This year's Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before with a packed program of food and wine experiences sure to tempt the tastebuds of every visitor.
Spanning May and June, celebrate the good life with a choice of over 40 events
including delicious gourmet dinners, wine and cocktail master classes, hands-on cooking classes and long lunches.
This year's program features 17 new events including Smokey Sundays at Matilda Bay Brewhouse, Semillon and Sushi Tasting at Briar Ridge Vineyard, Then and Now Tasting Event at Pepper Tree Wines and Scarborough Sensory Schooling at Scarborough Wine Co.
Complimenting these new events are iconic Festival favourites including the Hunter Valley Wine Festival, the 100 Metre Meal at Margan, Glandore Estate Burning of the Barrel, Music In The Woods at Stonehurst Cedar Creek and the Olive Long Table Luncheon with guest chef Frank Fawkner at Whispering Brook in Broke Fordwich.
A highlight this year will be the highly anticipated tenth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight on 17 June, when leading Hunter Valley chefs go head to head with the best chefs on the Sydney restaurant scene.
There's also a host of vertical wine tastings and set-price lunches and dinners on offer during the Festival.
Just a two-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 150 wineries and is bursting with all the delights of its highly acclaimed food and wine culture. With accommodation and experience packages for every budget, the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is the perfect opportunity for a winter wine weekend.
Here are just some of the highlights of this year's program:
OLIVE LONG TABLE LUNCHEON Whispering Brook Wine & Olive Discovery
Saturday 1 June
Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired menu with wine, live music, a tutored walking tour through the olive grove and guest speaker included. Guests will enjoy an incredible dining experience by EXP's Frank Fawkner.
SEMILLON, SHIRAZ & CHEESE MATCHING EXPERIENCE De Iuliis Wines
Daily in May & June
To showcase its award-winning wines, De Iuliis has paired two Semillons and two Shiraz with four sensational Hunter Valley cheeses from Binnorie Dairy and Hunter Belle Cheese. This is an event that will take your tastebuds on a journey you won't forget!
TULLOCH WINE & GOOSE ON THE LOOSE Salami & Wine Pairing
Daily in May & June
Tulloch Wines have partnered with Australia's finest artisan salami makers Goose on the Loose for this fun and interactive wine tasting experience.
HARVEST LUNCH SERIES Margan Restaurant
Sunday 30 June
Margan joins forces with local producers to present a delicious five-course lunch showcasing the best Hunter Valley produce and the people behind it.
HUNTER CULINARY ASSOCIATION FOOD FIGHT
Monday 17 June
A highlight this year will be the highly anticipated tenth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight on 17 June when leading Hunter Valley chefs go head to head with the best chefs on the Sydney restaurant scene.
Cheers to the good life!
To find out more about this year's Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival visit
www.winecountry.com.au/festival or view the offical guide for inspiration.
To book your Hunter Valley wine weekend accommodation, browse our handpicked collection of Hunter Valley stays here.
