POKOLBIN

Roots run deep here for many of Australia’s first families of wine, who claimed Pokolbin as the best place in the valley for viticulture back in the 1800’s. The vast array of trophy-winning winemakers who’ve followed are inclined to agree. Equally impressive eateries are the heart and soul of beautifully curated experiences of the fruits of Pokolbin’s distinctive climate, rich soils and sustainable farming. A parish for heritage convent stays and wedding chapels where estate-made sparkling flows. See your rock idol live in Australia’s biggest winery concert ampitheatre, just once, and you’ll know the appeal of this Wine Country hub.

Where do I sign?

Head for the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre on Wine Country Drive, and you’ll have arrived in Pokolbin. A two hour drive from Sydney and 50 minutes West of Newcastle Airport if you fancy a flying visit.

A ministry of fine wine tourism

Home to the early pioneers of Hunter winemaking heritage, Pokolbin is likely to be the first place you think of when you hear ‘Hunter Valley’. Generation after generation, have passed down a passion and the knowledge to perfect our craft, and your visitor experience along with it.

Been resting your laurels with average wines? Be awed by the cellar doors of true champions of wine, in every respect. Our winemakers have made a name by consistently bringing wines of an extremely high standard to the world the world, without power until 1955, and in the face of reliably unreliable conditions, bang on vintage!

We’ll excite you with a wide choice. Old vine Shiraz, Chardonnay, world class Hunter Semillon and crisp Verdelho. Lovely bubbly and intriguing drops, like Tempranillo, Grenache, Vermentino and Nebbiolo. Each extraordinary and paired perfectly on the menus of our hatted restaurants, elegant eateries, and relaxed cafes, by chefs with an intimate knowledge of enjoyment of the local best. To finish, delectably smelly cheeses and exquisitely crafted sweets, almost too good to eat – almost!

Concert season is the icing on the parish cake!  End to end music festivals, starlit symphonies, and headline international acts as you’ve never before experienced, from a 20,000 seat amphitheatre nestled in the vineyards.

Retire to your own private homestead, elegant country lodge, or farm stay with bushland tranquility, to sit with the sure satisfaction of your soon-to-be-well-stocked home cellar and pantry.

HERE'S TO MORE THAN A WEEKEND

Feel a long, long way away. Whether you’re visiting for work, pleasure, or hoping to strike an ideal balance between the two, you can afford to be selective about what you want to experience, with so many wonderful accommodation options to choose from.

Nothing beats the warm comforts of a country stay and the Hunter Valley is lucky enough to have its fair share of resorts and hotels as well as small, boutique B&Bs where the welcome mat is always out. Balmy afternoon breezes in summer overlooking vineyards or a cosy fire in winter, whenever you decide to visit we have you covered.  Even a short stay will quickly have you feeling revitalised and right at home in the vineyard landscape.

LOVEDALE

Been to our Long Lunch and think you’ve done Lovedale? Think again! Take time together to really sink your teeth into the romance of this pretty corner of the valley and its intimate cellar doors. Where small batch wines are big on character and hitting it off with our warm and friendly winemakers brings a deep appreciation of what’s to love about the drop we share. A picture-perfect set-off point for hot-air ballooning or a heart-pumping horseback ride. Tee-off for quality time together, meet-up for a cheeky lunch and rock up to locals night. Swept up in the moment? We have a white-washed chapel too!

Make your way

Follow the signs to Lovedale via the Hunter Expressway, just 2 hours from Sydney and under an hour from Newcastle Airport. Lovedale Road exit will take you straight into the heart of where you want to be and we can’t wait to welcome you!

So much to love

Coax yourself out from under that doona! It’s well worth beating the dawn to drift into sunrise over Lovedale, in a hot-air balloon for two. Or up to 15 friends if you want to really share the love! Alight for champagne breaky at a luxury resort, and your aviators may inspire you to carry on your love affair with Lovedale, with mates rates at local cellar doors.

Lovedale Long Lunch is just a tease. Broadening your wine repertoire with vibrant, small batch wines is what we do best, one-on-one with the winemaker at your tasting bench for a personal touch.

Leave the car keys and let a local tour lead you to relax and explore more of our many different wine styles and varietals. Pre-order grazing-to-go for just such adventures, and souvenir premium oils from olive groves along the way, Our signature take on seriously good food is the last-minute lunch. Wonderfully unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable, in natural surrounds as nourishing for the soul as the locally-grown goodness on our menus.

Find your oasis at a day spa beneath Brokenback Ridge. Be moved by decadent chocolate and wine pairings. Hit the smokehouse and farm gates for charcuterie and small farm milk cheeses, so good and so hard to come by anywhere else. Admire local art or try your hand at creativity on a wilderness art retreat.

At the end of your Lovedale day, counting stars in clear night skies at your country estate, or curling up by the fire at your cosy b&b, may seem every bit as rewarding as rubbing shoulders with growers at local’s night down the road.

You’ll love every minute!

The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association (HVWTA) warmly welcomes the announcements this week made by Premier Mike Baird regarding Newcastle to host the V8 Supercars finals series from 2017 and construction of a dedicated cruise terminal in Newcastle.

Chairman of HVWTA George Souris said "the announcements this week regarding Newcastle's successful bid to bring the V8 Supercars to the city along with commitment from the Baird Government on the construction of a new Cruise terminal, can only be beneficial to tourism in the region.”

The Cruise Industry currently attracts around 17,000 international and domestic visitors to the Hunter. The new terminal will allow Newcastle to entice more cruise ships to the region giving Wine Country the opportunity to promote day and overnight visitation.

“Hunter Valley Wine Country is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this by enticing visitors to extend their stay to one of Australia's preeminent wine & food destinations. Furthermore, the attraction of interstate and international visitors presents an excellent opportunity to expand visitation from these sought after markets” said Mr Souris.

Brian McGuigan, HVWTA committee member, attended the V8 Supercars stakeholder consultation meeting yesterday and it was announced that an estimated $57million will boost the Hunter’s economy and is expected to attract more than 80,000 domestic and international visitors. “The HVWTA is enthusiastic about the opportunities this event will bring for the region and tourism businesses” said Mr McGuigan.

The HVWTA congratulates the Premier, Mr Mike Baird for the vision and investment in the Hunter Region which will not only boost the Hunter economy but produce many long term jobs in the tourism sector.