FEATURE THE HUNTER VALLEY, NSW
industry in Australia. However, it was not until after 1918, when a new wave of settlers from Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy arrived with ‘new’ grape varietals, that demand for the crisp whites and fruity reds with which we are familiar today took hold. One of James Busby’s business colleagues was George Wyndham – today Wyndham Estate is one of the largest wine estates in the Hunter Valley and a major tourist attraction. Dating back to 1828 it is the oldest commercial winery and welcomes guests with the sign: “Where Australian Shiraz began”. Still on the estate is the old stone cottage built by George Wyndham in 1831, with sandstones dragged several kilometres by 'convicts'. The original foundations are
remarkably solid and palatial looking and the estate is looking to raise up to $5million to restore it to its former glory. If it does, the heritage-listed building will be used as a museum detailing the history of wine-making in the Hunter Valley. Today, the National Trust treasure forms
part of a Heritage Walk that visitors can take through Wyndham's rows of vines and alongside the Hunter River.
SUMME R CONCERTS Wyndham's Olive Tree restaurant serves fabulous al-fresco country-style fare, which diners enjoy along with views of manicured vines, the winding Hunter River and the mountains beyond. Like several other vineyards in the Hunter Valley, Wyndham's stages summer concerts in its natural 'grassy amphitheatre' close to the Hunter River. Hosting up to 5,000 concert-goers,
future acts include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, in October. Neil Diamond, Steely Dan and Bob Dylan have all played outdoor concerts in the Hunter Valley this year and Elton John will play at Hope Estate on December 4. The Hunter Valley's ‘hot climate’ conditions are particularly kind to Semillon grapes (white) and Shiraz (red), the signature varietals of the Hunter Valley and recognised as some of the best in the world. One wine estate, Audrey Wilkinson,
was established in 1886 by a tee-total English settler, and has been providing grapes to Australia’s winemakers ever since (although it has only just started making its own wine again after a 50-year absence). The winery, one of the Hunter Valley’s most picturesque, is
perched atop a foothill of the Brokenback mountain range. It has 360-degree wraparound views of the valley, which we enjoyed while sipping its first vintage (2009) Lake Shiraz and Ridge Semillon Chardonnay, accompanied by delicious cheese from the Smelly Cheese Company, a local dairy producer. Tyrrells winery was Australia’s winery
of the year in 2010 and regularly wins awards for Australia’s best Chardonnay. Tastings are free and visitors aren’t limited to wines from the current year: I was offered a 1999 and a 1994 Semillon. “Slightly sour, fruity and zesty, Semillon
will appeal to those who first reach for Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s the perfect accompaniment for seafood,” said owner Bruce Tyrrell. For guests with a big budget, Tower Lodge is the only Relais & Châteaux property in the Hunter Valley. Built in a Spanish Mission style, its 12
rooms are adorned with furniture shipped in from around the world – including a life-size bronze elk bought in Scotland and a 300-year-old bed from Rajasthan which, apparently, Elton John wanted to buy after sleeping in it. Its fine dining restaurant, '9', is set in a
wine cellar – nine feet under the ground. It lives up to its name in other ways: it offers a nine-course degustation
menu that changes just nine times during the year, and its wine list features nine reds and nine whites. However, there’s no nine in the cost of a meal, priced at $250, with pairing wines. At the Hunter Valley Wine School visitors are lead into a ‘theatre’ where they are shown a film about wine making, then taught how they can teach their noses to differentiate between a Merlot and a Barbera. But the Hunter Valley is not all about
Family activities include The Hunter
Valley Gardens, which has over 25 landscaped hectares of themed display gardens, and visiting farms to buy olives, olive oils, jams and coffee. Fine dining is on offer at top establishments like Bistro Molines, where you can enjoy some of the best views of the Hunter Valley while enjoying dishes such as baked mussels with vegetable crumble and roasted quail with hazelnut and pomegranate
There are 140 'cellar doors' that offer visitors wine 'tastings'
wine. For example, there are three excellent golf courses in the area and a fourth is being designed by Jack Nicklaus. One of the courses wraps around the
Cypress Lakes Resort, which is a good suggestion for families. Accommodation is in large (privately-owned) villas that wind into the hills and there is also a family-friendly pool. Surrounded by mature gardens and native bushland, you can expect to see kangaroos on your morning walk or out on the golf course. Elsewhere there are numerous country hotels, guest houses and B&Bs.
dressing from top chef Robert Molines. Then there are several resort spas, horse-riding stables, hot-air ballooning, brewery tours, art and woodwork galleries, bush trails, a zoo, chocolate – there’s an annual Chocolate Festival at Hunter Valley Gardens (August 6-7 2011) and Italian ice cream parlours. There’s even a jail tour. Maitland Gaol
has a colourful history spanning more than 150 years. It once housed some of Australia's most hardened criminals but has been closed since 1998.
www.winecountry.co.au
www.sellinglonghaul.com • June 2011 79
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