Awaken your senses and discover one of Australia’s most diverse wine and food destinations this June.
Just under two hours drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is often a weekend getaway destination for Sydneysiders. With over 150 wineries to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. But this June, the Hunter Valley has rounded up the best of the best to bring wine enthusiasts a month-long festival of wine & food.
The 2021 Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival is a celebration of the region’s outstanding wines and produce, and a nod to the makers and growers. “Our reputation as a producer of award-winning wines and home to hatted restaurants is at an all-time high, so we can’t wait to be able to offer consumers the opportunity to experience some of these great wine and food offerings first-hand” Comments Christina Tulloch, President of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association. This year’s program is a mix of more than 30 daily and weekly tastings and experiences, alongside unique one-off events. From lazy long lunches that roll into dinner and late nights by the open fire with a hearty red in hand, there’s an event to suit everyone’s palate
2021 Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival Program highlights include:
- Grange v’s Hunter at Wine House Hunter Valley (Daily from 11am – 5pm)
The 2014 vintage of Australia’s most iconic wine, Penfolds Grange will be up against three of the local icons of the Hunter Valley. You’ll be able to taste the 2014 Penfolds Grange, 2014 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz and 2014 Silkman. - The 100m Meal at Margan Family Wines & Restaurant (Every Sunday from 2pm)
Chef Joey Ingram will take you on a tour of the one-acre kitchen garden, followed by a three-course lunch in the hatted Margan restaurant. Everything on your plate and in your glass has been grown within 100 meters of your restaurant table, if not on the estate. - Whispering Brook Olive Long Table Luncheon (Saturday 5 June)
Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired lunch amongst this Broke Fordwich estate’s olive groves with spectacular views after a walking tour of the Whispering Brook vineyard. Indulge in a four-course menu designed by Chef Frank Fawkner of EXP matched with single-vineyard estate wines, live music and a special presentation by guest speaker Dr Patrice Newell. - Tulloch Wines x Wine Selectors Hunter Valley Wine Quiz at Tulloch Wines (Friday 18 June)
Think you know a few things about Hunter Valley wine? Get your wine brains trust team together for the first edition of the Tulloch Wines X Wine Selectors Hunter Valley Wine Quiz night hosted by General Manager of Tulloch Wines, Brad Russ and Wine Selectors tasting panel co-chair and Wine Show Judge, Adam Walls. - Feast at the Scarborough Family Homestead (Saturday 12 June)
Join the Scarborough family at their original homestead for a delicious winter feast, catered by Andy and Janet Wright of Pokolbin Catering Co. Enjoy canapés on arrival, then move into the gorgeous Scarborough Homestead to enjoy a feast uniquely cooked over hot coals in a wine barrel matched with superb wines from the Cellar Door exclusive The Obsessive Range. Finish off your night with cheese and petit fours. - Margan Wines Art Of Aperitivo (Friday & Saturday throughout June)
Celebrate the ‘Art of the Aperitivo’ with a Vermouth Cocktail Masterclass. As the Italians do, enjoy a light nibble while you discover the history and processes of how we make our Margan Vermouth. The experience continues with a five-course degustation dinner in the restaurant, showcasing the best of our estate-grown produce. - Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley (Saturday 19 June)
The 9th annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival will take place within the grounds of the picturesque Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. With an extensive array of wine, gourmet food, craft beer and cider on offer, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice as is always the case with a true Hunter Valley Experience.Burning of the Barrel at Glandore Estate (Saturday 26 June)This is one of the best nights you can have in the Hunter Valley. Think wine, cheese, food, music, fireworks, families, starry nights and a massive fire all nestled at the base of the Brokenback Mountain.Spicers Guesthouse Journey of Chardonnay (Saturday 26 June)
Enjoy an Italian extravaganza while Liz Silkman, one of Australia’s great Chardonnay makers as she takes you on a journey of the Great Chardonnay regions of Australia. Hunter will be well represented along with the other quintessential chardonnay regions over the course of a long lunch.Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley (Monday 28 June)
You be the judge as two top Hunter Valley chefs cook-off against two of Sydney’s leading chefs at what has become one of the Hunter’s most popular lunches. MC’s Matt Kemp and Colin Fassnidge ensure that the afternoon is as much fun as it sounds. The fantastic four-course meal prepared by the competing chefs is accompanied by a range of Hunter Valley wines from leading producers.Find out more on the Hunter Valley Food and Wine website and download the full program of events.
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