Throughout May and June, the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival returns with an enormous number and range of events highlighting produce of the region and beyond. Each year the festival returns with big, comprehensive programs ranging from cheese festivals and barrel burning celebrations, making for one of the best road trip options you’re going to get all year. We’ve sifted through the long list of mini festivals and events to bring you our top five.
Burning of the Barrel
Glandore Estate Wines hosts one of the standout highlights of the event. A range of wines are combined with a local menu from Andy Wright of the Cellar Restaurant, dancing and live music to accompany the raging centerpiece of the bonfire. The Lighting Ceremony is unique to each year and last year saw the use of a firework ignition – what will happen this year?
Where: Glandore Estate Wines
When: Saturday June 3rd at 5:30pm
Price: Adults $98.50 Child $32.50
Tickets can be purchased here.
Crowne Plaza’s Hunter Valley Wine Festival
Over 60 wine, food, beer and cider exhibitors will set up shop within the grounds of Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and exhibit the ultimate Hunter Valley experience. Entry comes with 5 tasting tokens.
Where: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
When: Saturday June 24 11am – 5pm
Price: Presale $20 pp, on the day $25
Tickets can be purchased here.
De Iuliis Shiraz Masterclass
Every Saturday in May and June, De Iuliis Wines will allow visitors to undertake a lesson on the past and present of one of the regions most awarded Shiraz wines (with tastings of course).
Where: De Iuliis Cellar Door
When: Every Saturday in May and June at 11am
Price: $30 pp
More info can be found here.
Cabarnet, Chocolate & Cold Drip
Pepper Tree Wines will indulge your dark side when they combine Cuvée chocolate, Contango Espresso-Roasters cold drip coffee and their award winning Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Booking essential.
Where: Pepper Tree Wines Cellar Door
When: Every day in May and June excluding Public Holidays
Price: $25 pp
More info can be found here.
Garden to Plate Cooking School
Following a tour of the garden, you’ll get your hands dirty as you harvest your own ingredients with horticulturalist, Pat Hansson. From here, you’ll move into the cooking where you’ll craft your own delicious lunch in the Margan Restaurant. Bookings essential.
Where: Margan Family Wines
When: Saturday 25 June from 10am
Price: $150 pp
More info can be found here.
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For the entire program of experiences, events and accommodation offers you can head here.
Images supplied.
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