Lovedale Long Lunch - this weekend - 14-15 May

Back on 4 March we blogged about the Lovedale Long Lunch. Time has flown, and the LLL is on this weekend, 14-15 May!

We are attending the LLL on Sunday, going by mini-bus with a group of locals, we're very much looking forward to it.

The LLL takes in 7 Lovedale vineyards, and we will be visiting them all, taking notes and photos of what's happening.

Over the coming weeks we will blog about the day in general, and individually on each of the vineyards, so stay tuned!

Lovedale Long Lunch

We are paying to attend the LLL, so there will be no holds barred!

Blaxlands Inn, Pokolbin

If you are looking for somewhere to have a bit more of a casual lunch or dinner in Pokolbin, Blaxlands Inn 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.

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.

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.

Firepit & seating

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!

Cam's Beef Burger

Mel's Chicken Burger

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.

Blaxlands is open Wednesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner, and Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday. The also cater for groups, parties, weddings, functions.

Blaxlands Inn is also home to the 'The Boutique Wine Centre' which acts as a cellar door for several of the smaller vineyards, well worth sampling their offerings.

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!

Cam & Mel of Hunter Valley Grapevine were paying diners at Blaxlands Inn

Blaxlands Inn
2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW

Tel: +61 (2) 4998 7550

Lovedale Long Lunch

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!

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!

Lovedale Long Lunch

A bit of background info:

HISTORY

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.

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.

WINERIES

The seven wineries participating are:

• Gartelmann Hunter Estate - we have not yet been to Gartelmann, so are looking forward to trying their wines and seeing their vineyard
• Wandin Valley Estate - 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
• Sandalyn Wilderness Estate - again we haven't tried their wines, however have had their Shiraz recommended.
• Swish Wine @ Warraroong Estate - on a new estate, which includes a lovely old homestead, looking forward to trying their Sauvignon Blanc
• Emma's Cottage Vineyard - 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.
• Allandale Winery - another on our first time taste list, especially their Verdelho.
• Tatler Wines - 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.

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.

The cost of the 'LLL Meal and Glass Package' is $42, for that you receive:

• 1 x Lovedale Long Lunch Commermorative Glass
• 1 x Meal Ticket
• 1 x Dessert/Cheese Ticket

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.

There are several transport options, incuding bus packages from Sydney, and shuttle bus packages from Lovedale/Pokolbin.

For more info on the Lovedale Long Lunch visit http://www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au or feel free to contact us 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.