Advice sought please - Hunter Valley

[Bick]

Hi all,
I hope Santa treated you all well.
I'm in Sydney for the new year period, and figure on a day trip to the Hunter Valley in a couple of days. I will have a car. Could anyone who knows what's what please make a suggestion or two that fulfill the following requirements for cellar visits:

- no need to book
- good wine
- nice ambience
- food available for a lunch - needn't be haute cuisine, but pleasant lunchtime nosh suitable for a family
- view would be nice, don't want to be looking over a carpark
- not too far from Sydney

If there's anywhere that meets these stringent requirements, I be much obliged, chaps.
Thanks!

[TiggerK]

A year or so out of touch, even though I'm just down the freeway...

But from memory try this lot and see who's open on the day you want to go.... this is more food oriented, rather than cellar door though..

The Cellar - bit more upmarket, big enough to be family friendly, good food and also allows BYO last I checked!
McWilliams Mount Pleasant - safe backup option usually open if others fail, nice spot, OK food, family friendly.
Margan - smaller, can be rather nice indeed, not sure about winelist though.
Shakey Tables - a touch out of the way, but only a touch, and very good down to earth food plus great wine list.

Cellar visits.... Tyrrells, Brokenwood, Meerea Park (@ Boutique Wine Centre), Capercaillie, Audrey Wilkinson, Small Winemakers Centre...

Have fun in Sydney!

Cheers
Tim

[monghead]

HIya Mike,

In Pokolbin itself, I reckon Bimbadgen Estate has a very good cafe/restaurant which is large enough to accommodate "walk-ins". The food is reasonable, the wine list ok, but the real clincher for me is the large deck outside overlooking their vineyards, all very family friendly. From memory, I think they even have a little playground (if your kids are still that young) which is visible from the deck as you sip your Hunter semillon whilst basking in the lovely Sydney summer sun...

However, if it is a truly great meal you are after, the only place to go is Bistro Molines, about 10-15 minutes from Pokolbin. This however, probably requires a reservation, and some forward planning re tastings before and after.

Anyways, welcome from across the pond, and I hope you have a great time...

Monghead.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Tim wrote:

Cellar visits.... Tyrrells, Brokenwood, Meerea Park (@ Boutique Wine Centre), Capercaillie, Audrey Wilkinson, Small Winemakers Centre...

Have fun in Sydney!

Cheers
Tim


I would also add Margan and both Tullock and Keith Tullock. Their '05 Hunter shirazes were excellent. I only wish I had them here in Canada, it would break stereotypes.

I'm sure you'll have a good time there..................Mahmoud

[AndrewCowley]

Audrey Wilkinson just for the view.

[cuttlefish]

Tim wrote:

Cellar visits.... Tyrrells, Brokenwood, Meerea Park (@ Boutique Wine Centre), Capercaillie, Audrey Wilkinson, Small Winemakers Centre...

Have fun in Sydney!

Cheers
Tim


I would also add Margan and both Tullock and Keith Tullock. Their '05 Hunter shirazes were excellent. I only wish I had them here in Canada, it would break stereotypes.

I'm sure you'll have a good time there..................Mahmoud

Just to clear things up for you...the Small Winemakers Centre mentioned above is the cellar door for the following producers:

Keith Tulloch
The Little Wine Company
Andrew Thomas
Margan
David Hook

At The Boutique Wine Centre, it's a cellar door for the following:
Meerea Park
Ferraris
Glenguin Estate
Chateau Pato
and a couple of others, all quite impressive.

I'd also recommend a trip up Mount View Road (very close to Cessnock) to a couple of the small producers up there, like Briar Ridge, Mount View Estate, Saddlers Creek, and Bistro Molines is up there which is supposed to be very good food (hatted restaurant)

You can then swing from there around the back road to Mount Pleasant

Krinklewood are a biodynamic producer out towards Broke, and then Chateau Francois are quite close to Tyrrells, and worth a look, with some aged releases available at very, very cheap prices.

Hungerford Hill "Higher Octave" Chardonnay is looking good this year, but it's not Hunter fruit (Tumbarumba)

[Mahmoud Ali]

Cuttlefish, thanks for the clarification. I visited both Margan's and Keith Tulloch's cellar door back in 2007, I didn't know their wines were also on tasting at the Small Winemaker's Centre. Do they have their full range of wines?

Mahmoud.

[Bick]

Many thanks for all the helpful responses, most useful! If things work out I'll provide some post-match commentary in due course.

[cuttlefish]

Cuttlefish, thanks for the clarification. I visited both Margan's and Keith Tulloch's cellar door back in 2007, I didn't know their wines were also on tasting at the Small Winemaker's Centre. Do they have their full range of wines?

Mahmoud.

Yeah, nah dunno if it's everything.

[Polymer]

Tim wrote:

Cellar visits.... Tyrrells, Brokenwood, Meerea Park (@ Boutique Wine Centre), Capercaillie, Audrey Wilkinson, Small Winemakers Centre...

Have fun in Sydney!

Cheers
Tim


I would also add Margan and both Tullock and Keith Tullock. Their '05 Hunter shirazes were excellent. I only wish I had them here in Canada, it would break stereotypes.

I'm sure you'll have a good time there..................Mahmoud

Just to clear things up for you...the Small Winemakers Centre mentioned above is the cellar door for the following producers:

Keith Tulloch
The Little Wine Company
Andrew Thomas
Margan
David Hook

At The Boutique Wine Centre, it's a cellar door for the following:
Meerea Park
Ferraris
Glenguin Estate
Chateau Pato
and a couple of others, all quite impressive.

I'd also recommend a trip up Mount View Road (very close to Cessnock) to a couple of the small producers up there, like Briar Ridge, Mount View Estate, Saddlers Creek, and Bistro Molines is up there which is supposed to be very good food (hatted restaurant)

You can then swing from there around the back road to Mount Pleasant

Krinklewood are a biodynamic producer out towards Broke, and then Chateau Francois are quite close to Tyrrells, and worth a look, with some aged releases available at very, very cheap prices.

Hungerford Hill "Higher Octave" Chardonnay is looking good this year, but it's not Hunter fruit (Tumbarumba)

Small Winemakers might have Keith Tulloch, Margan and David Hook but you're better off going to their own cellar door as they'll have more available to taste, be FAR more knowledgeable about the wine and it'll be cheaper to boot. I think Andrew Thomas is opening up his own Cellar door soon as well (although maybe not in time for this person's visit).

Definitely give the Boutique Wine Centre a visit...It might just have the best overall selection of stuff in the Hunter.
Bimbadgen for Lunch will be nice...They have one of the nicest grounds in the Hunter.
Margan is a bit out of the way so maybe dinner would be better (I'm not sure they re-opened their facility in Pokolbin or if it's still just the one in Broke).
Tyrrell's for sure...Might be a bit crowded but they always have great stuff.
Mistletoe and De iuliis will be nice.
Brokenwood is ok but you won't get to taste the Graveyard (most likely anyways) or even some of their other stuff which turns this into a bit of a waste.
Pepper Tree is nice.
Capercaillie and McLeish will both be pretty good.
Petersons (not the sparkling wine one) might be fun as well.

[cuttlefish]

Cuttlefish, thanks for the clarification. I visited both Margan's and Keith Tulloch's cellar door back in 2007, I didn't know their wines were also on tasting at the Small Winemaker's Centre. Do they have their full range of wines?

Mahmoud.

I'm not sure if their entire ranges of wines are on tasting, but last time we were there, we were able to taste the Andrew Thomas premium/single vineyard shirazes by paying $5.

[Mahmoud Ali]

The Margan cellar door in the Hunter was open when I visited in early 2007. Their White Label range as well as their Barbera were excellent, at least in the 2005 vintage.

[Bick]

Ok, I made my way up to the Hunter - quite a long trip from Sydney! We only had a relaxing few hours in the area, so I visited just a few vineyards, but we had a nice meal and got a feel for the region, which was very pleasant. Had a nice meal and enjoyed the view at Brimbadgen Estate (thanks for the tip Monghead):

Brimbadgen Estate Semillon 2008 - quite good
Brimbadgen Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 - crisp, classical blend
Brimbadgen Estate Merlot 2008 - quite liked this, soft but with some depth of character

After lunch stopped off at the Small Winemakers Centre. then over the road at Brokenwood, then finished up down the road at McWilliams Mount Pleasant:

The Little Wine Company Verdelho 2010 - good, very fruity

Keith Tulloch Chardonnay 2010 - ok, lacked a bit stuffing
Keith Tulloch Merlot 2009 - ok, though not as good as the Brimbadgen

Hart and Hunter Shiraz 2009 - not for me

Thomas Wines 'DJV' Shiraz 2007 - not bad
Thomas Wines 'Sweetwater' Shiraz 2009 - much better, warm, raisins, spicy

Brokenwood Semillon 2009 - ok, didn't wow me
Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2009 - not bad
Brokenwood Indigo Vineyard Shiraz 2008 - good, I enjoyed this

McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2010 - very good, I really liked the fruity freshness and zing of this wine
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2005 - showing some age, so more toasty and nutty, but my tastes are for younger semillon perhaps
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 1998 - still lots of life left, nice to try
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Anne' Semillon 2006 - no Lovedale made in 06 so the fruit went into this wine. Quite good, drinking quite young
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2005 - quite pure, a touch of age, nice
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2003 - fine, but maybe not so 'clean' or long as the 05

[monghead]

Ok, I made my way up to the Hunter - quite a long trip from Sydney! We only had a relaxing few hours in the area, so I visited just a few vineyards, but we had a nice meal and got a feel for the region, which was very pleasant. Had a nice meal and enjoyed the view at Brimbadgen Estate (thanks for the tip Monghead):

Brimbadgen Estate Semillon 2008 - quite good
Brimbadgen Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 - crisp, classical blend
Brimbadgen Estate Merlot 2008 - quite liked this, soft but with some depth of character

After lunch stopped off at the Small Winemakers Centre. then over the road at Brokenwood, then finished up down the road at McWilliams Mount Pleasant:

The Little Wine Company Verdelho 2010 - good, very fruity

Keith Tulloch Chardonnay 2010 - ok, lacked a bit stuffing
Keith Tulloch Merlot 2009 - ok, though not as good as the Brimbadgen

Hart and Hunter Shiraz 2009 - not for me

Thomas Wines 'DJV' Shiraz 2007 - not bad
Thomas Wines 'Sweetwater' Shiraz 2009 - much better, warm, raisins, spicy

Brokenwood Semillon 2009 - ok, didn't wow me
Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2009 - not bad
Brokenwood Indigo Vineyard Shiraz 2008 - good, I enjoyed this

McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2010 - very good, I really liked the fruity freshness and zing of this wine
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2005 - showing some age, so more toasty and nutty, but my tastes are for younger semillon perhaps
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 1998 - still lots of life left, nice to try
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Anne' Semillon 2006 - no Lovedale made in 06 so the fruit went into this wine. Quite good, drinking quite young
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2005 - quite pure, a touch of age, nice
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2003 - fine, but maybe not so 'clean' or long as the 05

You are very welcome Bick.

Glad you enjoyed the Hunter. Shame you didn't get to try the Thomas Kiss shiraz, as all vintages of this I have tasted have been stellar. Maybe next time heh?

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Waiters Friend]

McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2010 - very good, I really liked the fruity freshness and zing of this wine
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 2005 - showing some age, so more toasty and nutty, but my tastes are for younger semillon perhaps
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth' Semillon 1998 - still lots of life left, nice to try
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Anne' Semillon 2006 - no Lovedale made in 06 so the fruit went into this wine. Quite good, drinking quite young
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2005 - quite pure, a touch of age, nice
McWilliams Mount Pleasant 'Lovedale' Semillon 2003 - fine, but maybe not so 'clean' or long as the 05

G'day Bick

Retail, we cannot buy the 2010 Elizabeth (at least in WA, and I suspect it is widespread). The Elizabeth is usually released at 4-5 years, however, they skipped a vintage by holding back the 2005, and have released it now through their wine club at $18.50 a bottle (when you can usually pick up 'standard' Elizabeth from them for $13). I had made enquiries as to why the 2006 was out when we hadn't seen the 2005, and the response I got specified that it was an exceptional vintage, and they held back the lot for later release.

I'm drinking the 2006 now (I have a case of 2005 in transit as we speak) and it is more forward than most Elizabeths at this age. I hope the 2005 is a 'keeper'.

I'd be curious to know more about the Anne Semillon. This used to be the name before they called it Lovedale, and if it is niow declassified Lovedale, I'd be interested to see where it sits in the portfolio. There is no mention of Anne on the website.

Cheers

Allan

[Michael McNally]

Hi All

Doing a trip to the Hunter this Sunday - I haven't been for 20 years. From this thread and others I have determined a list of wineries I want to visit and have an itinerary. I would welcome any comments on my selections. I am mainly interested in wines that are under $30 (preferably well under!!). I prefer red to white so guess the focus will be shiraz as it's the Hunter. In the whites I will be looking at Chardonnay and the obligatory Semillon.

Am I missing any "must see" wineries? Anywhere for a reasonable (ie under $25) lunch?

Itinerary
Allandale (nostalgic reasons)

Noonji Estate

Tower Estate

Boutique Wine Centre
Glenguin Estate;
Meerea Park;
Chateau Pato;
Ferraris;
Postcode.

Small Winemakers Centre
Keith Tulloch;
The Little Wine Company;
Thomas Wines;
Margan;
David Hook.

De Iuliis

Chateau Francois

Tyrrells

Tulloch

Audrey Wilkinson

If Time Permits
Briar Ridge Vineyard
Mount Pleasant Wines
Mount View Estate
Saddler's Creek

Cheers

Michael

[Loztralia]

Tower has some really nice gear but you won't get much under $30 a bottle. Most of your selections would be on my recommended list though I've never been to De Iuliis. Pepper Tree have very well-made wines though a lot of non-Hunter fruit involved. If you're going to Allandale you might also consider Tatler, just a bit further up Lovedale Road on the left.

[vovo]

Hi guys,

Looking for updated info on the Hunter Valley, figured I'd keep this thread going as it seems to have some good info.

I can't seem to find much info on the boutique wine centre. Does it still exist? still worth a visit? Whats the best method for getting around? Its just the two of us and neither of us will want to drive. I assume the wine tours have predetermined stops (i.e. you can't choose your own). Bicycle? seems everything is close, will the cops bother you? Taxis? Seems you could do De Iuliis, Leogate, Boutique Wine centre, Chateau Francois, Tyrells just by walking and then get a taxi somewhere.

Just a few pointers would be great.
Cheers

[Polymer]

BWC is no longer there...It went from carrying a lot to just Meerea Park and Glenguin to just Meerea Park..now Meerea park has moved to a section near Tempus Two. Basically the bunkers at Tempus Two have some other stores and the MP Cellar door. It really is too bad....

You could do MP, Tyrrells and some others and probably walk..not sure I'd want to do that. Taxis aren't an option I don't think...Biking might be but the same drunk driving laws apply to bikes in Australia I think...plus I'm not sure I'd want to be pissed and driving on those bumpy roads there..

I think some places have personalized Tours..I know some people have basically hired a car/driver for a day and they'll go wherever you want....You can always find out where the different tours are going to go...

If one of you can spit rather than drink, someone can drive...otherwise there probably isn't a good way to really do any type of wine country outside of tours.....

[maybs]

Yeah haven't been up there for a while but it is tough to see some of the small producers if you don't want to drive or do a tour. I'd add Scarborough, their Chardonnays are pretty good and Nightingale wines as worth a visit.

[dave vino]

I agree why not just spit? You can get through a lot more, jot down notes of the ones you like, buy them and have them later when back at home.

Mt Pleasant, Tyrrells, Scarborough, Audrey Wilkinson, David Hook, Lakes Folly, Meerea Park, Tulloch are all good stops.

[Ddavew]

if you don't want to drive around, you best option is to book a day tour. small winemaker center is worth a visit. also go visit the info center first and plan your trip, work out where all the cellar doors are.

[vovo]

Thanks guys, appreciate the info. We are doing sat and sun of the Easter weekend (expecting crowds) we arrive midday'ish on the Saturday. I'll probably spit on Saturday arvo and drive and try book a tour for Sunday. Gives the option of drinking wine at lunch etc. Any recommended tours? I'll probably try find one stopping at a few good cellar doors and visit others on Saturday.

Cheers.

[penguinoid]

I think the problem with doing a tour is that they pretty much only go to the really big wineries, who are set up to deal with large coaches. If you want to visit the smaller places, you either need to hire a car & driver ($$$$) or drive yourself ... Spitting the wine rather than drinking it seems to be the best bet.