The Hunter Blackboard | August 2015

The No.1 magazine for visitors to Hunter Valley Wine Country

AU G U S T 2 0 1 5 | I S S U E # 1 0 2

THE

BLACKBOARD

Big Red

Classic Reds THE MYSTERY OF MERLOT THE NEXT GENERATION Of Hunter Winemakers

HunterValleyOnline.com.au

THE HUNTER BLACKBOARD IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH...

FOR YOUR DIARY

August 7TH AND 8TH AUGUST | STIRWORZ: RETURN OF THE PARODY Cessnock Performing Arts Centre | With the release of the next Star Wars

film set for later this year, STIRWORZ: Return of the Parody takes a wild, hilarious guess at what the next Star Wars adventure may look like. It will have you rolling in the aisles with its Seinfeldian/Black Adderish inspired humour.

Featuring a huge cast of over 70 of the finest performers from the Middle School of St Philips Christian College Cessnock, this show is a must! The Saturday night performance is dress up night! For more information and ticket sales visit www.cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au

SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST | WALLSEND WINTER FAIR | Wallsend

PUBLISHED BY: WCP Media

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: PH +61 2 4967 3200 HunterValleyOnline.com.au enquiries@wcpmedia.com.au WCP MEDIA Suite 4, 2 Smith St, Charlestown, NSW 2290 August 2015.

Copyright © 2015 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.

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE from 1st August 2015 until the 31st August 2015 inclusive or while stocks last.

Celebrating its 30th year, the Wallsend Winter Fair is a free, family friendly event and one of the largest street events in the Hunter Region. Browse through over 120 vibrant specialty stalls offering unique arts, crafts, gifts, clothing, jewellery and much more. If food’s more your thing, enjoy the many fresh and tasty cuisines on offer in the food precinct. Visitors can also sit back and enjoy local musicians, school bands, choirs and dance schools perform on two stages. Throughout the day visitors will have the opportunity to win a large selection of prizes being offered by local businesses and sponsors. For more information visit www.winterfair.com.au

15TH AND 16TH AUGUST | MAITLAND AROMA: COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL | Riverside Carpark, Maitland | The Maitland

Aroma Festival is a coffee, chocolate and fine food affair that aims to ward off the winter chill with the best local coffee roasters, a delectable range of chocolates and much more. Enjoy local wines, desserts and fresh produce from exhibitors, demonstrations, displays and market stalls. Entry to the festival is free. For more information visit www.maitlandaroma.com.au

20TH - 30TH AUGUST | MORPETH TEA PARTY EXHIBITION | Morpeth Gallery | Consisting of two weeks of visual extravaganza, the Morpeth Tea

Party Exhibition features the amazing creativity of teapot makers from all over Australia and around the world. And the best part is its all free! All teapots are for sale, along with tea infusers, tea towels, tea books and hundreds of tea cosies. The Novelty Tea Cosy Competition attracts around 250 entries each year and around 500 cosies are featured in the display. Tastings of organic teas, honey, gingerbread, sweets and much more will round out a tea-riffic day for one and all. For more information visit www.campbellsstoremorpeth.com

28TH - 30TH AUGUST | NEWCASTLE FOOD AND WINE EXPO | Newcastle Entertainment Centre | Now in its 3rd year, the Newcastle

GET MOBILE!

View this month’s issue of The Hunter Blackboard on your iPhone, iPad, android tablet or android phone. Simply download the QR Code and get mobile!

Food & Wine Expo is back! Featuring Celebrity Chef cooking demos, culinary presentations and over 150 exhibitors. Enjoy FREE tastings and samples from some of Australia’s best gourmet food and exquisite wine producers and see kitchenware demonstrations of the latest products for you to try at home.

Grab a front row seat and watch celebrity chefs and local talent create their favourite recipes– an interactive cooking show not to be missed! For more information or tickets visit www.foodandwineexpo.com.au

29TH AND 30TH AUGUST | WOLLOMBI COUNTRY FAIR | Wollombi

Now in its 7th year, the Wollombi Country Fair is a family-friendly event returning the last weekend of August. All weekend enjoy wine tasting, food and local produce stalls, arts and craft market stalls and street and musical entertainment. This year sees the return of the fairs most popular (and quirky) events such as the Mower Mardi Gras, Scarecrow Competition, Lantern Parade plus many more. For more information visit www.wollombicountryfair.com.au

thb 2 | AUGUST 2015

FROM THE EDITORS If you’re thinking that this issue has a real wine focus then you’d be right! It’s our annual BIG RED issue in which we celebrate some of the beautiful red wines that come out of the Hunter Valley. There’s something about red wine that conjures images of winter... sitting in front of a raging fire, glass in hand with a roast in the oven so it’s no coincidence that our BIG RED issue is in winter! It really is a lovely time of the year in the Hunter Valley—which isn’t traditionally known as a winter destination, but is fast gaining a reputation as an ideal “cold weather” retreat – no doubt as a result of that raging fire and red wine image we’ve just conjured up for our readers!

is that we can actually lose weight and become more creative!

Speaking of relaxation – did you know that Golden Door have just been voted the Best Australian Health & Wellness Property by readers of Luxury Travel Magazine? You can find out a little more about the award and their beautiful facilities in this issue.

Donna also talks to Matt Dillow about his life, his ever expanding culinary business (which now includes tours and produce) and what he does in a typical day. Like us – you’ll probably wonder if he has any time left over for sleeping!

This month our feature article takes a look at some of the red varieties that the Hunter Valley is most renowned for and also tries to dispel some of the myths associated around red wine (like “you can’t have red wine with white meat” – who says!).

We hope you enjoy reading our Big Red issue and delight in the last remnants of what has been a rather cool winter in the Hunter Valley.

See you in Spring!

We also look at some of the health benefits of drinking wine – good news

The Hunter Valley is often thought to be the home of Shiraz in Australia, but as we find out in this issue, there’s a lot more in terms of red wine varieties on offer here and this month we look at six of the most interesting reds currently on tasting.

There’s a new restaurant on the scene. Nanna Kerr’s is the lovechild of Jimmy Wright and Matt Kerr and we welcome them to lovely Lovedale with their new venture, which they describe as “indulgent when it needs to be, healthy when it wants to be and a place filled with love.” We can’t wait for the opening on August 6th!

Enjoy!

Contents

H U N T E R

V A L L E Y

Begin with a sip of perfection in our Taittinger Champagne Lounge, then head through to your table underneath ornate chandeliers surrounded by rich, wooden furniture.

Peruse our organically minded, modern Australian, farm to fork menu. If you cannot choose your favourite from our deep and decadent selection, one of our divine staff will help guide you through the different dishes available.

Understanding the nuances of each plate will help you create the perfect path for your dining experience.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

8

CLASSIC REDS

This month we celebrate the classic red wine varieties for which the Hunter Valley has become renown…

NANNA KERR’S KITCHEN

14

HUNTER BLACKBOARD MAP

18

A NEW WAVE OF WINEMAKERS

22

THE MYSTERY OF MERLOT

28

BIG HUNTER REDS

30

Find out what inspired a Sales Manager from London and the brother of an international supermodel to open a family restaurant in The Hunter Valley!

The Hunter Blackboards handy guide to finding your way around Wine Country…

Our free range chickens offer up our eggs each day, and a lush, bountiful kitchen garden is lovingly tended to by Chefs with a passion for presenting you produce that comes light on carbon footprint and high on flavour.

Sink into the rich soil of Circa 1876 and transport yourself you to a truly exceptional dining experience.

Meet the exciting new wave of talented and innovative winemakers shaping the future of winemaking in the Hunter Valley!

Considered one of the most important red wine varieties, we look at why popularity in Merlot has soared in the past decade…

With so many great red wines available throughout the Hunter Valley, we look at 6 of our favourites to help you choose your own!

64 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Phone 02 4998 4998 | www.circa1876.com 3 | AUGUST 2015 thb

WHAT’S HOT IN THE HUNTER Photo by Brent Leggett

MANGO LIQUEUR

at Hunter Distillery

Hunter Distillery use premium quality, organic raw ingredients to produce an exceptional range of top shelf spirits! Their multi award winning spirits include Gin, Vodka, Liqueurs and Schnapps.

Matt’s Produce SMOKEY BBQ SAUCE Matt Dillow, chef and renowned restaurateur, has always sourced the finest fresh Hunter Valley produce for his menus. Now those magnificent chef-only flavours are coming to your own kitchen in the form of gourmet produce.

A light, fruity liqueur, the Mango Liqueur displays a clear, golden yellow appearance, a fresh, tropical mango aroma, and a long lingering, luscious sweet mango taste. Perfect for cocktails!

This liqueur is available in both 250ml and 500ml online or at the distillery door. 20% ABV. WHERE 1686 Broke Road, Pokolbin.

Open 7 days 10am-5pm. Shop online at www.hunterdistillery.com.au

The Smokey BBQ sauce from the Matt’s Produce sauces and marinades range, is a favourite of the Hunter Blackboard team.

Hints of brown sugar, chipotle and fresh herbs make this Smokey BBQ sauce the perfect complement for your slow-cooked ribs, homemade burgers or big breakfast!

WHERE Available at The Verandah Restaurant, Twine Restaurant and The Deck Café or online at www.mattsproduce.com.au 330g RRP $13.00

CRANKY PANTS IPA

Hunter Beer Co.

This beer is big with tropical fruit and piney aromas, passionfruit and grapefruit on the palate, along with a lingering bitterness.

This is balanced by a generous malt bill built on English floor malt that supports the hop character. An American style India Pale Ale, it is a deceptively more drinkable and bigger version of the style!

WHERE Hunter Beer Co at Potter’s Brewery Resort, Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba.

DEATH BY SALTED CARAMEL at Sabor Sabor in the Hunter have named their new dessert “Sabor’s Death by Salted Caramel” because that’s exactly what it is. A triple serving of all things salted caramel. Not to be shared and not for the faint hearted.

RS EDPITI O CK AU G U ST

WINE GLASS GALLERY

Many visitors come to the Hunter Valley and take home bottles of wine as souvenirs, however, what about a wine glass to drink it from?

Wine Glass Gallery, located in Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, stocks an extensive range of colourful hand blown and hand painted wine and shot glasses, the perfect souvenir or unique gift.

The Wine Glass Gallery also has a fantastic selection of decorator pieces for your home, scarves, handbags, jewellery and handmade greeting cards.

WHERE Shop 3, Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village.

Open 7 days, 10am – 5pm.

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Begin with a light choux pastry profiterole sitting on a mud cake and orange custard base then half dipped in dark chocolate, rolled in crushed hazelnuts and filled with a salted caramel crème mousseline. Moving on to a smooth Salted Caramel Panna Cotta with a chocolate wave flag.

Next a Salted Caramel Praline Macaron topped with a ball of Caramel & Pecan ice cream. Finishing with a chocolate and caramel sauce, caramelized popcorn, honeycomb crumb, gold chocolate soil, diced caramel brownie and Red Candy Caviar.

Are you up for the Salted Caramel adventure? Sabor’s Death

by Salted Caramel will only be available at Sabor Dessert Bar in Pokolbin (the salted caramel Panna Cotta will be available at Sabor Dessert Bar in Lovedale on its own) for a limited time only.

POKOLBIN Lambloch Estate, 2342 Broke Road.

Open Thurs - Mon, 10am - 4.30pm.

LOVEDALE 319 Wilderness Road.

Open Fri & Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sunday 10am - 4.30pm.

TAKE THE WHOLE DAY

to Relax and Explore

Nestled in the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges, right in the heart of the Hunter Vineyards, you will find one of Australia’s premier attractions – Hunter Valley Gardens.

The popular Storybook Garden is a delight for all ages, taking visitors on a journey through childhood dreams and memories. ‘Larger-than-life’ nursery rhyme characters and spectacular murals greet you at every turn, offering excellent photo opportunities! Join Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill as they tumble down the hill, Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatters Tea Party, Little Bo Peep and much more!

Consisting of over 60 acres of spectacular international display gardens designed to heighten your senses, Hunter Valley Gardens offer a wonderful display of colour and fragrance.

During your visit, you can also explore Hunter Valley Gardens Village, a boutique shopping village with numerous retail outlets, cafes and attractions or perhaps enjoy a picnic near the fully enclosed children’s playground.

With over eight kilometres of walking paths, visitors are able to explore each of the ten individual feature gardens consisting of more than six thousand trees, one million ground covers and six hundred thousand shrubs, all of a standard you won’t see elsewhere in Australia.

One visit simply won’t be enough to take in all there is to see and do at Hunter Valley Gardens! For more information about Hunter Valley Gardens visit www.hvg.com.au and for the Shopping Village visit www.HunterValleyShopping.com.au

Upcoming Events

SPRING FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS

1st - 30 th SEPTEMBER 2015 The Spring Festival of Flowers is an event designed to immerse visitors in a visual and sensory experience they will never forget. There are over 100,000 annuals planted throughout Hunter Valley Gardens along with fabulous entertainment, activities, attractions, demonstrations, talks, tours and workshops.

Visit Hunter Valley Gardens and experience all the award-winning delights that Australia’s largest display garden has to offer!

The Gardens include 60 acres of spectacular displays including 10 stunning international feature gardens, sensational sights, colours, fragrances and adventures for the whole family.

For information and online tickets - www.hvg.com.au

ROSE SPECTACULAR

10 th OCTOBER - 15th NOVEMBER 2015 Take the opportunity to see Hunter Valley Gardens blooming with over 2 million blooms, throughout the annual Rose Spectacular. The majority of roses are grown at Hunter Valley Gardens are of the fragrant variety, after all, a rose without perfume just isn’t a rose!

Join us for updates & giveaways

Broke Road Pokolbin - Ph: 02 4998 4000 Admission charges apply. Gardens open 9am - 5pm. This event will not open in adverse weather conditions. Program subject to change check social media for updates.

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Spoil your Dad all day Free pint of James Squires for Dad when you make a reservation for lunch or dinner

SUNDAY

6 SEP

Hunter Valley Zoo 12-3pm Face Painting 12-3pm Arley Black 1-4pm To make a booking call 4998 4300

www.harrigansirishpub.com.au Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW

RELAX. REBALANCE. REFOCUS

Golden Award for Golden Door Golden Door Health Retreat and Spa Elysia have been awarded Best Australian Health and Wellness Property as part of the 2015 Gold List Awards by Luxury Travel Magazine, as voted by the public.

Golden Door Spa Elysia in the picturesque Hunter Valley is a haven of relaxation and healing, created for you to take some time to relax, rebalance and refocus. Our extensive Spa Menu includes face and body treatments, massage, hand and foot care, and specialty services.

Signature treatments provide an amazing experience with sensational results, whilst the Spa Rituals offer an opportunity to indulge and rejuvenate for that little while longer.

To book call 02 4993 8500 or email programcoord@elysia.com.au

www.goldendoor.com.au Golden Door Health Retreat & Spa Elysia 165 Thompsons Road, Pokolbin NSW

Their experienced team love changing lives and making people feel great, it’s what they do and clearly they do it very well. Golden Door Health Retreat and Spa Elysia is a place for you to take the time to reset your mind and body and gain a wealth of knowledge to create a healthier, happier and more motivated you. Their all-inclusive health and wellness programs have been developed to motivate change and give you the tools you need for lasting results. A stay at Golden Door includes everything from informative seminars, a wide range of activities, spa indulgences, relaxation and nutritious, healthy meals.

If you are looking for a day of pampering and relaxation, a visit to Spa Elysia is a must. Enjoy a day of pure relaxation combining spa treatments and use of the steam room and spa bath, or simply take some well-deserved time out with a book or magazine in the spacious relaxation room.

Located on Thompsons Road, Golden Door Health Retreat and Spa Elysia is the only purpose built, destination Health Retreat in Australia and offers magnificent views of vineyards and the Brokenback mountain range.

For more information, visit www.goldendoor.com.au

thb 6 | AUGUST 2015

RED WINES of the Hunter Valley Home to some of the oldest vines and biggest names in Australian wine, the Hunter Valley is a mecca for lovers of quality wines renowned for their aging ability and unique and distinctive style.

Here you can find a diversity of red wines just perfect for those looking for something different.

SHIRAZ - Australia’s favourite red variety Shiraz (or Syrah as it is called in Europe) is by far Australia’s most important red variety and is tremendously flexible in its ability to adapt to virtually any combination of climate and soil. The Shiraz grape is said to originate from the Rhône winegrowing area of France but is now grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce robust red wines, which can be either varietal or blended.

Shiraz is the Hunter’s premium red variety and the most widely planted grape variety in Australia currently representing 40% of the total red grape crush and constitutes one fifth of all wine grape production in Australia.

The typical young Hunter Valley Shiraz is a medium bodied wine showing red and dark berries, spices and a great deal of tannins. However, its real character is seen in wines with longevity. With age, the wines become a far more complex, full-bodied, yet smooth and richly flavoured wine with some earthy tones.

thb 8 | AUGUST 2015

MERLOT - The most pleasurable wine experience

CHAMBOURCIN - Unique in so many ways

Merlot originates from Bordeaux in France, where it is often used to produce some of the world’s most famous and most expensive wines.

In Australia, it is considered to be one of the most important red grape varieties - coming in 3rd after Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chambourcin is a relatively new purple skinned French - American hybrid grape that produces deep-coloured, light to medium bodied wines with a full aromatic flavour, and no unpleasant hybrid flavours.

It can be made into a dry style or one with a moderate residual sugar level, giving it a pleasant sweetness.

Merlot is renowned for its wonderfully fruity, well rounded, even fleshy character and is grown in just about every wine growing region of Australia. The summer heat of the Hunter is considered to provide the ideal growing conditions for this versatile grape variety. In recent years, Hunter Valley Merlot has experienced a surge in popularity and is often considered to be more robust and fleshy than other well regarded varieties, with a rich bouquet providing one of the most pleasurable wine experiences.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON - The world’s most loved red wine Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most recognized red grape variety, famous for its ability to age for decades at a time. This classic red variety of Bordeaux is second only to Shiraz in importance in Australia.

Despite its prominence in the world of wine, the grape is a relatively new variety being the product of a chance crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc sometime during the 17th century in southwestern France.

Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be medium to full bodied, typically leafy with ripe cassis like flavours, well-structured, elegant and powerfully aromatic. The bouquet can be rich with fruity notes of black cherries and currants, herby notes of peppers and olives and spicy notes of ginger. Typically, this wine features naturally high levels of tannin, but barrel aging allows for slow oxidation to reduce these levels and infuses the wine with its flavours.

SANGIOVESE - The pride of Tuscany Sangiovese is the most planted red grape in Italy and is the most important grape variety used in the production of Tuscany’s greatest red wines.

This star amongst Italian wine grape varieties is now making its mark in Australia, where it has become increasingly popular over the last few decades. The variety also has a reputation for being adaptable to many types of vineyard soils and as such, is considered suitable for cultivation in a number of Australian wine regions - such as the Hunter Valley, where it is fast gaining popularity although vineyard area remains small.

The variety produces elegant medium-bodied wines with powerful aromas, with moderate to high natural acidity. The characteristic flavours are cherries, tomatoes, herbs, spices and tea-like flavours.

Australian Sangiovese wines tend to be fruitier, with riper flavours and higher alcohol.

In Australia, the grape did not show up until the late 1970’s, and is now a widely used variety with an intense dark colour. It has led winemakers to use it to improve the depth of blended red wines, without sacrificing the fruit quality of the primary variety (e.g. Shiraz). Some producers use the variety for sparkling reds, and it is also used successfully for portstyle wines.

As the Chambourcin variety is especially resistant to fungal diseases, it succeeds wonderfully in the Hunter Valley climate. It is also most at home in the more humid regions of Coastal NSW and Queensland, who all experience wet summers.

Chambourcin wines have a lovely, deep red colour. Most are big and fruity with a lot of raspberries, plums, prunes and even cranberries on the palate. It is not as heavy or robust as Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon, which can make it quite attractive to people who generally don’t like red wine. Chambourcin wines also respond well to being oaked, a treatment which can produce vanilla or mocha flavours in the wine.

PINOT NOIR - The most romantic of wines Pinot Noir wines have been one of the strongest performing wines over the last three to four years and considered by some to be the next ‘’wine fashion’’, with plantings of Pinot in Australia increasing from 4200ha in 2006 to 4800ha in 2012.

With its origins in France, the Pinot Noir grape is a light skinned, aromatic grape and one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine.

While widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, it is just as well recognised as being a difficult variety to cultivate.

Pinot Noir is very sensitive to the wind, frost, cropping levels and soil types and requires optimum growing conditions made up of warm days followed by cool evenings. Pinot Noir is also highly reflective of its terroir (more so than other black grape varieties), with different wine growing regions often producing very different wines, which makes vineyard site selection an important factor.

Described as “the most romantic of wines’’ due to its sensuous and gratifying perfume, the wine tends to be light to medium in body with a broad range of textures and flavours. It possesses a variety of complex aromas reminiscent of black or red cherry, raspberry, currant and blackberry.

9 | AUGUST 2015 thb

Hunter Valley Vineyards Boutique Cheesery

HUNTER VALLEY

CHEESE FACTORY

Cheese Culture According to ancient records, the making of cheese dates back more than 4,000 years, but its exact origins will perhaps forever be shrouded in mystery.

Ancient legend claims that it was made accidentally by an Arab trader, who stored a supply of milk in a pouch made from a sheep’s stomach before setting out across the desert. It was only later that he discovered that the heat of the sun coupled with the rennet (an enzyme in stomach lining), had caused the milk to separate into thin, milky whey and lumpy curds of cheese. He no doubt drank one and ate the other, discovering that the whey was refreshing and the curds wonderfully delicious.

Award winning cheese handmade in Pokolbin Hunter Valley to compliment the varietal wines of the region.

• Tasting rooms open daily 9am to 5.30pm.

• Cheese-making and maturation room viewing all day.

• Complimentary instructional cheese-making tutorial daily 11am and 3pm.

Another possible explanation for the discovery of cheese could have originated from the practice of salting curdled milk for preservation purposes.

Whatever the case, what we know for sure, is that by the rise of the Roman Empire, cheese was already on the menu—and cheese making was a firmly established enterprise. Romans, who were master cheese makers in their own right, then spread the concept of cheese making north throughout Europe through conquest and trade, where the practice flourished under the watchful eye of monks. By the time Julius Caesar came to power, literally hundreds of varieties of cheeses were being produced and traded across the Roman Empire and beyond.

Cheese is mentioned in ancient Greek mythology, and evidence of cheese making has been found on Egyptian tomb walls that date back to 2000 BC. There is also archaeological evidence of cheese making in Poland three thousand years before that. French monks have also been producing Roquefort since 1070.

It is interesting that many of the popular cheeses we eat today Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda, are all relatively new to the cheese world, having only appeared in the last 500 years or so. English Cheddar dates back to about 1500 while records show that Italy has been producing Parmesan since 1597. The Dutch have only been making wheels of Gouda since 1697 while mild French Camembert dates from just before 1791.

Surprisingly, cheese has never been a worldwide phenomenon. While cheese production flourished early in Europe and the Middle East, in other parts of the world, the art of cheese making was entirely unknown and didn’t appear until much later when it was introduced by European immigrants. European expansion and American influences aside, cheese is still not considered a regular diet of most Asian cultures.

Historically, cheese was largely made at home, on farms or in monasteries in Europe during the middle ages and Renaissance.

This started to change around the time that the first cheese producing factory came online in Switzerland in 1815. However it wasn’t until cheese-making arrived in America that the mass-production of cheese in factories actually took off.

Today, there are some 1,400 varieties of cheese in the world and the United States is the world’s leading cheese producer – churning out more than 30 percent of the world’s cheese.

thb 10 | AUGUST 2015

ARTISIAN AUSTRALIAN CHEESEMAKERS Located at Mcguigan Wine Complex 447 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin PH 4998 7744

www.huntervalleycheese.com.au

HUNTER MARKETS...

16th AUG

INSPIRATION Î ARTISAN ÎƉFOOD Î LIVE MUSIC B c%a %)ƉÎƉ{ k% )ƉÎƉ)c ) Fca)c INSPIRATION • ARTISIAN • FOOD • LIVE MUSIC

HANDMADE • PRODUCE • ENTERTAINMENT OLD ST BRIGIDS SCHOOL GROUNDS OLD ST BRIGIDS SCHOOL GROUNDS CNR STATION ST AND NEW ENGLAND HWY, BRANXTON OLD STCNRBRIGIDS SCHOOL GROUNDS STATION ST AND NEW ENGLAND HWY, BRANXTON

CNR STATION ST AND NEW ENGLAND HWY,9AM-2PM BRANXTON THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 9AM-2PM

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 9AM - 2PM

www.sacredtreemarkets.com.au www.sacredtreemarkets.com.au

Check out whats happening on

Hermitage Road NEW MATILDA BAY BREWHOUSE HUNTER VALLEY Winemakers say, “It takes alot of great beer to make a Hunter wine...”

What better way to finish off a hard day of wine-tasting than with a cleansing ale. We have 12 amazing craft beers for you to look at, analyse and taste… experience the unique Beer Tasting Paddle with tasting notes.

NEW LA GLACE GOURMET PRODUCE & DESSERT BAR La Glace is the oldest and probably best confectionary in Denmark.

Founded in the middle of old Copenhagen in 1870, it has through six generations delivered joy and quality to Copenhagen and its visitors.

In the best of Danish tradition, please come in and visit La Glace Dessert Bar at Hunter Valley Resort for the freshest Ice Creams, Chocolate, Cakes, and of course coffee. Did we mention our range of gourmet produce?

NEW SEGWAY TOURS The Hunter Valley has finally got a guided Segway Tour. Explore this historic region famous for its world class wine on your very own Segway! This amazing adventure starts off at the brewhouse at Hunter Valley Resort, before entering the off road tracks / trails of this vast bush land property and travelling along an old 1880’s stock route.

So make sure you bring your camera, it’s an experience not to be missed!

FREE Live music @ Pok ol SECOND an d LAS bin Village on the T Sunday of the month

HUNTER WINE THEATRE At 11am & 2pm, see the 15 min movie following a grape through the winemaking process into the bottle.

The wine tutorial afterwards is a must do. Groups welcome.

HERMITAGE ROAD CELLARS 49 different wines from 12 small Hunter producers, all at the one Cellar Door. Must be the largest selection of wines in the Hunter.

BINNORIE CHEESE DAIRY Arguably the best locally made cheeses in the area. You have not experienced the best cheese the Hunter has to offer if you miss this place.

HUNTER VALLEY WINE SCHOOL Every day at 9am, the 2 hour Wine School includes a Vineyard inspection, experience the winemaking process, learn how to taste and blend wines. Finally, a personalised Wine Appreciation Certificate. Bookings essential.

HEAVENLY HUNTER MASSAGES Sally Margan’s Heavenly Hunter Massage Centre – the name says it all… Book in a Hawaiian Ka huna today.

Bookings essential.

BIG KIDS CANDY MAKING Make Rocky Road from scratch.

Big Kids = Alcoholic Rocky Road… Also great activity for families, minus the alcohol of course! (Min 8 pax – bookings essential)

WINE COUNTRY HORSERIDING Pokolbin’s only horseriding

facility. You travel along an old 1880’s stock route.. Kids can do the 20 minute pony ride too. Bookings essential.

Tyrrells

Broke Road

Hunter Gardens/ Cessnock Deasys Road

d Roa rth

HUNTER VALLEY RESORT

Old No

Singleton/ Branxton

Mistletoe Lane

H ermitage Road

Smelly Cheese Shop Chocolate and Jam Company Winemakers Outlet General Store Buon Cibo Restaurant Tempt and Vixen Giftware Pokolbin Village Accommodation MMG Photo & Cinema

COME AND EXPERIENCE THE QUIETER SIDE OF POKOLBIN. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

For more information visit www.huntervalley.com.au or call 02 4998 7777

New England Highway

11 | AUGUST 2015 thb

BARRETT’S CHARTER COACHES

HUNTER VALLEY - NEWCASTLE - LAKE MACQUARIE

MAKE OUR BUSES YOUR PLAN B!

Specialises in large groups with over 25 passengers • Social Clubs Weddings • Work Functions • Dinner Transfers

For more details and a free quote visit our website today!

www.kitchenerbusdepot.com

Indulge with

Hunter Valley

Chocolate

We invite you to indulge in our fine range of unique hand-made chocolate products and our huge variety of freshly made fudge.

Our chocolates are produced using the finest Belgian couverture, Australian dried fruits and nuts, and distilled pure fruit oils.

Peterson House • Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr • Ph 4998 7301 Hunter Valley Gardens Village • Shop 5, Broke Rd, Pokolbin • Ph 4998 7221 TWENTY - 3 - TWENTY • 2320 Broke Rd, Pokolbin • Ph 4998 6999

An exciting & unique tasting experience.

We invite you to sample our Hunter made speciality Liqueurs (the Chocolate Port is to die for), Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Infused Olive Oils, our famous Caramelised Balsamic Vinegar, and our amazing range of Gourmet Stuffed Olives!

Choose a designer bottle to compliment your new favourite liqueur, and let us tailor make your wedding bonbonniere, or corporate gift packages.

www.hvchocolate.com.au • admin@hvchocolate.com.au

Now in two great locations: 23 Ogilvie St DENMAN | PH 6547 2840 Shop 6 Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Rd POKOLBIN | PH 4998 7455

www.huntervalleyliqueurs.com.au

Shop 20, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Pokolbin ● Ph 4998 7458

www.huntervalleycookies.com

● Cookie tastings daily ● Gluten free available

Su Wed Open

● Delicious Coffee ● Next door to The Garden Cellars

n 1 0 am - 4 . 3 0pm

Home of Award winning cookies in the Hunter Valley ● Hand-made premium cookies in designer gourmet flavours.

thb 12 | AUGUST 2015

• Hundreds of colourful hand blown &

crystal wine glasses • Exciting selection of unusual glass vases, lamps & homewares • Large selection of Cheryl Cusicks latest original artworks • The amazing German tea lights and lamps • Souvenirs - Australian & the Hunter Valley • Comical wine glasses, coasters & magnets Shop 3, Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village Phone 4998 6888 • Open 7 Days

Wine Glass Gallery Because great wine deserves a great wine glass

Over 3,000 colourful eclectic products to choose from...

Come and enjoy a friendly Hunter Valley Experience!

Hunter Valley

Horse Ridingures & Advent Trail Rides for Beginners and Experienced Riders

Pony Rides • Family Rides • Picnics • Personalised Rides Hiking & Mountain Bike Trails • Sunset Rides • Kangaroos Spectacular Valley Views Tractor Hay Rides to Feed the Animals!

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 Countrys attractions, yet you feel a million miles away..

13 | AUGUST 2015 thb

Why the name change to Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen?

We wanted to give the restaurant a welcoming and family environment.

The name is inspired by Matt and Miranda’s grandmother (Nanna Kerr) whose home in Gunnedah was destroyed by a fire in 2011. Her kitchen was where the family and extended family tended to congregate over the years while Matt was growing up and holds many wonderful memories.

We are hoping to recreate that warm and wonderful welcoming atmosphere where people can go to enjoy an intimate dinner, a family get-together or celebration. It’s like sitting at your Nanna’s kitchen table.

What type of cuisine will you be serving up – what is the Nanna Kerr menu going to look like?

The menu is new – creating a balance between casual dining and elegant dining, without the frills. Our foodie vision is to create somewhere that is homely, welcoming and with a strong focus on using organic produce.

(From left) Jimmy Wright, Les Kramer, Matt Kerr and Therese Kramer.

Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen

“Indulgent when it needs to be, healthy when it wants to be and a place filled with love.”

By Quentin von Essen

London born Jimmy Wright and Matt Kerr - the younger brother to Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, met each other just 12 months ago and have now both quit their jobs to pursue a mutual dream, to own and manage their own family restaurant. After falling in love with the Hunter Valley and Lovedale in particular, the couple decided to purchase Friedy Meinel’s popular Lovedale eatery “Emma’s of Lovedale” located at Emma’s Cottage Vineyard.

When the doors open on August 6, Matt and Jimmy will be taking the restaurant in a new direction with a new menu and the new name of Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen.

I met with Jimmy at their new home on Majors Lane to chat about their plans for the new restaurant.

What were you and Matt doing before you purchased Emma’s of Lovedale?

I worked for the successful experience business ‘Red Balloon’, based in Sydney, leading the sales team. Matt, on the other hand, has previously worked as a chef in Canada and Australia but up until this move to the Hunter Valley, he was working for his sister’s skin care company ‘’KORA’’.

What made you want to move to the Hunter and get into the local restaurant scene?

After eight years at Red Balloon, I loved my job but I began to question what I really wanted to get out of life. As a result, I took 3 weeks off from work to consider my options and during this time Matt and I decided to make a short ‘’escape’’ trip to the Hunter Valley. While here, we reminded ourselves of the conversation we had shortly after we met, which was to one day have our own family restaurant - a restaurant that was to be indulgent when it needs to be, healthy when it wants to be and a place filled with love.

Needless to say, we decided then and there to pursue our idea and dream of working together and owning a restaurant. We googled restaurants for sale in the Hunter and discovered Emma’s of Lovedale was up for sale. We met with Friedy, decided to take the plunge and bought it! No hesitation – it was wonderful!

thb 14 | AUGUST 2015

The core signature menu is made up of Kerr family favourites such as; Nan’s famous chicken pot pie, Mums’ fish pie (the favourite dish of Therese Kerr – Matt’s mother and also my mother), steak pie (which is Miranda’s childhood favourite), a range of platters, homemade pâté and soups.

There will always be a Pa’s Pot on the menu, which is basically a hearty stew – the favourite dish of Pa Kerr, who was a removalist in his day.

The daily specials menu will consist of 2 to 3 entrees, mains and desserts. Here you will see a more sophisticated selection of dishes – putting a balance into the menu choice. Something a little more elegant and that involves local produce.

When it comes to wine choice, we will be working with Emma’s Cottage Vineyard – recommending their wines with our mains and also introducing a selection of local wineries and especially organic wines.

So who is the Chef or are you employing one?

The Chef is Chanelle Kawana - an old friend of Matts who has been working at a health food café in Queensland.

Are there any plans for the future?

Weddings are also definitely part of the offering. We already have a wedding booked and are pitching for two others. We will also be taking on a couple of apprentices – one back of house and one front of house.

So we are already very busy but it just does not feel like work!

Apart from all that, we are also planning our own wedding ceremony in December next year – it will be a real family affair albeit a simple ceremony – combining good food, family and wine.

Is there a role for Miranda in the business?

We spoke to her the other night and she is so stoked that we are doing this. She is a real believer in following your heart. She has a line of Royal Albert Crockery, so if we are serving delicate cakes and high tea we will no doubt be bringing out her crockery.

I am pretty sure Miranda will be visiting us whenever she is in the country – perhaps later this year.

But, hey - if Miranda ever finds herself between modelling gigs – she knows where to find her favourite steak pie!

NANNA KERR’S KITCHEN opens August 6th and will be open 5 days from Thursday to Monday, 8am to 9pm.

ADDRESS 438 Wilderness Road, Pokolbin. www.nannakerrskitchen.com.au

PETERSON HOUSE PREMIUM SPARKLING WINES

Cellar Door Open 7 days 9am-5pm

Restaurant Cuvée Breakfast 8.30am-11am Lunch 12pm-3pm

Australian Premium Sparkling Wines

Corner Broke Road & Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin 2320 P 02 4998 7881 www.petersonhouse.com.au www.facebook.com/PetersonHouseltd

CAMPBELLS STORE Morpeth

Free Ginger Beer, Fudge & Honey Tasting awaits you at Campbell’s Store, Morpeth.

Campbell’s Store is the Hunter Valley’s ultimate unique shopping destination & foodies paradise. A leisurely 45 minute drive from Hunter Wine Country, the 175 year old Campbell’s Store houses 10 speciality shops, investment Australian art gallery, collectors museum & tearoom all under one roof.

OPEN Thursday – Sunday & most Public Holidays 10am – 5pm.

(Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day & Boxing Day)

Mention this ad to receive Free: A Morpeth VIP card & offer of the month.

175 Swan Street, Morpeth, NSW 2321 PH 02 4933 1407 • www.campbellsstoremorpeth.com 15 | AUGUST 2015 thb

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Mixing it up withWine Blends Blending wines of different varieties and vineyards has gone on for centuries, the goal being to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Blending wines of different varieties and vineyards has gone on for centuries, the goal being to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

From Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot; Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache to Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Syrah and Merlot – winemakers around the world are becoming more adventurous and innovative with their blending techniques – creating masterful and unique wine blends to please the palate.

If there were any rules in the winemaking game, it’s becoming clear that they were made to be broken, with winemakers – especially those in the New World, increasingly creating blends from grapes not traditionally combined, creating new and exciting flavour and aroma profiles.

Why? Wine blends can offer more complexity than single varietal wines.

In fact, some of the world’s greatest wines are made from blends – take Chateau Margaux (Cabernet Dominant), Chateau Petrus (Merlot Dominant) and also Penfolds Grange for example. Blended wines are some of the most complex and interesting types of wines. They are the fruit salad of the wine world – a delicious mix of all the best bits of different varietals. After all where would Bordeaux be without the five red varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère to play with?

At its most basic, winemakers blend wine made from different grapes in order to add more complexity to the flavour and texture of a wine. Both reds and whites can be made from blends of varietals. In some cases, they may even blend whites and reds together in order to create the best possible combination of aromas and flavours. An example of this is blending Viognier with Shiraz – resulting in changes to the final colour intensity and flavour of the wine.

In Australia, there are two main red grape varieties that form the base of most red blends – Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon and these are often blended together.

Australian Shiraz, with its many flavour and texture options, makes a great blending partner. Many winemakers are now also blending Viognier with Shiraz- calling it “Shiraz Viognier” even though the quantity of Viognier may be very small. These wines are often not strictly blends as they are made by a process called co-pigmentation – a process that brightens the colour of the wine, adds fragrance to the aroma and texture to the palate.

Sangiovese is another wine that is often blended with Shiraz. The savoury nature of Sangiovese grape is enriched by the bold and robust nature of Shiraz, coming together to create a rich, complex and spicy wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon’s firm tannin structure ensures that it’s capable of producing wines with good potential to improve with cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon as a Shiraz partner is also popular and some of the greatest Australian wines ever made are a blend of these two varieties. These wines are complex and robust with incredible ageing potential.

When it comes to blending, the possibility for combinations that result in a quality blend are endless. Here are a few wine blends worth trying: Semillon Sauvignon Blanc; Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot; Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon; Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; Shiraz and Mataro and Shiraz Viognier.

thb 16 | AUGUST 2015

Designed to Delight.

Premium Wines • Spectacular Views 2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin. Open 10am - 5pm Daily PH 4998 6722 • www.lambloch.com • cellardoor@lambloch.com

For an altogether sweet experience, a visit to one of Sabor in the Hunter’s Dessert Bars is a MUST! Pair something scrumptious with a delicious Hunter Valley wine…. it’s a unique Hunter Valley experience that you can only enjoy at a Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar. 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.

Indulge in multi-award winning Portuguese Chocolate mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, hand-made chocolates, Portuguese tarts and gourmet ice-cream.

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

Enjoy a world of desserts at a Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar near you!

POKOLBIN At Lambloch Estate, 2342 Broke Rd, Pokolbin • PH 1300 958 939 Open Thursday - Monday 10am - 4.30pm

LOVEDALE 319 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale • PH 1300 958 850

Open Friday & Saturday 10am - 9.30pm, Sunday 10am - 4.30pm

www.saborinthehunter.com.au

17 | AUGUST 2015 thb

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What’s that?

Wine is not only delicious, but it can also be good for you?

If you are a wine lover, you probably don’t need an excuse to open a bottle, but let’s face it, knowing the contents just may be good for your health (when consumed in moderation), has to be an added bonus. Who does not want to be more creative, have a healthier heart or even lose a bit of weight?

Here are just a few health advantages associated with wine consumption that’s going to make that next glass even more pleasurable:

Wine Burns Fat. Fantastic news for those of us who like second and even third helpings.

Researchers have found that ellagic acid, which is found in grapes, dramatically slows the growth of existing fat cells and the formation of new ones, boosting the metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells.

thb 20 | AUGUST 2015

Wine Makes You Smarter Exactly what we've been thinking all along! Make sure you take that bottle of wine to the next brainstorming session…

Recent studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago, show that a few glasses of wine actually relaxes our brains and allows us to think more clearly, and even assist in creative problem-solving.

Wine Helps with Diabetes Is it the wine, the water or the food? In a study of over 200 type 2 diabetes patients who regularly consume a Mediterranean diet, the patients who also drank a 150ml glass of red wine with dinner had higher HDL Cholesterol levels, than those who did not (instead they drank mineral water). Since HDL cholesterol is the wellbehaved "good cholesterol," this friendly scavenger cruises the bloodstream removing harmful bad cholesterol from where it doesn't belong. High HDL levels, therefore, reduce the risk for heart disease where as low levels increase the risk. Good news right?

Your always welcome at...

Oishii Japanese Thai Restaurant

There is nothing quite like a festive sushi platter to impress your guests.

It tastes healthy, light and delicious.

A favourite dining experience for locals and visitors alike.

Always fresh... Always vibrant Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

Takeaway available every day.

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

Tempus Two Complex, Hunter Valley Corner of Broke Rd & Mcdonald Rd’s Pokolbin, NSW 2320 PH 02 4998 7051 www.oishii.com.au

Cheers Bus

Hunter Valley Guided Winery Tours • Personalised, professional tour in an air conditioned mini bus, seven days per week • Pick up from your local accommodation or from Sydney, Central Coast, Maitland and Singleton areas and be escorted throughout the day • Witness the beauty and tranquillity of Hunter Wine Country on route to our chosen boutique cellar doors, as well as vodka, schnapps, cheese, olive and chocolate tastings • Wedding, restaurant, concert and airport transfers available

book@cheersbus.com • Call John on 0408 987 057

Arak Gin Vodkas Premium Apple Lemon Myrtle Vanilla Chilli Coffee Chocolate Caramel Honey Liqueurs Strawberry Ginger Mango Mint Leaf Coconut Rum Choc Mint Turkish Delight Coffee Cherry Schnapps Blackberry Butterscotch

Hunter Distillery is the only locally owned and operated distillery in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales.

We use premium quality organic raw ingredients to produce an exceptional range of top shelf spirits.

Our multi award winning spirits include Gin, Vodka, Liqueurs and Schnapps.

Open for tastings and sales 7 days, 10am - 5pm 1686 Broke Road, Pokolbin 2320 • PH (02) 4998 6737 info@hunterdistillery.com.au • www.hunterdistillery.com.au

21 | AUGUST 2015 thb

Meet

the Winemakers

A New Wave of Talented and Innovative Winemakers

By Quentin von Essen

The Hunter Valley is never short of winemaking talent, new ideas and innovation.

For over 100 years, the Hunter Valley has gained international recognition for the quality and distinct regional characteristics of its premium wines and the skills of its winemakers.

Of course names such as Ian Scarborough, Jay Tulloch, John Tulloch, Chris Barnes, Phil Ryan, Brian McGuigan, Faye McGuigan, Kevin Sobels and Bruce Tyrrell should also be mentioned, as all continue to make their mark on the Hunter Valley wine industry.

But amongst all this, there is a growing list of young, innovative and highly talented winemakers, producing outstanding wines and bringing Hunter Valley winemakers such as Karl Stockhausen, Hans Mollenhauer new life and flavours onto the market and continuing to shape the and Maurice O’Shea of Mount Pleasant are legendary, with Maurice future of winemaking in the Hunter Valley. Amongst them are Mark O’Shea credited for being the father of Australian table wine. Then there Woods of Leogate Estate, Gwyn Olsen of Briar Ridge and Liz Jackson of is the late Murray Tyrrell, Len Evans and Max Lake, all of whom have First Creek and Monarch Winemaking Services. helped shape the reputation of the Hunter Valley as Australia's premier wine growing region.

Up There With The Best Talented winemaker Gwyneth Olsen joined Briar Ridge as their new winemaker in 2013.

After graduating with a degree in Oenology from Roseworthy University in 2005, Gwyn worked three vintages in France - St Emilion, Burgundy and Languedoc. She followed this with 4 years at Villa Maria in New Zealand where she proved herself to be a rising star in the New Zealand wine industry.

Gwyn then accepted a role at McWilliams Wines in the pivotal role of building the production across both New Zealand and the Hunter Valley. It was at McWilliams that Gwyn’s passion and enthusiasm for wine saw her quickly rise through the ranks and appointed to a senior winemaker role.

In 2013, she accepted the position of Chief Winemaker at Briar Ridge and more recently took on the additional role of General Manager.

Building on her already well-established reputation for being a world-class winemaker, Gwyn was recently awarded the 2014 Gourmet Traveller WINE, The Young Winemaker Medal - a fantastic achievement for Gwyn who at just 31 years of age has achieved so much in a relatively short period of time.

Another achievement for Gwyn was being awarded the title of ‘Dux’ at the Australian Wine Research Institute, Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2012.

Gwyn now judges at six wine shows throughout Australia, including three National Wine Shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Gwyn Olsen thb 22 | AUGUST 2015

Liz Jackson

The Accidental Winemaker For somebody who describes her career move into winemaking as a fortunate ‘’accident’’, Liz Jackson has had a meteoric rise to become one of Australia’s most renown and talented winemakers.

Having grown up in the Hunter Valley, Liz attended the University of Newcastle studying a Bachelor of Science without really knowing what she wanted to do with it. Liz only really started her wine industry career in 1999 when she joined Brokenwood Wines as Lab Technician working with P.J Charteris, who she credits for playing a significant role in her career and success to date.

Three years later, Liz could be found at Tempus Two where she was Assistant Winemaker working under Sarah Kate Dineen - another major influence in her career. Liz spent 6 years at Tempus Two while completing her Graduate Diploma in Oenology from the University of Adelaide.

In 2006, Liz was appointed head winemaker and her wines went on to win medals and trophies at some of the countries top wine shows.

In 2006, Liz was also awarded the Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial described as the “most exclusive wine school in the world” and in 2007 was a finalist for Young Winemaker of the Year.

In 2008, Liz was appointed to her current role – Chief Winemaker at First Creek Wines and Monarch Winemaking Services (the biggest contract winemaking business in the Hunter), where she plays a crucial role both in the production of First Creeks’ own awardwinning wine brand, as well as having 27 other wine companies place their trust in her exceptional winemaking skills.

The awards keep coming, with Liz being one of the stars at the NSW Wine Awards - with five wines featuring in the NSW Top 40, including NSW Wine of the year.

Her success continued when she was named as a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller WINE, Winemaker of the Year Awards, crowned the Winemaker of the Year at the Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Awards, and named as one of the top ten people to watch

by SMH Sydney Magazine.

The Quiet Achiever

Mark Woods

Despite having an impressive collection of recent accolades to boast of, Chief Winemaker Mark Woods is a quietly spoken, modest and down-to-earth man, with a great passion for creating wines that showcase the unique terroir from which they are sourced.

Toiling away in the Leogate Estate winery, Mark works long hours to produce wines of great style and sophistication while also respecting and embracing regional characteristics.

No where is this more evident than in Mark’s decision to split an exceptional parcel of Shiraz fruit from the Brokenback Vineyard into two world-class wines - “The Basin” and “The Western Slopes” Reserve Shiraz. This resulted in the 2011 “The Basin” Reserve Shiraz taking home the Trophy for Best Wine in its First Year of Production at the 2014 International Wine Challenge in London and the “The Western Slopes” picking up a silver medal. Both wines are wonderful expressions of Hunter Shiraz, with different characteristics reflecting the different blocks from which the wine is produced.

With a strong 2014 Hunter Valley vintage, it is anticipated that Leogate Estate Wines, under the stewardship of Mark Woods, will continue to perform strongly in both local and national competitions. If his previous work at Leogate Estate Wines is any indication, there will be a great deal of excitement surrounding the next release from Mark Woods and Leogate Estate Wines.

23 | AUGUST 2015 thb

FIRST CREEK TOUR AND TASTING PACKAGES

Hunter Valley 101

Daily Winery Tour:

Join us at 10.30am daily for an entertaining and informative tour of the First Creek winery and bottling line. $5pp.

The perfect introduction for those who want to learn a little more about the Hunter Valley and its wines,complete with gourmet cheese platter!

Bookings essential, $15pp.

The Trophy Tastings:

Experience the best of the best, with a tasting of the trophy winning Winemaker’s Reserve Wines. Bookings essential $30pp.

600 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. For details visit www.firstcreekwines.com.au or call us on 02 4998 2992.

AWARD WINNING VENUE

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HOME OF

Voted Best TAB - Country NSW and Best Unique Beer Offering in NSW, Potters Hotel Brewery Resort has it all. Make your next stop in Wine Country something completely different. Live music each weekend and jumping castle for the kiddies on a Sunday.

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and fish,” while a useful guide, is no longer entirely relevant. These days, you are more likely to hear, “drink what you like and eat what you like.”

Red wines typically pair well with red meat, because meat stands up to the tannins, but you can substitute red wines with rich, full-bodied whites. White wines tend to have more acidity than reds, which can counterbalance rich foods and cut through heavy notes, especially when a dish is served with a sauce or in a stew. A pan grilled salmon, for example, goes well with a Pinot Noir. There is also no reason why you cannot try a serious red such as Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled tuna steaks, rich seafood casserole and spicy Asian fish dishes. Give it a try!

Dispelling

Opening a bottle of red wine an hour before you drink it allows the wine to open up or “breathe”. One of the main reasons to decant wine is to expose a large part of the wine’s surface area to oxygen, which will help mellow a young wine’s tannins (this is particularly relevant to red wines, which are higher in tannin than white wines). Merely uncorking a bottle and letting it sit on the counter for an hour before you pour it, doesn’t do much in the way of exposing a large part of the wine’s surface area to oxygen. To allow wine to “breathe” and soften up, it needs to be poured into a decanter (or any other suitable vessel) an hour prior to drinking.

Few areas of human consumption and enterprise are more weighed down with myth, exaggeration and misinformation than wine. Let us improve your red wine experience by dispelling some of the most common myths.

All wines improve with age. Not true. The truth is that most wine isn’t meant to age. Most wine is released within 2 years of being grapes in a vineyard and then drunk within 6 months of purchase - while they are young, aromatic, fruity and fresh. Quality, well-made wines often have the ability to age. Reds with high acidity and a good tannin structure tend to age well. The most obvious candidates for long-term ageing in the bottle are reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Nebbiolo. The economics of producing almost any wine selling for less than about $12 a bottle mean that there is unlikely to be a sufficient concentration of suitable ingredients in that bottle to allow for ageing.

RED WINE MYTHS Always serve red wine at room temperature. What's room temperature? It really just means do not serve chilled. But again, this depends on the wine being served. Some young, vibrant and early-drinking red wines benefit from being chilled for a few minutes - especially for summer drinking. Look for wines with little or no wood aging - they should be as young as possible and low in alcohol. Varieties that can be great slightly chilled are Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Dolcetto and Grenache.

You should only drink red wine with red meat. Today, when it comes to pairing wine with food, there really are no hard and fast rules. The old adage of “red wine with red meat and white wine with white meat

thb 24 | AUGUST 2015

The more expensive the wine - the better the quality. While this should be true - it often is not and should only be used as a guide to gauge quality, rather than the rule. In reality, some wines are just overpriced.

The trick is finding wines that you love and are happy to pay the price of.

Much more than a Vineyard.

Enjoy award-winning wines with the best view in the Hunter Valley.

Our Matilda range is made up of easy drinking styles that are produced for your enjoyment.

Come Waltzing with Matilda...

205 Gillards Road, Pokolbin • PH 4998 7887 www.constablevineyards.com.au

Cellar Door open 10am - 5pm De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin | audreywilkinson.com.au

Cellar Door open daily 10am-5pm 576 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin www. cockfightersghost.com.au

WINE SALE

$50 cases

3 dozen for $120 On taste today! *On selected wines, conditions apply.

Warm up this August with these amazing case specials!

The largest beer range in the Valley!

See over 800 different local and imported beers from all over the world in the must see Tunnel of Beer.

Beers available include stouts, ales, lagers, pilsner, porters, light beers and dark beers and more.

See it to believe it at The Garden Cellars!

Buy any mixed 12 beers or ciders and receive a 12% discount.

THE GARDEN

CELLARS

Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Road, Pokolbin OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 5.30pm | PH 4998 7466 www.gardencellars.com.au

25 | AUGUST 2015 thb

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

Matt Dillow

He’s the boy from Parramatta who has made good in Pokolbin.

By Donna Smith Matt Dillow has certainly cemented his position as a leading culinary force in the Hunter’s hospitality industry by embracing his Maltese heritage and bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to the Valley.

The father of two has fast earned a reputation, not only as a cooking maestro but as a savvy business operator. Matt has three highly regarded dining venues under his belt, which are fast gaining huge applause from local, interstate and international visitors.

Born and raised in Parramatta, Matt followed his grandfather’s footsteps. “My grandfather was a great cook,” he said.

“He worked as a cook during the war and every time we would visit my nan and pop, there was always something on the stove or in the oven and being Maltese, it was usually a traditional Maltese soup or baked macaroni,” Matt said.

It has been a long journey from Parramatta to Pokolbin, but well worth the trek eight years ago, with Matt now owning and operating three restaurants: The Verandah (Tapas), Twine Restaurant (fine dining) and The Deck Cafe (smart, upmarket food).

But it doesn’t stop there.

Matt has started food, wine and produce tours which are growing in popularity.

“I recently took 40 people to Tasmania where we did Hobart, Huonville, Bruny Island and Richmond,” he said.

“We go to sheep farms, cheese factories, cider houses, wineries, oyster farms and more and I cook at some awesome locations. One of my favourites is on a beach on Bruny Island,” he said.

“I also help a chef mate in Tuscany each year for two weeks and next year I am doing two, one-week tours of New Zealand’s South Island.”

Matt said as the Hunter is so rich in agriculture, wine and fresh food products, he has always used the finest fresh local produce in his menus. He said attention to quality is paramount so that the produce is worthy of fine diners and food and wine connoisseurs.

“Whether that’s a degustation dinner or a cooking class, people are really looking for those sorts of experiences and are also far more interested in where the produce comes from,” he said.

“I think TV shows are getting people into food a lot more. I’ve been doing this since I was 15 years old and people have just never been so much into food like they are today. People don’t just eat because they are hungry, they eat because they want an experience.”

thb 26 | AUGUST 2015

It is that sort of memorable experience for his customers that make Matt proud of what he does. He loves that he is making someone’s special occasion or holiday that little bit more special and that they come to the Hunter for the whole package, the food and wine.

According to Matt “They go hand in hand.”

Matt did the hard yards before achieving every chef’s dream and opening his own restaurant.

“I spent a lot of time in Rydges hotels and resorts but one of my favourite restaurants was running Barrenjoey House at Palm Beach for just over three years,” he said.

Matt also did a short stint in a traditional old English pub in Surry.

Given a choice of top chefs he would like to share a kitchen with, Matt said Marco Pierre White or Jamie Oliver “for a laugh.”

Asked what advice he would give to young chefs entering the profession, Matt said “Set yourself a goal and strive to achieve it.”

“You can do anything with hard work, patience and listening to people around you.”

But with that drive must come dedication, determination, commitment and hard work as this profession is not one for the faint-hearted.

Matt’s average day is in fact far from average.

“I work from the moment I wake up,” he said.

“I check emails, then it’s pretty much phone calls, touching base with my restaurants and making sure all is good, hoping there are no machine or refrigerator breakdowns and that all rostered staff are at work and no one is off sick, which usually makes my day a lot easier,” Matt said.

When Matt is not in the kitchen, he is usually hanging out with his daughters or heading to the slopes for a round of snowboarding.

“There is not much at all I don’t like about my chosen career otherwise I wouldn’t do it, but I guess if anything I would say the aspect I dislike most is having to work weekends,” Matt said.

On the flip side, if he had the chance to pursue another career, he said the obvious choice would be a winemaker.

RESTAURANT

Eighty Eight is a restaurant for lovers.

Those passionate about sustainability and fresh food will be enraptured with this experience.

Ethically sourced ingredients with minimal environmental impact and blended perfectly with a focus on non–allergenic comfort food.

The menu is broad and hearty with a strong selection of vegetarian and gluten free options.

Nestled within the grounds of Peppers Convent, and offering superb service and comfort, make sure to add Eighty Eight to your next foodie trail through the Hunter Valley.

It is the future of farm to fork dining.

Breakfast Mon to Sun 8am - 10am, Lunch Mon to Sun 12pm - 3pm High Tea Mon to Sun 12:30pm - 3pm, Dinner Thurs to Sun 6:30pm - Late

88 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 | 02 4998 4999 convent@peppers.com.au | www.peppersconvent.com

27 | AUGUST 2015 thb

KOPiAsTe! COMe, eAT, enJOY! We use the freshest seasonal produce from our onsite kitchen garden to create our signature Cypriot Meze, a 4 course feast inspired from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Enjoy all day dining and slowly graze through the dishes whilst enjoying the picturesque vineyard views. If you have neither the time nor apetite, select tasty morsels of seasonal seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes from our new Mezedhes menu.

RidgeVieW Wines ARe AVAilAble AT The CellAR dOOR PRiCe.

Wines RidgeView is a family owned, boutique producer of handcrafted trophy winning wines. Sample from Riedel glasses our flagship “Generations” Semillon and Shiraz as well as our ecclectic range of 100% Hunter Valley wines.

CellAR dOOR ResTAURAnT lUXURiOUs COTTAges VineYARd OliVe gROVe eVenTs

CELLAR DOOR OPEN 10AM-5PM WED-SUN RESTAURANT OPEN BREAKFAST FRI-SUN LUNCH & DINNER THUR-SUN Ph: (02) 65747332 273 sweetwater Road Pokolbin dine@ridgeview.com.au www.ridgeview.com.au AWARDED 5 stARs by ‘JAmEs HAlliDAy AustRAliAn WinE CompAnion’

Merlot’s popularity is due to the fact that it is softer, fruitier, and earlier-maturing than Cabernet Sauvignon, yet displays many of the same flavours – cherry, currant, plums and raspberries along with mint and tobacco. Tannin levels also tend to be lower than other red grape varieties and the skin is a deep colour. Merlots also possess a rich and ample softness that many Cabernets lack.

Merlot blends very well and is also highly sought after straight varietal.

Although enjoyable as a varietal wine, it is most successful when blended with Cabernet Sauvignon - contributing to the depth of flavour and ability to age that Merlot lacks. Merlot also has the capacity to soften the severe and tough nature of a young Cabernet.

The Mystery of Merlot Merlot is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is often used to produce some of the world's most famous and most expensive wines. It is also renowned for its wonderfully fruity, rounded, even fleshy character.

In Australia, it is considered to be one of the most important red grape varieties - coming in third after Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Australia producing in excess of 90K tonnes of Merlot annually. The popularity of Merlot has soared over the last decade with grape growing regions experiencing a significant increase in plantings and production.

thb 28 | AUGUST 2015

Merlot is grown in just about every region of Australia, only shying away from the coldest of wine growing regions and can tolerate and even thrive in poor conditions, including bad quality or moist soils.

The Hunter wine region has extensive plantings of Merlot and the summer heat is considered to provide the ideal growing conditions for this versatile grape variety. In recent years, Hunter Valley Merlot has experienced a surge in popularity and is often considered to be more robust and fleshy than other well regarded varieties, with a rich bouquet delivering one of the most pleasurable wine experiences.

When it comes to food matching, Merlot is considered to be a wellbalanced, medium-bodied wine that does not have any complex characteristics, such as chewy tannins or high acids which might clash with many recipes. In fact, one of the best qualities of Merlot is its ability to match well with all different types of food including Italianstyle pasta or even salads. It is also the perfect wine to serve with Winter beef stews and roasts.

The agile, sweet fruit characters of some Merlots are best to match with roasted meats or Mediterranean vegetables that complement the variety. For cheese, pate or game, try a Cabernet Merlot blend, where you can enjoy all characteristics of Merlot, enhanced with some acidity and tannin from the Cabernet. Light bodied Merlots can go well with shellfish like prawns or scallops and is a fine wine to enjoy on its own.

Introducing the Hunter Valley's

P OKOL BI N ESTATE VI NEYARD

Tempranillo | Nebbiolo | Sangiovese Get your taste for adventure today at ...Pokolbin Estate.

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

R EC REATI N G H I S T O RY Bringing the old vines back to their former glory...

310 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin 2320 PH (02) 4998 7885 E cellar@wynwoodestate.com.au W www.wynwoodestate.com.au 29 | AUGUST 2015 thb

The Hunter Valley is Australia's "Must Visit" Wine Region! With over 150 Cellar Doors, almost 70 restaurants and a plethora of events happening throughout the year, it's easy to see how it's earned the "Must Visit" tag.

Planning a trip to the Hunter Valley?

Don't leave home before visiting Hunter Valley Online!

You’ll find all the latest news, restaurant reviews, wine tasting notes and suggestions, interactive magazines, guides, brochures, newsletters, maps, books and tools to make the most of your time in Australia's Must Visit Wine Region!

Photo courtesy of Mount View Tourism.

Wine. #withbodyandsoul 358 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin | 02 4998 4200 | www.tamburlaine.com.au

It’s never been easier.

AS SEEN IN

foods and the only Includes handy Wine & Food Trail Maps for each wine producing area as well as dining reviews and wine tasting notes.

Look for the gold sticker at featured restaurants and wineries.

NEW ISSUE OUT JUNE 2015! thb 30 | AUGUST 2015

Y HUNTER VALLE

MA

G AZ I NE

Big Hunter Reds

1. LAMBLOCH 2013 The Loch Shiraz

4. TAMBURLAINE 2014 Hunter Valley Reserve Chambourcin

Great wine starts with the vineyard. The Lambloch Estate vines were planted in the 1950’s in prized red volcanic soil not often seen in the Hunter.

These single vineyard Shiraz vines produce stellar fruit and will only be used to make The Loch on the best vintages.

The 2013 The Loch is the fourth vintage of this stunning wine, with the three previous vintages all receiving a rating of 96 points by James Halliday Wine Companion.

TASTING Designed with elegance and structure in mind, this wine produces rich spicy black fruits whilst retaining a soft mouth feel with a long finish and after taste. The screw cap ensures you will be rewarded further after long term cellaring.

CELLARING Drink now to 2020.

Tamburlaine Organic Wines is Australia’s largest producer of organic wines with a reputation for producing exceptional award winning wines from their Hunter Valley and Orange vineyards that are true to the terroir of the region.

TASTING The 2014 Hunter Valley Chambourcin exhibits the deep red/purple colour characteristic of Australian grown Chambourcin which thrives in the warm Hunter Valley climate. On the palate, this medium bodied wine displays floral, red current and truffle flavours with a gentle finish. Maturation in French oak barrels has added elegant cedar characters.

Serve with game meats such as duck, venison and kangaroo. Chambourcin flavours intermingle exceptionally well with desserts made with chocolate, particularly dark chocolate!

CELLARING 10+ years in a good cellar.

2. HART & HUNTER 2014 Ablington Shiraz

5. BRIAR RIDGE 2013 The H.R.B Shiraz Pinot

Hart & Hunter was formed around the idea of sourcing the highest quality fruit from specially selected vineyards that consistently turn out wines that are truly indicative of their terroir. With a particular focus on varieties such as Shiraz, Semillon and Chardonnay, this dedication for producing great wines has paid off with their elegant wines gaining industry respect.

TASTING The 2014 Ablington Shiraz is from the cracking 2014 vintage. At the first whiff of dark chocolate and leather you know you are in for a treat. The palate offers mulberries, black pepper, spice, and all wrapped up in gorgeous French oak. Savoury depth with rich primary fruit balance out a traditional Hunter Valley Shiraz.

Limited availability from this premium site.

This single vineyard wine made from Shiraz and Pinot Noir has been crafted in a way that showcases the rich history of the Hunter using modern day winemaking techniques.

This wine, awarded 96 points by James Halliday, is not normally available for tasting, but throughout August if you mention this article at the Cellar Door, they will open a bottle for you to taste!

TASTING The nose is perfumed floral notes of cassis and dark cherry.

The palate is a finely balanced blend of dark cherry, cassis and spice notes.

Elegant, medium bodied with silky tannins and a fine boned acid structure, this wine is made to intrigue and delight.

CELLARING Reward yourself with careful cellaring up to ten years.

3. RIDGEVIEW WINES 2013 Impressions Shiraz

6. ASCELLA PURE WINE Vintage Red

RidgeView Estate’s aim in making this wine is to leave an impression. This Shiraz was handpicked from their “Effen Hill” vineyard and has been awarded 5 stars by Winestate.

TASTING The wine displays a bright red colour with a vibrant purple hue and possesses compelling aromas of raspberry and cherry. The generous palate is long and complex, beautifully balanced between layers of ripe red berry fruits and a refined tannin structure combined with subtle French oak characters.

Enjoy this complex red wine on its own, or as an excellent accompaniment to any red meat dish.

CELLARING Drinking well now - medium term cellaring of 4-6 years will allow for further complexity.

Ascella is the largest family owned certified organic vineyard in the Hunter Valley. All Ascella pure organic wines are made using only organic grapes from their secluded vineyard located in the pristine Broke Fordwich region, where they are committed to maintaining a balanced, chemical free and sustainable environment.

With the expertise of multiple award winning winemakers Liz Jackson and Greg Silkman, Ascella continue to produce great tasting, award winning wines.

TASTING The Ascella Vintage Red is a blend of their most popular pure organic red wines to create a drinking style red wine with a lifted nose of berry fruits and soft velvet tannins. Oak maturation has delivered rich full flavours of blackcurrant and delicately layered cherry and plum.

Purchase any of these BIG REDS online. Simply scan the QR code, visit the page and click on the wine of your choice!

31 | AUGUST 2015 thb

A STICKY situation Dessert wines - often referred to as “stickies” (perhaps due to the delicious “sticky” texture of the wine), are luscious after-dinner drinks that linger on your palate more deliciously than any mousse, cake or tart. Dessert wines go well alongside a well-made dessert, or can stand alone as a replacement for dessert at the end of a meal.

Fermented in the same manner as conventional white wines, Dessert wines tend to be intensely flavoured, profoundly gold in colour with bouquets of dried apricots, sweet flavour and a sharp acid finish. The types of desserts that a dessert wine can be paired with are limitless, but the general rule is for the dessert wine to be sweeter than the desserts to avoid having the dessert overpower the dessert wine.

Dessert wines are traditionally made from grapes that are harvested later in the season. This allows the concentration of grape sugars and the naturally occurring fungus, Botrytis cinerea (or “noble rot”) to attack the grape, gradually drawing the moisture from the berry and intensifying the sugar concentration, acidity and fruit flavour.

Types of Dessert Wines Late Harvest is a term applied to wines made from grapes that are left on the vines late during the harvest so that they ripen to their fullest. Late harvest is usually an indication of a sweet dessert wine such as late harvest Riesling, Pinot Gris or Semillon.

The grapes are left to dry on the vines to naturally dehydrate until they resemble raisins before being picked and dried indoors, or they are left on the vineyard ground to shrivel in the sun.

As far as the cultivation of dessert wines goes, Semillon is the favoured grape because its thinner skin allows for a more effective state of Botrytis and, therefore, sweeter juice. Late harvest Semillon wines are typically yellow-gold in colour with hints of peach, pineapple and sometimes banana making up the bouquet.

Fois gras, blue cheese and light chocolate desserts are excellent pairings for a late harvest Semillon.

Fortified Wines like Ports are made by adding Brandy spirits during fermentation. This actually kills the yeasts that convert sugar to alcohol leaving the wine very sweet and increasing the alcohol level to between 15% and 20%. The types of spirit used and the point at which the spirit is added has an enormous impact on the style of wine being made. Generally, the earlier the spirit is added, the sweeter the resulting wines.

After fortification, the wine is left to mature in oak barrels, sometimes for decades, developing into complex, aromatic wines, with immense depth and concentration of flavour and colour.

Muscat grapes are used to make a variety of sweet dessert wines in various parts of the world. Typically, these are fortified wines, although some sweet late harvest and noble rot wines are also made from Muscat grapes.

Liqueur Muscat is a fortified wine from the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, which is a white wine grape and considered one of the oldest grape varieties in existence (also known as Brown Muscat grapes). The wine is sweet, dark and highly alcoholic with similarities to the Portuguese fortified wine Madeira.

Liqueur Muscat essentially starts out as a late harvest wine, with the grapes left on the vine longer than usual - until they are practically raisins and very sweet.

thb 32 | AUGUST 2015

Organic Wines

Great Tasting • Award Winning • Certified Organic

from Adina Vineyard Whether it’s a luscious Hunter Estate Shiraz, a beautiful Cabernet blend, or a warming Muscat that takes your fancy, you will find the line-up of Adina’s red wines just perfect for your enjoyment.

Taste and buy at our cellar door – we are open 7 days from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy!

You can also buy online for delivery to your home or office.

TASTE

PASSION

OPEN 7 days a week Please text or call 02 6574 5275 or 0431 357 105 www.ascellawine.com | sales@ascellawine.com

VINEYARD

492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale • Ph 02 49 307 473 www.adinavineyard.com.au

33 | AUGUST 2015 thb

COMING UP

September

1-30

05

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25+26

SPRING FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS Hunter Valley Gardens

WOLLOMBI WILD RIDE Wollombi

HANDMADE HUNTER MARKETS Kevin Sobels Wines

SINGLETON SHOW Singleton Showground

The Spring Festival of Flowers is an event designed to immerse visitors in a visual and sensory experience they will never forget!

There are over 100,000 annuals planted throughout Hunter Valley Gardens along with fabulous entertainment, activities, attractions, demonstrations, talks, tours and workshops. This event provides stunning viewing and hands-on experience for all visitors.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.hvg.com.au

04

Event organiser Paul Humphreys of H Events said the event is being held to promote mountain bike riding, health and fitness and the community of Wollombi.

The race has three categories, a 15km, 30km and 60km, catering for a wide range of ages and abilities.

With the event compound located next to Wollombi Tavern and great live performances after the race, it is an event not to be missed.

For more information visit www.wollombiwildride.net

06 FATHERS DAY

Boasting a line-up of the best local and international comics and showcasing some of the funniest and freshest emerging talents, you will be left sore from belly laughs at this jam-packed night of pure entertainment!

So call your friends, book the babysitter and grab your tickets to the funniest night of entertainment you will see all year!

Visit the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre website for more information.

thb 34 | AUGUST 2015

20 SACRED TREE MARKETS Old St Brigids School Grounds, Branxton

06 BROKE VILLAGE MARKET Broke Village

The event will include pet shows, exciting carnival rides, show jumping, the Singleton Show Rodeo, wood chopping competition, demolition derby, the Australian wife carrying championships, plus much more.

The Singleton Show has something for everyone!

For more information visit www.singletonshow.com

26 WOLLOMBI MUSIC FESTIVAL Wollombi

SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE Cessnock Performing Arts Centre Following on from the enormous success of the 2014 show, The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase will be bringing the best of the 2015 Festival back to the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

This year will see the 143rd Annual Singleton Show with two big days and two big nights of non-stop entertainment.

The historic township of Wollombi will be in for a wild ride with the fifth version of this exciting mountain bike event held through picturesque countryside in the Lower Hunter Valley.

Now in its 6th year, Wollombi Music Festival is fast becoming one of the most loved small festivals in the land with a line-up and energy that belies the term ‘boutique’.

Wollombi Music Festival combines a beautiful mountain setting with an awesome adjacent camping area and fills its two stages with an eclectic mix of Australian bands.

This year’s line-up features The Voice finalists Gabriel and Cecilia, Soulful Trio Righteous Voodoo and Local Talent William Crighton, plus many more.

It’s colourful, friendly, and full of great music, awesome markets and more. Located 2 minutes outside the historic village of Wollombi, at 2758 Wollombi Road (next to Wollombi Wines).

For more information visit

www.wollombimusicfestival.com.au

26 AUSTRALIAN WIFE CARRYING TITLES at the Singleton Show Wife Carrying is actually very much like it sounds! Men carrying wives (or girlfriends, sisters, cousins or friends) through an obstacle course that includes sand, water and fences. The team with the fastest time through the obstacle course wins.

Celebrating 10 years this year, The Australian Wife Carrying Titles is part of the Singleton Show and has grown to become a major highlight of the event calendar for the Hunter. Teams come from all over the country to compete in this unique event, with the winners given the chance to travel to Finland to represent Australia at the international competition.

For more information visit www.singletonshow.com

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HunterValleyShopping.com.au

Shopping Village Shop AUSTRALIAN ALPACA BARN specialises in quality Australian Alpaca fashion, homewares and accessories. Alpaca coats, sweaters, shawls, scarves, gloves, socks, beanies, throw rugs, bedding, yarn and alpaca toys.

PEPPERS CREEK ANTIQUES An exquisite array of spectacular jewellery, stylish watches, amazing giftware and homewares. Gifts for all ages and occasions collected from all corners of the world.

CANDELABRA One of Australia's most famous boutique candle stores - the stunning fragrances, colour and endless variety of product is truly amazing.

HUNTER VALLEY CHRISTMAS SHOP Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley, is a magic land where it is Christmas every day of the year!

PULP ADDICTION Satisfy your paper cravings with our delightful range of designer stationery which is guaranteed to intrigue and delight.

THE TWIG A gorgeous selection of home furnishings and personal giftware unlike anything else on offer in the valley.

THE WAITERS FRIEND A great selection of quality kitchenware and barware and some of the best prices anywhere in Australia.

VILLAGE BOOKS A fantastic range of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books and a unique collection of quality toys, games, souvenirs and gifts.

WILSON & HUNTER All the latest fashion from Camilla, Mela Purdie, Verge, Katherine, Samantha Wills, Metalicus, Bleu Blanc Rouge,Tilly Rose,Tolani and more…

WINE GLASS GALLERY An extraordinary gift gallery… colourful, handmade and crystal wine glasses, original artworks, homewares, new season scarves & handbags, jewellery, shot glasses, magnets, souvenirs & much more.

Dine AND THE WINNER IS OSCARS We are a family friendly café serving honest wholesome food and great coffee, in a casual relaxed environment. We are opened for breakfast, lunch and everything in between. Our menu is available dine in or take away and is sure to impress. Phone 4998 7355 HUNTER VALLEY CUPCAKES & CAFÉ Relax & enjoy a light breakfast, a tasty lunch or just indulge with the delicious gourmet cakes & speciality cupcakes plus a great coffee or tea!

TASTE OF THE COUNTRY Experience a Taste of the Country in this award winning café and retail outlet. This popular café is like walking into an old fashioned, country kitchen. Phone 4998 6605.

THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Rustic Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed, friendly environment. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. Bookings recommended.

Phone 4998 7584.

Pamper ZEN HAIR SKIN BODY A full Hairdressing Salon and Beauty Spa in one location, innovative & deluxe treatments in an environmentally friendly setting, the salon can cater to any need. Phone 4998 6844.

Play AQUA GOLF & PUTT PUTT If you fancy a bit of action then visit our Aqua Golf and Putt Putt Golf Course - fun for the whole family! Win cash & prizes! Phone 4998 7896.

Savour HUNTER VALLEY CHOCOLATE COMPANY Established more than ten years ago the ORIGINAL Hunter Valley Chocolate Company & Fudge Factory is one of the premier attractions in the area.

HUNTER VALLEY COOKIES Hand-made premium cookies in designer gourmet flavours.

Cookie tastings daily, delicious coffee and gluten free cookies.

HUNTER VALLEY LIQUEURS & BAERAMI OLIVES Extra virgin olive oils, infused olive oils, vinegars and a large range of specialty liqueurs and an impressive array of bottles to customize your selection.

THE BRITISH LOLLY SHOP The largest range of imported English Confectionary.

All your old favourites, humbugs, sherbet lemon, come in and sample our hospitality.

THE GARDEN CELLARS Mount Eyre/ Three Ponds Cellar Door. See the Tunnel Of Beer or taste 17 flavoured organic vodkas.

Essentials POKOLBIN CONVENIENCE STORE In the heart of the village is a genuine general store servicing the Pokolbin area with everything you might need while visiting the Wine Country.

POKOLBIN VILLAGE PHARMACY Offering you friendly, professional service as well as a wide range of products: full PBS prescription service, medicines, vitamins, skin care, cosmetics, hair care, fragrances, sunglasses and much more. Phone 4998 6677.

Shopping Village BROKE ROAD, POKOLBIN • OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 10AM