MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 April 2022
THE HUNTER VALLEY’S WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL RETURNS BIGGER THAN EVER
The highly anticipated Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival returns this year bigger than ever. Showcasing the region's distinct wine and food culture through a series of over forty events across May and June, the event supported by Wine Selectors, celebrates the best the region has to offer.
This year’s program sees the return, after a two-year hiatus, of signature events celebrating the sub-regions of Broke and Lovedale, as well as new and exciting additions to the program.
Wine and dine with some of the Hunter Valley’s leading winemakers and chefs, take part in a range of entertaining and interactive masterclasses to sharpen your culinary skills, or if you're seeking a more relaxed experience, simply curl up beside an open fire with a glass of premium Hunter Valley wine paired with a local cheese spread. From gastronomical lunch experiences that roll into late dinners, to vineyard and winery tours followed by a tasting, there is something to suit all palettes.
“Given the challenges the of past few years for the hospitality, wine and tourism industries, we are delighted to be able to bring our signature festival to life again with a full program across both May and June,” commented Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association CEO Amy Cooper.
“The 2022 program is bursting with events and our reputable chefs, cooks, winemakers and hospitality stars are ready to put their best foot forward to allow you to immerse yourself and experience Wine Country in all its glory”.
The festival kicks off on the 29 April with the return of A Little Bit of Italy, a weekend-long festival celebrating incredible wine, great food, and Italian country style hospitality in Broke Fordwich.
This year’s program also sees the return of the iconic Lovedale Long Lunch. The progressive lunch will run on the 14 and 15 May, with leading local chefs teamed up with seven Lovedale wineries to offer guests food, wine and live music al fresco among the vineyards. A new and exciting event on this year’s program is the Firelight Festival + Firewalk, set to transform Singleton’s town centre with a spectacular light show combining unique sensory, hologram and immersive laser light experiences.
The Hunter Valley experienced high visitor numbers across the recent Easter and School Holiday period as visitors once again embarked on air and road trips after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. “We encourage people to book all aspects of their visit early, including accommodation, wine tastings, events and experiences as well as restaurants if you don’t want to miss out” noted Ms Cooper.
The full program, with something for all wine and food lovers, is now live at www.winecountry.com.au/events/wine-and-food-festival
Media enquiries:
Jennie Curran, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, PH: 0427 195 518
For images, please click here or contact Jennie Curran.
Click here to download the full event program and click here to download media release.
2022 Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival - Program Highlights
Signature Events
A Little Bit of Italy in Broke | 29 April - 1 May
Come together and celebrate the 16th rendition of Broke’s much loved wine and food festival in true Italian style. Grab your gang and get amongst the vines, olive groves and the incredible food and wine experiences on offer. Immerse yourself in the best of the Broke Fordwich wine region, it’s stylish cellar doors, superb wines, artisan food offerings and live entertainment all on one great weekend.
Lovedale Long Lunch | 14 – 15 May
The Lovedale Long Lunch is a progressive style lunch where food and wine lovers are invited to discover the wonders of Lovedale. Each May, a decadent line up of the Hunter Valley’s leading chefs team up with seven of Lovedale’s finest wineries and local entertainment for a weekend of foodie fun.
Singleton Firelight Festival + Firewalk | 14 - 22 May
Ignite your senses at the Singleton Firelight Festival. Singleton will fire up on Saturday 21st May with vibrant fire performances, hearty food, roving entertainment and live music. Soak up the live entertainment, fire dancers, laser and light shows and experience some of the region’s best food stalls, food trucks and laneway bars featuring the best of Hunter Valley wine, beer and spirits.
Big Ram Beer & BBQ Festival, Hope Estate | 28 – 29 May
Beer & BBQ … sometimes it’s the simple things in life which bring the greatest of pleasure. That’s why Hope Estate is delighted to announce that the Hunter Valley Beer & BBQ Festival is back in 2022 with the addition of a great partner in RAM Trucks. Over two big days, Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May 2022, from 10am - 5pm each day, the festival will showcase all that’s great about Beer & BBQ. With over 40 varieties of Beer to taste there’s something for everyone. Taste the beer, talk to the brewers, watch the BBQ masters at work, see the big trucks up close and learn in one of the masterclasses or just kick back, relax and listen to the live music all while enjoying the beautiful surrounds of Hope Estate. It’s going to be a great day out for all ages!
Olive Long Table Luncheon | 4 June
The alfresco luncheon is set amongst Whispering Brook’s olive groves. The luncheon features a delicious Mediterranean inspired menu complemented with matching Whispering Brook wines, a special guest speaker, live music and a tour of the estate’s olive groves and vineyards.
Smoke in Broke will be back in 2022 with more fun, more food vendors, more competitors, and more BBQ. Experience every BBQ lover’s dream... a weekend of BBQ, Beer, Wine, Music, and more. This event is great for the whole family. This year the competition has grown to include a Steak Cookoff Association Competition on the Saturday and the ABA Competition on the Sunday. We will also have a separate demonstration stage to talk all things BBQ this year.
Wine & Beer Festival | 18 June
The 10th annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival (formerly Hunter Valley Wine Festival) will take place on Saturday 18th of June 2022, within the grounds of the picturesque Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. With an extensive array of wine, gourmet food, beer and cider on offer, festival goers will be spoilt for choice as is always the case with a true Hunter Valley Experience. Live Music, Tasting Events and Kids Activities including jumping castle, face painting, carousel and station train. It is a great day out for the whole family so why not spend the day in the Hunter Valley and bring the kids along too!
Burning of the Barrell | 25 June
Join Glandore for one of the most anticipated events in the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival. Featured as one of the Top 50 Wine Events un the world by Gourmet Traveller, this is one not to be missed. Think fire, local food, Hunter Valley Wine, Crafty Beers and good times all rolled into one, accompanied by great music and your best mates.
Epic Annual Lunch at Muse Restaurant | 25 June
Join two-hatted Muse Restaurant for their annual signature lunch. The five-course menu will be matched with a selection of premium aged and new release Hungerford Hill wines. The emphasis is on seasonality and quality, showcasing the best of fresh Hunter Valley local produce.
Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight | 28 June
The annual Food Fight is the signature calendar event organised each year by Hunter Culinary Association. Four chefs, each at the top of their game, will prepare one lunch course. Each course will be matched with a Hunter Valley wine, and guests will be tasked with voting for the dish they preferred at the end of the gourmet feast.
Exclusive Wine & Food Experiences
- The Ultimate Margan Experience
- Perfect Plate Degustation with Saddler’s Creek Winery, Vincent St Kitchen
- Port and Cheese Tasting at Tintilla Estate
- Let’s get Sensory at Scarborough
- Special Tasting Experience at Talits Estate
- Tulloch Wines ‘Tour of Italy’ Experience
- Single Vineyard Experience at Tyrrell’s
- Chardonnay, Art and Antipasto at Winmark
- Hunter Deluxe Experience at De Iuliis
- Wine and Food Pairing Masterclass – Bluegrass through the years
- Perfect Plate Degustation Evening with Saddler’s Creek Winery
- Sunday Long Lunch at Hunter Valley Gardens
- Red Wine and Dine at Restaurant Kawul
- Museum Masterclass at De Iuliis
- Epic Tasting Experience
- Grange vs. The Hunter
- Hunter Valley Wine Quiz Night
- Ocean to Paddock
- Battle of the Back Vintages Mike v’s Thommo