998 7932 | OPEN 5 Days for Breakfast and Lunch (Closed Tues + Wed) | www.andantebrasserie.com.au

BLAXLAND INN Running Horse Wines cellar door provides a new look and experience to the Hunter wine region. Here at Running Horse Wines, we’ve been ageing our entire range and have amassed an impressive, unique and true age-worthy wine list that will take you on an adventurous ride through an unprecedented tasting experience.

Specialising in friendly country hospitality, you’ll love your time at Blaxland Inn. Our menu is full of hearty meals from succulent steaks, house-made pies, and our signature garlic prawns. When reserving your table, ask about our courtesy vehicle. Suitable for up to 11 guests, conditions apply. Bookings are essential. 2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin, MAP REF K12 | PH 4998 7550 OPEN 7 days for Lunch & Dinner | info@blaxlandinn.com.au www.blaxlandinn.com.au

This opportunity to taste and buy wines from 2005 to 2012, and now including a just released 2014 vintage, is exceedingly rare. Our classic aged range is comprising of the Hunter’s finest Shiraz, Semillon, Verdelho and Rosé, and a Sparkling Rosé that’s been aged on lees for six years! Running Horse Wines is open every day from 11am to 5pm. During the month of March there is the chance we are finishing off the last of the fermentation’s. Please phone in advance to ensure a warm welcome.

1133 Milbrodale Road, Broke Fordwich PH David on 0474 156 786 www.runninghorsewines.com.au yhv 32 | MAR–APR 2021

OISHII JAPANESE THAI RESTAURANT The name says it all... Delicious. Open daily, Oishii has become one of the most popular eateries in the epicentre of Hunter Valley wineries and concerts. The market fresh seafood Sushi and Sashimi followed by a rich Massaman Beef Curry and finished with fried ice cream – a house speciality, begs a return visit to taste their unique Prawn Tempura, Panang Duck Curry and Green Curry Chicken. Roche Estate, Cnr Broke & McDonalds Rd’s Pokolbin, MAP REF L11 PH 4998 7051 | OPEN 7 Days Lunch, Dinner + T/A; Home Delivery Fri– Sun (Dinner only) | www.oishii.com.au

T WO E XPERIENCES...

THE CELLAR RESTAURANT

! n o i t a c o e n L O

The Cellar Restaurant delivers modern contemporary Australian cuisine, utilising local and seasonal quality ingredients. Dine in our indoor garden setting or outside in the courtyard. Try our NEW al a carte and tasting menu! Bookings recommended. HVG Village, Broke Rd, Pokolbin, MAP REF K10 | PH 4998 7584 OPEN Lunch + Dinner Mon–Sat | admin@the-cellarrestaurant.com.au | www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au

GARTELMANN WINES Voted one of the Top 10 Cellar Doors to visit in the Hunter Valley, Gartelmann Wines specialise in fine hand-crafted wines using grapes sourced from some of our most famous wine regions.

WANDIN KITCHEN Dine to relax at Wandin Kitchen, unwind and take in the views of this charming property. Our focus is creating a menu from locally sourced produce, which best showcases the season, created by our talented local team led by Chef John Rutherford. Choose a menu from 2 to 5 courses with matched wines if you desire. 12 Wilderness Road, Lovedale, MAP REF E18 | PH 4930 9888 | OPEN Sunday Brunch, Lunch Wed–Sun, Dinner Fri–Sat. Group Dining avail. in the Wandin Cellar | kitchen@wandin.com.au www.wandin.com.au/hunter-valley-restaurant

THE DECK CAFÉ Take time to taste the delights of The Deck Café. Start your day with an extensive breakfast menu or long lunch the day away with a Mediterranean inspired Tapas Menu that’s worth savouring well into the afternoon.

701 LOVEDALE ROAD, LOVEDALE

HUNTERS QUARTER Hunters Quarter (HQ) is a relaxed and elegant dining destination, located in the Cockfighters Ghost Vineyard of Pokolbin, in the heart of the picturesque Hunter Valley. A culinary dream come true at Hunters Quarter with something for every occasion. Image: Prawn and scampi dumplings. 576 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin, MAP REF N10 | PH 4998 7776 OPEN Lunch Sat & Sun; Dinner Fri & Sat info@huntersquarter.com.au | www.huntersquarter.com.au

CELL AR DOOR OPEN 7 DAYS

PH 4930 7113 | WWW.GARTELMANN.COM.AU

THE DECK CAFÉ

BREAKFAST & LUNCH 7 DAYS; DINNER FRI + SAT

PH 4930 9007 | WWW.DECKCAFELOVEDALE.COM.AU

33 | MAR–APR 2021 yhv

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McGuigan Wines

BROKE ROAD

HV Chocolate Co. Hope Estate

Balloon Aloft Pickup Point HV Chocolate Co.

Green Lane

LOVEDALE

LOVEDA

Hunters Quarter Restaurant

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Australian Alpaca Barn Harrigans Hunter Valley

Andanté Brasserie

Sabor Dessert Bar

Roche Estate Oishii Japanese Thai

Palmers Lane

Emma’s Co�age Vineyard

Wilderness Road

Talga Road

HV Horseriding and Adventures

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Australian Alpaca Barn Morpeth An�que Centre & Campbell’s Store Morpeth Gallery

St Swan

D e Beyers Road

Ekerts Road

BROKE ROAD

Gigi & Chix Bonbon

The Cellar Restaurant

Gillards Road

MCDONALDS ROAD

Winmark Wines

< 15KM >

Small Mouth Vodka

The Garden Cellars

Constable Estate

OU NT R

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Drinan St

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Running Horse Wines

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Deasys Road

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DISTILLERIES

Andanté Brasserie J10 Blaxland Inn K11 Brokenback Bar F4 Gigi & Chix Bonbon K10 Harrigans Hunter Valley L9 Hunters Quarter M9 Ma�lda Bay Brewhouse F5 Oishii Japanese Thai J10 Sabor Dessert Bar K13 Ta�ersall’s Hotel Greta B16 The Cellar Restaurant K10 The Deck Café F18 The Mill Restaurant F4 Wandin Kitchen D18

Saddlers Creek Wines Q13 Savannah Estate Q13 Tamburlaine Organic Wines M10 Tin�lla Estate E4 The Garden Cellars K10 Wandin D18 Winmark Wines L4

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Campbell’s Store (Morpeth) C18 HV Chocolate Co. K10/K13/J14 Pokolbin Estate M10 Sabor Dessert Bar K13 Tin�lla Estate E4 The Deck Café F18

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Constable Estate J9 Emma’s Co�age Vineyard G14 Gartelmann Wines F18 Hope Estate K12 Hungerford Hill K14 Ivanhoe Wines P9 Kelman Vineyard Q14 McGuigan Wines K10 Mistletoe Wines E4 Mount Pleasant Wines P9 Pokolbin Estate M10 Running Horse Wines J3

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ACTIVITIES/EVENTS

TO QUORROBOLONG

TO SYDNEY M1 PACIFIC MOTORWAY

Australian Alpaca Barn K9/K10 Australian Alpaca Barn (Morpeth) B19 Campbell’s Store (Morpeth) C18 Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village K10 Morpeth An�que Centre (Morpeth) C18 Mortels B16 Small Mouth Vodka K9 The Garden Cellars K9

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Cessnock Regional Art Gallery

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in Your Pocket!

With access to all the insider information about Hunter Valley Wine Country you need to create your dream holiday itinerary – look no further than the mobile Hunter Valley Guide! Use it while you’re on the go in Wine Country to get directions to your favourite winery, make reservations at a nearby restaurant, book a tour or a wine tasting. Find out what's going on nearby or access an interactive wine trail map - we've put it all in the palm of your hand with the Hunter Valley Guide. NO DOWNLOAD REQUIRED! If you’re short on time, data or can't get access to decent wi-fi – no problem! The Hunter Valley Guide requires no downloading or updating. It's always available, wherever you are – and it’s always up to date!

Grab your phone and scan the code to go straight there, or visit www.huntervalleyguide.com.au