The Auswine Forum

Hi all
I'm heading up to the Outrigger resort at Ettalong beach for a few days R&R straight after new year and I plan on spending a day in the Hunter. As this will be my first visit to the region I'm looking for any recommendations on not to be missed cellar doors and also a lunch venue. Something with a view and great food would be perfect there. I am planning on 3 wineries in the morning (lunch at the third) then another couple in the afternoon. Look forward to your replies and thanks in advance.
Cheers Andrew

Hi Andrew.

Did the same as you a couple of weeks ago. I'm more of a red drinker yet thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Meerea Park at the Boutique Wine Centre and Thomas Kiss in a little place round the back of the hideous Tempus Two monstrosity are both worth a look. Picked up some Terracotta, Alexander Munro and Aunt something - can't remember the name right now, but good QPR. A pleasant drive up the hills to Peterson's is time well spent. You might also drop in on Lakes Folly, the most recent vintage is looking very nice indeed.

Can't provide any advice on lunch though. We sipped champagne and ate antipasto in the spa .....mmmm.

Regards,

Allan

Andrew,

In addition to the above i would suggest Tyrrells (especially if you like good semillon) Keith Tullochs & Mcwilliams. Maybe Tower Estate if you have time

As for lunch then i can't help you either to be honest. I've been to the Hunter many times & found most places to be overated & overpriced

Hope this helps

Chris

Do try some of the McWilliams fortified wines as well including the show muscat and whatever they may have at cellar door.

Remember, Tyrrells don't open on Sundays.

Graham

GrahamB wrote:Remember, Tyrrells don't open on Sundays.

Graham

...but they open at 8:30am on the other days.

Adair

For what it is worth, every time I go to the Hunter, which is reasonably often, I go to:

1) Mount Pleasant (McWilliams): always a great range of wonderful aged Semillons, the odd Shiraz (the 2001 OP&OH is definitely one of teh Hunter's top current release wines) and their fortified are excellent. You can also taste their Coonawarra (Brands) and Yarra Valley (Lilydale) stuff, although it would be a very rainy day for me to bother with the Lilydale wines.

Elizabeth's for lunch at Mount Pleasant is very good for lunch. Great outlook.

2) Boutique Wine Centre: Primarily for the Meerea Park range, while the Glenguins can be excellent too.

3) Tyrrells: I always go there to try the numerous vintages of top class Semillon that they have on tasting, mostly Vat 1s but sometimes the special releases are available, then fly through the Vat reds, 6,8,9.

I would probably do Brokenwood now just because the 2003 Graveyard has been released, so I would bother with the boring routine of showing that I am a serious wine drinker in order to get the bottle from under the counter. I usually don't bother here otherwise.

I have also enjoyed Kulkunbulla and Scarborough, but they are not my "always must stop ins" like the above.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Adair

What Adair said. I was down there a couple of weekends ago. McWilliams is essential as they open everything and I tried half a dozen old vintages of semillon from Lovedale/Elizabeth. Rosemount is good too for some great old stickies (very knowledgeable CD manager - best in HV). Best places to eat include Amandas on the Edge (BYO too), Shakey Tables, Roberts, Esca at Bimbadgen, and Mojo's.

Robert's at Pepper Tree Danny?

Pretty good food but I could have fed the family for a month on the prices last time I visited.