Producing fine wines, delectable cheeses, juicy olives and mouth-watering local produce is all in a days work for  the Hunter Valley, and throughout June you too can get an insight into what’s involved whilst picking up a few tips to take home. This month long celebration of Hunter Valley wine and food includes a series of themed events that will have you itching to get back to the kitchen and demonstrate your “master chef” prowess and connoisseur's wine knowledge. 

Classes and Tours

You can become a food and wine matching expert with Lyndey Milan, one of Australia’s leading figures at McWilliams Mount Pleasant on Saturday 19th of June. Adding some “spice” to proceedings, Lyndey will unearth the secrets of cooking  with spices and matching wine with spiced foods. Lunch will feature recipes from her new book “Just Add Spice”. 

For Lovers of Olives, check out the Olive Appreciation Master Class on Saturday 26th June at Adina Vineyard  & Olive Grove. Adina boasts several thousand olive trees that range in age from 5 to 16 years producing a variety of different table olives, tapenades and olive oils at their unique olive processing facility adjacent to the cellar door. The Olive Lovers Master Class will include a  tour through the olive mill and a special tasting of oils, table olives and tapenades, finished off with a 3 course  Mediterranean feast. For bookings phone 4930 7473. 

On the Sunday 13^th of the June Long Weekend the Vine Wine Dine event visits small vineyards in Pokolbin that deliver terrific wines through focusing on improving vineyard and business sustainability and concludes with a degustation dinner.  Each of these vineyards has taken steps towards a more organic and natural viticulture, so come and explore this dimension of boutique wines with the winegrowers—join the group of 50 guests and visit Wombat’s Crossing Vineyard one of the Hunter Valley's smallest boutique producers of fine table wines. Your Vine, Wine, Dine journey continues onto Macquariedale Organic Wines who’s certified biodynamic wines are receiving great consumer acceptance as wine consumers realise there is an healthy alternative to mass produced wines available in most bottle shop chains.  For further details about this event contact Ian Napier of Wombat Crossing on 0419 22955.

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout June Hunter Resort will be running Food & Wine classes with their chef and wine educator in a 1 hour class learning the art of wine and food matching. If Beer is more your style then join the beer maker from Bluetongue Brewery to learn the finer art of beer making. Contact Hunter Resort on 4998-7777 for more details.

‘A Natural Expression of the Vineyard’ will be held at De Bortoli Wines every Saturday throughout June. Learn how organic farming and a “hands-off” approach in the winery combine to deliver wines that are a natural expression of the vineyard. For more information contact De Bortoli on 4993-880

Constable Estate, in conjunction with Red Gate Farm will present two classes with renowned Master Chef Carolyn Scott. Saturday June 5th will see participants learning the art of making exciting new flavoured Preserves and Chutneys.  “Red Wine & Duck” on Saturday June 19th will have participants learning the myths of ducks and duck fat and the many flavours that can be used to compliment duck.

In conjunction with Riedel, the world’s foremost glassware company, Mount Pleasant is presenting a master-class to help you decide whether the shape of a wine glass really can enhance the wine experience. Taste a range of award winning premium McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant wines in Riedel glassware and take home a pack of four Riedel glasses. For more information contact McWilliams Mount Pleasant on 4998 7505

Wine Tastings

There is a wide and varied range of fine wines for tasting around the Hunter Valley with a host of unique varieties up for tasting. At the gateway to Wine Country you’ll discover Ernest Hill where the relaxed atmosphere and unique varieties will ease away the stresses of your journey. Try their award winning ‘Alexander’ Chardonnay or their unique trio of lighter dessert wine. 

At Briar Ridge you can enjoy the unique experience of Briar Grillade while tasting, and during June you’ll be able to purchase a 6 pack from their Trio range for only $80.

At Waverley Estate in Palmers Lane you’ll be treated to a unique tasting of quality aged wines. Soak in the ambience and romance of the cellar door and for a special treat they’ll be running candlelight tastings every evening from 6pm throughout June.

Stop in at Denmar Estate,  the newest addition to Hermitage Road where you’ll discover a lovely range of estate grown wines. Try their Pinot Noir—dubbed as one of the few good Pinot Noirs left in the Hunter Valley!  

The Hunter Valley’s newest cellar door is Molly’s Cradle on Tuckers Lane where, in addition to tastings,  wines are available by the glass (and there’s boutique beer on tap too). Take your glass and relax on the verandah—or cook your own BBQ with their great BBQ facilities. If you’ve hung up the apron during your stay then they also serve delicious cheese platters and local oysters. They’re also open for twilight drinks every Friday and Saturday evening.

Food & Wine Tastings

After your aged wine tasting at Waverely Estate, nip across Palmers Lane to discover the hidden gem known as Moorebank Private Vineyard for a "Passion of the Senses" Tasting of ultra premium, sustainably grown wines and handmade wine inspired condiments including the famous Spicy Grape Sauce & fresh handmade Lemonade.

Take a drive to Broke and discover the lovely Brokes Promise. Not only will you find a vineyard full of premium wines, you’ll also be able to browse their selection of arts and crafts and taste some of their award winning table olives and oils.

The Chefs & Providore’s of the Hunter Region invite you to join them at the Hunter Chefs & Co Winter Luncheon 21 June, 2010 featuring Matthew Kemp of Restaurant Balzac, ranked #30 of the top 100 restaurants in Australia. Said to “nail flavours every time”, Kemp’s cooking is technically smart and he has a gift of extracting every ounce of flavour from his ingredients. Join us from 12pm at Muse Restaurant in Pokolbin.

We’d be remiss if we failed to mention that the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association is running it’s annual “Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month” program throughout the month of June. For a full program visit their website at www.hvwineandfood.hvva.com.au.