Garden – the largest of its type in Australia or the magnificent Rose Garden with its lavish array of colour and perfume. Or pay a visit to the Oriental Garden surrounded by natural Australian granite and winding streams full of spectacular water lilies and irises and the Italian Grotto Garden with its statue of Saint Francis of Assis – the patron saint of animals and the environment.
SIP, SAVOUR, BLEND
Stomachs lined and taste buds awakened, it’s time for a real taste of Wine Country. First stop is one of the smallest boutique estates in the Hunter Valley. Pokolbin Estate on McDonalds Road has a reputation for producing outstanding wines, particularly with their Riesling, Semillon and Shiraz. They have also had a great deal of success with their three Mediterranean-style red wines – the premium Spanish variety Tempranillo and the Italian varieties that include Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Just a little further down the road and you will be warmly welcomed by the team at Tamburlaine Organic Wines – Australia’s largest certified organic wine producer where you can choose from an extensive range of red and white wines, sparkling and fortified from their Hunter Valley and Orange Vineyards. Also on McDonalds Road, is Ivanhoe Wines – home to a complete range of premium Hunter Valley wines and big, gutsy reds. It’s also one of the most picturesque and most photographed properties in the Hunter Valley.
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Time for some tasting of a different kind! Do an about-face on McDonalds Road and head back towards the big roundabout – where you will take a left onto Broke Road. No trip to the Hunter Valley is complete without a visit to the Hunter Distillery. One of the Hunter Valley's most unique and fascinating experiences, Hunter Distillery is the first 100% organic distillery in Australia and the only organic distillery in the southern hemisphere. Try their exclusive range of premium Organic Vodkas, Schnapps, Gin and Liqueurs tasted from traditional test tubes and even take a guided tour of the distillery production area. Take a left out of the Distillery to get back onto Broke Road, then a right onto Hermitage Road will see you headed to two of our favourite wineries. At three-generation family-run Mistletoe Winery you will not only find exceptional award-winning wines, but you will also find Pokolbin Fine Art Gallery and Mistletoe Sculpture Garden so that you can lock in a culture fix at the same time. You’re going to want to linger a while here. Top off your tasting a short distance down Hermitage Road at Tintilla Estate. Taste award-winning wines and estate-grown olives with a cheese platter and all the trimmings. Surely sun-downers do not get any better than this!
ROUND OFF THE DAY WITH A SPOT OF FINE DINING
It’s no coincidence that some of the finest restaurants in the world can be found in the best wine growing regions. Where there is great wine, great food usually follows, and the Hunter Valley is considered one of the finest most authentic culinary destinations in Australia. Highly recommended (Continued next page) ►
EST. 1999
Located in the heart of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Chocolate Company has been a family owned and operated Hunter Valley gem for the last twenty years. Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience, with a tantalising range of premium hand-made chocolate and chocolate products plus more than 30 flavours of freshly made fudge!
Ph 4998 6999 Three Great Locations in Pokolbin: • Twenty-3-Twenty – 2320 Broke Road Mon to Fri 10am–4pm; Sat & Sun 9.30–5pm • Peterson House – Broke Road • Hunter Valley Gardens (Shop 5) – Broke Road Both open Fri to Sun 10am–4pm
www.hvchocolate.com.au | admin@hvchocolate.com.au
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