Escape to the Hunter Valley this autumn as the Broke Fordwich region celebrates the 20th Anniversary of foodie festival ‘A Little Bit of Broke’. Promising a weekend filled with exquisite wine, delectable food, and sheer fabulousness the event also coincides with the region’s bicentenary. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 15, to Sunday, March 17, 2024, as the Broke Fordwich region welcomes you to the wine trail less travelled.
With a record number of 17 fabulous locations participating in this multi-venue extravaganza, the festival offers an array of events to suit every palate. Picture yourself dining in a hatted restaurant, picnicking with alpacas, sipping wines at sunset or exploring the largest organic kitchen garden in the region.
Navigating the Festival
Planning is key to navigating the festival seamlessly. The Festival Program provides a detailed itinerary, including special events and workshops. Don't miss out on the hop-on-hop-off bus service for 2024, allowing you to park your car at the Festival Hub in Broke and explore the festival locations with ease.
The Festival Experience
To ensure you make the most of the celebrations, grab your crew and secure a Festival Starter Kit, beginning at just $35. This kit includes festival entry, a Riedel tasting glass, a festival map and four complimentary tastings at your chosen wineries. For the ultimate experience, opt for the Festival Super Kit at $50, offering eight complimentary tastings redeemable at any of the cellar doors participating in the festival. Customise your weekend by adding dining experiences, workshops, extra tastings, and even transportation.
Highlight of A Little Bit of Broke:
Whispering Brook
Learn the secrets of artisan winemaking and olive oil production at Whispering Brook. Sip Portuguese inspired wines paired with sensational local artisan Cocoa Nib chocolates, a collaboration not to be missed!
Whispering Brook will also be offering special wine tasting events over the weekend at set times, see program for details. Cheese and antipasto packs can be pre-ordered from Whispering Brook and pizzas will be available on the Sunday.
Margan Wines & Restaurant
Relax in the courtyard or cellar door and sample a selection of sustainably farmed wines and small plates at the magnificent Margan Wines. For an outstanding farm to table dining experience, book a table in the acclaimed restaurant and graze the Farm to Table Tasting menu with the garden tomatoes, capsicum, basil and fromage frais a standout on the current menu.
Learn about sustainable farming on a one-hour guided tour of the vineyard, kitchen garden and winery, including a flight of premium wines. Don’t miss Dining Under the Stars on the Friday evening to kick off the festival.
Winmark Wines
Winmark Wines is not just a premium Chardonnay producer, but also a top destination for lovers of wine & art. Discover Winmark Wines and enjoy a delicious seafood platter matched perfectly with a glass of Winmark’s extraordinary Chardonnay. With wine in hand, meander through the sculpture park, art gallery, or linger longer and pull up a seat for Sunset Vibes on the Saturday evening for the perfect blend of wine and music.
How to Get to Broke and Where to Stay
For those eager to savour every moment of the Broke Fordwich Festival, start by visiting the festival's official website. Stay in Broke or discover a myriad of Hunter Valley accommodation options on alluxia.com, ranging from luxurious retreats to off-grid escapes, catering to groups, girls’ getaways, families, and romantic getaways. Our pick, is the recently opened The Lane Retreat nearby in Pokolbin.
Embark on A Little Bit of Broke in the Hunter Valley, where every sip, bite, and experience is to be savoured. Don't miss the chance be immersed in the festivities, where two decades of celebration culminate in a weekend of pure indulgence. With wide-open spaces and fresh country air, the Broke Fordwich ‘A Little Bit of Broke’ Festival is a haven for food and wine enthusiasts.
The writer was a guest of A Little Bit of Broke.
