tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12966532046732951642024-02-20T09:14:12.392-08:00Hunter Valley Grapevinehear it on the grapevine...what's worth checking out, what's not, what's on when visiting the Hunter ValleyHunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-77372906982715557672011-08-16T18:48:00.000-07:002011-08-16T18:52:53.680-07:00What's Happening 19-21 AugustThe chill has come off the Hunter air somewhat over the past week, which means Spring is just round the corner, yay!<br />
<br />
If you're heading to the Hunter this weekend, here are a few things to add to your 'to-do' list!<br />
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Saturday 20 August - <b>Winter Indulgence, a 5 course degustation @ Margan, Broke</b> (<a href="http://www.margan.com.au/restaurant/">http://www.margan.com.au/restaurant/</a>)<br />
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Saturday 20 August - <b>Dine with the Godfather of Australian cuisine, Tony Bilson, @ Tower Estate</b> (<a href="http://www.towerestate.com/">http://www.towerestate.com/</a>)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBeC-F4pA-WiN_v9zbLGKV3MIcFgNHnqCjTPDzdtrJGagregZpRsv5pEMYEJscIIHIrJ_yGoXOXMZPgt-eWc5tzzBbXdT4KfP7pU7p47j9DXaO23tYm6zA6u7M8J3bjyTDY2FQfwnOII/s1600/tony+bilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBeC-F4pA-WiN_v9zbLGKV3MIcFgNHnqCjTPDzdtrJGagregZpRsv5pEMYEJscIIHIrJ_yGoXOXMZPgt-eWc5tzzBbXdT4KfP7pU7p47j9DXaO23tYm6zA6u7M8J3bjyTDY2FQfwnOII/s320/tony+bilson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Saturday 21 August - Vertical Aged Shiraz Private Tasting @ Waverley Estate (<a href="http://www.waverleyestate.com.au/">http://www.waverleyestate.com.au</a>)<br />
<div><br />
</div>Now Cam and I just need to see if we can clone ourselves so we can go to both the Margan & Tower dinners on Saturday night!<br />
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</div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-2464185993790075152011-07-25T16:59:00.000-07:002011-07-25T16:59:18.100-07:00Absent With Leave!We can now advise that we will be away for a couple of weeks, on our honeymoon!<br />
<br />
Cam and I had a surprise wedding at our engagement party on Saturday 23 July, it was a fantastic day and night, one we will never forget. We were very lucky to be surrounded by our loving family and friends, and will treasure our wedding day forever.<br />
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As such, the Hunter Valley Grapevine will be having a couple of weeks of nothingness, however when we return in mid August, we will be getting back into the swing of things and will be ramping up our efforts with the Grapevine.<br />
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Thanks for your patience, please check back in with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-51220451632195769912011-07-14T15:58:00.000-07:002011-07-14T15:58:25.234-07:00What's Happening 16-17 JulyAs you may have noticed the Hunter Valley Grapevine has been a bit quiet of late, Cam and I are organising our engagement party to be held in Pokolbin next weekend, so we have been a bit strapped for time. For the next couple of weeks we will list some info each Friday re what's on in the Hunter. We look forward to getting things back to normal around the middle of August, when we will get back into the swing of our regular reviews and information. Thanks for your patience!<br />
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What's on this coming weekend, 16-17 July in the Valley:<br />
<br />
1 July - 31 July<br />
Christmas In July at <b><a href="http://www.bimbadgen.com.au/">Esca Bimbadgen</a></b><br />
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<strong>Embrace the frosty weather at Esca Bimbadgen restaurant during July for a mid-winter festive feast celebrating Christmas in July.</strong><br />
Executive Chef Ebonnie Newby has created a Christmas inspired menu with a distinct local style. <br />
<br />
<strong>Entrée</strong><br />
Prawn cocktail of Manning River prawns, verjuice dressing and lemon aioli<br />
Matched with 2010 Estate Semillon<br />
<br />
<strong>Main</strong><br />
Five spice roasted pork belly, caramelised apple, micro turnips <br />
Matched with 2009 Estate Shiraz<br />
<br />
<strong>Dessert</strong><br />
Treacle pudding, gingerbread soil, vanilla bean ice-cream, brandy anglaise<br />
Matched with 2006 Botrytis Semillon<br />
$55 per person or $70 with wine match<br />
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Christmas in July Menu available for lunch or dinner throughout July in addition to Esca’s regular menu. Bookings essential by contacting Esca Bimbadgen on 02 4998 4666 or email <a href="mailto:esca@bimbadgen.com.au">esca@bimbadgen.com.au</a><br />
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So if you're coming up to Pokolbin, be sure to head out to Bimbadgen Estate, the views are amazing!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-61755284728694899282011-07-07T18:36:00.000-07:002011-07-07T18:36:57.669-07:00What's Happening 09-10 JulyEven though it's the middle of a cold windy winter, there is always something happening in the Hunter Valley.<br />
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If you are visiting this weekend, a highlights of what's on which may pique your interest:<br />
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<b>Indulge Your Senses</b> - 9-10 July<br />
During this exclusive Wine & Chocolate tasting you will be guided through a selection of the finest wines from <b><a href="http://www.wyndhamestate.com/Wyndham.html">Wyndham Estate</a></b>, which will be matched with the new premium chocolate range from Nestle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3uZOzr708uZDhQcuA4NcOTC7BahkMYwXpCOlqdZaOwecs-TEmFQJlJat4ddihs6MB0CI9HQssa65zuxB1_W6Lo1pa8FQV4wTwuseKk13Ce_vAqUNriruJ_ncmBOOGLY1hlW6unBT2uE/s1600/indulge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3uZOzr708uZDhQcuA4NcOTC7BahkMYwXpCOlqdZaOwecs-TEmFQJlJat4ddihs6MB0CI9HQssa65zuxB1_W6Lo1pa8FQV4wTwuseKk13Ce_vAqUNriruJ_ncmBOOGLY1hlW6unBT2uE/s320/indulge.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>Unfortunately we won't be able to attend, due to family commitments, however it is on our 'must-do' list for 2012!<br />
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Over the past few wintery weekends, we have visited a few local establishments for a warm lunch:<br />
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<ul><li><b>Blaxlands Inn</b> - always worth a visit, open fire, great food & service</li>
<li><b>Harrigans Irish Pub</b> - can be extremely busy, but if you get a seat near the fire, away from the door, it's a good spot</li>
<li><b>Oscars @ Hunter Valley Gardens</b> - good food & service, a bit chilly outside, but great music, a regular haunt for us</li>
</ul><br />
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</span></span>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-73623393375359744652011-06-28T18:57:00.000-07:002011-06-28T18:57:36.412-07:00Morpeth Fiery Food FestivalBack in April Mel and I attended the <a href="http://www.maitlandhuntervalley.com.au/Events/Morpeth-Fiery-Food-Festival.aspx">Morpeth Fiery Food Festival</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBlAfAz-p9wSsWUqbfTYynZ597HMQFL_ffgjeXTpNWGBqBqR4rnQohIakRh58nwfSm8ZXPSOpCPdMTuunWAcw4XIRnOd14jhvDxcn5TEIr8JsRxYPNimlf_zYVk5FgsIxL_QBtqPmvh4/s1600/fieryfood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBlAfAz-p9wSsWUqbfTYynZ597HMQFL_ffgjeXTpNWGBqBqR4rnQohIakRh58nwfSm8ZXPSOpCPdMTuunWAcw4XIRnOd14jhvDxcn5TEIr8JsRxYPNimlf_zYVk5FgsIxL_QBtqPmvh4/s1600/fieryfood.jpg" /></a></div>We both like chilli, not too hot but we do regularly cooking with them, so were very much looking forward to trying all sorts of different types of food involving different types of chilli.<br />
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<a href="http://www.morpethhuntervalley.com.au/">Morpeth</a> was established in the early 1800's, being located on the Hunter River, it was an important river port during the early days of 'European Settlement'.<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br />
Located about 10km North East of Maitland, or approx 50km North East of Pokolbin, Morpeth</span> is a beautiful little town with shops and café’s lining both sides of the main street.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVbmae9TGUv96LNaX1WHKdC2MBwUGHfgfuwWxcTfJQ0XIsKuTLO7mja6NhGEusT-loCXlLNdC7SSTpOm0ExQ-ZD4rgyb5YQFTW_yxzAcY9hbXqZH725dIlsTgdi0Iw0BlSuwcpDOlxrI/s1600/morpeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVbmae9TGUv96LNaX1WHKdC2MBwUGHfgfuwWxcTfJQ0XIsKuTLO7mja6NhGEusT-loCXlLNdC7SSTpOm0ExQ-ZD4rgyb5YQFTW_yxzAcY9hbXqZH725dIlsTgdi0Iw0BlSuwcpDOlxrI/s640/morpeth.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.morpethhuntervalley.com.au/">photo source</a>)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">It is the home of the famous <a href="http://www.morpethsourdough.com.au/">Morpeth Sourdough</a> bread that can be bought throughout the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hunter</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place>. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5-ioYRFqIPz5-3hHvRED4wzkOv2vbmM1O8rMK_ueMhRHxJ0kfWzHNZDm5Ej55enZ-XRRrKX9Mp7pfDyWCFybocDkI4X363TgMDLS_h07ElwiBuJe7Qim1XSADkzezUZZFW93aM3wWZ4/s1600/morpeth+sourdough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5-ioYRFqIPz5-3hHvRED4wzkOv2vbmM1O8rMK_ueMhRHxJ0kfWzHNZDm5Ej55enZ-XRRrKX9Mp7pfDyWCFybocDkI4X363TgMDLS_h07ElwiBuJe7Qim1XSADkzezUZZFW93aM3wWZ4/s1600/morpeth+sourdough.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">We were expecting street stalls selling different types of food, music and real festival/party type<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>atmosphere but driving down the main street looking for a parking spot it would have been hard to know that it was anything other than a normal Sunday at Morpeth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We walked the length of town thinking to ourselves we must have the wrong weekend. So we grabbed a coffee and noticed the café had 3-4 specials on the menu that did involve chilli’s so thought we could still be on track but weren’t convinced.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Eventually we get to the other end of town and find a sign saying welcome to the Fiery Food Festival outside of the <a href="http://www.morpethgallery.com/GingerBeerHome.htm">Ginger Beer Factory</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To our surprise the Fiery Food Festival was 40-50 different types of sauces, oils, jams and other bottled goodies that you could taste with broken rice crackers. We did the circuit and tried a few things that appealed but it was nothing that you cant do at any of the many markets that are scattered all over the Hunter Valley, and many of the wineries also stock these sort of items and have them available for tasting. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Woodfire Pizza café put on a special chilli pizza for their contribution and the nut shop had some hot nuts and some spicy condiments, but they looked as though they would always be available in the shop every week of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Morpeth cellars had Chilli wine to taste but we’d lost a bit of interest by now after looking forward to so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Not sure how many years this festival has been running for but hopefully it develops a lot more over the years as we were left quite disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.allandalewinery.com.au/" style="color: #449911; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Morpeth Fiery Food Festival</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US">9 & 10 April 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morpeth, NSW</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: (02) 4933 1407</span></span></div><br />
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</span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-24070666923634638082011-06-26T22:40:00.000-07:002011-06-26T22:40:33.462-07:00Jungle Juice Cup - Cessnock Races - 5 JulyCam from Hunter Valley Grapevine will be attending this year's Jungle Juice Cup at the Cessnock Races on 5 July.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64rISca1Uf3GGP_SvnN289G4XkSxKTLdqTZ1pGsoRDNDLOxADjqG01n0VVKMcyCsg2eqtu8yliFrZE19n_DLQ7oEuIGdDM6fPRc4YkdS4mPqqYs6pWVxQr7jlMfQLihCGMu0KWkBnZhc/s1600/jungle-juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64rISca1Uf3GGP_SvnN289G4XkSxKTLdqTZ1pGsoRDNDLOxADjqG01n0VVKMcyCsg2eqtu8yliFrZE19n_DLQ7oEuIGdDM6fPRc4YkdS4mPqqYs6pWVxQr7jlMfQLihCGMu0KWkBnZhc/s320/jungle-juice.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.njc.com.au/news/special.asp">Jungle Juice Race Day</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cam has been to several meetings at the Cessnock track, but this year will be his first Jungle Juice Race Day.<br />
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One of the most popular Country NSW meetings of the year, the Wine Country Race Club, along with the Newcastle Jockey club, organise bus loads of racegoers, who converge on the track, to have a picnic, or enjoy the offerings in one of the marquees on course.<br />
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Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice is quite famous, or shall we say infamous! For more info on the beloved juice <a href="http://www.wollombitavern.com.au/DrJurd/index.htm">read on ></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84UJuZL0wKOwQSyDJKTMbzmNMXoss6ZaD5ywif0P8zs3icfSPIEAY_A1OaImjZ0PqJwJCpR7b7WHvXsehzZYIp_uwotKo0LLz2K3at6GKSKzkohEg6ILg745fnEjxU7P1Xt79biqRtkU/s1600/juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84UJuZL0wKOwQSyDJKTMbzmNMXoss6ZaD5ywif0P8zs3icfSPIEAY_A1OaImjZ0PqJwJCpR7b7WHvXsehzZYIp_uwotKo0LLz2K3at6GKSKzkohEg6ILg745fnEjxU7P1Xt79biqRtkU/s1600/juice.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jug of Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From the Newcastle Jockey Club website:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The following packages are currently available:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Jungle Juice Private Marquee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A private marquee is the perfect venue to socialise and has great views towards the finishing line. Call NJC to arrange a quote for your corporate or social group marquee.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Wine Country Race Club Charity Marquee</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The WCRC Charity Marquee is supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, who provide a much needed service to Newcastle and the Hunter. The Charity Marquee package includes:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Return Bus Transport from Broadmeadow Racecourse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Racecourse Entry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-BBQ Lunch</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Price: $77.50pp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• Jungle Juice Bus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Looking to enjoy racing at your own leisure - why not book a seat on the Jungle Juice bus. Includes:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Return Bus Transfer from Broadmeadow Racecourse</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Racecourse Entry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">-Racebook</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Members Price: $25pp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Non-Members Price: $35pp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">• General Racecourse Entry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Pre-purchase your ticket prior to the day for only $12pp ($15pp on the day).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For bookings & enquiries call Newcastle Jockey Club on 4961 1573.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-20662954065141949322011-06-16T22:10:00.000-07:002011-06-16T22:34:22.911-07:00Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month - JuneIf you're coming up to the Hunter Valley this weekend, keep in mind that June is <a href="http://hvwineandfood.hvva.com.au/">Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month</a>, a month long celebration of Hunter Valley wines and fresh local produce.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hvwineandfood.hvva.com.au/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga42_uamEbVCZ58d06s4e_ZnI-bLbpOYCFjYE9PTsDtbJt1j6p819COkHDHIHGNAP_InsZiJGtsryvuIAIFxZILGt31ylm97LGmkXeWfu3g0rmXKrtYkTUKaygK2CmFCShhJp69ZIudrM/s1600/hunter_valley_wine_and_food_month_logo.gif" /></a></div>From the HVWF website:<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="intropara" style="color: #996600; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Throughout the month of June, our Fireside Series, will have guests cosying up by the fire for supreme indulgences while our Winemaker’s Table Series will allow dining up close and personal with iconic Hunter winemakers and chefs. The Edible Experience will have guests creating their own magic in the kitchen and interacting with some of the best gastronomic names using delicious local produce.</div><div align="left" class="intropara" style="color: #996600; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="intropara" style="color: #996600; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Our new Diverse Region Experience is perfect for the explorers amongst us who want to learn about the diverse areas within the Hunter Valley and what each unique region has to offer. And of course, no trip to the Hunter Valley would be complete without a visit to a local winery and sampling a few of the world-class wines from Australia's most historic family wine region.</div><div align="left" class="intropara" style="color: #996600; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="intropara" style="color: #996600; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-decoration: none;">This is only a taste of the many unique events that guests will be able to enjoy throughout the month... which will make staying for the weekend or longer in the Hunter Valley even more irresistible.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-44913233816122054682011-06-09T06:25:00.000-07:002011-06-09T15:58:13.898-07:00Emma's Cottage - Lovedale Long Lunch review - part 3The second stop on our “Lovedale Long Lunch” bus tour was <a href="http://www.emmascottage.com.au/"><b>Emma’s Cottage</b></a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-n1xldlDBLeRfOln-h0QemKgIH5aKlVwXenuuzeHCUCJJPGOqiYOm-N4qY96sUzwIvolrRXaoLf9PzYVr1eUITZy2oxmxQflnqIYPM94DdP4ttffbKj53RgPXXqsGp0MQXg27jR3Xgo/s1600/Emmas-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-n1xldlDBLeRfOln-h0QemKgIH5aKlVwXenuuzeHCUCJJPGOqiYOm-N4qY96sUzwIvolrRXaoLf9PzYVr1eUITZy2oxmxQflnqIYPM94DdP4ttffbKj53RgPXXqsGp0MQXg27jR3Xgo/s640/Emmas-header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We discovered Emma’s a few months back when we received a menu for their pizza restaurant- Tilly's Gourmet Pizza Cafe - in the mail and have been out there with family and friends on a couple of occasions now and always leave with a smile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXHWMa3c098NRydSeO6zcXN_1WvX3_3OaDoh-aHGHNIatLVR_MBEjuaXCBw6nO2cwZSr3_k1phY_WprTtXo-Jl2NwYRke8U68PyF-Tq6j4hUhI2TfIyIf5sNjVOgkiG2PrxkhIcsd934/s1600/Emmas-welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXHWMa3c098NRydSeO6zcXN_1WvX3_3OaDoh-aHGHNIatLVR_MBEjuaXCBw6nO2cwZSr3_k1phY_WprTtXo-Jl2NwYRke8U68PyF-Tq6j4hUhI2TfIyIf5sNjVOgkiG2PrxkhIcsd934/s640/Emmas-welcome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We arrived around Midday and as soon as you stepped off the bus you could tell the place was rocking. The staff had dressed up with a Grease (the movie) theme. The girls were Pink Lady’s and the boys T’Birds. The band was in full swing pumping out old favorites from the 60’s and 70’s and the crowd were getting right into it with a packed dance floor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1qVcg3ppeoksT1PnDm-JaFbNVAIK8jrqcl1tEoYc70aUNw7JCEXtGbobyBEB99eVAJfocG0LAsU-uiiU4FhXKunZSkSL0w1nHhWNluL7e_1SdSqtQ1g21QqlBJMj1lEUJrT9i74_HP0/s1600/Emmas-pink-ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1qVcg3ppeoksT1PnDm-JaFbNVAIK8jrqcl1tEoYc70aUNw7JCEXtGbobyBEB99eVAJfocG0LAsU-uiiU4FhXKunZSkSL0w1nHhWNluL7e_1SdSqtQ1g21QqlBJMj1lEUJrT9i74_HP0/s640/Emmas-pink-ladies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some Pink Ladies</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN35nFvRIM1OxEl21HhHyWQJUjh0OVVvaf92y52O6py59B1lopqyjCg-TaZ-VoqkpB6w1O2LJA_f3OK0KhQbJrLMh41m7pKik4KLwK9hxInVXctTZu6Zk-l9404iM2aLO43S5XZmZtng/s1600/Emmas-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN35nFvRIM1OxEl21HhHyWQJUjh0OVVvaf92y52O6py59B1lopqyjCg-TaZ-VoqkpB6w1O2LJA_f3OK0KhQbJrLMh41m7pKik4KLwK9hxInVXctTZu6Zk-l9404iM2aLO43S5XZmZtng/s640/Emmas-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The band was great and the crowd were quickly on their feet</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMVNdbTugHIw_046qbtoH5VUFMZGo7rQ3VOHJsyW9Dh8FoX8tJyXNM7xlcXcuP0W0IAHEuYa5hQsbc3S9ayYnpCMXDa-u0IciCzfJhBtB5Q-R6oUMpOFCuktpmU6cRw9F5dKBAR3mBQI/s1600/Emmas-band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMVNdbTugHIw_046qbtoH5VUFMZGo7rQ3VOHJsyW9Dh8FoX8tJyXNM7xlcXcuP0W0IAHEuYa5hQsbc3S9ayYnpCMXDa-u0IciCzfJhBtB5Q-R6oUMpOFCuktpmU6cRw9F5dKBAR3mBQI/s640/Emmas-band.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Band - Scratch Me Happy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>For those looking for something even faster paced, there were Harley rides around Lovedale provided by Wild Ride Australia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT23atXdlZkPa2tm_jfr7VaZgVM_LaNiZPKO0430dq2EURtFUmu6y_wdy_cvPO3uYk5wwPDsh2gwIAFhSydXsqWSHDFOiWbN1UprmOzmJG9-UERufYlL87mACRhzHNF8Bb_HFMgAMMo8E/s1600/Emmas-bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT23atXdlZkPa2tm_jfr7VaZgVM_LaNiZPKO0430dq2EURtFUmu6y_wdy_cvPO3uYk5wwPDsh2gwIAFhSydXsqWSHDFOiWbN1UprmOzmJG9-UERufYlL87mACRhzHNF8Bb_HFMgAMMo8E/s640/Emmas-bikes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wildride.com.au/">Wild Ride Australia</a> provided harley rides</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We grabbed a cheese and olive platter and a bottle of Rose that we already knew was beautiful from previous trips, found our group and settled in to listen to the band.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHJRJWpmuSifgTCAhgtDqLPq8oU8it7I_o0ptGqNL9euxAxJehZdIGbjiz-Za2GjJF0E0hz-mkwImee7mWohD_yA70ShUAKH1KdIz0hDGT6xY0eOeLlG_5mVPScdZ7RX04CPyjt1aT4c/s1600/Emmas-rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHJRJWpmuSifgTCAhgtDqLPq8oU8it7I_o0ptGqNL9euxAxJehZdIGbjiz-Za2GjJF0E0hz-mkwImee7mWohD_yA70ShUAKH1KdIz0hDGT6xY0eOeLlG_5mVPScdZ7RX04CPyjt1aT4c/s400/Emmas-rose.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Emma's Rose - delicious and very easy to drink!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The food at Emma’s was supplied by <a href="http://www.amandas.com.au/">Amanda’s Restaurant</a> and our crew sampled the pan seared garlic buttered king prawns on a warmed roasted pumpkin, spring onion and herb cous cous which they said was very good and few also tried the aromatic Sri Lankan chicken curry with steamed jasmine rice, coriander, mango chutney and yoghurt raita, which they enjoyed very much, and they didn’t share any.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Dessert was a warmed chocolate fudge brownie with Belgian chocolate sauce, strawberries and cream. Not sure if anyone had this but thinking back I wish I had.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUNvICUP5iZm1N1PjR_HjDSiAtxAEzcXZwF4Os5rLgwAFqICAv6OJsZX37tXGYO88lrbV-TqN2YrdguTJl28l-f1SK8gsoqBgbqfX11utD5xeP8jeroJAegRDoqwSd8d8Z5NJp2pMKE/s1600/Emmas-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUNvICUP5iZm1N1PjR_HjDSiAtxAEzcXZwF4Os5rLgwAFqICAv6OJsZX37tXGYO88lrbV-TqN2YrdguTJl28l-f1SK8gsoqBgbqfX11utD5xeP8jeroJAegRDoqwSd8d8Z5NJp2pMKE/s640/Emmas-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Emma’s Cottage is a must do if your visiting the Hunter. You’ll be greeted in the tasting room by the glamorous Katie who will take you right through the whole range of wines available and anyone who enjoys desert wine the aptly named “Perfect” is well worth trying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMU8BJ1mQl70dRtovHHDp1jnGG9wxff_orr6lF5RkcTBwsMTZ-VO44Kiw5kd6Ajd2wakvAHCUaKzvmKRASm9ZVFwn56cPMTy_5jueAX9dha5gYg-YHXkp3rR18HTjfhElPRyDCKmxYxs/s1600/Emmas-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMU8BJ1mQl70dRtovHHDp1jnGG9wxff_orr6lF5RkcTBwsMTZ-VO44Kiw5kd6Ajd2wakvAHCUaKzvmKRASm9ZVFwn56cPMTy_5jueAX9dha5gYg-YHXkp3rR18HTjfhElPRyDCKmxYxs/s640/Emmas-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">A wander through the art gallery, most of which is supplied by one of the owners in Megan Barrass is highly recommended. Every time we’ve gone through it I have to remind Mel we are there for lunch not to buy paintings. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then move onto the pizza café which does traditional Italian style pizzas which are as good as you will get anywhere and I’d know as I’ve eaten way more than my share of pizzas.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquxIX47QXZO8lXEB2wOxzoySycPXV9m3ybqjFQdjQQZhw8Z9lCkeTc4DmlANXNE8PjGQBIlQE-LLwaHe__2I9Oe8u7q-MhyA5YFtq40K3Ed0z7wSsZK0yaBqBMOeXxDUEAwSGnpJ7vnw/s1600/Emmas-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquxIX47QXZO8lXEB2wOxzoySycPXV9m3ybqjFQdjQQZhw8Z9lCkeTc4DmlANXNE8PjGQBIlQE-LLwaHe__2I9Oe8u7q-MhyA5YFtq40K3Ed0z7wSsZK0yaBqBMOeXxDUEAwSGnpJ7vnw/s320/Emmas-art.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Art by owner Megan Barrass</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Cam and Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying attendees at the 2011 Lovedale Long Lunch</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><a href="http://www.emmascottage.com.au/" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;">Emma's Cottage</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US">Wilderness Road, Lovedale NSW<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Tel: (02) 4998 7734</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-11546190569621791472011-06-05T16:09:00.000-07:002011-06-05T16:11:36.338-07:00Flavourfest @ Hunter Valley Gardens - 11-13 June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This coming long weekend the <a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/">Hunter Valley Gardens</a> are hosting <a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/events/events-listing/details/14"><b>FlavourFest</b></a>, we attended the inaugral FlavourFest in 2010, and it was a great day out, over 6,000 people attended over the 3 days.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-0GkZzYnhhyphenhyphenKH5xat39L9EoYCFWC77YdxeB7ULKpM_9qv11q5uWimK7tI-GzFPXbhUuu7m0W4XvezhMIXBx4FxvdoUkPFs2Tcguo0R_l93VapULsjEvjKceTyFOCoWMnPEmVPA3fxvc/s1600/flavourfest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-0GkZzYnhhyphenhyphenKH5xat39L9EoYCFWC77YdxeB7ULKpM_9qv11q5uWimK7tI-GzFPXbhUuu7m0W4XvezhMIXBx4FxvdoUkPFs2Tcguo0R_l93VapULsjEvjKceTyFOCoWMnPEmVPA3fxvc/s1600/flavourfest.jpg" /></a></div><br />
From the HVG Website - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">The festival features fine food, exquisite wines, exotic tastes, deluxe merchandise and inspiring music - showcasing the flavours, luxuries and sounds of the Hunter and beyond....<br />
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Also featuring Celebrity Guests, cooking demonstrations, seminar sessions, entertainment, wineries and restaurants, cocktail flaring showcases, Kids in the Kitchen and exhibits packed with tasty offerings, fresh produce and specialty merchandise.<br />
<br />
Come ready for a weekend of culinary, wine, taste and music delights, all set inside Australia's Largest Display Garden.</span></i> </span><br />
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The Celebrity Chef's are a big attraction, last year we sat in the 2nd row of a couple of celebrity chef 'shows' and really enjoyed them.<br />
<br />
This year the chefs include:<br />
<br />
Peter Everett - not a chef, but host of Ready Steady Cook<br />
Alvin Quah - 2010 Masterchef favourite<br />
Callum Hann - 2010 Masterchef favourite<br />
Janelle Bloom - Ready Steady Cook<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCCFdYD9aaFnDhqHFPJXqOhcP-3l035o4PKIJHA2l0kEq8jcUNj8ytbWlcDTx9F4G_NWxZBeTV0EffCGUDouk9MIDhJNtaROsP6szxSPe5A6yGR8R1Js9fj8Ge0dNWf9JJFug6A_sFuI/s1600/alvin-quah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCCFdYD9aaFnDhqHFPJXqOhcP-3l035o4PKIJHA2l0kEq8jcUNj8ytbWlcDTx9F4G_NWxZBeTV0EffCGUDouk9MIDhJNtaROsP6szxSPe5A6yGR8R1Js9fj8Ge0dNWf9JJFug6A_sFuI/s1600/alvin-quah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alvin Quah (<a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/events/events-listing/details/14">photo source</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJL2-2W4pIePYBY4Rfd4aHvh8uWeIoK1V-ESrNGOx7mOk3_a6j9doSHLw-xJcT5S5JZud4hHdM5G05rMgNKWTR8GUhufDAN36pp3vsYQ5RFIoN2B0C02InCIQqb7eGF8wPXEKJeTu17c/s1600/callum-hann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJL2-2W4pIePYBY4Rfd4aHvh8uWeIoK1V-ESrNGOx7mOk3_a6j9doSHLw-xJcT5S5JZud4hHdM5G05rMgNKWTR8GUhufDAN36pp3vsYQ5RFIoN2B0C02InCIQqb7eGF8wPXEKJeTu17c/s1600/callum-hann.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callum Hann (<a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/events/events-listing/details/14">photo source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Other attactions include cocktail making shows, a Marketplace showcasing local produce, Beer Wine & Cocktail Hall, Eat Street and Flavours of the World, Eat to the Beat Concert Stage, Bar-Be-School Seminar, Art Exhibition, Kidspace, Kids Show with Miss Fruitcake, Kids In The Kitchen.<br />
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The bonus is not only do you get all the above Foodie attractions, you can explore the amazing Hunter Valley Gardens, entry price for FlavourFest is $23.50, which is the same price as entry for the gardens, crazy value, 2 for 1!<br />
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Last year Mel and I spent around 4-5 hours at FlavourFest then another hour or so wandering the gardens, a great day out.<br />
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So if you're coming to the Hunter Valley for the June Long Weekend, be sure to checkout FlavourFest!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-64635979143160302652011-05-31T06:43:00.000-07:002011-06-01T18:52:30.757-07:00Allandale Winery - Lovedale Long Lunch - part 2<div class="MsoNormal">Sunday 15th May was our first attendance at the <a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">Lovedale Long Lunch</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.allandalewinery.com.au/"><b>Allandale Winery</b></a> was the first winery we visited for no other reason than it’s the first winery you come across when you pull off Wine Country Drive into Lovedale.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalYJdWIo5iXHBGch8hlmyBJhDJIxzpzPVXBnbQ2Gt7xxdLxG1d1LFPIiHdMwAF-ZiU4m4pIp_aZFyiJoFyfEdrSE7B089ApTa4ta9YCjirESCi1b5enXBPrng-p15gmS1ZEiv5PqK52Y/s1600/Allandale-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalYJdWIo5iXHBGch8hlmyBJhDJIxzpzPVXBnbQ2Gt7xxdLxG1d1LFPIiHdMwAF-ZiU4m4pIp_aZFyiJoFyfEdrSE7B089ApTa4ta9YCjirESCi1b5enXBPrng-p15gmS1ZEiv5PqK52Y/s1600/Allandale-logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Allandale Winery was established in 1978, covering 17 acres, they grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Semillon on site, and source their other varietals from other Hunter Valley growers.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit83ojnWiMenou6XOoDHSZ_QmZDnMkgIrQawvt4Zi5cD9Sz4QHInSqn9BT2vH56y7aQiuXRDbapiWzsFkC89-M547sXIuGHszLe5OS6yKLp340IO8VxkOBqaw98gfXg2BUcGG-b2n8Uuk/s1600/Allandale-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit83ojnWiMenou6XOoDHSZ_QmZDnMkgIrQawvt4Zi5cD9Sz4QHInSqn9BT2vH56y7aQiuXRDbapiWzsFkC89-M547sXIuGHszLe5OS6yKLp340IO8VxkOBqaw98gfXg2BUcGG-b2n8Uuk/s640/Allandale-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from Allandale Winery</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Set high up on the side of the hill looking out over the grapevines the view from Allandale’s back towards Pokolbin goes on for miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtfF9_paGS_vhSDuXEBmptpnbp_JJDbCPeja7jX_lX7AtujYA8sgNWZZESCNv0MMpElLxkP3T_tcNFvq5NvmpO4D5o63_poVlgcjXRKXHUYT-HV-P1r6YJB7FAjSWvWhxkL4GrmRjQGg/s1600/Allandale-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtfF9_paGS_vhSDuXEBmptpnbp_JJDbCPeja7jX_lX7AtujYA8sgNWZZESCNv0MMpElLxkP3T_tcNFvq5NvmpO4D5o63_poVlgcjXRKXHUYT-HV-P1r6YJB7FAjSWvWhxkL4GrmRjQGg/s640/Allandale-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking out over Lovedale from Allandale</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We arrived around 10:30 in the morning and after purchasing our tasting glass and meal tickets we headed for the tasting rooms. First cab off the rank was the Verdelho as it’s our favorite style of white wine. It’s a great wine on its own but it also matches perfect with seafood, Indian and Thai food and who doesn’t love at least one of these. Allandale have been awarded several Gold medals and trophies for the Verdelho over the years.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Over the years we’ve found 3 favorite Verdelho’s in the Hunter but now may have to add another to the list, it was very nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5M3I8IjmcmNAHxmLn3mUvCJyx6AZ4DSvNh-X4hMYZ387a6Rid6JiH3V2wo1oFU5zbvwKofg0p5jF5VbHfES3XfwXox-vOU-dJzaM3rK1n6DTUZxuiivUGgHDR8SLgYcmO67hRit_vb0/s1600/Allandale-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5M3I8IjmcmNAHxmLn3mUvCJyx6AZ4DSvNh-X4hMYZ387a6Rid6JiH3V2wo1oFU5zbvwKofg0p5jF5VbHfES3XfwXox-vOU-dJzaM3rK1n6DTUZxuiivUGgHDR8SLgYcmO67hRit_vb0/s640/Allandale-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Allandale staff handing over some knowledge</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We also tried the Epitome which is a blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, Verdelho and Sauvignon Blanc. All of which are grown in the Hunter. Having never tried this we were impressed with how well they do blend together, quite light and fruity.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjb5r4ZV0pgA_CqeEutvGJ6xmotHT1h42RiQOmYuQ0xSLQHAXZV9BdssVFyEUiL_tEAXTCj6DFik3ayrDskrLWs9HqehYGhPMga15U9rgTCfgFi12Up-QBTkG0vO8Xz4FcysPgNBz4s0/s1600/Allandale-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjb5r4ZV0pgA_CqeEutvGJ6xmotHT1h42RiQOmYuQ0xSLQHAXZV9BdssVFyEUiL_tEAXTCj6DFik3ayrDskrLWs9HqehYGhPMga15U9rgTCfgFi12Up-QBTkG0vO8Xz4FcysPgNBz4s0/s640/Allandale-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lovely country vibe at Allandale</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Mel quickly moved onto trying the Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc desert wine. Being a bit of an expert on Hunter desert wines she gave it the thumbs up and I’m sure we will be visiting Allandale in the near future top up the desert wine collection. Perfect with cheese, which we'll surely try soon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I went onto try several of the reds they had on offer but I’ll confess now I’m not the greatest judge of red wines after just one or two small sips. I prefer to buy a bottle and at least try a glass before I pass any sort of judgment on any red wines. This will be happening when we do venture back out to Allandale.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Being there at 10:30 it was too early to eat but gee it was tempting. The food was supplied by the <a href="http://www.olivetreerestaurant.com.au/">Olive Tree Restaurant</a> which is based at Wyndham Estate winery. The mains were a choice of Garlic Prawns and Calamari with Crispy Risotto Balls, Roast Tomato Sauce on a Rocket, Olives and Parmesan Salad or Duck Confit with a Cassoulet of Toulouse Sausage, White Beans and Pistou. Both matched with the perfect Allandale wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8sN06bkUFdUwLYF1_ybJE4ptt3D1jlMrxzX4m1oeDsSzQIFLqZz9UZvNoyLGFDupxuptEMDM27weM1PRKrpm6tOVbAsmmcJbIozkmg7fdeFa7Sm9z6OSprYG_f_yAHntwK50rm-LOOA/s1600/Allandale-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8sN06bkUFdUwLYF1_ybJE4ptt3D1jlMrxzX4m1oeDsSzQIFLqZz9UZvNoyLGFDupxuptEMDM27weM1PRKrpm6tOVbAsmmcJbIozkmg7fdeFa7Sm9z6OSprYG_f_yAHntwK50rm-LOOA/s640/Allandale-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The food sounded and looked delicious, but a bit early at 10.30am for a Duck Cassoulet</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The desserts were Chocolate Caramello Cheesecake with Vanilla Bean Crème’ Anglaise or a Binnorie Brie with Crusty Bread and a Fig and Apple Relish.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Now you know why it was tempting to eat despite it being so early.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our group purchased several different bottles of wine, grabbed a table and settled down to take in the atmosphere on what was a spectacular winters day in the Hunter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM8dxJGaOEyrWsTvMf7-TnrZmIeuSR9KbUwqWLo1VMSG_x72ZT3bLpyU2lh43mtB8sczOQL8QksVNV0XQuSDNjRFrEgy1tnYpV6bBjov6kUXgIVIfPeEw_QChf8nrY-ypABKngmnuUH0/s1600/Allandale-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM8dxJGaOEyrWsTvMf7-TnrZmIeuSR9KbUwqWLo1VMSG_x72ZT3bLpyU2lh43mtB8sczOQL8QksVNV0XQuSDNjRFrEgy1tnYpV6bBjov6kUXgIVIfPeEw_QChf8nrY-ypABKngmnuUH0/s640/Allandale-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">If you are in the Hunter and decide to give Lovedale a try instead of Pokolbin for a change, get to Allandale and give their wines a try. We’ll be heading back there for more Epitome.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-LtxV5ZTdSyJzMIz8r8CpDq_P1FmuFp83sVdxoxhTXUATSaAC9kIvRWss10hMv0bCkqHB59CATJQBi2JtAKSUqtyYN1_FBHenj_IHijQ-8AmRKcltMaBWSDK5YLn8CRDsEIqaZ6LoEE/s1600/Allandale-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-LtxV5ZTdSyJzMIz8r8CpDq_P1FmuFp83sVdxoxhTXUATSaAC9kIvRWss10hMv0bCkqHB59CATJQBi2JtAKSUqtyYN1_FBHenj_IHijQ-8AmRKcltMaBWSDK5YLn8CRDsEIqaZ6LoEE/s640/Allandale-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Cam and Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying attendees at the 2011 Lovedale Long Lunch</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b><a href="http://www.allandalewinery.com.au/">Allandale Winery</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Lovedale Road, Lovedale NSW</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Tel: (02) 4990 4526</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboH_dU-ZDwK5wYE-Pm27fGCruhlk359S-C2m97B8JkwEWKsyOhc3nGp9xw-1iZSSbTipbg37YuvXFNZ-lzeI1FTydrIrCfFiPU_HDQ6INdN1qRGtTLoSzh6Lh1OlZHVL5mOCWjFLoTxg/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboH_dU-ZDwK5wYE-Pm27fGCruhlk359S-C2m97B8JkwEWKsyOhc3nGp9xw-1iZSSbTipbg37YuvXFNZ-lzeI1FTydrIrCfFiPU_HDQ6INdN1qRGtTLoSzh6Lh1OlZHVL5mOCWjFLoTxg/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-89568167586850348212011-05-27T07:21:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:56:30.006-07:00Lovedale Long Lunch review - part 1We joined a group of Hunter locals on Sunday the 15<sup>th</sup> May for our first taste of the <a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">Lovedale Long Lunch</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg06fqutwPNXlRoIqF6swCJeoGtWrvr5hiURPr109YevR_06H7nbWy8WhhHIafVK6Be857avwfQaT-B06haP47hBMZTQLLKEiS-dMUb4uizKQpymXf5ESpMQu2mjD31UytU1J7TKCF2YM/s1600/LLL-glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg06fqutwPNXlRoIqF6swCJeoGtWrvr5hiURPr109YevR_06H7nbWy8WhhHIafVK6Be857avwfQaT-B06haP47hBMZTQLLKEiS-dMUb4uizKQpymXf5ESpMQu2mjD31UytU1J7TKCF2YM/s320/LLL-glass.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel's pristine LLL wine glass, at 10.30am</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were picked up nice and early by minibus and were into our first glass of wine just after 10:30 in the morning. As you can imagine some details later in the day are a bit harder to recollect.<br />
<br />
Not really knowing what to expect when the bus pulled up at <a href="http://www.allandalewinery.com.au/">Allandale Winery</a>, we were quickly introduced to how big a day this has become. It was only 10:30 in the morning and there must have been well over 500 people there, most of whom were partaking in the various wines and food on offer. We were later told that the crowds on the Saturday were at least double the size.<br />
<br />
The best way to enjoy the day is to the purchase the “LLL” meal and glass package which consists of a meal ticket and dessert or cheese platter ticket which can be used at any of the 7 wineries taking part. You also get a “LLL” commemorative tasting glass which allows you to try as many different wines at each venue as you wish.<br />
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We had an initial plan of getting to all 7 wineries but it became pretty clear it was going to be too rushed to get in and out of each winery to make all 7 so between everyone on the bus we decided on 4 to visit throughout the day. Between tasting the various wines and buying a different bottle at each venue it seemed the best way to go.<br />
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We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and over the next week or so we’ll give a short review of the 4 wineries we were able to get to on the day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying visitors to the Lovedale Long Lunch, no freebies involved<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #449911; font-style: normal;"><b>Lovedale Long Lunch<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;">Lovedale NSW</span></b></span></span></i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au</a></span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_z_N8mxpa2v8nwAr7Bz-Ro8zAFmiu1L8B482Dj_ySODJUmi-JzirBSPJTRREMwCc9L9Z2Eqj_bkOahNeYTTVICqzQGuvtD8x2esQhhu5moFdzLtXcltBv8Izr2n10reGPEunWvZ4C3s/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_z_N8mxpa2v8nwAr7Bz-Ro8zAFmiu1L8B482Dj_ySODJUmi-JzirBSPJTRREMwCc9L9Z2Eqj_bkOahNeYTTVICqzQGuvtD8x2esQhhu5moFdzLtXcltBv8Izr2n10reGPEunWvZ4C3s/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-25543546995263285042011-05-13T07:12:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:13:00.046-07:00Lovedale Long Lunch - this weekend - 14-15 May<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back on <a href="http://huntervalleygrapevine.blogspot.com/2011/03/lovedale-long-lunch.html">4 March we blogged</a> about the <a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">Lovedale Long Lunch</a>. Time has flown, and the LLL is on this weekend, 14-15 May!<br />
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We are attending the LLL on Sunday, going by mini-bus with a group of locals, we're very much looking forward to it.<br />
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The LLL takes in 7 Lovedale vineyards, and we will be visiting them all, taking notes and photos of what's happening.<br />
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Over the coming weeks we will blog about the day in general, and individually on each of the vineyards, so stay tuned!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">Lovedale Long Lunch</a></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are paying to attend the LLL, so there will be no holds barred!</span></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jMj9t26OmuFPczGZ_gawg1TSyQycbbWpN58d1mNxMpwyhBtWr0Wu8ryL5opf7yRKNfR2IYf16k1ibd7OxOxRzWCKqDuhCVLpBZxWbCABGt4y2cgGozl_eKYna6vGXcglqHeZUjy86o/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></div></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-53737025191372740212011-05-08T04:49:00.000-07:002011-05-08T04:50:40.679-07:00Growers Market at The Vintage<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Hunter Valley like many holiday/tourist areas these days has any number of different markets to attend and there seems to be a market of some sort on just about every weekend. We have been to a fair few of them already and will endeavour to give you a run down on the good and the bad as we get to them. We'll also put together a Markets page, as we think they're a huge attraction in the Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFTZOkXKcnaMdHYzkbe6K_EnVyuEQ5IdVO9HvElZqj6u1kwQevkC_tCPkN8P-TtvUwLylrMPHu62DJXv9FIaaTB-f6j4vSh2MxRPXseU-SNXd9moeFwBAYllnbso2SbVCFaCd_aTl91A/s1600/thevintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFTZOkXKcnaMdHYzkbe6K_EnVyuEQ5IdVO9HvElZqj6u1kwQevkC_tCPkN8P-TtvUwLylrMPHu62DJXv9FIaaTB-f6j4vSh2MxRPXseU-SNXd9moeFwBAYllnbso2SbVCFaCd_aTl91A/s1600/thevintage.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">On Easter Sunday we attended ‘<a href="http://www.thevintage.com.au/growers_market.cfm?dtstamp=08%2F05%2F2011|21%3A41%3A38.80853521">The Vintage Growers Market</a>’ at <a href="http://www.thevintage.com.au/">The Vintage Golf Course</a> at Rothbury, about a 5 minute drive from the heart of Pokolbin. This market is a once a year event on Sunday of the long weekend at Easter, and it has certainly grown since the first one we attended last year. It is a perfect venue for a big market as there is plenty of parking and plenty of space for the stall holders to spread out over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrumWSCL3Szgt3x4tyn23Gs8fwjzh-s6YI25fNRMFkzFnaVZsVvxFNSN0E8tC1edIsp9-8nILM8RPblaIimXup4WjC87nGj1OpPU3vRp2VOlrivXVgNSRhSlA49tBm3JK9xew_ydsP4Q/s1600/market01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrumWSCL3Szgt3x4tyn23Gs8fwjzh-s6YI25fNRMFkzFnaVZsVvxFNSN0E8tC1edIsp9-8nILM8RPblaIimXup4WjC87nGj1OpPU3vRp2VOlrivXVgNSRhSlA49tBm3JK9xew_ydsP4Q/s640/market01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P-2Dbyjd80S5jUqzBSFYSwI5F4xH8qzCKALqxec04jGE09MKlMGLUcpdp96zq69nSpVheD0vGQMSfGNhj2GSBDV_T5wPAsVaef2JWVgtSaLJcWWAZXK26MagcUpAMLVon_zQwRJer9U/s1600/market02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P-2Dbyjd80S5jUqzBSFYSwI5F4xH8qzCKALqxec04jGE09MKlMGLUcpdp96zq69nSpVheD0vGQMSfGNhj2GSBDV_T5wPAsVaef2JWVgtSaLJcWWAZXK26MagcUpAMLVon_zQwRJer9U/s640/market02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The variety of produce on offer was incredible. Several of the local vineyards had stalls offering tastings of their entire range of quality wines. There was a couple of stall holders selling a wide range of fruit and vegies straight off the local farms. One of the local sourdough bakers had a stall selling their bread which are very tempting (I can’t walk passed without buying one). Not to mention the lovely ladies of the Turkish Gozleme stand, too delicious, we had to walk by quickly, as we always give in to temptation when we see them at the Newcastle Farmers Market!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKAgsPJAns1a_lBYpsWcHVQEfvC_cMISdw2lx-yCN1-LKxVeYMQLQ9KgIKACK7LV3CN3WPN-3GyDWULbFmDi2WnP0Ft_RvMI0HOS5wR2-sLY0xJiJCWkL3yh_03CEwS5SNqVgBuDvjcM/s1600/market03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKAgsPJAns1a_lBYpsWcHVQEfvC_cMISdw2lx-yCN1-LKxVeYMQLQ9KgIKACK7LV3CN3WPN-3GyDWULbFmDi2WnP0Ft_RvMI0HOS5wR2-sLY0xJiJCWkL3yh_03CEwS5SNqVgBuDvjcM/s640/market03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4P2TAfPmyHUbw5A5TXPDN5H6zGJvF0NGL_q334YeAv_CZxmQaVhvxDYFix8CoSVEdle_GPok2kpUXJ0c89-PGz4AwcoqKY64yvQQ6ANaM8ziWCJuhQOXnnT0OdQrVs6AWthq6NJoT84/s1600/market04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4P2TAfPmyHUbw5A5TXPDN5H6zGJvF0NGL_q334YeAv_CZxmQaVhvxDYFix8CoSVEdle_GPok2kpUXJ0c89-PGz4AwcoqKY64yvQQ6ANaM8ziWCJuhQOXnnT0OdQrVs6AWthq6NJoT84/s640/market04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxkl1SNGmfmUvrUG3oTewVtjsDBIC3rvq-Opd6JnxEWhyphenhyphenwkP-MVgE2yY8XjlCis00ROpdyjF1iWLNOudW1JRplTcs7qu_8D5Qg9WdgiXJL3fifJ344qIrMgKncW3zCMb60lZOJltHm-4/s1600/market05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxkl1SNGmfmUvrUG3oTewVtjsDBIC3rvq-Opd6JnxEWhyphenhyphenwkP-MVgE2yY8XjlCis00ROpdyjF1iWLNOudW1JRplTcs7qu_8D5Qg9WdgiXJL3fifJ344qIrMgKncW3zCMb60lZOJltHm-4/s640/market05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Two or three of the local olive oil producers had stalls letting you taste the wide range of flavoured olive oils, olives and condiments. The <a href="http://www.falkys.com/">Falky’s honey</a> man was there with some amazing flavoured honeys which we hadn’t tried before. The Irish Cream flavour was great and the Rum and Raison was so good we had to have a jar.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeUTMgzJMOuWfJ7Za0zYAsgvVV6pK08lXginiQXkFi5gM-nGClNTKARbiAhow8BsJVp7NLkF__8D7ifKsMKpozaGVMeG5NBC3r9B8PpJ8_0NpJ2nVEQcaZIL06nDErgce794R-tlXilQ/s1600/rumandraisin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeUTMgzJMOuWfJ7Za0zYAsgvVV6pK08lXginiQXkFi5gM-nGClNTKARbiAhow8BsJVp7NLkF__8D7ifKsMKpozaGVMeG5NBC3r9B8PpJ8_0NpJ2nVEQcaZIL06nDErgce794R-tlXilQ/s1600/rumandraisin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Falky's honey - amazing flavour options, delish</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The stalls went on and on with chocolates, cakes, health foods and apart from food there were clothing, pet supplies, soaps, art and many more. Plus an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies.</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are in the Hunter over an Easter long weekend take a look at The Vintage Markets. There is something there for everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLbdIMdzG_rxthWecyDDtIJbgPCejhSbQ9nnfFVur_LfY9AIry7nCXjoc2tgVJjeXu2gcbkd1dUn4vk1tV8YhNbn9JVC9FnPglQLSc-hXamewsw1ygNxJ0bPC669LkniU92x7BvkD1Ok/s1600/market07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLbdIMdzG_rxthWecyDDtIJbgPCejhSbQ9nnfFVur_LfY9AIry7nCXjoc2tgVJjeXu2gcbkd1dUn4vk1tV8YhNbn9JVC9FnPglQLSc-hXamewsw1ygNxJ0bPC669LkniU92x7BvkD1Ok/s640/market07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></i></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dRv4mwharQDlO29u4wAbIwSlTYQ2HypwkgKmcseRT0zZHfDEdK4Ob8Wa3Ma0va6DOMlHyF4eAlvtQDZvSl3r4D653bbZ0kzeXuuZboB41NPafT-oA-sLBor1d0QDvbxVA0jshoQlc30/s1600/market06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dRv4mwharQDlO29u4wAbIwSlTYQ2HypwkgKmcseRT0zZHfDEdK4Ob8Wa3Ma0va6DOMlHyF4eAlvtQDZvSl3r4D653bbZ0kzeXuuZboB41NPafT-oA-sLBor1d0QDvbxVA0jshoQlc30/s320/market06.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mel had to be dragged away from this gorgeous bowl</span></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying visitors to the Vintage Growers Market, and paid for all produce we picked up</span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.blaxlandsinn.com.au/" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;">V</a>intage Growers Market</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;"></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vintage Drive, Rothbury NSW</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: +61 (2) 4998 6789</span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7eDOqHcv41mTvAJxyrcNbQhBzXLTIjsJTPhrwdeW8rsZmt9bYwZug_TCdXnkQO8_DAQBj74Q5l2eivo9mEv9qK66ttY_mzdomVWhPfBuYx1l7t5_pgnFH2-JSY1uBqhxQnAN5dsne0/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-28305701995908187302011-05-01T06:34:00.000-07:002011-05-01T20:47:41.096-07:00Blaxlands Inn, Pokolbin<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are looking for somewhere to have a bit more of a casual lunch or dinner in Pokolbin, <a href="http://www.blaxlandsinn.com/">Blaxlands Inn</a> is a good place to start. Its one of not many options, outside of Harrigans, in the whole wine district where you can have a drink and a meal with a comfortable country pub style atmosphere.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qHPKbsbWKwHZJgjl_9Slt59unj6QwkXcic5RhSJILSJxk0dj-nhr5BRSOJ8hOBntPtiXUvMwtAYifR2fJsKBsqEF1fnYuzDaoL6imj6VE5uaNjrUkeHhnX1kjWkNxp_61hi9pT1_0VA/s1600/blaxlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qHPKbsbWKwHZJgjl_9Slt59unj6QwkXcic5RhSJILSJxk0dj-nhr5BRSOJ8hOBntPtiXUvMwtAYifR2fJsKBsqEF1fnYuzDaoL6imj6VE5uaNjrUkeHhnX1kjWkNxp_61hi9pT1_0VA/s1600/blaxlands.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have eaten there several times for both lunch and dinner and have tried several different meals on the menu and have always come away thinking how good it was.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’ve been there in the cold winter months when the open fire is ablaze in the indoor dining area as well as the outdoor bonfire for those wishing to take in a bit of campfire atmosphere. This is a perfect time to sample a local Shiraz with one of the house specialty deep dish pies.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_z4XMfMT3YWtATxd8uZRW8w3l1KjgwJDmRX8sRbGlSslFHSeSrREG4exsd5U_rRey-TtFkVAVYBCoR6doygr0X9X1AcCz7ttEfFUjoiAJy3fNEQaZLhHIixGGfJ0QzSq7dYnfPiV9oo/s1600/blaxlands-outdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_z4XMfMT3YWtATxd8uZRW8w3l1KjgwJDmRX8sRbGlSslFHSeSrREG4exsd5U_rRey-TtFkVAVYBCoR6doygr0X9X1AcCz7ttEfFUjoiAJy3fNEQaZLhHIixGGfJ0QzSq7dYnfPiV9oo/s1600/blaxlands-outdoor.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Firepit & seating</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had lunch there over the Easter weekend when we were able to sit outside in the sun, take in a couple of Bulmers ciders with one of the best beef burgers (Certified Angus Beef Burger with 150g Angus sirloin, caramelised onion, lettuce, cheese, tomato, beetroot relish) I’ve had in a long time. Mel said the chicken burger (Flame Grilled Chicken Burger with marinated chicken breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, aioli, sweet chilli sauce & extras of cheese, caramelised onion) was also a beauty. And the chips that we should have resisted proved irresistible!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqysK18upn9OOHC3OiRsNkcWZGt6LjE2cg1nvkZ0pp7YM6eLNtjIr4C6bNse4fFyB0kgevMLFkFb_mIXscxeoDzpMGx_4pHkXxPtvJn2O-ubysQDO5gNzbhK7mZe6coi4YDjHpBIsm5ZE/s1600/beefburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqysK18upn9OOHC3OiRsNkcWZGt6LjE2cg1nvkZ0pp7YM6eLNtjIr4C6bNse4fFyB0kgevMLFkFb_mIXscxeoDzpMGx_4pHkXxPtvJn2O-ubysQDO5gNzbhK7mZe6coi4YDjHpBIsm5ZE/s1600/beefburger.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cam's Beef Burger</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgfTmkGs5a6e4t7eLVTGySNV45gz99G0Xz-bwLaJHexH0IXjUGvgxEPJi175VD-kpBZegOklsdJR76bca2o3VOnDZcRjly-kjQ3MErUzD5K4Nqk6TN8jkOlqDiZwjfHMJUbyl2e08teg/s1600/chickenburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgfTmkGs5a6e4t7eLVTGySNV45gz99G0Xz-bwLaJHexH0IXjUGvgxEPJi175VD-kpBZegOklsdJR76bca2o3VOnDZcRjly-kjQ3MErUzD5K4Nqk6TN8jkOlqDiZwjfHMJUbyl2e08teg/s1600/chickenburger.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mel's Chicken Burger</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s a bit of a hidden jewel that a lot of people drive straight past (opposite Hope Estate and next to the original Smelly Cheese Shop) but its well worth stopping in for a drink and a meal. You wont be disappointed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blaxlands is open Wednesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner, and Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday. The also cater for groups, parties, weddings, functions.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blaxlands Inn is also home to the '<a href="http://www.blaxlandsinn.com.au/winecentre.html">The Boutique Wine Centre</a>' which acts as a cellar door for several of the smaller vineyards, well worth sampling their offerings.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus Blaxlands also provide a courtesy 'safari vehicle', which will hold 12 people, for pick up and drop off for locals and visitors, we haven't yet taken up the offer, but will do no doubt, as we'll certainly be returning!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J4QLOTpXz-At6I-GNIG55mcE6v2emqI2bs9nUc6tAVvSurx_Lo3JMug6BaiPMRjrKoPXD2v6HYVSS7f09szjpC_2vNeEQH43Njo6mBG0vmcyg3WmGqNUUk-zUFtyMUPbKtw12FPm-Zc/s1600/blaxlands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J4QLOTpXz-At6I-GNIG55mcE6v2emqI2bs9nUc6tAVvSurx_Lo3JMug6BaiPMRjrKoPXD2v6HYVSS7f09szjpC_2vNeEQH43Njo6mBG0vmcyg3WmGqNUUk-zUFtyMUPbKtw12FPm-Zc/s1600/blaxlands2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying diners at Blaxlands Inn</span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.blaxlandsinn.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #449911;">Blaxlands Inn</span></a></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;"></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: +61 (2) 4998 7550</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-14325178928270349282011-04-27T18:52:00.000-07:002011-04-27T18:54:45.700-07:00Scone Horse FestivalEvery year, the Upper Hunter Valley town of Scone, Australia's Horse Capital, hosts the <a href="http://www.horsecapital.com.au/festival/">Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival</a>, we are yet to attend the Festival, however have it on our ever extending 'To Do List'!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6fkaX7xrMcHQykDk36VpMyLEfMdhPFEOi28_ZwG-QpuOhyr7D0ZUtW5KNhwVhpKpyrzdo5SHTvrj2DgUATHifIi6V6pRb8D4g1hiUzvBwOpPxfU37NjYFR4AUAshZJQJDeD7B2C5cIc/s1600/horsefest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6fkaX7xrMcHQykDk36VpMyLEfMdhPFEOi28_ZwG-QpuOhyr7D0ZUtW5KNhwVhpKpyrzdo5SHTvrj2DgUATHifIi6V6pRb8D4g1hiUzvBwOpPxfU37NjYFR4AUAshZJQJDeD7B2C5cIc/s640/horsefest.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Official Programme of the Scone Horse Festival - photo by Katrina Partridge</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Festival has entered it's 3rd decade of celebrating the horse, in an area of Australia where Horses and Horse Industry play a part in the lives of many.<br />
<br />
This year the festival runs from Thursday 28 April - Sunday 15 May, the main events of the Festival are:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li>Festival Cocktail Party</li>
<li>King of the Ranges</li>
<li>Horse Training & Campdraft Clinic</li>
<li>Scone Equine Hospital Festival Parade</li>
<li>Grammar School Fete</li>
<li>Busking Competition</li>
<li>Charity Rodeo</li>
<li>Horse Sports</li>
<li>Calcutta</li>
<li>Gala Day</li>
<li>Scone Cup</li>
<li>B & S Ball</li>
<li>Picnic By The Lake</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">For more information visit the Festival website - <o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.horsecapital.com.au/festival/">http://www.horsecapital.com.au/festival/</a> or <a href="http://www.horsecapital.com.au/festival/SHF_Booklet.pdf">download the Festival booklet</a> (PDF).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">We're hoping to get along to some of the festivities, at the very least, we will be attending the Scone Races on 14 May.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-12998953307089308182011-04-15T04:28:00.000-07:002011-04-15T04:37:27.419-07:00Action Aerobatics - for the thrill seeker<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the thrill seekers out there who find the wineries and other attractions a bit slow paced, here’s something for you.<br />
<br />
My (Cam) father is an aircraft nut. He has flown radio controlled aircraft his whole life and last year came up and stayed with us when we went to the Williamstown air show.<br />
<br />
He’s been up in a Tiger Moth joy flight with the Red Barron that use to fly around Sydney, he’s flown Tandem Gliders and dreams of a Spitfire joy flight but they are a bit out of the budget at the moment.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mel was glancing through those special offer emails you receive every day when she spotted a special deal for Action Aerobatics (<a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/">www.aerobatics.com.au</a>), who are based at Rutherford Airport at Maitland.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hyjIR0DJYbsW7rO6sG-8OZ2CqI2-coi74mChkFxziZeO1d1tY9XDdT425cnZKOv3BZjlqK9lJl4NlRTlP2KoOVmKSMneK335sB2c3aRzxpl2-Rjc_BF5OOvtfuUl-hMd6oKwZAB-B8I/s640/aeroaerobatics.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal;">They were offering discount acrobatic flights in there Pitts Specials. I knew this was right up dads ally so we forwarded the email on to him and we received a reply five minutes later that he had signed up for a flight.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8ZYIrjTaJhvimTMaaMNyJTj7vF-RiyiHw58S-x7nzcNBaEBKFhT9IvZCINurEVjOLlpIbpDBY_yZcsSGxRjpHuD0EhkiPMmnnTDaul9lEAKtZ8W6h7iw93pftY4KnuG6-PS6crXNyVk/s1600/Pitts-Special01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8ZYIrjTaJhvimTMaaMNyJTj7vF-RiyiHw58S-x7nzcNBaEBKFhT9IvZCINurEVjOLlpIbpDBY_yZcsSGxRjpHuD0EhkiPMmnnTDaul9lEAKtZ8W6h7iw93pftY4KnuG6-PS6crXNyVk/s640/Pitts-Special01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Pitts Special - Action Aerobatics</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day arrives and it’s a perfect clear day with just a bit of breeze but that doesn’t worry these pocket rockets. The pilot runs dad through the options for the flight from a cruisy scenic tour over the vineyards to the full blown acrobatic flight involving loops, rolls, stall turns plus a few other tricks. Dad turns 69 shortly and there was no way he was doing anything but the full blown acrobatics. So they get him kitted up for the flight with his biggles pilots helmet on, they run him through all the drills on what they will go through on the flight and they are off.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq7YUFnEiHXPOUYkFkmyH3wjlgUl1pYZb9eKBwJgxMAf4IIaDYy6Q-CeQWNJOI2GxXfWzXTmNrqpX1VoaY8u8VEJmbWwLksylF5VBM2Vgpf3o4YS18iY5uGNXfXM97TLBxObd3GerO4A/s1600/cockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq7YUFnEiHXPOUYkFkmyH3wjlgUl1pYZb9eKBwJgxMAf4IIaDYy6Q-CeQWNJOI2GxXfWzXTmNrqpX1VoaY8u8VEJmbWwLksylF5VBM2Vgpf3o4YS18iY5uGNXfXM97TLBxObd3GerO4A/s640/cockpit.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">About to taxi for take off</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They go on a quick cruise over some of the wineries then come back close to the airport and start the thrill seeker part of the flight. The way these guys throw these little rockets around the sky is amazing, he seemed to spend as much time upside down as he did upright. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fifteen minute flight seemed to go on for a lot longer than that as we waited for them to land and taxi back to the hanger. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should have seen the grin on dads face when he squeezed himself out of the cockpit. He told us it was everything he expected and then some and was ready to go right back up and do it all again.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRwKGri-pO6tm1IUdtYXmhC8DU7aCpTrYjenrJzeZcHQjxzzTXOjp_tHy_hq2EpvHf0-f-1VNl4FD4PEfr3VJIQ5WMrAcsSKjWMMs1MzAvJE6Ip7WyBuvqmuMSqQkGQ7hYjy88hKfXS0/s1600/happy-flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRwKGri-pO6tm1IUdtYXmhC8DU7aCpTrYjenrJzeZcHQjxzzTXOjp_tHy_hq2EpvHf0-f-1VNl4FD4PEfr3VJIQ5WMrAcsSKjWMMs1MzAvJE6Ip7WyBuvqmuMSqQkGQ7hYjy88hKfXS0/s640/happy-flyer.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Happy flyer post flight</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">So for those of you who need a bit more action in your weekends away give these guys a ring. My dad didn’t stop buzzing about it for the whole weekend.<img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyzZ3469NCJ5j3b8DmxdsMdcx2oq9qFw8Hmq5vGy8CXhna4PuBHokqBYY-1lOCVYkxz5TRzu4LUoj2ESqmqrohoKbS2gqsBhfo8y_UiJOMiXYVzQIAlFDIbtqMe-UJKBVn1rgDZULR9U/s640/action-aero.jpg" width="640" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam's father was a paying customer at Action Aerobatics</span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/">Action Aerobatics</a></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.aerobatics.com.au/"></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rutherford Aerodome</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New England Highway, Rutherford NSW</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: +61 (0) 408 474 307<br />
</span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVdm234UkER3JtspvrFSB0yZXzuP_gG3TyhISVZ8j91u1ZxEfAUQB5FjFsCKNYcdAxvYfQxU-trQRUhHCsIzKGPJpMCP5eWcN7csZ5VrlVYqxp5HcNrUvyckBEwSIb-O7HGgocZLH9F4/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-36021472496623715282011-04-11T18:36:00.000-07:002011-05-27T08:03:36.925-07:00Kid friendly - Aqua Golf @ HV Gardens<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone looking for something to do to entertain the kids for a couple of hours should give the Aqua Golf at <a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/">Hunter Valley Gardens</a> a go. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrrC0MUmEOmyVdvsTPPg5wTMbkBMu2jBT_jq1RTQmtIatwdeg-UGkcuPEIDU0uNXRkOfbs7hMr5VrbodMj-p5bPzLUhC9Vd5S2ILq5TX7zwEONfHYuZ6lUKqZIB-BN1OieN3EGWbI5iM/s1600/aqua-golf-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrrC0MUmEOmyVdvsTPPg5wTMbkBMu2jBT_jq1RTQmtIatwdeg-UGkcuPEIDU0uNXRkOfbs7hMr5VrbodMj-p5bPzLUhC9Vd5S2ILq5TX7zwEONfHYuZ6lUKqZIB-BN1OieN3EGWbI5iM/s640/aqua-golf-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Aqua Golf at Hunter Valley Gardens</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing that sets Aqua Golf apart from most golf driving ranges is that the balls are driven into a lake instead of a fairway. What kid (or big kid!) doesn’t like throwing or hitting something into a lake.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3hpQyOVJC1ZYgFAN6OZ1z9pT9F0ynfMnvB4Qx1XVjl1hlXUrBJS14KA6HBbqiLnGsromKIDpUa2VgdgrbkwVq43A16Q2_O6v_bOu59WgGDN2IWyoqdVuRorQVguY6GLqcmH703J6PCs/s1600/aqua-golf-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3hpQyOVJC1ZYgFAN6OZ1z9pT9F0ynfMnvB4Qx1XVjl1hlXUrBJS14KA6HBbqiLnGsromKIDpUa2VgdgrbkwVq43A16Q2_O6v_bOu59WgGDN2IWyoqdVuRorQVguY6GLqcmH703J6PCs/s640/aqua-golf-3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Teeing off at Aqua Golf</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took my family (Cam) there when they last all came up for a Hunter weekend. My then 8 yr old nephew and 3 yr old niece had a ball driving and sometimes throwing the balls into the water. Even the youngest nephew who was only crawling at the time had a ball scooting around chasing the balls rolling around on the ground.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good thing about the Aqua Golf is that it is something the whole family can have a go at. My Dad is a keen golfer and he showed most of us up driving it right to the other side of the lake, and those of us who aren’t golfers all stepped up and had a few goes with mixed results.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another feature of Aqua Golf is the floating targets that are scattered all over the lake which contain different prizes from food vouchers to entry tickets for the gardens. Luck as much as talent is needed to hit these targets so everyone has a chance to hit the jackpot.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-iNGnu7WzCwk-zcOSLUBSqmjm0fJqhlJxnSF_AvXpTrMogNPVOwikqcN579MCBakvPny49CYBQCCK5BLXgsmes6vitpJkUxNNcYauAUwOpnvUnLTBsvflZOleFkC-u6ehtfLHdJNZfc/s1600/aqua-golf-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-iNGnu7WzCwk-zcOSLUBSqmjm0fJqhlJxnSF_AvXpTrMogNPVOwikqcN579MCBakvPny49CYBQCCK5BLXgsmes6vitpJkUxNNcYauAUwOpnvUnLTBsvflZOleFkC-u6ehtfLHdJNZfc/s640/aqua-golf-5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hit a target, get a prize!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those who aren’t interested in the driving range there is an 18 hole Putt Putt course right beside the lake. The kids will have a ball and we see just as many adults playing putt putt as we do kids.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pV2Kbm_T1BfS0q1IKI7XSkMpr3wg5tXNekw0Pwg6aBWj_i0T5kKgtDW0jIjcwcdn0XrS26B1hWQVDcnFYyFZXB-6sZiJkCkjp-jGso-c4w8umo9Fo-C4wHzQhNW641ATmnr2OLh5DTU/s1600/aqua-puttputt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pV2Kbm_T1BfS0q1IKI7XSkMpr3wg5tXNekw0Pwg6aBWj_i0T5kKgtDW0jIjcwcdn0XrS26B1hWQVDcnFYyFZXB-6sZiJkCkjp-jGso-c4w8umo9Fo-C4wHzQhNW641ATmnr2OLh5DTU/s640/aqua-puttputt3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Putt Putt is another option at Aqua Golf</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All this is set in the park at Hunter Valley Gardens which is perfect for a family picnic with tables, BBQ’s and a children’s playground along with all the café’s and shops of the Hunter Valley Gardens Village right next door.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolpqSMUoEJ3or0QduSkWpSn-Ep9lEGQics6qcQrgxD5sK1TouBJEf1FS9raQ5qSTrJv2E3180CrcjFpx1qSk3wn76s_yRrgCXreU1knKwhPBPGVmE-63hZ6m9SCbvoArDNCW39Z4_ULk/s1600/aqua-bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolpqSMUoEJ3or0QduSkWpSn-Ep9lEGQics6qcQrgxD5sK1TouBJEf1FS9raQ5qSTrJv2E3180CrcjFpx1qSk3wn76s_yRrgCXreU1knKwhPBPGVmE-63hZ6m9SCbvoArDNCW39Z4_ULk/s640/aqua-bbq.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>BBQ Area looking out to playground & village</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems a lot of people think the Hunter Valley is not a place for family weekends but there is more to do up here than just visit the amazing wineries.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the time we visited Aqua Golf the cost was $7 per person including a bucket of 40 balls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkwmerqa4Enm3tk9VJWyIAgcm2tYj5R1bcoHsSBzcMqAEQzLBaQMpnQzFXJgSccs5oTcj4tcbqPpLEVBW344jgvs9E8LTQp-9sitWnkg9NPQZs2NfG63kv8oJyXLWJV1idWbp93OV4UI/s1600/aqua-golf-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkwmerqa4Enm3tk9VJWyIAgcm2tYj5R1bcoHsSBzcMqAEQzLBaQMpnQzFXJgSccs5oTcj4tcbqPpLEVBW344jgvs9E8LTQp-9sitWnkg9NPQZs2NfG63kv8oJyXLWJV1idWbp93OV4UI/s640/aqua-golf-11.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Aqua Golf</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd5jcRF_y6BS_gkTqDpCueqMMsY7ARehgHtroTrMwpaOKhZz9GG3ZXadJHl0qcmB21IE8Nl2a1CG9aIjN49ttsv8txA8mzx2qeIip6d3CdNGnMRXJYMrdpIW3cCWHZRuKj65eB7fGHLY/s1600/aqua-golf-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd5jcRF_y6BS_gkTqDpCueqMMsY7ARehgHtroTrMwpaOKhZz9GG3ZXadJHl0qcmB21IE8Nl2a1CG9aIjN49ttsv8txA8mzx2qeIip6d3CdNGnMRXJYMrdpIW3cCWHZRuKj65eB7fGHLY/s640/aqua-golf-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Aqua Golf</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying attendees at Aqua Golf @ Hunter Valley Gardens</span></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hvg.com.au/visitor-info/activities">Aqua Golf</a></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hunter Valley Gardens</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: +61 (02) 4998 7896</span></span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-70012396821334333202011-04-06T20:57:00.000-07:002011-04-13T00:04:19.473-07:00Ernest Hill Wines, Nulkaba, NSW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Living in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hunter</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it can be difficult to commit to becoming a member of a winery as you want to try them all. There is so much variety (120 cellar doors at last count) that you don’t want to fill your wine rack with any one particular brand.<br />
<br />
Having said that we were introduced to Ernest Hill Wines <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.ernesthillwines.com.au/">www.ernesthillwines.com.au</a>) </span>through a family member who has been a long time member, and when we moved here we enjoyed the wine so much that we decided to become members ourselves.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYaAevaEmKxP9Fn7CMJtPDBZDXoA-HgWStR37j5dxNgMC2lHGQzTHFtJT4uwZU7528zRQbSUAeBsaxFt3N11W3Jnnvn5MnL6cVtWz7QT_LiBhGYa41GAdvjbbcbIXdmNvu87CU17Wccs/s1600/Ernest-Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYaAevaEmKxP9Fn7CMJtPDBZDXoA-HgWStR37j5dxNgMC2lHGQzTHFtJT4uwZU7528zRQbSUAeBsaxFt3N11W3Jnnvn5MnL6cVtWz7QT_LiBhGYa41GAdvjbbcbIXdmNvu87CU17Wccs/s640/Ernest-Hill.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ernest Hill Wines - Tasting Room</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a few weeks back (Saturday 26th March 2011) we were lucky enough to take part in one of their complimentary monthly member’s lunches, held in the Alexander Room at the vineyard. We were greeted upon arrival with our first glass of wine which we enjoyed as we introduced ourselves to the fellow members who we were to spend a long lunch with.<br />
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Lunch was hosted by Ross Wilson who runs Ernest Hill along with his son Jason and the whole family. Ross is about as down to earth as you get amongst Vigneron’s and whilst helping educate us as to which wines match best with what food he kept the afternoon very light hearted. <br />
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Lunch consisted of a five course banquet with matching wines.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsULSAhLmHrPo2vbW4PbCFWaUODGLWOLS4ImBmhtFtF8d6EDnuUYaReLYPnpc6Y2hYw9SlQSgATHT233ftrzNaL8-yPkjXH-nvG4fQWsOEEtEGQnp3alkg3KD0fP-SM66Fpf3Ypd3wt38/s1600/menu-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsULSAhLmHrPo2vbW4PbCFWaUODGLWOLS4ImBmhtFtF8d6EDnuUYaReLYPnpc6Y2hYw9SlQSgATHT233ftrzNaL8-yPkjXH-nvG4fQWsOEEtEGQnp3alkg3KD0fP-SM66Fpf3Ypd3wt38/s640/menu-2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Menu for Members Lunch</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 5 courses began, after a delicious canape of mini crostini with persian fetta, caramelised pumpkin, sage & copa (which Mel forgot to photograph), which we would have happily munched on all afternoon, teamed with the 2010 Cyril Semillon. We were served our canapes at the wine barrel tables while last minute prep work was underway in the Alexander Room. We then moved into the room and were seated with 10 other lucky members.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pKSXLNPL5mpbUEPMMH0DHBAxAPj9439Ngx2zcCJo6tZQi4U8jjLzNANmmBlx1_hRZci3lgYDFYiO0BRAr_g02quy9pSpCiizoNwybeOG2NuKjHp3P9OFevoPPKX8rDrrSregaY7eHC4/s1600/Ernest-Hill-view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pKSXLNPL5mpbUEPMMH0DHBAxAPj9439Ngx2zcCJo6tZQi4U8jjLzNANmmBlx1_hRZci3lgYDFYiO0BRAr_g02quy9pSpCiizoNwybeOG2NuKjHp3P9OFevoPPKX8rDrrSregaY7eHC4/s640/Ernest-Hill-view2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Perfect setting for pre-lunch introductions</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoAhKh-4u0sQwGMe7WvlacohfQ9H8elEyg75_BczExPbR640BcpBloIptJr5u6sCBFxnChuRwUPfKiF6yDlnH2noBZu-lzRpQ08W_MXKOF5pfL5gghB389PrILcnhd5_H6wanBwuYi5w/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoAhKh-4u0sQwGMe7WvlacohfQ9H8elEyg75_BczExPbR640BcpBloIptJr5u6sCBFxnChuRwUPfKiF6yDlnH2noBZu-lzRpQ08W_MXKOF5pfL5gghB389PrILcnhd5_H6wanBwuYi5w/s640/table.jpg" width="593" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The clean table before festivities began</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1<sup>st</sup> course was our favourite wine, 2010 Rosalie Joan Verdelho which was matched with Smokey Paprika Prawns, Spinach and Red Onion Salsa and a Romesco sauce. The Verdelho is a fantastic match with spicy food, we often have it with Thai & Indian, so was a perfect starting point with the beautiful Spanish style prawns.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ee7TnFgfUfpcWo_Q6TSigQToy0c7oIPMWrxLi_0sjkO2oFCRF9qkfz7q-XT5x7Z4sdum3JSu5W1NroRhdGfjFEdrxfBPmSufb0453nj_lypZakL8N_BVifzRTdYpszwn_u8OKBUWwXY/s1600/P1080372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ee7TnFgfUfpcWo_Q6TSigQToy0c7oIPMWrxLi_0sjkO2oFCRF9qkfz7q-XT5x7Z4sdum3JSu5W1NroRhdGfjFEdrxfBPmSufb0453nj_lypZakL8N_BVifzRTdYpszwn_u8OKBUWwXY/s640/P1080372.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1st course - paprika prawns</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2<sup>nd</sup> course was the 2009 ‘Chickenshed’ Chardonnay (The wines are either named after family members who are no longer with us or as in this case where the grapes come from on the property, eg near the chicken shed). The Chardonnay was matched with BBQ Miso, Sake and Nori Chicken with a Mirin and Coriander dressed Japanese Coleslaw. Chardonnay is usually a wine we seem to stay away from but matched with this style of food we quite liked the wine and even walked away at the end of the day buying a bottle. The chicken was so tender and moist, we're hoping to steal the recipe from the chef (Ross' daughter) on our next visit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM0idBvkoAlKfeO32J3hyyPZ5bRnRXnTPbWwUfo3VWIhICc1uyd_YmOnDu4ALf5sEUFV8DKYaU_MjcfY4f-BGOA5aku1n8RdckxhWVpCxGK8xdMK29Lm7ALSYJWYPfQhNcviPIkj2xz0/s1600/Miso-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM0idBvkoAlKfeO32J3hyyPZ5bRnRXnTPbWwUfo3VWIhICc1uyd_YmOnDu4ALf5sEUFV8DKYaU_MjcfY4f-BGOA5aku1n8RdckxhWVpCxGK8xdMK29Lm7ALSYJWYPfQhNcviPIkj2xz0/s640/Miso-chicken.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2nd course - miso chicken</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3<sup>rd</sup> course was the 2009 ‘Andrew Watson’ Tempranillo. Ross informed us this was a relatively new (Spanish style) wine to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hunter</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place> and they were amongst the first to produce it. The Tempanillo was matched with Fetta, Ricotta and Romano Empanada’s with Spicy Seared Chorizo and a Chimmichuri sauce. The wine is very nice on its own and was even enjoyed by a few who don’t usually drink red wines but when it was matched with the spicy chorizo it really came into owns. The chorizo really had a zing to it after a mouthful of the Tempranillo, not too hot, just a nice zap of spice to keep your tastebuds tingling. Highly recommended for those whose partners don’t allow them to open to many bottles of red on their own (not pointing fingers at Mel here at all!).</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AinLYavOj3p6NuFYha2oxXUtHSN-YWCdb7bXmIvZkCmHta8SSTdYxHqJ7L-b61QZqlbp0pzgPA71Ri6lFnSOw9MIxn9ZbqOVav1JdvFxQDyEw3ys-0Gg4sMeRqjMS47K-C043MZjyto/s1600/Empanada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AinLYavOj3p6NuFYha2oxXUtHSN-YWCdb7bXmIvZkCmHta8SSTdYxHqJ7L-b61QZqlbp0pzgPA71Ri6lFnSOw9MIxn9ZbqOVav1JdvFxQDyEw3ys-0Gg4sMeRqjMS47K-C043MZjyto/s640/Empanada3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3rd course - empanadas</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4<sup>th</sup> course was the 2009 ‘William Henry’ <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Shiraz</st1:place></st1:city> which we enjoyed with Slow Braised Oyster Blade with Stout, Onion and Porcini mushrooms, Pea and Watercress Salad and a Sweet Pumpkin Mash. Real winter in front of an open fire stuff this. I love a S<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">hiraz</st1:place></st1:city> and it was a really good match for this hearty European style food. All that was missing was the cold weather and the fire but you cant have everything.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R5bUaMfdd7pQAEwGS9Qi3udK47RxGSt_smmqRtFS5efEyOMxX5nwyCRXUjTWxPYPjGDzOaTbJuwxbV1cGn0c0oiInwwEvRm9tMKc4UOPMaTKo5BiI8xAyh72DrNNzC7_jJhgJfowreY/s1600/Oyster-Blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R5bUaMfdd7pQAEwGS9Qi3udK47RxGSt_smmqRtFS5efEyOMxX5nwyCRXUjTWxPYPjGDzOaTbJuwxbV1cGn0c0oiInwwEvRm9tMKc4UOPMaTKo5BiI8xAyh72DrNNzC7_jJhgJfowreY/s640/Oyster-Blade.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4th course - oyster blade</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5<sup>th</sup> course was the 2009 ‘Silver Moon’ Desert Semillon which was served with a Golden Syrup, Almond and Lemon Tart with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. What a great way to finish off what was already a fantastic lunch. The lemon tart was as good as I have ever had and the vanilla bean ice cream was great with the sharp lemon. I can drink a bottle of Silver Moon just on ice but it was even better with the desert as intended. On reading the description of the dessert we thought it might be a bit too sweet for Silver Moon, but while it was a very sweet combo, it was still delicious. A few at the table thought it was too sweet, so Ross bought out a bottle of the ultra luscious 2010 'Moondance' Dessert Gewurtztraminer, which combines some of Mel's favourite flavours, rosewater, honey & turkish delight. The match with the dessert was even better than the Silver Moon, not as sweet, and allowed the flavours of both wine & dessert to sing.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawwAgetY3DUMPIH2v7iGqJIDbM4X_KevmJzDQiyWmDEgjWJ47fSAz1pQlkQWStapvqCvwWX1mKk9prKy91pRZr6tNQBYPAV8YiRHoeP_X1oZ30mHZNnMb4Amzaflqgsi1jMUkJFJE8yk/s1600/P1080381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawwAgetY3DUMPIH2v7iGqJIDbM4X_KevmJzDQiyWmDEgjWJ47fSAz1pQlkQWStapvqCvwWX1mKk9prKy91pRZr6tNQBYPAV8YiRHoeP_X1oZ30mHZNnMb4Amzaflqgsi1jMUkJFJE8yk/s640/P1080381.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5th course - golden syrup tart</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the first time we have attended a members lunch in the two years or so we have been members and we now hope to make it an annual occurrence. From the expertly cooked food and the perfectly matched wines through to our great host and the company of some great fellow members it was one of the better dining experiences we have had in the Hunter.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctqZSWMkpn2gb7yoaObhu0MYM8OTcYiN4jTvFXLxdypZcle9srFTJMBYo3udtGtMnz2zHWJLch7j_DU7f83GROsl_V8F135DV5SB7UxOyokV1aBz5_kH6Y3IHTGEcXP4Q2DQ736Mgn-I/s1600/wines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctqZSWMkpn2gb7yoaObhu0MYM8OTcYiN4jTvFXLxdypZcle9srFTJMBYo3udtGtMnz2zHWJLch7j_DU7f83GROsl_V8F135DV5SB7UxOyokV1aBz5_kH6Y3IHTGEcXP4Q2DQ736Mgn-I/s640/wines.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Always a sign of a good meal!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you find a winery that you really enjoy, give some thought to becoming a member as the benefits outside of the great wines really make it worthwhile.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpdoKpPaq_mnp6cgwh5b-u5nnqzE_V5i4T3aPcgwIE2r_edrbP808oTjoLl3McCS3AtzlygK30o9OmnzsLQ5rhd3xzG8-SWSIxoxn3D-h7ZhTGaud3NHObEMLvERYL2v1XIjWY0XmG1Y/s1600/P1080364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpdoKpPaq_mnp6cgwh5b-u5nnqzE_V5i4T3aPcgwIE2r_edrbP808oTjoLl3McCS3AtzlygK30o9OmnzsLQ5rhd3xzG8-SWSIxoxn3D-h7ZhTGaud3NHObEMLvERYL2v1XIjWY0XmG1Y/s640/P1080364.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were guests of Ernest Hill Wines - (we also bought several wines on the day!)</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ernest Hill Wines</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">307 Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba NSW</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tel: +61 (02) 4991 4418</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboH_dU-ZDwK5wYE-Pm27fGCruhlk359S-C2m97B8JkwEWKsyOhc3nGp9xw-1iZSSbTipbg37YuvXFNZ-lzeI1FTydrIrCfFiPU_HDQ6INdN1qRGtTLoSzh6Lh1OlZHVL5mOCWjFLoTxg/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboH_dU-ZDwK5wYE-Pm27fGCruhlk359S-C2m97B8JkwEWKsyOhc3nGp9xw-1iZSSbTipbg37YuvXFNZ-lzeI1FTydrIrCfFiPU_HDQ6INdN1qRGtTLoSzh6Lh1OlZHVL5mOCWjFLoTxg/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></a></span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-19005340932672381552011-03-04T05:25:00.000-08:002011-03-04T05:27:23.460-08:00Lovedale Long Lunch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we moved to the Hunter Valley in 2007 we have not been able to attend one of the features of the HV Calendar - The Lovedale Long Lunch - due to family births, then birthdays. However in 2011, we will be attending, with bells on!<br />
<br />
If you have been to Pokolbin, Lovedale is what Pokolbin probably was 10 years ago, not as full of tourists, and not as many vineyards, but a gorgeous spot, with alot of boutique producers of wine, craft, food, etc. Eventually we want to end up living in Lovedale, on a small farm, lovely!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5GLyBDr0AnmKwzVBaqyVxVXnRwe9BIJshSjIm7DbRs2oJPI2jqRfY635fUEq09vzrBFzA7eKfdMvHoEL-NrT-t5k809Xg1wsOu-wnvtb31JVxXMdBgC8Nt7lsu1QdEPadXvXy_jX11Y/s1600/lovedalelonglunch2011.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lovedale Long Lunch</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bit of background info:<br />
<br />
<b>HISTORY<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Lovedale Long Lunch was launched in 1994 to market Lovedale as a premium wine producing area and tourist attraction. Now in its 18th year, it includes seven wineries and vineyards to visit over the Long Lunch weekend.<br />
<br />
The Lovedale Long Lunch is a progressive-type lunch where visitors wine and dine their way around the seven participating wineries over the weekend enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, fabulous music and art.<br />
<br />
<b>WINERIES<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The seven wineries participating are:</span></b></span></b></span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gartelmann.com.au/">Gartelmann Hunter Estate</a> - we have not yet been to Gartelmann, so are looking forward to trying their wines and seeing their vineyard</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wandinvalley.com.au/">Wandin Valley Estate</a> - recently sold, we have been to their lovely restaurant for dinner about 18 months ago, again looking forward to trying their wines, the estate is gorgeous, and a popular venue for weddings</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.huntervalleyboutiques.com.au/">Sandalyn Wilderness Estate</a> - again we haven't tried their wines, however have had their Shiraz recommended.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.swishwine.com/">Swish Wine @ Warraroong Estate</a> - on a new estate, which includes a lovely old homestead, looking forward to trying their Sauvignon Blanc</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.emmascottage.com.au/">Emma's Cottage Vineyard</a> - we only recently discovered Emma's Cottage, we received a brochure in the mail for a pizza cafe, and went to check it out, and are so glad we did, the vineyard is lovely, and their dessert wine Perfect, is just that. Katie who is there most days manning the cafe & tastings is lovely. And the art gallery including some gorgeous art by owner Megan Barrass is inspiring.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.allandalewinery.com.au/">Allandale Winery</a> - another on our first time taste list, especially their Verdelho.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tatlerwines.com/">Tatler Wines</a> - we have been to Tatler Tapas for dinner, highly recommended if you can afford a night out at the higher end of the budget, but the food was delicious with great service.</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each vineyard either has their own restaurant, or have paired with a local restaurant, to provide food to complement their wines, either entree/main or desserts.<br />
<br />
The cost of the 'LLL Meal and Glass Package' is $42, for that you receive:</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 x Lovedale Long Lunch Commermorative Glass</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 x Meal Ticket</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 x Dessert/Cheese Ticket</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tickets can be used at any venue to exchange for a plate of gourmet cuisine. If you're still a bit peckish you can buy additional Meal tickets for $25, or Dessert/Cheese ticket for $10 at any venue.<br />
<br />
There are several transport options, incuding bus packages from Sydney, and shuttle bus packages from Lovedale/Pokolbin.<br />
<br />
For more info on the Lovedale Long Lunch visit <a href="http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au/">http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au</a> or feel free to <a href="mailto:hvgrapevine@hotmail.com">contact us</a> at the Hunter Valley Grapevine, as we will be attending and are happy to try and answer your queries or point you in the right direction.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jMj9t26OmuFPczGZ_gawg1TSyQycbbWpN58d1mNxMpwyhBtWr0Wu8ryL5opf7yRKNfR2IYf16k1ibd7OxOxRzWCKqDuhCVLpBZxWbCABGt4y2cgGozl_eKYna6vGXcglqHeZUjy86o/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></span></div>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-1729434081298315472011-03-02T19:42:00.000-08:002011-03-03T20:31:55.853-08:00Family & Wedding Pages added to Grapevine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We have just added another couple of pages:<br />
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<a href="http://huntervalleygrapevine.blogspot.com/p/family-visits-to-hunter.html">Family Visits to the Hunter Valley</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We will list information relevant for families interested in visiting the Hunter Valley, events that are on and attractions that would be suited to families and kids in particular!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://huntervalleygrapevine.blogspot.com/p/weddings-in-hunter.html">Weddings in the Hunter</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">With weddings in the Hunter Valley being a very popular choice for many, we thought it would be fitting to add some information on weddings in the Hunter.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">If you have heard of something happening and it's not listed don't hesitate to let us know </span><a href="mailto:hvgrapevine@hotmail.com" style="color: #449911; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">hvgrapevine@hotmail.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> and we will add it to the list.<br />
<br />
We will be attending as many attractions/events/happenings as possible, and will be reporting back, stay tuned!<br />
<br />
If you are a local business interested in advertising your event with the Hunter Valley Grapevine, please get in touch.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Cheers,</span></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jMj9t26OmuFPczGZ_gawg1TSyQycbbWpN58d1mNxMpwyhBtWr0Wu8ryL5opf7yRKNfR2IYf16k1ibd7OxOxRzWCKqDuhCVLpBZxWbCABGt4y2cgGozl_eKYna6vGXcglqHeZUjy86o/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></span></strong></span>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-66222601129529756152011-02-28T06:33:00.000-08:002011-03-02T05:39:14.243-08:00What's On In the Hunter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We have just added a new page, where we will list what's happening in the Hunter Valley over the coming months</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://huntervalleygrapevine.blogspot.com/p/whats-on-in-hunter.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">What's On In the Hunter Valley</span></a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; text-decoration: none;">- updated 2nd March 2011</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">If you have heard of something happening and it's not listed don't hesitate to let us know </span><a href="mailto:hvgrapevine@hotmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">hvgrapevine@hotmail.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> and we will add it to the list.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> We will be attending as many events/happenings as possible, and will be reporting back, stay tuned!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> If you are a local business interested in advertising your event with the Hunter Valley Grapevine, please get in touch.</span><br />
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<strong style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Cheers,</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jMj9t26OmuFPczGZ_gawg1TSyQycbbWpN58d1mNxMpwyhBtWr0Wu8ryL5opf7yRKNfR2IYf16k1ibd7OxOxRzWCKqDuhCVLpBZxWbCABGt4y2cgGozl_eKYna6vGXcglqHeZUjy86o/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" /></span></strong></span>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1296653204673295164.post-83663626189163057962011-02-27T05:32:00.000-08:002011-04-15T04:39:13.266-07:00The Hunter Valley Grapevine Sprouts....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Welcome to the Hunter Valley Grapevine. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What is the Grapevine? We're hoping it will be somewhere people can visit to access information on the Hunter Valley region, real information, not just the glossy tourist guide type information.<br />
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We have recently setup home in the Hunter Valley, after living in Sydney & Melbourne, and we love the Valley. We moved here for work commitments and we have been were pleasantly surprised by our new home.<br />
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We have spent most weekends traipsing around the Valley, on our own, or with friends & family who have come to visit. We have soaked up alot of what the Valley has to offer, and will continue do so.<br />
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Which brings us to our blog, we thought there was a bit of a gap in the market. That gap being an honest, unbiased site that gives visitors a true feel for the Valley.<br />
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And that's what we're hoping to do. We will be blogging about places we have been, restaurants we have tried, vineyards we have tasted at. And we will be blogging warts and all. We will also list what's happening in the Valley.<br />
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So we hope you will stop by now and then, and that will get some worthwhile information from us.<br />
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If you're thinking of coming to the Valley, and have any questions, get in contact with us, we'll try our best to help you out.<br />
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Or if you're a local business interested in listing information or ad</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">vertising with us, please get in touch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> Our email is </span><a href="mailto:hvgrapevine@hotmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">hvgrapevine@hotmail.com</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> Cheers,</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhfklq8sLZDPLop0J_ZtP8Dd9Mm0u3L4TgxL0QXAaMC66cwKl2-IzYcJlCs0XmX9p_kwaaczgCz3QiPNpeHZ36L6GOHBMaZDZ6c-8eEwUjSZd2OV4NYKITtj_z4eUFmOWFF2lgFV7AEQ/s1600/hvgv+sig.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Hunter Valley Grapevinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923167862943563449noreply@blogger.com0