31.05.10

The Masters of the Hunter Valley reveal their wine & food secrets in June 2010

If you’ve ever wondered how the master families of the Hunter Valley produce fine wines, delectable cheeses, grow juicy olives and make mouth watering chutneys, then the fourth annual Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month in June should definitely be on your list of things to do this winter.

A Tourism NSW Regional Flagship event, the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association will proudly present this month long series of themed events that will have you itching to get back to the kitchen and demonstrate your “master chef” prowess. With gnocchi and cheese making classes, olive appreciation, unique food and wine matching experiences, indulgent fireside getaways, weekend long gastronomic festivals, intimate dinners with leading winemakers and chefs, and certificates awarded upon completion of master classes, there will be little left to wonder as to where all the ‘foodies’ of Australia will be this coming June!

Lyndey Milan, one of Australia’s leading figures in the food space has been named this year’s Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month Ambassador. Ms. Milan, who has had an ongoing admiration of and involvement with the region, will be leading a master class showcasing how to match wine with spiced foods in June. She says, “The Hunter Valley is one of my favourite regions in Australia as it’s fast becoming a gastronomic leader. So accessible from Sydney I love the history, the families, the people and the agriculture. This month showcases them all and you can have fun sipping a glass of superb local wine and participating in the interactive activities, whilst taking away knowledge you can use in your own kitchen for years to come.”

The Edible Experience:
For those who love a good food adventure, this is where the journey begins! Enjoy a festival or two, take a certificate master class, or just share your passion with leading winemakers, chefs and producers in the region. Ask those questions you’ve always wondered about but never dared asking. Events announced to date include:

Gnocchi Making & Dinner at Il Cacciatore will be a fun, hands-on gnocchi making class and dinner party
Lyndey Milan’s Spicy Experience at McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant, will be a ‘cool’ and ‘hot’ master class to join
Constable Estate Vineyards and Redgate Farm will host an exciting new flavour chutney making class
Match your Steak & Shiraz Challenge at Hunter Valley Steakhouse, Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
FlavourFest at Hunter Valley Gardens, a 3 day fiesta with celebrities Pete Evans, Janelle Bloom and Tobie Puttock
The Smelly Cheese Shop and Tempus Two host a decadent premium wine and world of cheese indulgence
Margan Slow Food Month will encompass a 5 course degustation menu showcasing delectable local produce
Olive Appreciation at Adina will deem you an olive master! Followed by a three course Mediterranean lunch
Hunter Resort Food and Wine School Experience will showcase the very best local produce and Hunter Wines
Hunter Resort Bluetongue Brewery Tasting will match local beers with a fabulous main meal

The Winemaker's Table Series:
For the aspiring... or well established ‘winophiles’ and ‘foodies’! This series of lunches and dinners will be intimate occasions. Hosted by a leading winemaker who will select a range of their favourite wines that will be matched by a Hunter chef who will talk you through their creations using local produce. Bookings essential. Participating wineries and restaurants to date include:

Winemaker David Hook and Chef Mark Delandro at La Trattoria will make wine and food magic this special night
“Cool Wine, Hot Climate” Winemakers Dinner at De Bortoli to all about ‘Organic’ farming in the vineyard
The Cellar Restaurant & Tulloch Wine will serve an unforgettable 5 course menu for a small group of 20 guests
Tyrrell’s Generations Dinners will offer flaming winter feasts and roaring wines with Hunter winemaking legends

The Pure Wine Experience:
For the aspiring ‘wine master’ or those of us who just want to know more! Hosted by Hunter Valley winemakers and wine educators in small groups, guests will gain in depth understanding of the special attributes of Hunter Valley wine:

Mistletoe Fireside Vertical Tasting of the Reserve range matched with tapas by the fireside...supreme indulgence.
Tulloch Wines and PLUMM Masterclass Wine Glass Experience will be all about wine and the glass it’s in!
De Bortoli “The Hands Off Approach” discovering cool wine grown in warm climates with Italian gourmet delights

Fireside Indulgence Series:
‘Fireside’ is a series of indulgent experiences set by the open fire at guest houses, cellar doors and restaurants; the perfect way to indulge on a winter’s day. Kick back on the lounge by the fire and be tantalised by sweet pastries, cakes and treats paired with some of the region’s finest dessert wines; warm yourself with some reds from the cellar paired with local cheeses; enjoy a dish of local produce, paired with one of the Hunter Valley wines by the fire at one of the local restaurants... the choice is all yours!

Pepper Tree Wines & Canape Fireside, four delicious canapés and four wines. A perfect start to your evening
Spicers Vineyard Estate Fireside Getaway King Spa Suite, divine meals and massages, indulgence fit for royalty
Fireside Indulgence and Ultimate Dining Experience at Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens

Our Diverse Region Series:
For the explorers amongst us who want to learn about the different pockets within the Hunter Valley and what each unique region has to offer.

Vine, Wine, Dine – Around Hermitage Road - exploring vineyards, wineries, cellar doors, culminating in a degustation dinner at one of the area’s fine restaurants with the locals
The Chef, The Winemaker and a table for 10 at Mount View – an intimate cooking session and 4 course meal for 10 at this chef’s hat establishment operated by Hunter legends Robert & Sally Molines, a highlight event this June

All of the activities including artistic experiences of Hunter Valley wine and food as seen through the eyes of local artists and photographers, with cellar doors exhibiting local works throughout June, are now all listed on the event website.

And for those wanting to take a mini break, there are some fabulous accommodation offerings. From rustic cottages, or fully self contained homes on site at The Vintage, to luxurious award winning resorts such as Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, the region offers romantic getaways for two or a chance to holiday with family or friends. With so many great wine and food activities on throughout June, these options will be popular and we recommend you book your accommodation now.

This campaign is supported by the NSW Government through Tourism NSW and its Regional Tourism Partnership Funding Program.

For a full month’s program, individual event details, and information on how to book tickets and accommodation visit www.visithunter.com.au/wineandfoodmonth or call 02 4991 4533.