THE GRAPEVINE BLOG
What’s On this Winter in the Hunter Valley
Fire up your winter weekends with What's on this Winter and June long weekend in the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley doesn’t slow down when the temperature drops, in fact winter is one of the most exciting times to visit. With a packed calendar of events from wine and food festivals to live music, winter markets, and cosy evening experiences, there’s always something happening. Grab your coat, rally your crew, and get ready to explore everything our region has to offer this season.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow at PACC
Friday 5th June
Australia’s biggest comedy festival is hitting the road and bringing the laughs to you!
Join the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow as it journeys around Australia, delivering hot and tasty comic treats to audiences near and far. With a curated line-up of comedy legends and fresh faces from Australia and beyond, the Roadshow has all your comedy bases covered (no joke) – all in one side-splitting show! For more information, click here.
Blues and Brazilian BBQ at Pokolbin Cider House
Saturday 6th June
Settle in for an unforgettable evening this June Long Weekend with signature old-school blues live music at Pokolbin Cider House. Take the opportunity to enjoy some of their much-loved Ciders, and the on-site Brazilian BBQ food truck. For more information, click here.
First Saturday Lunch at Winmark Wines
Saturday 6th of June
Winmark Wine's is making a tradition for enjoying great wine and food with their First Saturday Lunches. The talented team from Sea Salt & Sage have designed a bright, fresh share style menu to pair perfectly with our range of Chardonnays. Share a light snack with a glass of Chardonnay or graze your way through the afternoon with your selection from the menu. Bookings highly recommended and available from 12noon to 3pm, tastings & gallery 10am-5pm. Click here for more information.
Dilmah Signature High Tea
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of June
This June long weekend, enjoy a special High Tea created in partnership with Dilmah Tea. Our chefs have designed the menu, with each dish then perfectly paired by Dilmah’s tea experts to match and enhance every flavour. A thoughtful twist on a classic High Tea, made to be enjoyed slowly. Click here for more information.
Bimbadgen Annual Warehouse Sale
Saturday 6th of June
Join us this June Long Weekend for our much anticipated Annual On-Site Warehouse Sale at Bimbadgen. Back for one day only and bigger than ever, this is your chance to secure unbeatable wine deals before they’re gone. Stock up on a huge selection of wines at serious value, with up to 70% off, dozens from $99 and bottles from just $10. Bubbles, whites, reds and more, there’s something for every wine lover. Simply drive right up to the warehouse and we’ll load your boot with your purchases. Click here for more information.
Mercer Anniversary long weekend
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of June
Celebrate two incredible years with a relaxed weekend of wine, food, and live music with the Mercer Team. Be among the first to taste exciting new Mercer releases, enjoy local bites and soak up the Hunter Valley vibes with music from 12–3pm daily. Walk-ins welcome, but bookings are highly recommended. Click here for more information.
Jazz at Gather
Friday 12th June
Step into a night of smooth melodies, good food, and Hunter Valley charm at Jazz by Gather. Held in the Ballroom at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, this relaxed evening combines live jazz from Gerard Masters and the Hot Jives with a curated two course shared dining experience designed by Gather. For more information, click here.
The UK Rod Stewart Show at PACC
Friday 12th June
The UK Rod Stewart Show brings to the stage internationally acclaimed artist Shaun J. Marshall — a powerhouse vocalist direct from the UK who delivers the unmistakable raspy vocals and dynamic stage presence of the music legend himself. Shaun performs all of Rod Stewart’s biggest and most beloved hits, including 'Maggie May', 'Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?', 'Hot Legs', 'The First Cut Is the Deepest', 'Some Guys Have All the Luck', 'Sailing'. For more information, click here.
Hungerford Hill's Annual Epic Lunch at Muse Restaurant
Saturday 13th of June
The first of two Epic Lunches hosted by two-hatted Muse Restaurant. This sensational five course menu will be matched with a selection of premium aged and new release Hungerford Hill wines and exceptional entertainment included in ticket price. For more information, click here.
Stomp! Winemakers Table Dinner
Saturday 13th June
Join Michael & Meredith from Stomp! Wines, at their table in the Private Dining Room at voco Kirkton Park for an indulgent three course menu, paired perfectly with a range of premium Stomp! Wines. Rug up and begin in the courtyard with a glass of Sparkling before moving into the cosy warmth of the private dining room, finishing with a warming fortified fireside. For more information, click here.
State of Origin Game 2 Live and Loud at Cypress Lakes
Wednesday 17th June
Catch every moment of State of Origin live at Cypress Lakes Bistro. Settle in, grab a drink, and watch the game on the big screen with a crowd that brings the energy. They’ll even be a special $30 burger and drinks special on the night. For more information, click here.
Hungerford Hill's Annual Epic Lunch at Muse Restaurant
Saturday 20th of June
The first of two Epic Lunches hosted by two-hatted Muse Restaurant. This sensational five course menu will be matched with a selection of premium aged and new release Hungerford Hill wines and exceptional entertainment included in ticket price. Click here for more information. Click here for more information.
Snow Time at Hunter Valley Gardens
Saturday 26th of June - Sunday 27th of July
Step into a winter wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens' annual Snow Time in the Gardens event. Running throughout the school holidays, this magical experience features ice skating, snow play zones, a giant ice slide, and a dazzling light display. Kids can enjoy snowball fights, build snowmen, and glide across the ice rink, while parents can savor delicious winter treats and hot beverages. For more information, click here.
Thrashville at Dashville
Saturday 27th June
Thrashville, the ‘slightly heavier’ music festival held at Dashville in the Hunter Valley. Held in lush bushland confines, the popular bush blast, which has savoured some hefty knocks over the last couple of years, is back with a vengeance, ready to deliver a fresh plate of awesome emerging and established acts, which will spark pure delight into anyone with a pension for punk, hard rock, heavy metal and everything in between. For more information, click here.
Fireside Duck Sensations at Gartelmann Wines
Friday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st of July
Every Friday night in July, Gartelmann Wines will be hosting special four course dinners in their cosy cellar door, next to the wood fire combustion fireplace. With a maximum of only 20 people, these are special dinner where Duck will be highlighted as the hero protein and expertly matching with Gartelmann Wines. Tickets are $175pp. Click here for more information.
Christmas in July at Wandin Estate
Saturday 4th of July
Join in on the cosy fireside festivities at the Christmas in July event at Wandin Valley Estate. The evening includes a selection of canapés, warming glass of mulled wine on arrival, three-source meal and freshly brewed coffee. Click here for more information.
First Saturday Lunch at Winmark Wines
Saturday 4th of July
Winmark Wine's is making a tradition for enjoying great wine and food with their First Saturday Lunches. The talented team from Sea Salt & Sage have designed a bright, fresh share style menu to pair perfectly with our range of Chardonnays. Share a light snack with a glass of Chardonnay or graze your way through the afternoon with your selection from the menu. Bookings highly recommended and available from 12noon to 3pm, tastings & gallery 10am-5pm. Click here for more information.
State of Origin Game 3 Live and Loud at Cypress Lakes
Wednesday 8th of July
Catch every moment of State of Origin live at Cypress Lakes Bistro. Settle in, grab a drink, and watch the game on the big screen with a crowd that brings the energy. They’ll even be a special $30 burger and drinks special on the night. For more information, click here.
Beyond the Pour Dinner - Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival
Friday 11th of July
Don't miss the annual pre-festival dining experience, where three leading local chefs collaborate with Hunter Valley winemakers to set the tone with matched wines and seasonal plates on the eve of the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival. The night includes a specially curated 3-course menu celebrating local produce, canapes and bubbles on arrival, perfectly matched Hunter Valley wines with each course. And a live Q&A and storytelling with the chefs. Click here for more information.
Hunter Valley Wine and Beer Festival
Saturday 11th of July
The Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival returns to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley on Saturday 11 July 2026, delivering a full day of wine, beer and spirits, gourmet food stalls and trucks, live entertainment, kids activities, fun games, prize giveaways, a charity raffle and more. Plus immersive masterclasses running throughout the day with guided tastings, food and drink pairings, and insider insights designed to inspire both curious newcomers and seasoned sippers alike. For more information, click here.
Christmas in July at voco Kirkton Park
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th of July
Christmas in July at voco Kirkton Park is your invitation to escape to the Hunter Valley for a festive evening filled with heart-warming dishes and rich regional flavours. Snuggle up in our charming Locavore Restaurant, indulge in a classic Christmas buffet, and soak in the cool, crisp beauty of wine country in winter. Click here for more information.
Hunter Valley Winery Run
Sunday 19th of July
Take a run through the vineyards at the annual Winery Run. Runners can choose from an accredited marathon, half marathon, 10.5Km, 5km and kids 2km. The event is staged on the oval of Wandin in Lovedale and is an ideal location for spectators who can see their friends and family on each lap of the course. For more information, click here.
Stomp! Winter Wine Down
Saturday 25th of July
Stomp! Winter Wine Down is a relaxed, fireside gathering designed to ease you gently into a winter evening at Stomp Wines. Running from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, this chilled-out pre-dinner session invites you to rug up, settle by the fire pits and enjoy wine, warmth and live music as the sun sets over the cellar door grounds. For more information, click here.
First Saturday Lunch at Winmark Wines
Saturday 1st of August
Winmark Wine's is making a tradition for enjoying great wine and food with their First Saturday Lunches. The talented team from Sea Salt & Sage have designed a bright, fresh share style menu to pair perfectly with our range of Chardonnays. Share a light snack with a glass of Chardonnay or graze your way through the afternoon with your selection from the menu. Bookings highly recommended and available from 12noon to 3pm, tastings & gallery 10am-5pm. Click here for more information.
Confetti and Chaos at 4 Pines at The Farm
Thursday 20th of August
You are cordially invited to a complete stranger’s wedding! It was meant to be a surprise party to celebrate Will and Stacey’s wedding, but it turned into pandemonium – with secrets spilling out as uninvited and misbehaving family members bust in, bust up and bust a move. This fabulous 5-star experience has fun and mayhem bursting from the seams. From arrival through to seating, eating, and dancing, audiences will become part of a classic wedding reception gone wildly wrong. Join for a night of laughter, hosted at 4 Pines at The Farm. For more information, click here.
WEEKLY EVENTS
No matter when you are planning to visit these fantastic events will be on.
Friday Night Wine and Chill at Saddler’s Creek
Every Friday Night
Go where the locals go. The Saddler’s Creek Friday Night wine and chill has become a popular local institution. With outdoor firepits, wine pouring until 8:30pm, a local food truck on site for dinner and music, it's easy to see why it’s the spot to be on Friday nights. Click here for more information.
Friday Night Sunset sessions at Bimbadgen
Every Friday
Step into Bimbadgen’s Woodfire Pizzeria set in the Tuscan-inspired courtyard of their cellar door to start your weekend with pizza, wine and live music. Enjoy happy hour from 5pm to 6.30pm, live music from 5pm to 8pm and made-to-order pizzas cooked in a traditional outdoor pizza oven. Click here for more information.
Entwine Food Hub
Every Friday and Saturday night
Entwine Food Hub brings Entwine together in one place for an easy-going evening of elevated street food, stalls wine, and live music. Held at Calais Estate on Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Entwine Food Hub offers a relaxed alternative to traditional dining with elevated food trailers, stalls, and drinks. With the barrel room open and air-conditioned, Entwine Food Hub is designed to be enjoyed comfortably in any weather, making it a perfect night out year-round. Click here for more information.
Live Music at Nineteen
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Nothing creates an atmosphere quite like live music. Sit back, grab a drink, a meal, and enjoy live music at Nineteen’s beer garden every Friday (5pm - 8:30pm), Saturday (4:30pm - 8pm) and Sunday (12pm - 3pm). Click here for more information.
Handmade in the Hunter Markets
Every Saturday
Who doesn’t love a local handmade market when on holidays. The Handmade in the Hunter Markets are hosted each Saturday at Sobel’s Wines in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Here you will find a variety of products made by local artisans, all handmade right in the Greater Hunter area. Click here for more information.
Pokolbin Farmers Markets
Every Sunday
Every Sunday, the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country comes alive with the vibrant atmosphere of the weekly Pokolbin Market. Sourcing fresh produce and locally made goods, grab a coffee and even enjoy some delicious food. Pokolbin Markets are held at 691 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin. Click here for more information.
Glandore Monthly Trivia
Every second Thursday of the month
Join the fun from 5.30pm at the cellar door, with questions kicking off at 6pm sharp. Grab a glass of Glandore wine, settle in on the deck overlooking the vineyard, and get ready for a night of laughs, local food, and plenty of prizes including a meat raffle. Rug up if it’s a cool evening as the event is hosted outdoors. Click here for more information.
This blog was create by the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) is a not-for-profit membership based incorporated body, responsible for destination and wine marketing, advocacy, as well as technical and business support for all facets of the Hunter Valley wine and tourism industries from viticulture through to winemaking and tourism/wine promotion.