HUNTER VALLEY MONTH OF INDULGENCE CONTINUES TO DELIGHT WITH ADDITIONAL NEW EVENTS SCHEDULED

With two weeks remaining, wine and food lovers are encouraged to visit the Hunter Valley to experience the fabulous variety of produce grown locally and to taste world renowned wines.

Rowena Hawkins, Business Development Manager of Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association says, “We have had a fantastic start to the month and have many more exciting events to come such as the Hunter Valley Chefs Luncheon, Legends Dinner and the Hunters biggest BBQ event, Two Reds Meet hosted at Tyrrells. People can visit the Hunter Valley for the day or stay for a relaxing weekend and soak up the many things to see and do throughout Hunter Wine & Food Month.”

Events and experiences taking place across the next fortnight include:

FOOD EXPERIENCES

The Adina Olive Experience: Famous for its wines, Adina Vineyard is also a leading olive producer in the Hunter Valley. They produce an extensive range of extra virgin olive oils, table olives and tapenades for the wholesale and retail market.

On the weekends of the 24^th and 31^st May at 11:00am and 1:30pm visitors are invited to get an inside view of how Adina make their extra virgin olive oil. Tasting of some of the 2008 harvested oils will also be available. The experience will finish with a delicious Adina tasting platter, together with some of Adina’s award winning wines. Cost is $20 per person. Adina Vineyard, 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale.

French Revolution on Hermitage: On Saturday 24^th May join Tintilla Estate for an intimate lunch at Bistro Molines to celebrate all things French. Robert & Sally Molines create a banquet of memorable morsels paired to Tintilla Estate’s French varietal wines. After lunch Tintilla will open the cellar for a unique barrel tasting back at their vineyard. 12pm for 12:30pm. Cost is $120pp which includes all food and wine. Bookings essential call 02 6574 7216.

Hunter Valley Chefs Sunday Luncheon: On Sunday 1^st June, four of the finest Hunter Valley Chefs, Andy Wright from The Cellar Restaurant, Robert Molines of Bistro Molines, Andrew Clarke from Rock and Nick Vivian from Hunter Valley Gardens will produce a mouth watering menu featuring the local produce the Hunter has to offer. Hunter winemakers will also be on hand to pair premium Hunter wines with the dishes created for the day. The wines include Hunter classics Tyrrells Vat 1 and Vat 47, Brokenwood Shiraz from the wineries private cellar, highly awrded Margan Botrytis Semillon and boutique producer Tintilla Estate’s Sparkling red. For bookings call 02 4998 7584.

Mad Hatters High Tea at Hunter Valley Gardens – Enjoy an afternoon or morning of indulgence with High Tea at Hunter Valley Gardens. Wander the spectacular gardens and finish the visit in the Garden Terrace with freshly brewed tea and coffee along with a selection of treats to include scones, jam and cream, profiteroles and rich torte. For further information or bookings call 02 4998 4000 or visit www.hvg.com.au

The Hunter Valley Legends dinner – This fabulous black tie event will take place on May 29^th at Wyndham Estate, Hunter Valley. The dinner celebrates and awards those who have made major contributions to the Hunter Valley Wine industry. Awards include, ‘Winemaker of the Year’, ‘Hunter Valley Rising Star of the Year’, ‘Vineyard of the Year’ and ‘Cellar Door of the Year’ as well as the induction of those chosen to the Legends Honour Board. Tickets cost $155 per person and can be booked through the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association on 02 4991 4533.

Two Reds Meet – On 31^st May, Tyrrell’s will be celebrating their 150^th anniversary by hosting the Hunters biggest BBQ. There will be free tastings of all Tyrrell’s premium reds, red wine masterclasses and cooking demonstrations by Kingsleys Steakhouse. The event will take place from 10:30am until 4:30pm and will feature meals prepared by Kingsleys Chefs available for purchase, live entertainment, face painting and live cattle on display. Entry costs $20. For further details go to www.tyrrells.com.au

WINE EXPERIENCES

Mount Pleasant Shiraz Evolution: On Saturday May 24^th at 11am and 2pm Mount Pleasant are opening their doors for you to taste the 2007 vintage Shiraz just barrelled, through current vintages to premium classics. You’ll also receive a pre-release signed bottle of Phil Ryan Signature Series Shiraz 2006. For further information call 02 4998 7505.

Step up to Shiraz: Sunday 25^th May between 11:30am and 1pm or 1pm and 2:30pm Roche Wines and the Harrigan’s Cellar team will host a unique tasting of their finest Shiraz. From Harrigan’s Cellars visitors will be taken to the Tallawanta Vineyard where they will taste some of the Hunter’s best Shiraz accompanied by a touch of Irish charm with Harrigan’s famous beef and Guinness pie as well as good old Aussie damper for lunch.

The tasting will finish in the Harrigans Cellars with a pre released taste of the latest addition in the Roche Range. This activity costs $10 per person with bookings recommended on 02 4998 4370.

Wine and Food Matching at Tullochs: Each weekend in May, Tulloch Wines will have tasting plates available for visitors to their cellar door. People who purchase a plate will be able to sit down and be guided through the wine and food matching experience by one of the staff. Each food item has been matched to suit a bracket of wine, so you don’t need to taste everything but tailor the experience somewhat to your personal tastes. All the produce featured on the plate is grown locally. Call 02 4998 758

Scarborough Vertical Chardonnay Tasting: Scarborough Wine Company will host a personalised vertical tasting of their Yellow Label Chardonnay – vintages 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005 accompanied by local Binnorie Cheeses overlooking panoramic views of the Valley, in the Scarborough Private Tasting Room. This is a limited tasting with 12 seats available & bookings essential. The tastings will commence at 9am with the last people to arrive no later than 10.30am on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May. Attendees will also be invited to enjoy a structured tasting of the Scarborough range in the Cellar Door. Cost is $35pp and includes a bottle of Yellow Label Chardonnay to take home.

For further information regarding all activities and events taking place throughout Hunter Wine & Food Month visit www.hvwineandfood.hvva.com.au or call (02) 4990-0900.