Download - Autumn 2012 Hunter Valley Breathe Magazine
breathei s s u e 3 2 a u t u m n 2 0 1 2
Nick PatersoNa top dog
the DoNhuNter ValleyWiNe amp FooD MoNthMeet the localsWiNe reVieWsWhatrsquos oN
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
The month of
June 2012Throughout theHunter Valley
wine region
Immerse yourself in theHunter Valley lifestyle witha month long series of intimateevents celebrating our gloriouswine amp food culture
E mcguigancellarsmcguiganwinescomauwwwmcguiganwinescomau
coVer PhotoGraPh oFNick PatersoN Mistletoe WiNesby chris elFes story oN PaGe 20
Photographs by Chris Elfes appearing in breathe may be purchased by
contacting Chris Elfes Photography on Hermitageelfesphotobigpondcomau
breathe PresiDeNtrsquos Note
Welcome to the new-look Hunter Valley breathe We hope you enjoy the fresh new style and we look
forward to hearing your feedbackOur Hunter Valley breathe team fills the pages each issue with great stories about our wine our food our lifestyle and the locals who make the Hunter Valley such a wonderful place to live in and visit We love our Hunter Valley lifestyle and we love to share it with you With rain rain and a little more rain Vintage 2012 was difficult to say the least However with some good fruit quality and great winemaking skills
therersquos no doubt that some excellent wines will come out from 2012 On page 14 Liz Riley 2011 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year takes a look at Vintage 2012The Hunter Valley has a great sense of history and community spirit Turn to page 12 for the launch of our 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz and then to page 16 as Patrick Haddock talks with 2011 Hunter Valley Legends recipient Don McWilliam On page 37 Melinda Kelly finds out some of the secret recipes to success from some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading husband and wife restaurant teams in Culinary Couples And of course there are the all regular features like Meet the Locals Art Wine Reviews Whatrsquos On and much more We also invite you your friends and family to join us in the celebration of our wonderful wine and food culture with the Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month in June 2012 Turn to page 34 to be tempted by Chris Elfesrsquo delicious food and wine images all shot here in Hunter Valley restaurants and wineries Therersquos so much to experience in the Hunter Valley so come and join us We look forward to seeing you very soon
Andrew Margan PresidentHunter Valley Wine industry association
PublisherHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
eDitor Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
GraPhic DesiGNSally Sneddon Graphic Design
p 02 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomauwwwssgdcomau
PhotoGraPhyChris Elfes Photography p 0413 805 222
e elfesphotobigpondcomau wwwchriselfesphotographycomau
sub-eDitorLauren Kennedy e wordhappygmailcom
aDVertisiNG eNQuiries Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
eDitorial WritersPatrick Haddock Melinda Kelly Liz Kooij Virginia Mitchell Grant Radford Liz Riley
PriNtiNGFinsbury Green p 02 9662 2600
Publisher DetailsHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
p 02 4991 4533 e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau ABN 15 728 023 119
All correspondence to PO BOX 352 Cessnock 2325copy COPYRIGHT This publication may not in whole or part be
reproduced translated copied photocopied to any form without the express written permission of the publisher While every care is taken
in compiling the contents of this publication the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects arising there from The information and
figures contained in this publication have been provided to the publishers by the advertisers and their sources No warranty is given by Breathe
Hunter Style Magazine as to the accuracy of these figures and information as they are subject to change without notice The responsibility or
copyright on all supplied material rests with the supplier
coNteNtsissue 32 autumn 2012
eVery issue5 Presidentrsquos Note7 News26 Meet the Locals29 Extra Extra46 Whatrsquos On50 Out amp About
Wine10 Hunter Valley Legends Wine Release14 Vintage 2012 16 The Don - Don McWilliam20 Wine Profile Nick ldquoDogrdquo Paterson25 Going Green30 Wine Reviews
Food34 Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month37 Culinary Couples
liFestyle42 Art Behind Closed Doors
42
1437
10
16
Wine Tasting LrsquosStart your day with a beginners course to provide you with all the basic skills to maximize the enjoyment and educational experience of tasting wine The session will include information on how to make and assess wines The perfect way to commence your tasting journey around the Hunter Valley 1030am everyday bull Cost $10 bull Bookings essential 4998 7402Corner Broke amp McDonalds Roads Pokolbin bull 02 4998 7402 bull huntermcguiganwinescomauhuntermcguiganwinescomau
olives amp olive oilappreciation
McDonalds Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320 P 02 4998 7559 F 02 4998 7893 E salesbrokenwoodcomau W wwwbrokenwoodcomau
wwwfacebookcomBrokenwoodWines wwwtwittercomBrokenwood
cheese makingamp tasting
wine blending
Corporate and group activities with a differenceBrokenwood is pleased to offer several activities that can be as light hearted or serious as you please
Whatever the approach they are always a fun and educational way of learning a little more about the things you like
All sessions include a wine tasting matching conducted by an experienced Brokenwood wine educator
Select from the activities below or contact us to create your own fun session
a t C y p r e s s L a k e s R e s o r t
pasta making
Phot
ogra
ph b
y C
hris
Elfe
s
BREATHE autumn 2012 7
NeWsKeep up-to-date on whatrsquos been happening in the Hunter Valley
iN the kitcheN riDGe VieW restauraNt owners Tracey and Darren Scott
have welcomed new Head Chef Donna Hollis to the extended Ridge View family Donna has worked in the Hunter Valley and Sydney as a chef for almost 15 years and says she is looking forward to a new adventure with the Cypriot Meze style cooking featured at Ridge View Restaurant
the VeraNDah restauraNt has celebrated its fifth birthday with a huge Spanish-themed birthday party at which almost 120 litres of sangria were consumed
ldquoA big thank you to all of our patrons who have supported us over the past five yearsrdquo owner Matt Dillow said ldquoWe look forward to serving more delicious tapas for many years to comerdquo
Meanwhile 1843 harVest caFeacute has opened its doors at Lindemanrsquos on McDonalds Road Pokolbin Venue Manager Damien Harrison says the cafeacute specialises in shared meals with its woodfired pizza oven used to cook many of the dishes
ask For it The New South Wales Wine
Industry has launched a new marketing campaign lsquoNsW WiNe ask For itrsquo to highlight the quality and diversity of New South Wales wines and to encourage New South Wales residents to choose wines made in New South Wales when dining out or buying wines at bottle shops and retailers
Next time you are out for dinner or buying wine to enjoy at home or with friends and no New South Wales wines appear on the list or shelves lsquoAsk For Itrsquo and make your desire to drink local wines and support local wineries known
Future leaDers
chris tyrrell oF tyrrellrsquos ViNeyarDs pictured and JaMes aGNeW oF auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD and Pooles rock WiNes have been selected for inclusion in the Future Leaders - Succession for the Australian Wine Sector Program for 2012
Now in its fifth year the Future Leaders is a joint initiative of Wine Federation Australia Wine Grape Growers Australia Wine Australia and The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
More than 50 applications were received for the program which will be delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
ldquoThe quality and diversity of the applicants remain very high and have been a key part of the programrsquos successrdquo said Stephen Strachan Chief Executive of Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia
ldquoThese are young or mid-career leaders who we are hoping will get involved with important issues for the wine sector at national state and regional levelsrdquo
Diary DatesUpper Hunter Wine amp Food AffairSaturday 5 May 2012wwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
Lovedale Long Lunch Saturday 19 amp Sunday 20 May 2012wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Hunter Valley Legends amp Wine Industry Awards Thursday 31 May 2012
Hunter Valley Wine amp Food MonthJune 2012wwwhuntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Simply Shiraz Saturday 7 amp Sunday 8 July 2012wwwoakvalewinescomau
Hunter Valley Uncorked BalmoralSunday 4 November 2012
8 BREATHE autumn 2012
NeWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 9
NeWsNeW aPPoiNtMeNts
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (HVWIA) welcomes its new Marketing Manager Dale NouWeNs
ldquoDale will assist the HVWIA Committee in identifying new and existing commercial opportunities to enhance the profile of the Hunter Valley Wine Industryrdquo said HVWIA President Andrew Margan
ldquoThe HVWIA is delighted with this appointment and along with its members welcomes Dale to this new challengerdquo
While she was based in the Netherlands Dale worked for Constellation Europe before joining Wine Australia as the Marketing Executive Benelux region In this role she was responsible for launching programs such as the Wine Australia Ambassador Shop Program and the Wine Australia Academy before moving into the role of Retail Executive for Continental Europe Here she continued to develop initiatives with key retailers including AHold (Netherlands) Metro (Germany) and HJ Hansen (Denmark)
More recently she worked for the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney Involved in event management within the Professional Learning and Community Engagement unit the team runs approximately 150 events a year including conferences legal professional development lectures public seminars fundraising and promotional events
Hunter Valley Viticulturist liz riley has been appointed to The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) Board as its new Specialist Qualifications Director Liz who was named Viticulturist of the Year at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards brings over 20 years of wine industry experience knowledge and expertise to the AWRI Board
Tulloch Wines has appointed steVe GeorGe in the newly-created position of Business Development Manager
ldquoItrsquos such a great opportunity to be part of a company that is a true pioneer of the Australian wine industry My background is working with some of the great Australian family wine companies and this role allows me to continue this passion and to ensure Tullochrsquos great wines always have a place in a tough environmentrdquo Steve said
Meanwhile DeaN GorDDarD Hunter Valley Wine Country Executive Manager has been elected as a director of the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales
ldquoDeanrsquos position on this council will give Hunter Valley Wine Country the ability to communicate both regional tourism opportunities and challenges at a high level It also provides Hunter Valley Wine Country with a direct link to senior government and industry policy-makingrdquo said Rebecca Poynter Hunter Valley Wine Country President
Whatrsquos NeW
WyNWooD estate has purchased The Golden Grape vineyard and recently opened a refurbished Cellar Door at the Oakey Creek Road property
The companyrsquos Marketing Manager Desly Harris says the vineyard was once owned by Saxonvale Wine and was known as one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading wine producers
ldquoWynwood Estatersquos management team has begun to restore the vineyard to again produce top-quality fruit from these grand old vinesrdquo she said ldquoOur Vineyard Manager Lance Mikisch who is a fifth-generation vigneron is excited by the prospect of nurturing the old vines back to their best And the results will show in the winersquos qualityrdquo
Scott Stephens has been appointed as Winemaker for Wynwood Estate and also caPercallie WiNe coMPaNy which has also changed ownership
ceNturioN WiNes has been relaunched as traVertiNe WiNes Located just off Hermitage Road in Old North Road Pokolbin the newly-named Travertine Wines makes reference to the limestone soilrsquos influence upon its wines
Owner Graham Burns said ldquoWe want to identify more with the unique characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offerrdquo
JaMes estate has opened its second Cellar Door on Hermitage Road Pokolbin trading seven days a week from 10am until 4pm
huNter ValleyseMilloNs shiNe Hunter Valley
Semillons continue to shine collecting another round of trophies at recent national wine shows and competitions
tyrrellrsquos WiNes and auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD have both been awarded trophies at the 2011 National Wine Show in Canberra Tyrrellrsquos Vineyardsrsquo 2005 HVD Semillon took out The Semillon Trophy while Audrey Wilkinson Vineyardrsquos 2011 Winemakerrsquos Selection Semillon won the trophy for Best Semillon Premium Class
Meanwhile at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show Hunter Valley Semillons took out three major
trophies Mcleish estatersquos 2007 seMilloN won the inaugural David Clarke Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Semillon auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD 2006 MuseuM reserVe seMilloN was awarded The John Swann Perpetual Trophy for Best Aged White Wine and tyrrellrsquos 2006 Vat 1 seMilloN picked up the James Busby Annual Prize for Best Wine or Brandy by a NSW Exhibitor in Any Class
Commenting on Tyrrellrsquos trophy win Bruce Tyrrell said ldquoI have always loved the 2006 Semillons as they have plenty of flavour and an almost sweetness of fruit on the palate These latest results just go to show what a great vintage it was for us in the Hunter Valley in 2006rdquo
Hunter Valley companies also brought home a haul of gold silver and bronze medals
huNter Valley success at australiaN tourisM aWarDs
Congratulations to MarGaN restauraNt and WyNDhaM estate who both took out awards in their categories at the prestigious QaNtas australiaN tourisM aWarDs Margan Restaurant received a silver award for its efforts in Tourism Restaurant amp Catering Services while Wyndham Estate also received silver in Tourism Wineries Distilleries amp Boutique Breweries
WyNDhaM estate has also been named Best Major Wine Producer in the Wine Tourism Awards 2012 by leading international industry publication Drinks International The award was open to wine producers around the globe and acknowledges a leading wine producer that has implemented successful tourism initiatives
NeW tourisM GuiDes lauNcheD The 2012 edition of the
huNter Valley Visitorsrsquo GuiDe has been released with a new and refreshed look The guide published by Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism also includes a great new initiative for visitors wishing to plan a trip to the Hunter Valley it can now be viewed via iPad and iPhone application formats
ldquoThis is the first time the Hunter Valley Visitorsrsquo Guide has been available through iPad and iPhone appsrdquo said Nora McWilliam Leisure Marketing Manager for
Wine Country Tourism ldquoThe apps broaden our reach and make it even easier for visitors to access information on Hunter Valley Wine Countryrdquo
The guide is also available online at wwwwinecountrycomau
Meanwhile the broke ForDWich WiNe amp tourisM associatioN (BFWTA) has launched the fifth edition of its regional guide President of the BFWTA Eden Anthony says the guide includes a range of tourism offerings such as premium wineries olive oils farm gate products restaurants and a range of accommodation options
ldquoThe publication represents our members who through vision commitment and significant investment have developed this lsquotranquil side of the Hunter Valleyrsquo into a premium wine tourism destinationrdquo he said
Copies can be requested by emailing secretarybrokefordwichcomau or an electronic version is available at wwwbrokefordwichcomau
keePiNG uP With the huNter ValleyWersquod love you to join us Our winemakers and local wine families will be tweeting and updating on a regular basis
Twittercom_hunterwine
FacebookcompagesHunter-Valley-Wine-Industry-Assocation
PictureD aboVe toP to bottoM1 Jane Clarke and Bob McLeish 2 Iain Riggs and Brian Agnew3 Jane Tyrrell and Richard Sheldrake
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
The month of
June 2012Throughout theHunter Valley
wine region
Immerse yourself in theHunter Valley lifestyle witha month long series of intimateevents celebrating our gloriouswine amp food culture
E mcguigancellarsmcguiganwinescomauwwwmcguiganwinescomau
coVer PhotoGraPh oFNick PatersoN Mistletoe WiNesby chris elFes story oN PaGe 20
Photographs by Chris Elfes appearing in breathe may be purchased by
contacting Chris Elfes Photography on Hermitageelfesphotobigpondcomau
breathe PresiDeNtrsquos Note
Welcome to the new-look Hunter Valley breathe We hope you enjoy the fresh new style and we look
forward to hearing your feedbackOur Hunter Valley breathe team fills the pages each issue with great stories about our wine our food our lifestyle and the locals who make the Hunter Valley such a wonderful place to live in and visit We love our Hunter Valley lifestyle and we love to share it with you With rain rain and a little more rain Vintage 2012 was difficult to say the least However with some good fruit quality and great winemaking skills
therersquos no doubt that some excellent wines will come out from 2012 On page 14 Liz Riley 2011 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year takes a look at Vintage 2012The Hunter Valley has a great sense of history and community spirit Turn to page 12 for the launch of our 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz and then to page 16 as Patrick Haddock talks with 2011 Hunter Valley Legends recipient Don McWilliam On page 37 Melinda Kelly finds out some of the secret recipes to success from some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading husband and wife restaurant teams in Culinary Couples And of course there are the all regular features like Meet the Locals Art Wine Reviews Whatrsquos On and much more We also invite you your friends and family to join us in the celebration of our wonderful wine and food culture with the Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month in June 2012 Turn to page 34 to be tempted by Chris Elfesrsquo delicious food and wine images all shot here in Hunter Valley restaurants and wineries Therersquos so much to experience in the Hunter Valley so come and join us We look forward to seeing you very soon
Andrew Margan PresidentHunter Valley Wine industry association
PublisherHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
eDitor Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
GraPhic DesiGNSally Sneddon Graphic Design
p 02 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomauwwwssgdcomau
PhotoGraPhyChris Elfes Photography p 0413 805 222
e elfesphotobigpondcomau wwwchriselfesphotographycomau
sub-eDitorLauren Kennedy e wordhappygmailcom
aDVertisiNG eNQuiries Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
eDitorial WritersPatrick Haddock Melinda Kelly Liz Kooij Virginia Mitchell Grant Radford Liz Riley
PriNtiNGFinsbury Green p 02 9662 2600
Publisher DetailsHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
p 02 4991 4533 e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau ABN 15 728 023 119
All correspondence to PO BOX 352 Cessnock 2325copy COPYRIGHT This publication may not in whole or part be
reproduced translated copied photocopied to any form without the express written permission of the publisher While every care is taken
in compiling the contents of this publication the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects arising there from The information and
figures contained in this publication have been provided to the publishers by the advertisers and their sources No warranty is given by Breathe
Hunter Style Magazine as to the accuracy of these figures and information as they are subject to change without notice The responsibility or
copyright on all supplied material rests with the supplier
coNteNtsissue 32 autumn 2012
eVery issue5 Presidentrsquos Note7 News26 Meet the Locals29 Extra Extra46 Whatrsquos On50 Out amp About
Wine10 Hunter Valley Legends Wine Release14 Vintage 2012 16 The Don - Don McWilliam20 Wine Profile Nick ldquoDogrdquo Paterson25 Going Green30 Wine Reviews
Food34 Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month37 Culinary Couples
liFestyle42 Art Behind Closed Doors
42
1437
10
16
Wine Tasting LrsquosStart your day with a beginners course to provide you with all the basic skills to maximize the enjoyment and educational experience of tasting wine The session will include information on how to make and assess wines The perfect way to commence your tasting journey around the Hunter Valley 1030am everyday bull Cost $10 bull Bookings essential 4998 7402Corner Broke amp McDonalds Roads Pokolbin bull 02 4998 7402 bull huntermcguiganwinescomauhuntermcguiganwinescomau
olives amp olive oilappreciation
McDonalds Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320 P 02 4998 7559 F 02 4998 7893 E salesbrokenwoodcomau W wwwbrokenwoodcomau
wwwfacebookcomBrokenwoodWines wwwtwittercomBrokenwood
cheese makingamp tasting
wine blending
Corporate and group activities with a differenceBrokenwood is pleased to offer several activities that can be as light hearted or serious as you please
Whatever the approach they are always a fun and educational way of learning a little more about the things you like
All sessions include a wine tasting matching conducted by an experienced Brokenwood wine educator
Select from the activities below or contact us to create your own fun session
a t C y p r e s s L a k e s R e s o r t
pasta making
Phot
ogra
ph b
y C
hris
Elfe
s
BREATHE autumn 2012 7
NeWsKeep up-to-date on whatrsquos been happening in the Hunter Valley
iN the kitcheN riDGe VieW restauraNt owners Tracey and Darren Scott
have welcomed new Head Chef Donna Hollis to the extended Ridge View family Donna has worked in the Hunter Valley and Sydney as a chef for almost 15 years and says she is looking forward to a new adventure with the Cypriot Meze style cooking featured at Ridge View Restaurant
the VeraNDah restauraNt has celebrated its fifth birthday with a huge Spanish-themed birthday party at which almost 120 litres of sangria were consumed
ldquoA big thank you to all of our patrons who have supported us over the past five yearsrdquo owner Matt Dillow said ldquoWe look forward to serving more delicious tapas for many years to comerdquo
Meanwhile 1843 harVest caFeacute has opened its doors at Lindemanrsquos on McDonalds Road Pokolbin Venue Manager Damien Harrison says the cafeacute specialises in shared meals with its woodfired pizza oven used to cook many of the dishes
ask For it The New South Wales Wine
Industry has launched a new marketing campaign lsquoNsW WiNe ask For itrsquo to highlight the quality and diversity of New South Wales wines and to encourage New South Wales residents to choose wines made in New South Wales when dining out or buying wines at bottle shops and retailers
Next time you are out for dinner or buying wine to enjoy at home or with friends and no New South Wales wines appear on the list or shelves lsquoAsk For Itrsquo and make your desire to drink local wines and support local wineries known
Future leaDers
chris tyrrell oF tyrrellrsquos ViNeyarDs pictured and JaMes aGNeW oF auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD and Pooles rock WiNes have been selected for inclusion in the Future Leaders - Succession for the Australian Wine Sector Program for 2012
Now in its fifth year the Future Leaders is a joint initiative of Wine Federation Australia Wine Grape Growers Australia Wine Australia and The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
More than 50 applications were received for the program which will be delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
ldquoThe quality and diversity of the applicants remain very high and have been a key part of the programrsquos successrdquo said Stephen Strachan Chief Executive of Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia
ldquoThese are young or mid-career leaders who we are hoping will get involved with important issues for the wine sector at national state and regional levelsrdquo
Diary DatesUpper Hunter Wine amp Food AffairSaturday 5 May 2012wwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
Lovedale Long Lunch Saturday 19 amp Sunday 20 May 2012wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Hunter Valley Legends amp Wine Industry Awards Thursday 31 May 2012
Hunter Valley Wine amp Food MonthJune 2012wwwhuntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Simply Shiraz Saturday 7 amp Sunday 8 July 2012wwwoakvalewinescomau
Hunter Valley Uncorked BalmoralSunday 4 November 2012
8 BREATHE autumn 2012
NeWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 9
NeWsNeW aPPoiNtMeNts
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (HVWIA) welcomes its new Marketing Manager Dale NouWeNs
ldquoDale will assist the HVWIA Committee in identifying new and existing commercial opportunities to enhance the profile of the Hunter Valley Wine Industryrdquo said HVWIA President Andrew Margan
ldquoThe HVWIA is delighted with this appointment and along with its members welcomes Dale to this new challengerdquo
While she was based in the Netherlands Dale worked for Constellation Europe before joining Wine Australia as the Marketing Executive Benelux region In this role she was responsible for launching programs such as the Wine Australia Ambassador Shop Program and the Wine Australia Academy before moving into the role of Retail Executive for Continental Europe Here she continued to develop initiatives with key retailers including AHold (Netherlands) Metro (Germany) and HJ Hansen (Denmark)
More recently she worked for the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney Involved in event management within the Professional Learning and Community Engagement unit the team runs approximately 150 events a year including conferences legal professional development lectures public seminars fundraising and promotional events
Hunter Valley Viticulturist liz riley has been appointed to The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) Board as its new Specialist Qualifications Director Liz who was named Viticulturist of the Year at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards brings over 20 years of wine industry experience knowledge and expertise to the AWRI Board
Tulloch Wines has appointed steVe GeorGe in the newly-created position of Business Development Manager
ldquoItrsquos such a great opportunity to be part of a company that is a true pioneer of the Australian wine industry My background is working with some of the great Australian family wine companies and this role allows me to continue this passion and to ensure Tullochrsquos great wines always have a place in a tough environmentrdquo Steve said
Meanwhile DeaN GorDDarD Hunter Valley Wine Country Executive Manager has been elected as a director of the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales
ldquoDeanrsquos position on this council will give Hunter Valley Wine Country the ability to communicate both regional tourism opportunities and challenges at a high level It also provides Hunter Valley Wine Country with a direct link to senior government and industry policy-makingrdquo said Rebecca Poynter Hunter Valley Wine Country President
Whatrsquos NeW
WyNWooD estate has purchased The Golden Grape vineyard and recently opened a refurbished Cellar Door at the Oakey Creek Road property
The companyrsquos Marketing Manager Desly Harris says the vineyard was once owned by Saxonvale Wine and was known as one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading wine producers
ldquoWynwood Estatersquos management team has begun to restore the vineyard to again produce top-quality fruit from these grand old vinesrdquo she said ldquoOur Vineyard Manager Lance Mikisch who is a fifth-generation vigneron is excited by the prospect of nurturing the old vines back to their best And the results will show in the winersquos qualityrdquo
Scott Stephens has been appointed as Winemaker for Wynwood Estate and also caPercallie WiNe coMPaNy which has also changed ownership
ceNturioN WiNes has been relaunched as traVertiNe WiNes Located just off Hermitage Road in Old North Road Pokolbin the newly-named Travertine Wines makes reference to the limestone soilrsquos influence upon its wines
Owner Graham Burns said ldquoWe want to identify more with the unique characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offerrdquo
JaMes estate has opened its second Cellar Door on Hermitage Road Pokolbin trading seven days a week from 10am until 4pm
huNter ValleyseMilloNs shiNe Hunter Valley
Semillons continue to shine collecting another round of trophies at recent national wine shows and competitions
tyrrellrsquos WiNes and auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD have both been awarded trophies at the 2011 National Wine Show in Canberra Tyrrellrsquos Vineyardsrsquo 2005 HVD Semillon took out The Semillon Trophy while Audrey Wilkinson Vineyardrsquos 2011 Winemakerrsquos Selection Semillon won the trophy for Best Semillon Premium Class
Meanwhile at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show Hunter Valley Semillons took out three major
trophies Mcleish estatersquos 2007 seMilloN won the inaugural David Clarke Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Semillon auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD 2006 MuseuM reserVe seMilloN was awarded The John Swann Perpetual Trophy for Best Aged White Wine and tyrrellrsquos 2006 Vat 1 seMilloN picked up the James Busby Annual Prize for Best Wine or Brandy by a NSW Exhibitor in Any Class
Commenting on Tyrrellrsquos trophy win Bruce Tyrrell said ldquoI have always loved the 2006 Semillons as they have plenty of flavour and an almost sweetness of fruit on the palate These latest results just go to show what a great vintage it was for us in the Hunter Valley in 2006rdquo
Hunter Valley companies also brought home a haul of gold silver and bronze medals
huNter Valley success at australiaN tourisM aWarDs
Congratulations to MarGaN restauraNt and WyNDhaM estate who both took out awards in their categories at the prestigious QaNtas australiaN tourisM aWarDs Margan Restaurant received a silver award for its efforts in Tourism Restaurant amp Catering Services while Wyndham Estate also received silver in Tourism Wineries Distilleries amp Boutique Breweries
WyNDhaM estate has also been named Best Major Wine Producer in the Wine Tourism Awards 2012 by leading international industry publication Drinks International The award was open to wine producers around the globe and acknowledges a leading wine producer that has implemented successful tourism initiatives
NeW tourisM GuiDes lauNcheD The 2012 edition of the
huNter Valley Visitorsrsquo GuiDe has been released with a new and refreshed look The guide published by Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism also includes a great new initiative for visitors wishing to plan a trip to the Hunter Valley it can now be viewed via iPad and iPhone application formats
ldquoThis is the first time the Hunter Valley Visitorsrsquo Guide has been available through iPad and iPhone appsrdquo said Nora McWilliam Leisure Marketing Manager for
Wine Country Tourism ldquoThe apps broaden our reach and make it even easier for visitors to access information on Hunter Valley Wine Countryrdquo
The guide is also available online at wwwwinecountrycomau
Meanwhile the broke ForDWich WiNe amp tourisM associatioN (BFWTA) has launched the fifth edition of its regional guide President of the BFWTA Eden Anthony says the guide includes a range of tourism offerings such as premium wineries olive oils farm gate products restaurants and a range of accommodation options
ldquoThe publication represents our members who through vision commitment and significant investment have developed this lsquotranquil side of the Hunter Valleyrsquo into a premium wine tourism destinationrdquo he said
Copies can be requested by emailing secretarybrokefordwichcomau or an electronic version is available at wwwbrokefordwichcomau
keePiNG uP With the huNter ValleyWersquod love you to join us Our winemakers and local wine families will be tweeting and updating on a regular basis
Twittercom_hunterwine
FacebookcompagesHunter-Valley-Wine-Industry-Assocation
PictureD aboVe toP to bottoM1 Jane Clarke and Bob McLeish 2 Iain Riggs and Brian Agnew3 Jane Tyrrell and Richard Sheldrake
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
coVer PhotoGraPh oFNick PatersoN Mistletoe WiNesby chris elFes story oN PaGe 20
Photographs by Chris Elfes appearing in breathe may be purchased by
contacting Chris Elfes Photography on Hermitageelfesphotobigpondcomau
breathe PresiDeNtrsquos Note
Welcome to the new-look Hunter Valley breathe We hope you enjoy the fresh new style and we look
forward to hearing your feedbackOur Hunter Valley breathe team fills the pages each issue with great stories about our wine our food our lifestyle and the locals who make the Hunter Valley such a wonderful place to live in and visit We love our Hunter Valley lifestyle and we love to share it with you With rain rain and a little more rain Vintage 2012 was difficult to say the least However with some good fruit quality and great winemaking skills
therersquos no doubt that some excellent wines will come out from 2012 On page 14 Liz Riley 2011 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year takes a look at Vintage 2012The Hunter Valley has a great sense of history and community spirit Turn to page 12 for the launch of our 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz and then to page 16 as Patrick Haddock talks with 2011 Hunter Valley Legends recipient Don McWilliam On page 37 Melinda Kelly finds out some of the secret recipes to success from some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading husband and wife restaurant teams in Culinary Couples And of course there are the all regular features like Meet the Locals Art Wine Reviews Whatrsquos On and much more We also invite you your friends and family to join us in the celebration of our wonderful wine and food culture with the Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month in June 2012 Turn to page 34 to be tempted by Chris Elfesrsquo delicious food and wine images all shot here in Hunter Valley restaurants and wineries Therersquos so much to experience in the Hunter Valley so come and join us We look forward to seeing you very soon
Andrew Margan PresidentHunter Valley Wine industry association
PublisherHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
eDitor Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
GraPhic DesiGNSally Sneddon Graphic Design
p 02 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomauwwwssgdcomau
PhotoGraPhyChris Elfes Photography p 0413 805 222
e elfesphotobigpondcomau wwwchriselfesphotographycomau
sub-eDitorLauren Kennedy e wordhappygmailcom
aDVertisiNG eNQuiries Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533
e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau
eDitorial WritersPatrick Haddock Melinda Kelly Liz Kooij Virginia Mitchell Grant Radford Liz Riley
PriNtiNGFinsbury Green p 02 9662 2600
Publisher DetailsHunter Valley Wine Industry Association
p 02 4991 4533 e melindawinehuntervalleyorgau ABN 15 728 023 119
All correspondence to PO BOX 352 Cessnock 2325copy COPYRIGHT This publication may not in whole or part be
reproduced translated copied photocopied to any form without the express written permission of the publisher While every care is taken
in compiling the contents of this publication the publisher assumes no responsibility for the effects arising there from The information and
figures contained in this publication have been provided to the publishers by the advertisers and their sources No warranty is given by Breathe
Hunter Style Magazine as to the accuracy of these figures and information as they are subject to change without notice The responsibility or
copyright on all supplied material rests with the supplier
coNteNtsissue 32 autumn 2012
eVery issue5 Presidentrsquos Note7 News26 Meet the Locals29 Extra Extra46 Whatrsquos On50 Out amp About
Wine10 Hunter Valley Legends Wine Release14 Vintage 2012 16 The Don - Don McWilliam20 Wine Profile Nick ldquoDogrdquo Paterson25 Going Green30 Wine Reviews
Food34 Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month37 Culinary Couples
liFestyle42 Art Behind Closed Doors
42
1437
10
16
Wine Tasting LrsquosStart your day with a beginners course to provide you with all the basic skills to maximize the enjoyment and educational experience of tasting wine The session will include information on how to make and assess wines The perfect way to commence your tasting journey around the Hunter Valley 1030am everyday bull Cost $10 bull Bookings essential 4998 7402Corner Broke amp McDonalds Roads Pokolbin bull 02 4998 7402 bull huntermcguiganwinescomauhuntermcguiganwinescomau
olives amp olive oilappreciation
McDonalds Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320 P 02 4998 7559 F 02 4998 7893 E salesbrokenwoodcomau W wwwbrokenwoodcomau
wwwfacebookcomBrokenwoodWines wwwtwittercomBrokenwood
cheese makingamp tasting
wine blending
Corporate and group activities with a differenceBrokenwood is pleased to offer several activities that can be as light hearted or serious as you please
Whatever the approach they are always a fun and educational way of learning a little more about the things you like
All sessions include a wine tasting matching conducted by an experienced Brokenwood wine educator
Select from the activities below or contact us to create your own fun session
a t C y p r e s s L a k e s R e s o r t
pasta making
Phot
ogra
ph b
y C
hris
Elfe
s
BREATHE autumn 2012 7
NeWsKeep up-to-date on whatrsquos been happening in the Hunter Valley
iN the kitcheN riDGe VieW restauraNt owners Tracey and Darren Scott
have welcomed new Head Chef Donna Hollis to the extended Ridge View family Donna has worked in the Hunter Valley and Sydney as a chef for almost 15 years and says she is looking forward to a new adventure with the Cypriot Meze style cooking featured at Ridge View Restaurant
the VeraNDah restauraNt has celebrated its fifth birthday with a huge Spanish-themed birthday party at which almost 120 litres of sangria were consumed
ldquoA big thank you to all of our patrons who have supported us over the past five yearsrdquo owner Matt Dillow said ldquoWe look forward to serving more delicious tapas for many years to comerdquo
Meanwhile 1843 harVest caFeacute has opened its doors at Lindemanrsquos on McDonalds Road Pokolbin Venue Manager Damien Harrison says the cafeacute specialises in shared meals with its woodfired pizza oven used to cook many of the dishes
ask For it The New South Wales Wine
Industry has launched a new marketing campaign lsquoNsW WiNe ask For itrsquo to highlight the quality and diversity of New South Wales wines and to encourage New South Wales residents to choose wines made in New South Wales when dining out or buying wines at bottle shops and retailers
Next time you are out for dinner or buying wine to enjoy at home or with friends and no New South Wales wines appear on the list or shelves lsquoAsk For Itrsquo and make your desire to drink local wines and support local wineries known
Future leaDers
chris tyrrell oF tyrrellrsquos ViNeyarDs pictured and JaMes aGNeW oF auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD and Pooles rock WiNes have been selected for inclusion in the Future Leaders - Succession for the Australian Wine Sector Program for 2012
Now in its fifth year the Future Leaders is a joint initiative of Wine Federation Australia Wine Grape Growers Australia Wine Australia and The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
More than 50 applications were received for the program which will be delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
ldquoThe quality and diversity of the applicants remain very high and have been a key part of the programrsquos successrdquo said Stephen Strachan Chief Executive of Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia
ldquoThese are young or mid-career leaders who we are hoping will get involved with important issues for the wine sector at national state and regional levelsrdquo
Diary DatesUpper Hunter Wine amp Food AffairSaturday 5 May 2012wwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
Lovedale Long Lunch Saturday 19 amp Sunday 20 May 2012wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Hunter Valley Legends amp Wine Industry Awards Thursday 31 May 2012
Hunter Valley Wine amp Food MonthJune 2012wwwhuntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Simply Shiraz Saturday 7 amp Sunday 8 July 2012wwwoakvalewinescomau
Hunter Valley Uncorked BalmoralSunday 4 November 2012
8 BREATHE autumn 2012
NeWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 9
NeWsNeW aPPoiNtMeNts
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (HVWIA) welcomes its new Marketing Manager Dale NouWeNs
ldquoDale will assist the HVWIA Committee in identifying new and existing commercial opportunities to enhance the profile of the Hunter Valley Wine Industryrdquo said HVWIA President Andrew Margan
ldquoThe HVWIA is delighted with this appointment and along with its members welcomes Dale to this new challengerdquo
While she was based in the Netherlands Dale worked for Constellation Europe before joining Wine Australia as the Marketing Executive Benelux region In this role she was responsible for launching programs such as the Wine Australia Ambassador Shop Program and the Wine Australia Academy before moving into the role of Retail Executive for Continental Europe Here she continued to develop initiatives with key retailers including AHold (Netherlands) Metro (Germany) and HJ Hansen (Denmark)
More recently she worked for the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney Involved in event management within the Professional Learning and Community Engagement unit the team runs approximately 150 events a year including conferences legal professional development lectures public seminars fundraising and promotional events
Hunter Valley Viticulturist liz riley has been appointed to The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) Board as its new Specialist Qualifications Director Liz who was named Viticulturist of the Year at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards brings over 20 years of wine industry experience knowledge and expertise to the AWRI Board
Tulloch Wines has appointed steVe GeorGe in the newly-created position of Business Development Manager
ldquoItrsquos such a great opportunity to be part of a company that is a true pioneer of the Australian wine industry My background is working with some of the great Australian family wine companies and this role allows me to continue this passion and to ensure Tullochrsquos great wines always have a place in a tough environmentrdquo Steve said
Meanwhile DeaN GorDDarD Hunter Valley Wine Country Executive Manager has been elected as a director of the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales
ldquoDeanrsquos position on this council will give Hunter Valley Wine Country the ability to communicate both regional tourism opportunities and challenges at a high level It also provides Hunter Valley Wine Country with a direct link to senior government and industry policy-makingrdquo said Rebecca Poynter Hunter Valley Wine Country President
Whatrsquos NeW
WyNWooD estate has purchased The Golden Grape vineyard and recently opened a refurbished Cellar Door at the Oakey Creek Road property
The companyrsquos Marketing Manager Desly Harris says the vineyard was once owned by Saxonvale Wine and was known as one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading wine producers
ldquoWynwood Estatersquos management team has begun to restore the vineyard to again produce top-quality fruit from these grand old vinesrdquo she said ldquoOur Vineyard Manager Lance Mikisch who is a fifth-generation vigneron is excited by the prospect of nurturing the old vines back to their best And the results will show in the winersquos qualityrdquo
Scott Stephens has been appointed as Winemaker for Wynwood Estate and also caPercallie WiNe coMPaNy which has also changed ownership
ceNturioN WiNes has been relaunched as traVertiNe WiNes Located just off Hermitage Road in Old North Road Pokolbin the newly-named Travertine Wines makes reference to the limestone soilrsquos influence upon its wines
Owner Graham Burns said ldquoWe want to identify more with the unique characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offerrdquo
JaMes estate has opened its second Cellar Door on Hermitage Road Pokolbin trading seven days a week from 10am until 4pm
huNter ValleyseMilloNs shiNe Hunter Valley
Semillons continue to shine collecting another round of trophies at recent national wine shows and competitions
tyrrellrsquos WiNes and auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD have both been awarded trophies at the 2011 National Wine Show in Canberra Tyrrellrsquos Vineyardsrsquo 2005 HVD Semillon took out The Semillon Trophy while Audrey Wilkinson Vineyardrsquos 2011 Winemakerrsquos Selection Semillon won the trophy for Best Semillon Premium Class
Meanwhile at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show Hunter Valley Semillons took out three major
trophies Mcleish estatersquos 2007 seMilloN won the inaugural David Clarke Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Semillon auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD 2006 MuseuM reserVe seMilloN was awarded The John Swann Perpetual Trophy for Best Aged White Wine and tyrrellrsquos 2006 Vat 1 seMilloN picked up the James Busby Annual Prize for Best Wine or Brandy by a NSW Exhibitor in Any Class
Commenting on Tyrrellrsquos trophy win Bruce Tyrrell said ldquoI have always loved the 2006 Semillons as they have plenty of flavour and an almost sweetness of fruit on the palate These latest results just go to show what a great vintage it was for us in the Hunter Valley in 2006rdquo
Hunter Valley companies also brought home a haul of gold silver and bronze medals
huNter Valley success at australiaN tourisM aWarDs
Congratulations to MarGaN restauraNt and WyNDhaM estate who both took out awards in their categories at the prestigious QaNtas australiaN tourisM aWarDs Margan Restaurant received a silver award for its efforts in Tourism Restaurant amp Catering Services while Wyndham Estate also received silver in Tourism Wineries Distilleries amp Boutique Breweries
WyNDhaM estate has also been named Best Major Wine Producer in the Wine Tourism Awards 2012 by leading international industry publication Drinks International The award was open to wine producers around the globe and acknowledges a leading wine producer that has implemented successful tourism initiatives
NeW tourisM GuiDes lauNcheD The 2012 edition of the
huNter Valley Visitorsrsquo GuiDe has been released with a new and refreshed look The guide published by Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism also includes a great new initiative for visitors wishing to plan a trip to the Hunter Valley it can now be viewed via iPad and iPhone application formats
ldquoThis is the first time the Hunter Valley Visitorsrsquo Guide has been available through iPad and iPhone appsrdquo said Nora McWilliam Leisure Marketing Manager for
Wine Country Tourism ldquoThe apps broaden our reach and make it even easier for visitors to access information on Hunter Valley Wine Countryrdquo
The guide is also available online at wwwwinecountrycomau
Meanwhile the broke ForDWich WiNe amp tourisM associatioN (BFWTA) has launched the fifth edition of its regional guide President of the BFWTA Eden Anthony says the guide includes a range of tourism offerings such as premium wineries olive oils farm gate products restaurants and a range of accommodation options
ldquoThe publication represents our members who through vision commitment and significant investment have developed this lsquotranquil side of the Hunter Valleyrsquo into a premium wine tourism destinationrdquo he said
Copies can be requested by emailing secretarybrokefordwichcomau or an electronic version is available at wwwbrokefordwichcomau
keePiNG uP With the huNter ValleyWersquod love you to join us Our winemakers and local wine families will be tweeting and updating on a regular basis
Twittercom_hunterwine
FacebookcompagesHunter-Valley-Wine-Industry-Assocation
PictureD aboVe toP to bottoM1 Jane Clarke and Bob McLeish 2 Iain Riggs and Brian Agnew3 Jane Tyrrell and Richard Sheldrake
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
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SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
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PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
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Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
olives amp olive oilappreciation
McDonalds Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320 P 02 4998 7559 F 02 4998 7893 E salesbrokenwoodcomau W wwwbrokenwoodcomau
wwwfacebookcomBrokenwoodWines wwwtwittercomBrokenwood
cheese makingamp tasting
wine blending
Corporate and group activities with a differenceBrokenwood is pleased to offer several activities that can be as light hearted or serious as you please
Whatever the approach they are always a fun and educational way of learning a little more about the things you like
All sessions include a wine tasting matching conducted by an experienced Brokenwood wine educator
Select from the activities below or contact us to create your own fun session
a t C y p r e s s L a k e s R e s o r t
pasta making
Phot
ogra
ph b
y C
hris
Elfe
s
BREATHE autumn 2012 7
NeWsKeep up-to-date on whatrsquos been happening in the Hunter Valley
iN the kitcheN riDGe VieW restauraNt owners Tracey and Darren Scott
have welcomed new Head Chef Donna Hollis to the extended Ridge View family Donna has worked in the Hunter Valley and Sydney as a chef for almost 15 years and says she is looking forward to a new adventure with the Cypriot Meze style cooking featured at Ridge View Restaurant
the VeraNDah restauraNt has celebrated its fifth birthday with a huge Spanish-themed birthday party at which almost 120 litres of sangria were consumed
ldquoA big thank you to all of our patrons who have supported us over the past five yearsrdquo owner Matt Dillow said ldquoWe look forward to serving more delicious tapas for many years to comerdquo
Meanwhile 1843 harVest caFeacute has opened its doors at Lindemanrsquos on McDonalds Road Pokolbin Venue Manager Damien Harrison says the cafeacute specialises in shared meals with its woodfired pizza oven used to cook many of the dishes
ask For it The New South Wales Wine
Industry has launched a new marketing campaign lsquoNsW WiNe ask For itrsquo to highlight the quality and diversity of New South Wales wines and to encourage New South Wales residents to choose wines made in New South Wales when dining out or buying wines at bottle shops and retailers
Next time you are out for dinner or buying wine to enjoy at home or with friends and no New South Wales wines appear on the list or shelves lsquoAsk For Itrsquo and make your desire to drink local wines and support local wineries known
Future leaDers
chris tyrrell oF tyrrellrsquos ViNeyarDs pictured and JaMes aGNeW oF auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD and Pooles rock WiNes have been selected for inclusion in the Future Leaders - Succession for the Australian Wine Sector Program for 2012
Now in its fifth year the Future Leaders is a joint initiative of Wine Federation Australia Wine Grape Growers Australia Wine Australia and The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
More than 50 applications were received for the program which will be delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
ldquoThe quality and diversity of the applicants remain very high and have been a key part of the programrsquos successrdquo said Stephen Strachan Chief Executive of Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia
ldquoThese are young or mid-career leaders who we are hoping will get involved with important issues for the wine sector at national state and regional levelsrdquo
Diary DatesUpper Hunter Wine amp Food AffairSaturday 5 May 2012wwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
Lovedale Long Lunch Saturday 19 amp Sunday 20 May 2012wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Hunter Valley Legends amp Wine Industry Awards Thursday 31 May 2012
Hunter Valley Wine amp Food MonthJune 2012wwwhuntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Simply Shiraz Saturday 7 amp Sunday 8 July 2012wwwoakvalewinescomau
Hunter Valley Uncorked BalmoralSunday 4 November 2012
8 BREATHE autumn 2012
NeWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 9
NeWsNeW aPPoiNtMeNts
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (HVWIA) welcomes its new Marketing Manager Dale NouWeNs
ldquoDale will assist the HVWIA Committee in identifying new and existing commercial opportunities to enhance the profile of the Hunter Valley Wine Industryrdquo said HVWIA President Andrew Margan
ldquoThe HVWIA is delighted with this appointment and along with its members welcomes Dale to this new challengerdquo
While she was based in the Netherlands Dale worked for Constellation Europe before joining Wine Australia as the Marketing Executive Benelux region In this role she was responsible for launching programs such as the Wine Australia Ambassador Shop Program and the Wine Australia Academy before moving into the role of Retail Executive for Continental Europe Here she continued to develop initiatives with key retailers including AHold (Netherlands) Metro (Germany) and HJ Hansen (Denmark)
More recently she worked for the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney Involved in event management within the Professional Learning and Community Engagement unit the team runs approximately 150 events a year including conferences legal professional development lectures public seminars fundraising and promotional events
Hunter Valley Viticulturist liz riley has been appointed to The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) Board as its new Specialist Qualifications Director Liz who was named Viticulturist of the Year at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards brings over 20 years of wine industry experience knowledge and expertise to the AWRI Board
Tulloch Wines has appointed steVe GeorGe in the newly-created position of Business Development Manager
ldquoItrsquos such a great opportunity to be part of a company that is a true pioneer of the Australian wine industry My background is working with some of the great Australian family wine companies and this role allows me to continue this passion and to ensure Tullochrsquos great wines always have a place in a tough environmentrdquo Steve said
Meanwhile DeaN GorDDarD Hunter Valley Wine Country Executive Manager has been elected as a director of the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales
ldquoDeanrsquos position on this council will give Hunter Valley Wine Country the ability to communicate both regional tourism opportunities and challenges at a high level It also provides Hunter Valley Wine Country with a direct link to senior government and industry policy-makingrdquo said Rebecca Poynter Hunter Valley Wine Country President
Whatrsquos NeW
WyNWooD estate has purchased The Golden Grape vineyard and recently opened a refurbished Cellar Door at the Oakey Creek Road property
The companyrsquos Marketing Manager Desly Harris says the vineyard was once owned by Saxonvale Wine and was known as one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading wine producers
ldquoWynwood Estatersquos management team has begun to restore the vineyard to again produce top-quality fruit from these grand old vinesrdquo she said ldquoOur Vineyard Manager Lance Mikisch who is a fifth-generation vigneron is excited by the prospect of nurturing the old vines back to their best And the results will show in the winersquos qualityrdquo
Scott Stephens has been appointed as Winemaker for Wynwood Estate and also caPercallie WiNe coMPaNy which has also changed ownership
ceNturioN WiNes has been relaunched as traVertiNe WiNes Located just off Hermitage Road in Old North Road Pokolbin the newly-named Travertine Wines makes reference to the limestone soilrsquos influence upon its wines
Owner Graham Burns said ldquoWe want to identify more with the unique characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offerrdquo
JaMes estate has opened its second Cellar Door on Hermitage Road Pokolbin trading seven days a week from 10am until 4pm
huNter ValleyseMilloNs shiNe Hunter Valley
Semillons continue to shine collecting another round of trophies at recent national wine shows and competitions
tyrrellrsquos WiNes and auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD have both been awarded trophies at the 2011 National Wine Show in Canberra Tyrrellrsquos Vineyardsrsquo 2005 HVD Semillon took out The Semillon Trophy while Audrey Wilkinson Vineyardrsquos 2011 Winemakerrsquos Selection Semillon won the trophy for Best Semillon Premium Class
Meanwhile at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show Hunter Valley Semillons took out three major
trophies Mcleish estatersquos 2007 seMilloN won the inaugural David Clarke Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Semillon auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD 2006 MuseuM reserVe seMilloN was awarded The John Swann Perpetual Trophy for Best Aged White Wine and tyrrellrsquos 2006 Vat 1 seMilloN picked up the James Busby Annual Prize for Best Wine or Brandy by a NSW Exhibitor in Any Class
Commenting on Tyrrellrsquos trophy win Bruce Tyrrell said ldquoI have always loved the 2006 Semillons as they have plenty of flavour and an almost sweetness of fruit on the palate These latest results just go to show what a great vintage it was for us in the Hunter Valley in 2006rdquo
Hunter Valley companies also brought home a haul of gold silver and bronze medals
huNter Valley success at australiaN tourisM aWarDs
Congratulations to MarGaN restauraNt and WyNDhaM estate who both took out awards in their categories at the prestigious QaNtas australiaN tourisM aWarDs Margan Restaurant received a silver award for its efforts in Tourism Restaurant amp Catering Services while Wyndham Estate also received silver in Tourism Wineries Distilleries amp Boutique Breweries
WyNDhaM estate has also been named Best Major Wine Producer in the Wine Tourism Awards 2012 by leading international industry publication Drinks International The award was open to wine producers around the globe and acknowledges a leading wine producer that has implemented successful tourism initiatives
NeW tourisM GuiDes lauNcheD The 2012 edition of the
huNter Valley Visitorsrsquo GuiDe has been released with a new and refreshed look The guide published by Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism also includes a great new initiative for visitors wishing to plan a trip to the Hunter Valley it can now be viewed via iPad and iPhone application formats
ldquoThis is the first time the Hunter Valley Visitorsrsquo Guide has been available through iPad and iPhone appsrdquo said Nora McWilliam Leisure Marketing Manager for
Wine Country Tourism ldquoThe apps broaden our reach and make it even easier for visitors to access information on Hunter Valley Wine Countryrdquo
The guide is also available online at wwwwinecountrycomau
Meanwhile the broke ForDWich WiNe amp tourisM associatioN (BFWTA) has launched the fifth edition of its regional guide President of the BFWTA Eden Anthony says the guide includes a range of tourism offerings such as premium wineries olive oils farm gate products restaurants and a range of accommodation options
ldquoThe publication represents our members who through vision commitment and significant investment have developed this lsquotranquil side of the Hunter Valleyrsquo into a premium wine tourism destinationrdquo he said
Copies can be requested by emailing secretarybrokefordwichcomau or an electronic version is available at wwwbrokefordwichcomau
keePiNG uP With the huNter ValleyWersquod love you to join us Our winemakers and local wine families will be tweeting and updating on a regular basis
Twittercom_hunterwine
FacebookcompagesHunter-Valley-Wine-Industry-Assocation
PictureD aboVe toP to bottoM1 Jane Clarke and Bob McLeish 2 Iain Riggs and Brian Agnew3 Jane Tyrrell and Richard Sheldrake
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
8 BREATHE autumn 2012
NeWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 9
NeWsNeW aPPoiNtMeNts
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (HVWIA) welcomes its new Marketing Manager Dale NouWeNs
ldquoDale will assist the HVWIA Committee in identifying new and existing commercial opportunities to enhance the profile of the Hunter Valley Wine Industryrdquo said HVWIA President Andrew Margan
ldquoThe HVWIA is delighted with this appointment and along with its members welcomes Dale to this new challengerdquo
While she was based in the Netherlands Dale worked for Constellation Europe before joining Wine Australia as the Marketing Executive Benelux region In this role she was responsible for launching programs such as the Wine Australia Ambassador Shop Program and the Wine Australia Academy before moving into the role of Retail Executive for Continental Europe Here she continued to develop initiatives with key retailers including AHold (Netherlands) Metro (Germany) and HJ Hansen (Denmark)
More recently she worked for the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney Involved in event management within the Professional Learning and Community Engagement unit the team runs approximately 150 events a year including conferences legal professional development lectures public seminars fundraising and promotional events
Hunter Valley Viticulturist liz riley has been appointed to The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) Board as its new Specialist Qualifications Director Liz who was named Viticulturist of the Year at the 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards brings over 20 years of wine industry experience knowledge and expertise to the AWRI Board
Tulloch Wines has appointed steVe GeorGe in the newly-created position of Business Development Manager
ldquoItrsquos such a great opportunity to be part of a company that is a true pioneer of the Australian wine industry My background is working with some of the great Australian family wine companies and this role allows me to continue this passion and to ensure Tullochrsquos great wines always have a place in a tough environmentrdquo Steve said
Meanwhile DeaN GorDDarD Hunter Valley Wine Country Executive Manager has been elected as a director of the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales
ldquoDeanrsquos position on this council will give Hunter Valley Wine Country the ability to communicate both regional tourism opportunities and challenges at a high level It also provides Hunter Valley Wine Country with a direct link to senior government and industry policy-makingrdquo said Rebecca Poynter Hunter Valley Wine Country President
Whatrsquos NeW
WyNWooD estate has purchased The Golden Grape vineyard and recently opened a refurbished Cellar Door at the Oakey Creek Road property
The companyrsquos Marketing Manager Desly Harris says the vineyard was once owned by Saxonvale Wine and was known as one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading wine producers
ldquoWynwood Estatersquos management team has begun to restore the vineyard to again produce top-quality fruit from these grand old vinesrdquo she said ldquoOur Vineyard Manager Lance Mikisch who is a fifth-generation vigneron is excited by the prospect of nurturing the old vines back to their best And the results will show in the winersquos qualityrdquo
Scott Stephens has been appointed as Winemaker for Wynwood Estate and also caPercallie WiNe coMPaNy which has also changed ownership
ceNturioN WiNes has been relaunched as traVertiNe WiNes Located just off Hermitage Road in Old North Road Pokolbin the newly-named Travertine Wines makes reference to the limestone soilrsquos influence upon its wines
Owner Graham Burns said ldquoWe want to identify more with the unique characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offerrdquo
JaMes estate has opened its second Cellar Door on Hermitage Road Pokolbin trading seven days a week from 10am until 4pm
huNter ValleyseMilloNs shiNe Hunter Valley
Semillons continue to shine collecting another round of trophies at recent national wine shows and competitions
tyrrellrsquos WiNes and auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD have both been awarded trophies at the 2011 National Wine Show in Canberra Tyrrellrsquos Vineyardsrsquo 2005 HVD Semillon took out The Semillon Trophy while Audrey Wilkinson Vineyardrsquos 2011 Winemakerrsquos Selection Semillon won the trophy for Best Semillon Premium Class
Meanwhile at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show Hunter Valley Semillons took out three major
trophies Mcleish estatersquos 2007 seMilloN won the inaugural David Clarke Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Semillon auDrey WilkiNsoN ViNeyarD 2006 MuseuM reserVe seMilloN was awarded The John Swann Perpetual Trophy for Best Aged White Wine and tyrrellrsquos 2006 Vat 1 seMilloN picked up the James Busby Annual Prize for Best Wine or Brandy by a NSW Exhibitor in Any Class
Commenting on Tyrrellrsquos trophy win Bruce Tyrrell said ldquoI have always loved the 2006 Semillons as they have plenty of flavour and an almost sweetness of fruit on the palate These latest results just go to show what a great vintage it was for us in the Hunter Valley in 2006rdquo
Hunter Valley companies also brought home a haul of gold silver and bronze medals
huNter Valley success at australiaN tourisM aWarDs
Congratulations to MarGaN restauraNt and WyNDhaM estate who both took out awards in their categories at the prestigious QaNtas australiaN tourisM aWarDs Margan Restaurant received a silver award for its efforts in Tourism Restaurant amp Catering Services while Wyndham Estate also received silver in Tourism Wineries Distilleries amp Boutique Breweries
WyNDhaM estate has also been named Best Major Wine Producer in the Wine Tourism Awards 2012 by leading international industry publication Drinks International The award was open to wine producers around the globe and acknowledges a leading wine producer that has implemented successful tourism initiatives
NeW tourisM GuiDes lauNcheD The 2012 edition of the
huNter Valley Visitorsrsquo GuiDe has been released with a new and refreshed look The guide published by Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism also includes a great new initiative for visitors wishing to plan a trip to the Hunter Valley it can now be viewed via iPad and iPhone application formats
ldquoThis is the first time the Hunter Valley Visitorsrsquo Guide has been available through iPad and iPhone appsrdquo said Nora McWilliam Leisure Marketing Manager for
Wine Country Tourism ldquoThe apps broaden our reach and make it even easier for visitors to access information on Hunter Valley Wine Countryrdquo
The guide is also available online at wwwwinecountrycomau
Meanwhile the broke ForDWich WiNe amp tourisM associatioN (BFWTA) has launched the fifth edition of its regional guide President of the BFWTA Eden Anthony says the guide includes a range of tourism offerings such as premium wineries olive oils farm gate products restaurants and a range of accommodation options
ldquoThe publication represents our members who through vision commitment and significant investment have developed this lsquotranquil side of the Hunter Valleyrsquo into a premium wine tourism destinationrdquo he said
Copies can be requested by emailing secretarybrokefordwichcomau or an electronic version is available at wwwbrokefordwichcomau
keePiNG uP With the huNter ValleyWersquod love you to join us Our winemakers and local wine families will be tweeting and updating on a regular basis
Twittercom_hunterwine
FacebookcompagesHunter-Valley-Wine-Industry-Assocation
PictureD aboVe toP to bottoM1 Jane Clarke and Bob McLeish 2 Iain Riggs and Brian Agnew3 Jane Tyrrell and Richard Sheldrake
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
10 BREATHE autumn 2012
huNter ValleyleGeNDs Shiraz
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 11
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
12 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
BREATHE autumn 2012 13
the Hunter Valley wine industry is renowned for its sense of community This community spirit is once
again on display with the release of the 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
This latest release follows the 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz which marked the launch of this regional marketing project
Wine was donated by local wineries wine industry suppliers supported the project with dry goods services and expertise and the wine was blended by some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos leading young winemakers Funds raised from the sales were put back into further marketing of the Hunter Valley wine region
The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends a group of people with centuries of collective experience in the local area viticulture and wine styles that have made the Hunter Valley famous
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007 beginning with Max Drayton (OAM) Max Lake ldquoPercrdquo McGuigan Karl Stockhausen John Tulloch and Brian Walsh In 2008 Brian McGuigan joined the ranks then
Fay McGuigan Phil Ryan Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell (OAM) in 2009 Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010 and Don McWilliam in 2011
Inductees are selected each year by the Living Legends First and foremost they are chosen for having shown long-term vision and commitment to the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry Nominations come from members of the wine industry community and must satisfy strict criteria They must have been involved in the growing of grapes and production of wine over a significant period of time have been in a position to influence the course of the Hunter Valley wine industry have had a continuous 30-year involvement and have made a significant contribution to the welfare of the Hunter Valley wine industry
ldquoWe are so fortunate that we live and work within the Hunter Valley wine industry an industry and community where we all can be so proud that we work
in close harmony for the common good of allrdquo said Brian McGuigan
Sarah Crowe Chair of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee said ldquoWersquove had an amazing response from within our own local industry and also from wine industry suppliers All of the wine was donated by local Hunter Valley wineries and suppliersrsquo support of the initiative includes capsules by Amcor bottles by O-I labelling by Clear
Image bottling packaging and storage by First Creek Winemaking Services with Wine Selectors designing the label and assisting with marketing and sales It really is a community effortrdquo
ldquoThe Legends Wines bring together the Hunter Valleyrsquos range of winemaking skills with the individual character of our breadth of single vineyards all with their nuancesrdquo said Bruce Tyrrell
To make this 2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz possible wine was donated by Allandale Winery Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard McGuigan Wines Bimbadgen Brokenwood Wines David Hook Wines De Iuliis Wines Draytonrsquos Family Wines First Creek Wines Hungerford Hill Wines James Estate Margan Family Wines Meerea Park Pooles Rock Wine Pty Ltd RidgeView Wines The Little Wine Company Thomas Wines Tower Estate Winery Glandore Estate Pepper Tree Wines McWilliams Mount Pleasant Ballabourneen Wines Tulloch Wines and Tyrrellrsquos Vineyards Pty Ltd
In its production the wine has also embraced sustainable viticulture Sustainability has been taken to the next step with the wine bottled in award-winning lsquoLean + Greenrsquo bottles by O-I The bottles are between 18 and 28 per cent lighter than most and are substantially more environmentally friendly saving on glass packaging as well as using less water energy and emissions to produce
ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020rdquo said Fay McGuigan
The 2011 Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz is available in limited Wine Selectors Regional and Hunter Valley packs Call 1300 303 307 for details
ldquo
PictureD PreVious PaGe FroM leFt to riGhtJohn Tulloch Max DraytonFay McGuigan Brian McGuiganKarl StockhausenChris BarnesPhil Ryan
PictureD riGht2011 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz
ldquo ldquoOur Legends 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz to me reflects the warmth and harmony of the Hunter Valley region A lsquopotentially great Hunterrsquo is the equal of the best Rhocircne Red You will love its softness and flavour and it will still be great drinking after 2020
we all can be so proud that we work in close harmony for the common good of all
ldquo
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
14 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe
ViNtaGe 2012WORDS BY liz riley amp IMAGE BY chris elFes
BREATHE autumn 2012 15
Wersquore living in the lsquo70s woohoo living in the lsquo70srdquo
Maybe not but it seems that way in the Hunter Valley grape-growing business After a series of early vintages the Hunter Valley has slipped back to vintage conditions similar to those of the 1970s The start of vintage has moved from mid-January back to the traditional start around Australia Day in 2012 This entire season started later than it has in the past few years with delayed budburst flowering and veraison all tracking to a late January start
Here in the Hunter Valley the season was cool and mild It was a much wetter spring than was desired The downside was it kept the vineyard team very busy managing the growth that occurred however the upside was that there was virtually no need to irrigate As we moved into the Christmas period veraison started and the skies began to clear Soils began to dry out and growth slowed Many a Christmas wish was granted with warmer dry and sunny weather spreading across the Valley over the New Year
A few ambitious souls started harvest in mid-January with some leaner greener grapes coming off for sparkling bases Grapes began to really ripen throughout mid-January and the winery and vineyard teams prepared themselves with bins scrubbed out trailer tyres pumped up and safety vests hauled out As the 24th and 25th of January hit the first tranche of picking really began with early Verdelho and a little Chardonnay coming off the vines These picks generally occurred on sites with lovely rich red soils which seem to warm up earlier and run a bit early all season
Semillon however wasnrsquot playing the game and with baumeacutes slowly rising the fruit remained lean and green so - like the 1970s - it seemed Semillon would come in after the other whites As it progressed beyond Australia Day the weather forecast looked ominous with rain on the horizon
A real flurry of activity then occurred with machine harvesters scurrying around the Hunter Valley to pull in some big hauls of fruit With the milder weather returning harvesting was carried out night and day As a viticulturist there is nothing that gladdens the heart more than seeing a machine harvester motoring through the vineyard humming away picking the grapes yoursquove nurtured all season This period also saw Verdelho harvesting nearly complete Chardonnay well underway while the Semillon was also making a run for it
Wineries were groaning with fruit and a few daily crush records fell Winemakers and the vineyard teams worked their hearts out to get a huge amount of fruit away in a short space of time When not picking the vineyard teams distributed a few final sprays on the red grapes to hold them for another two or three weeks until they were ripe
As expected the rain came and tools were downed for the short term By mid-vintage in early February the rain broke the sun came out and the breeze blew away the humidity Grape trucks moved across the Valley and teams and machines were out picking again Meanwhile wineries were pumping and crushers and presses worked around the clock
The occasional block had to be relinquished due to the high winemaking standards of the locals so that only the best fruit was used The sunshine burnt off those greener and leaner fruit flavours and some richer tropical fruit resulted
February was tough with 130-175mm (5-7 inches) of rain falling in different parts of the Valley in the first half of the month alone Mother Nature can be cruel and she had turned on the reds with a vengeance Well into February only a few of the red blocks around the Valley had been picked and there are likely to be limited quantities of 2012 Reds and Roseacute so be quick to stock up on the 2011s when they are released
The results of 2012 will be interesting to witness as the year progresses and winemakers work their magic Some great wines came out of the Hunter Valley in the 1970s - in particular lean and mean Semillons with great aging potential and longevity
MachiNe harVestiNG
Without dispelling the romance of hand-
harvesting there is a commercial
reality with machine harvesting used
quite widely during Harvest Machine
harvesting enables the vineyard teams to bring parcels of fruit to the winery quickly
and under cooler conditions Cool fruit
both preserves its flavours and aromas
but also lowers the chilling load in the winery So in turn this enhances wine
quality and is kinder to our environment in
terms of energy use
Machine harvesters work by shaking
the trellis and vine canopy making the barriers drop off the vine The machine
doesnrsquot pick bunches like in hand-picking
just the berries
Some winemakers like a stalk component in with their fruit
to aid pressing or to contribute flavour so it is not unusual
to add a hand-picked component to a
machine-picked load
Hunter Valley Viticulturist Liz Riley discusses the difficulties and the
triumphs of Vintage 2012
ldquo
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
16 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe the DoNWORDS BY Patrick haDDock amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
Maurice OrsquoShea was as blind as a batrdquo These were not the reverent tones one might expect
to hear describing one of the wine industryrsquos greats However when asked if there was anything amusing that stood out about OrsquoShea Don McWilliam recounts that the late great winemaker had ldquoglasses so thick that they resembled the bottom of coke bottleshellip and he could not see a thing without them Irsquom not sure how he determined the colour of a wine but his sense of smell and taste was so acute he did not need to seerdquo
There are few people in the wine industry who can say that Maurice OrsquoShea used to cook for them every day during vintage but spend time with Don McWilliam and it soon becomes apparent that after 50 years in the industry he has pretty much seen it all
It was always expected that Don would join the family business and he wanted to anyway He started on the bottling line at the ripe old age of 13 years As he recalls ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo
The McWilliam family who celebrate 135 years in the industry this year would not have reached this milestone without the hands-on and tireless dedication of family members who have all helped run the operation
Although Don was in charge of the bottling line and was more mechanically-minded (he never studied to make wine) it was out of curiosity that he worked the 1954 vintage in the Hunter Valley with
Maurice OrsquoShea He then proceeded to work two more vintages until OrsquoShea passed away in 1956
For those used to the automated comforts of modern day winemaking Don recounts the experience ldquoThere was no electricity which made it quite difficult We used hand pumps to pump the juice hand presses and a donkey engine fuelled by diesel which ran the crusher We used to sleep at the winery and you were always on duty Each day we would stop at lunch and as Maurie was a very good cook he used to prepare lunch then would go out the back with a stainless steel jug fill it with wine and talk us through one of his blends while we were eatingrdquo
Was OrsquoShea considered a maverick winemaker with the midas touch ldquoNot really although he was a master blender He had loads of concrete and wooden vats - no new wood at that time all old Maurie would get out all the samples and when it came to bottling he had a remarkable instinct for putting wines together and being able to express the vineyard fullyrdquo
Don explains what OrsquoShearsquos modus operandi was when it came to vintage ldquoIrrespective of the conditions he wanted to make a wine each year that was similar to the last Despite the vagaries of
vintage he sought consistency He wanted people to go to the shop and know they were going to get a wine that tasted like the previous yearrsquosrdquo
Thanks to the indelible mark OrsquoShea made on Australian wine Don devised an award in 1990 to highlight those in the wine business who had made a similar contribution The idea was to ldquohonour the legend what he did for the Hunter Valley and what he did for the industry at large In those days it was an industry event and all the wine companies would turn up as OrsquoShearsquos wines would be
drunk We used to have reasonable stock but we drank them all over timerdquo
In fact it is likely that there are only a handful of OrsquoShea wines left probably in private collections Although Don reckons the corks were in such a poor state that most of them would be affected by now
The Hunter Valley regularly battles adverse and ill-tempered weather Don is obviously a great advocate of the region but a realist too
ldquoI love the place but Irsquom not so sure we should have ever planted grapes here with the difficulties we get especially rain at vintage Yet the wines we make are definitely worth all the effort we put in We still try to make the best single vineyard wines we can and only the best fruit from these plots make it through The rest goes into Elizabeth Semillon or Philip Shirazrdquo
ldquoin those days it was a pretty hands-on affair inserting corks manually and putting the capsules on by hand then putting the bottle onto a labelling machinerdquo eacH year someone WHo Has signiFicantly
coNtributeD to tHe Hunter Valley Wine industry is recognised as a
huNter Valley liViNG leGeND2011 recipient DoN McWilliaM sHares
some oF His story opinions and tastes WitH patrick Haddock
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
18 BREATHE autumn 2012
Lunch Thursday through to Monday bull Dinner Friday and Saturday bull Open midweek for dinners by special arrangementBISTRO MOLINES AT TALLAVERA GROVE bull 749 MOUNT VIEW RD MOUNT VIEW bull P 02 49 909 553 bull wwwbistromolinescomau
Visit Mount Pleasant and taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos iconic Semillons sourced from vines planted by Maurice OrsquoShea in 1946
The ldquoSemsational Icon Flightrdquo is available through Summer and Autumn in our private tasting room for the cost of $25 each (minimum of 2 people)
A vertical tasting of Lovedale Semillon from some of the great vintages of the last decade to savour enjoy and get you hooked on aged Hunter Semillon
Bookings are essential
Phone cellar door on 4998 7505
Semsational Icon Flight
Donrsquos mention of inclement conditions is somewhat ironic as Scott McWilliam the current winemaker at Mount Pleasant tweets about the rain and threat of downy mildew What does Don McWilliam represent to Scott McWilliam as a fellow member of a large extended family He is ldquoone of the most recognised and respected patriarchs of our industry He has certainly left a wonderful legacyrdquo
When asked whether he is optimistic or cautious about the current state of the industry Don McWilliam gives an honest reply ldquoCautious because there is a stranglehold by the retailers The government made the big mistake of giving the retailers too many licenses and they now control the market These days you say yoursquove got a new product and they say lsquoSo which one do you want us to removersquo It makes it difficult for us to give the consumer what they want They are decreasing diversity and decide what they want to sell and at what margin They donrsquot worry about the origin Yoursquove got to have good grapes to make good wine
ldquoThis difficult time for the industry will see many smaller wineries having trouble getting wines distributed besides the sales they make at cellar door McWilliamrsquos still has every chance of staying a family business as long as the consumer still wants our productsrdquo
As someone who devoted five decades to the family business and for his devotion to the wine industry as a whole Don was awarded the Order of Australia in 2003 When it was bestowed upon him he was overwhelmed ldquoIt came straight out of left field to be honest I did not realise I was in the running When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
And they were some impressive achievements President of Wine and Brandy Association on the Australian Wine Board Wine Research Institute as well as The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Group Chairman at McWilliamrsquos for many years
ldquoThey give awards like this for your time in the industry not your own business Looking back maybe I could have worked harder on the family company I gave my time to the industryrdquo
And what of the McWilliamrsquos portfolio of wines While Don shows a predilection for the fortifieds including the Hanwood Port itrsquos the Rosehill Shiraz hersquos most proud of and it sparks an interesting story
ldquoIn 1959 we had a big vintage so I got them to leave a section of the Rosehill for a fortnight and made a decision to come back and pick it But it was so dried out we could not put it though the pump We got some juice from the earlier picked part of the vineyard so we could soften it up to pump through the tank and then put it through fermentation pressed and bottled it and it was one of the first wines we ever stabilised We put it in some new wood and it turned out magnificently
ldquo When they put all my achievements together even I was impressedrdquo
ldquoSo ever since wersquove always done that with some part of the vineyard allowing a section to go to extra ripeness - sometimes it can be as alcoholic as 14 per cent
Itrsquos still bottled as an individual vineyard and I just love it In fact I had a bottle of it on Australia Dayrdquo McWilliam cannot recount which vintage it was he drank - he does not care about years but can always pick the Rosehill Shiraz blind thanks to its beautiful berry fruit signature
Finally we discuss the significance of becoming a Hunter Valley Living Legend Tongue firmly in cheek McWilliam wonders aloud whether they will claim the award back when hersquos no longer living I told him Irsquod find out Living or not Don McWilliam will always remain a Hunter Valley Legend
PictureD2011 Hunter Valley Legend Don McWilliam
WiNe
wwwbistromolinescomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
20 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile Nick ldquoDogrdquo PatersoNleader of the pack
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
hersquos affectionately known as ldquoDogrdquo and since winning the title of 2011 New South Wales Wine of the Year Hunter Valley Winemaker Nick Paterson has indeed become a top dog
The winning wine the 2009 Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay was also named Best Chardonnay at the 2011 New South Wales Wine Awards Best Chardonnay Australia amp New Zealand at the 2011 Winestate Magazine Annual Awards and the trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Wine at the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition
And the accolades donrsquot stop there From May to November 2011 Mistletoe Wines crafted by Nick amassed four championships nine trophies nine gold medals nine silver
medals and 23 bronze
Melinda Kelly recently interrupted vintage to speak with Nick whom some are dubbing a new leader of the pack
Whatrsquos it like being the winemaker of the 2011 NSW Wine of the Year Winning the accolade was a pleasant surprise itrsquos not every day that something like this comes along Itrsquos a great little vineyard in Belford and to see it produce a wine that has done so well makes me very happy
How important is it to winemakers to receive such trophies and awardsI think itrsquos important in many ways For me it especially gives you a bit of a boost in confidence It takes a long time to work out a vineyard and to work how to treat the fruit Something like this reassures you that yoursquore doing something right
Your family has its own vineyard - is that right Can you tell me a bit about itChateau Pato is the property I grew up on My parents moved from Melbourne in the late lsquo70s and bought the land with the intention of planting vines and producing wine My late father David had been coming to the Hunter since the lsquo50s and was mates with people like Max Lake and Len Evans like-minded people doing similar things The house was finished in 1980 and we planted the first Shiraz in 1981 There was some re-planting in rsquo82 due to
the effects of drought and rabbits The first vintage was 1984 made on the side verandah of the house The winery was built in rsquo86 and all of the winemaking is still done there Itrsquos a very small operation focused on quality
Did you choose winemaking or did it choose youWinemaking chose me I was always into the vineyard side of things loved plants - had a big vegie patch and at one stage was going to open an advanced tree nursery When Dad passed away in 1993 it was natural progression to do the winemaking as well with plenty of help from some of the local winemakers It was an interesting time
Who or what has influenced you most professionally Thatrsquos a tough one but I would have to say Iain Riggs Outside of Chateau Pato he gave me my start in the industry in 1993 packing Christmas gift packs Hersquos got a great work ethic When I was at Brokenwood yoursquod go weeks without seeing him - wine shows wine promotions industry groups et cetera During vintage you were there until the job was done properly but you were always looked after
Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
BREATHE autumn 2012 21
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
You were well fed which was important to me and the wines that were opened in an lsquoeducationalrsquo sense were phenomenal He also opened many doors of opportunity I saw and gained so much during my time there
What is your favourite Mistletoe wine Apart from the obvious Reserve Chardonnay I really like the Reserve Semillon Itrsquos primarily from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay in Belford grown in river sand over sandstone It makes a fine mineral style of Semillon super tight and age-worthy I just love Hunter Semillon
What are the best things about living and working in the Hunter ValleyTherersquos a really good community in the Hunter Valley quite an eclectic mix of people Thatrsquos a good thing - everyonersquos got a beer fridge too that makes it special Wersquore also close enough to the coast to make it fairly easy to go fishing when time permits
What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry The future for the local industry is to keep raising the quality of the product protect the great plots of vineyard that we have and to maintain the Hunter Valley identity Therersquos been a real shift in the last few years towards this
and we have to keep the momentum going
What has been your best experience There are far too many I remember the first time I went to Heathcote in Central Victoria to
do the vintage for Tyrrellrsquos This was my first solo gig as a winemaker and I was quite nervous I was away for a month and drove from the vineyard to the winery daily doing all that had to be done It was a huge thing for me at the time having all of that responsibility but when it was all done and the wines and I were back in the Hunter
it felt amazing to have been there Getting the thumbs-up from Murray Tyrrell was pretty important to me at the time even though I wrote off three company vehicles in the process
What has been your worst experience You probably couldnrsquot go past the 2008 vintage for bad experiences Watching your fruit turn rotten on the vine after all of your hard work is pretty disconcerting
Everyone has a favourite Hunter Valley hideout - whatrsquos your favourite place in the Hunter Valley Therersquos a big piece of rock on top of the Brokenback range that looks out across the valley Itrsquos a great spot a little tricky to get there after the rain but itrsquos worth the odd flat tyre It can be a good place to watch the sun come up after a late night
To date what has been your best ever wine and food experience Irsquove been fortunate to have involved with many great wine and food evenings over the years but I can only choose one In 2005 seven of us got together with a whole lot of wine we had collected and headed to Robertrsquos for dinner Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food Some of the wines included the famous Penfolds 1962 Bin 60A 1956 Woodleyrsquos Skeleton lsquoTreasure Chestrsquo and a bracket of old Hunter reds including a 1942 Mount Pleasant lsquoTYrsquo Hermitage made by Maurice OrsquoShea perfectly matched with a braised lamb shank and wood pigeon It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
Yoursquore part of the New Generation group of winemakers - how are the plans coming along for your next tourThe New Generation plans are now set for the next trip Wersquoll head to Melbourne and attempt to wean them off Pinot then head up the coast stopping at a few strategic points showing off our wares Wersquoll finish in Noosa for the Food and Wine Festival - tough location Itrsquos a very full-on timetable but I think wersquore up for it again Itrsquos all about spreading the good word on the Hunter Valley
22 BREATHE autumn 2012
WiNe ProFile
ldquoWINE JUDGINGrdquoWe could bang on about how many awards we have won bore you with details of the complimentary comments wine writers have made about our wines etcHowever we propose the following instead
If you like very good wine wine that is made with your enjoyment in mind that you can only buy direct from the winery we invite
to ldquoBe The Judgerdquo
Do yourself a favour drop in taste our latest offerings and consider your verdict
bull No pressure just relaxed friendly knowledgeable service more than likely provided by one of our family
bull No pretentiousness no large buses or groups - just great wines
771 Hermitage Road Pokolbin wwwmistletoewinescomau emailinfomistletoewinescomauPh02-4998-7770 Tasting and Sales 10am until 6pm daily
you
I just love Hunter Semillon
Robbie had a list of the wines so he could prepare matching food It was one of those surreal moments - unforgettable
wwwridgeviewcomau
wwwmistletoewinescomau infomistletoewinescomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
1616 Broke Rd Pokolbin | wwwdewinecomau | 4993 8000 | Also on location Butterflies Gallery and Cracked Pepper Restaurant
GoiNG GreeNWORDS BY liz kooiJ
WiNe
Taste The Small Winemakers Centre amp Hunter Resort
TF 02 6574 7371 E salesthomaswinescomau W thomaswinescomau
keeping it simple
BREATHE autumn 2012 25
Margan Family Wines is proud of its dedication as a business to reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint wherever possible It is always looking at new
environmental sustainability initiatives which led to its decision to become a member of Entwine This was brought to fruition in December 2011 when Margan was granted full membership the first Hunter Valley winery to have done so
Entwine is managed by the Winemakersrsquo Federation of Australia (WFA) with support from the Grape amp Wine Research and Development Corporation Committee It is a membership program for winery and vineyard owners who want to demonstrate to retailers and consumers the sustainability of their operations When both a vineyard and a winery are Entwine members wine can be marketed as lsquosustainably producedrsquo Increasing numbers of retailers are now promoting sustainability as a key business concern and starting to list sustainable product ranges including wines It is likely that this will continue and demonstrated sustainability may even become a requirement to trade in some circumstances Members can carry the Entwine Australia logo and are listed on the Entwine Australia register
To qualify for membership companies must be certified against a WFA-approved independently-audited environmental certification program must report their greenhouse gas emissions each year and report each year against the Entwine Australia indicators
After Marganrsquos preliminary membership was obtained in July 2011 it was time to focus on completing the Freshcare Environmental Program This included training by a Freshcare trainer and then recognising developing and implementing environmental procedures At Margan Family Wines most of the procedures were already in place which made it easy so it was a case of making sure everything was documented An external audit for both the winery and vineyard was successfully completed early December 2011
The advantages of becoming an Entwine member are varied It provides the inspiration to do an extensive winery energy audit including all plant machinery and processes to identify areas for improvement leading to significant energy savings The process also provides improved marketing opportunities assurances of best environmental practice to domestic and international markets and of course it puts sustainable practices and improved environmental management practices in place
Alongside Entwine membership Margan Restaurant has also obtained Green Table accreditation This is an education and certification program that supports and recognises the sustainability initiatives of Australian restaurants cafeacutes and catering businesses
To be eligible for certification under the Green Table Australia brand restaurants cafeacutes and caterers must commit to a set of minimum requirements including
bull Switchingtoaminimum20GreenPowertradenatural gas or purchasing quality carbon offsets
bull Compostingorganicwaste
bull Recyclingpaperplasticglassandmetalmaterials
bull Usingenergy-efficientequipmentandlighting
bull Usingwater-savingfixturesandequipment
bull Sourcingnon-toxicrecycledandbiodegradable supplies
Inevitably other Hunter Valley wineries and restaurants will soon become involved with one or both of these programs and collectively demonstrate the regionrsquos commitment to sustainable grape-growing winemaking and hospitality
For more information visitentwinecomau wfacomaufreshcarecomaufrontlineservicescomaugreentablecomau
Hunter Valley wineries vineyards and restaurants take their responsibilities for environmental sustainability seriously Here Liz Kooij Winemaker for Margan Family Wines for six years
and now a consultant winemaker for them shares her recent experiences
salesthomaswinescomau thomaswinescomau
wwwdewinecomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
bill sNeDDoN GeNeral MaNaGer amp chieF WiNeMakerallaNDale WiNery
General Manager and Chief Winemaker at Allandale Winery in Lovedale Bill was raised and schooled in the Hunter Valley With his ancestors settling in the area in the 1800s he more than qualifies as a true local Extensive travels through the Burgundy and Rhocircne regions of France and a vintage in California have led Bill to focus his winemaking philosophy upon producing new-world wines drawing on the values of old-world styles 2013 will mark Bill making wine atAllandale for 30 years
What is the best part of your job Diversity Every day is different and challenging
What is the worst part of your job Without a doubt that must be chasing money
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted Probably from one of my most memorable moments sitting by the River Seine in Paris with my now wife Sally ordering an expensive bottle of red Burgundy (to impress her no doubt) We were all of 20 and we could hardly afford it but it was so good and tasted like it came from somewhere I think of this moment as an epiphany that drove our future interest in wine
What are you currently drinking at home Irsquom mostly enjoying Semillon and Riesling although Irsquom also still in a Pinot Noir phase since that first red Burgundy
How do you relax after a hard day Itrsquos the standard winemakerrsquos reply a cold beer and a chat with everyone at work or training with the mighty Pokolbin Reds Rugby Union team
What is your most embarrassing moment Undoubtedly that would be an own-goal for Cessnock Police Boys under 8s footy team
The best visitor is one whohellipHas as much enthusiasm for wine as I do
What is your favourite food and wine match I know it has been done to death but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would behellip
Dylan Moran (except he would drink too much) Ghandi (because he made a difference) Kim Beazley (our best PM who never was PM) and Weary Dunlop
What would your last meal and drinks be Pol Roger and a snapper pie
Itrsquos not cool but I lovehellip My family - but that really is cool
If I werenrsquot a winemaker I would behellipA vet hellip but I do love being a winemaker
What is your favourite product on offer at the moment At Allandale our 2007 Semillon is drinking really well
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course) My favourite memories of family holidays in Australia are probably skiing at Mount Buller during our yearly pilgrimage with family and close friends Overseas maybe a photo finish between Tuscany and Scotland
The Hunter Valleyrsquos freshest regional dining experience Dinner reservations Wed to Sun Evenings from 6pm bull Private Degustation Lunches available by request Wed to Sun
A passionate hospitality team led by owneroperators Mark and Belinda StapletonMulti award winning wine list bull Stunning rural vineyard and mountain views bull Relaxed and comfortable dining ambience
Abundant kitchen garden with rare and organic heirloom vegetables fruits and herbs picked daily for our menu
p 02 6574 7229 a Located at Spicers Vineyards Estate 555 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320
Your invitation to dine at Restaurant Botanica
WORDS BY GraNt raDForD
Meet the locals Meet the localsaNDy WriGht eXecutiVe cheFoWNerthe cellar restauraNt ampthe oliVe tree restauraNt Andy and his wife Janet have owned and operated The Cellar Restaurant since 2005 Sixteen months ago they branched out and established The Olive Tree Restaurant at Wyndham Estate on Dalwood Road Branxton The Cellar is well-loved by locals and visitors alike for its deft use of the finest local produce combined with attentive friendly service and a warm ambience Its sibling The Olive Tree is a relaxing destination for an indulgent breakfast or laid-back weekend lunch on the banks of the Hunter River
Andy completed his apprenticeship in London in 1983 working his way up to Head Chef at the House of Lords in 1994 and migrating to Australia in 1996 Establishing himself by holding the role of Head Chef at the Nikko at Darling Harbour Roberts and Seasons at Hunter Valley Gardens he is a popular contributor to the Pokolbin culinary landscape on both a social and professional level
What is the best part of your job Getting the best local produce on the plate
What is the worst part of your jobNo-shows for restaurant bookings It only takes a minute to phone and cancel
A typical day includesDog walk endless phone calls service
What is your most memorable bottle ever tastedA 1967 Grange shared with Simon at Shakey Tables
What do you drink at homePeroni aged Semillon Chardieand heaps of Shiraz
How do you relax after a hard dayOn the ride-on mower with a beer in hand
What was your most embarrassing momentAt The House of Lords I cooked for The Queen Mum She choked on the lamb cutlet bones could have changed the course of history
The best customer is one whoRelaxes and enjoys their food and is not in a rush
What is your favourite food and wine matchOld hat I know but duck and Pinot
Your fantasy dinner party guests would bePatsy Kensit (for her brains ndash honestly) Stephen Fry Ross Noble Thierry Henry and Audrey Tatou (also for her brains of course)
What would your last meal and drinks beChampagne sashimi and loads of caviar - heaven
Itrsquos not cool but I lovePlaying in goal for Branxton Greta Over 35s - go the Wildcats
If you werenrsquot you who would you like to beSir Malcolm Campbell
If you werenrsquot a Chef what would you doPlay football for The Arsenal
What is your favourite product on offer at the momentSuckling pig with crab apple jelly
What is your favourite holiday destination (outside of the Hunter of course)The Cook Islands
THE CELLAR RESTAURANT Awardedbull One Glass Rating (Recommended) 2008 2009 2010 amp 2011 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year Awardsbull One Glass Rating 2010 2011 amp 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
ChefOwner Andrew Wright is passionate about sourcing the freshestand best quality local ingredientsHis ever-changing menu showcaseshis talent for combining contemporaryAustralian fare with the influence ofEuropean traditions presented in asimple and uncomplicated manner
Open for lunch and dinner - bookings recommendedbull Indoor and outdoor diningbull Various menu options including fixed price agrave la carte and degustationbull Air-conditioned in summerbull Open fire in winterbull Fully licensed
The Cellar is a hot spot for locals anda must for new visitors to the regionHunter Valley Gardens VillageBroke Road Pokolbin Tel 4998 7584wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
ldquoSuch good food in such unpretentious surroundings is worthy of rural Francerdquo THE LONDON SUNDAY TIMES
wwwthe-cellar-restaurantcomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
28 BREATHE autumn 2012
Travertine Wines is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Centurion Located just off Hermitage Road on Old North Road at Pokolbin the newly named Travertine Wines takes up the limestone soils influence that has produced so many fine wines in previous years
Owner Graham Burns says ldquoWe want to identify more with the special characteristics that our range of varieties and this hilly location can offer Travertine is just a unique offering and a must for any Hunter visitorrdquo
Planted twenty years ago the old vines including Verdelho Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Pinot Noir yield luscious fruit
More recently planted Shiraz Tannat and Chambourcin reflect the vineyardrsquos direction towards distinctive reds The 2011 Verdelho was a Hunter Show gold medal winner and in the Winestate Top 40 in 2011
Instantly recognisable are the rolling hillside gardens that surround the vineyard blocks Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
No trip to the Hunter is complete without a visit to Travertine ndash to see its gardens taste its fine wines and meet the ever helpful Travertine team
Picturesque Roman tiled buildings alongside mature European trees make the setting absolutely perfect for wine tasting weddings or just a picnic stop
110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW (1km East of Hermitage Road) bull 0421 289 905 bull Cellar Door (FriSatSun) 10am-4pm
wwwtravertinewinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 29
eXtra eXtraRead all about it whatrsquos new in the Hunter Valley
Pukara Estate has just opened a new Tasting Room at the BallabourneenWine Co Cellar Door in the heart of Pokolbin Visit us at 2347 Broke Road where you can taste the entire range of our regional olive oils vinegars olives tapenades and mayonnaises
Free tastings are available7 days 10am - 5pm
For more information on our products and tasty recipe ideas visit our website
W pukaraestatecomau
P 0408 144 149
siMoN steele WiNeMaker brokeNWooD WiNes
Winemaker Simon Steele has always had a passion for making fine focused wines from both cool and warm climate regions In 2011 when the opportunity arrived to rejoin the Brokenwood team after a nine-year hiatus he grabbed it with both hands
In 1996 after a journey through the United States of America Simon immersed himself in his first vintage in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southern France From there it has been an ongoing love affair with all things grape and wine
What is the best part of your jobSipping ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun goes down
For those unfamiliar with the term a ldquogrape hammerrdquo is unfermented Semillon juice poured into a large jug with a liberal dose of Stolly vodka and ice Drink enough of them and you feel like you have been hit with a hammer
What is the worst part of your job Recovering from drinking ldquograpehammersrdquo as the sun comes up
A typical day includeshellip During this vintage a snorkel and flippers have been daily attire
What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted A 1904 Romaneacutee Saint Vivant
What are you currently drinking at home 2006 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon Itrsquos just fantastic
How do you relax after a hard dayBy hitting the beach There are some great beaches in the Hunter so Irsquom very happy
What was your most embarrassing moment I recently split my pants at the Sydney Cricket Ground Itrsquos a very long story
The best customervisitor is one whohellipUnderstands that wine is for pleasure
What is your favourite food and wine match Fresh seafood and white Burgundy
What is your favourite local produce Anything that Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen can lay his hands on
Who is the most famous person you have metBrokenwood Winesrsquo General Manager Geoff Krieger
What do you value most in other peopleHumour and compassion
If you could give the world one piece of advice what would it beDrink more Burgundy
Your favourite music ishellipLoud and then soft I like everything from jazz to rock and hip hop to classical
Share a Winter Fireside Package at Spicers Vineyards Estate
In conjunction with Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Spicers Vineyards Estate invites you to check into a King Spa Suite complete with your own fireplace enjoy a complimentary arrival mini bar a three course dinner for two in Restaurant Botanica a one hour fireside massage per person and a bottle of Hunter Shiraz and toasting marshmallows for your fireplace
With prices starting from $549 per couple per night winter indulgence never looked so good
P 02 6574 7229
W spicersgroupcomau
Bocce boules bocha peacutetanque - itrsquos fun in any language Join in each weekend lunch at the lovely Beltree on Hermitage Enjoy a relaxed lunch then take on the world hellip with wine in hand of course
Open Saturday amp Sunday lunch
266 Hermitage Road Pokolbin
P 02 6574 7216
W beltreecomau Whispering Brook has a fantastic olive oil and olive collection featuring a chilli and garlic infused olive oil Visit Whispering Brook Cellar Door Rodd Street Broke for your own personal tasting amp take home a taste of the Hunter Valley See page 49 for details of our special Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month lunch
P 02 6579 1386
W whispering-brookcom
Esca Bimbadgen restaurant has extended its trading hours and is now open Wednesday nights for dinner from 6pm Get a taste of the Hunter Valley with a seasonal contemporary menu featuring local and winery grown produce
Open 7 days for lunch 12pm - 4pm and High Tea 3pm - 5pm
Dinner Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm
790 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
P 02 4998 4666
W bimbadgencomauesca
Meet the locals
wwwtravertinewinescomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
2011 First Creek Verdelho RRP $2200The 2011 First Creek Hunter Valley Verdelho has a lovely aromatic lemon blossom and floral fruit nose with a hint of spice Tropical characters of ripe melons and passionfruit are balanced by natural fruit sweetness and a refreshing zesty citrus finish A great autumn drink
Food Match - A perfect accompaniment for Asian dishes or chilled as an aperitif
P 02 4998 7293 e salesfirstcreekwinescomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 930am - 5pmDaily winery tours 1030am
600 McDonalds Road POKOLBINfirstcreekwinescomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3130 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz RRP $2300A dark red appearance with purple tints this Shiraz has aromas of red berries and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla oak sweetness Fruit is generous on the palate with flavours of dark cherry some black pepper and cigar oak Firm fruit and oak tannins give ample structure to a savoury food friendly Shiraz
Food Match - Versatile the perfect accompaniment to a range of hearty red meat dishes
P 02 4998 4650 e cellardoorbimbadgencomau
cellar Door oPeNMonday to Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday and Saturday 10am - 7pm
790 McDonalds Road POKOLBINbimbadgencomau
2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris RRP $2000The 2010 RidgeView Pinot Gris displays delicate pear lemon and citrus blossom aromas with a hint of honeysuckle The palate is a beautiful balance of mouth filling sweet pear and fresh lemon with a delicate long finish It is an alternative variety with plenty of appeal
Food Match - Seafood salads or Asian cuisine
P 02 6574 7332 e winesridgeviewcomau
cellar Door oPeNWednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
273 Sweetwater Road POKOLBINridgeviewcomau
2009 Wombat Crossing Vineyard Hermitrsquos Block Individual Paddock Hunter Valley Shiraz RRP $3800Shows all the hallmarks of a classic Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied with redpurple hues it shows plenty of spice such as star anise with brambly cranberry aromatics The vineyard contributes distinctive and attractive floral aromas AwardedTopGoldandTrophyfortheBest100Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine 2011 Hunter Valley Wine Show
Food Match - Meat and pasta dishes lovely with rabbit and veal
P 02 6574 7357 e wineswombatcrossingnet
cellar Door oPeNSaturdays 11am - 5pmSundays 11am - 3pm most weekends
530 Hermitage Road POKOLBINwombatcrossingnet
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 33
2009 Margan White Label Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $3000Purple in colour and of full bodied density this wine displays a mixture of forest berry cassis and earthy spicy notes It is well structured and shows great palate length The solid tannin structure will ensure that this wine matures superbly over the next ten years and should cellar until at least 2020
Food Match - Slow braised lamb shoulder with baby spinach peperonata amp eggplant caviar
P o2 6579 1372 e cellardoormargancomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm daily
1238 Milbrodale Road BROKEmargancomau
32 BREATHE autumn 2012
2010 Hungerford Hill Collection Pokolbin Shiraz RRP $4500This graceful style exhibits delicate cherry and floral notes augmented by a whisper of oak The palate is medium bodied with lashings of fruit integrated with fine tannins and a fresh lingering acidity This wine is available exclusively at Cellar Door
Food Match - Muse Restaurantlsquos Peppered Mandagery Creek Venison with baby beetroots
P 02 4998 7666 e wineshungerfordhillcomau
cellar Door oPeNSunday to Thursday 10am - 5pmFriday and Saturday 10am - 6pm
2450 Broke Road POKOLBINhungerfordhillcomau
2010 Tintilla Estate Four Maryrsquos Pinot Noir RRP $3000Hunter Valley Pinot Noir introduced by James Busby in the 1830s is found in lime rich blocks that produce a classic Burgundy style Tintilla Pinot comes from low yielding vines handcrafted aged in French oak to produce a dry smoky lsquocherriedrsquo elegant style with a long silky finish A true Hunter Valley Burgundy
Food Match - Roast Duck Also excellent with cheeses like creamy bleu parmesan middle-aged DutchGouda or a creamy Brie
P 02 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
cellar Door oPeN7 days 1030am - 6pm
725 Hermitage Road POKOLBINtintillacomau
2011 Tulloch Limited Release EM Chardonnay RRP $2800Behind every good man stands a great woman This wine commemorates the late Eileen Mary Tulloch who along with her husband Hector brought the Tulloch label to prominence
Made from 21 year old vines at our Glen Elgin vineyard in the parish of Pokolbin Pale straw with a golden hue it shows ripe peach with orange blossom on the nose The palate shows layers of primary fruit characters supported by soft oak integration
Food Match - Enjoy this wine with roast chicken or full flavoured seafood dishes
P 02 4998 7580 e cellardoortullochwinescom
cellar Door oPeN7 days 10am - 5pm
Corner McDonalds amp DeBeyers Road POKOLBINtullochwinescom
WiNe reVieWs
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
BREATHE autumn 2012 3534 BREATHE autumn 2012
huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
Join us in the month of June for
images by cHris elFes
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
Muse Kitchen boasts a more personal approach to food wine and service delivering European inspired food that is season and produce driven
Muse Kitchen located at the new Keith Tulloch Winery on Hermitage Road Pokolbin is the newest venture for huband and wife team Troy and Megan Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant and Cafeacute
LunchWed - Sun 12noon - 3pm
Available for private functions by request
Keith Tulloch WinesLot 17 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin
T 02 4998 7899E musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
LUNCH amp DINNER 7 Days
Peppers Guest House Ekerts Road Pokolbin NsW P 02 4993 8999 E restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau BREATHE autumn 2012 37
FooD
WORDS BY MeliNDa kelly amp IMAGES BY chris elFes
clockWise FroM leFt Mark amp Belinda Stapleton from Restaurant Botanica Sally amp Robert Molines from Molines Bistro Jess Graham amp Guy Parkinson The Beltree and Megan amp Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute and Muse Kitchen
musemusediningcomau
wwwmusediningcomau
wwwrestaurantsanctuarycomau
restaurantsanctuarypepperscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
38 BREATHE autumn 2012
HUNTER VALLEYCheese Factory
lunch all day bull produce tastingsopen 7 days bull 9am-5pm
the small winemakers centre
426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley
p bull 4998 6800e bull australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
w bull wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
australian regional food store and cafeacute
ARTisAN REgioNAL CHEEsEmAkERsHunter Valley Cheese Company have been
producing handmade preservative free cheeses on site for over 15 years
bull Factory Viewing and Tastings daily
bull Award Winning
bull Preservative Free
bull Made with Vegetarian Rennet
bull Complimentary Cheese Talk daily 11am amp 3pm
bull Factory Outlet Sales and Discounts
ldquoBlessed are the Cheesemakersrdquo
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY amp SHOP McGuiganrsquos Complex 447 McDonalds Road
Pokolbin P 4998 7744 E huntervalleycheesewestnetcomau
W wwwhuntervalleycheesecomau
AUsTRALiAN REgioNAL
Food Store amp Cafeacute
sourced from state to statecity to coast inland to island
taste our fantastic range of cleangreen Australian produce
Breakfast 9am to 12 noonLunch 12noon to 430pm
amp produce tastings
Open 7 days 9am to 5pm
the small winemakers centre 426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin
Hunter Valley
P 4998 6800 E australianregionalfoodwestnetcomau
W wwwaustralianregionalfoodcomau
Whilst in our mid-twenties my husband and I ran several boutique hotels in the French Alps for an English ski company a wonderful experience when we were each managing
separate hotels Then we were asked to take on a larger hotel he as the chef and I as manager Letrsquos just say it was an interesting challenge - but one we would never attempt again
Belinda and Mark Stapleton Megan and Troy Rhoades- Brown Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson and Sally and Robert Molines are all very successful restaurateurs who have perfected the chefhusband and restaurant managerfront-of-housewife balance
Thankfully for us these four very talented culinary couples all made their homes and established their restaurants here in the Hunter Valley
beliNDa amp Mark staPletoN - restauraNt botaNica
Along with running Restaurant Botanica Belinda and Mark Stapleton are the owners and operators of Spicers Vineyards Estate The beautiful boutique hotel on Hermitage Road Pokolbin also incorporates the restaurant gorgeous gardens and a vineyard Add to the mix a 15-month-old daughter and life is more than a little busy
ldquoRunning our business together and having a family has been our biggest challenge yetrdquo says Belinda ldquoBut Matilda is doing everything right to make life easier and living on-site has turned out a great option for working and raising a family We are able to have a nanny to look after her while we work but shersquos just a few minutes away for many quick visits or cuddles throughout the dayrdquo
And while it is not without its drawbacks (like trying to take time off together) Belinda and Mark both agree that running a business together works best for them
ldquoItrsquos nice to be working on the same thing moving forward in the same direction and with the same goals We motivate each other to succeed and reap the rewards togetherrdquo Belinda says
The couple have run several very successful hotels and restaurants in locations across Australia but say that after working in Sydney they were lured to the Hunter Valleyrsquos lifestyle
ldquoAlthough we had loved operating properties in rural areas it wasnrsquot until we operated our restaurant and wine bar in Circular Quay that we really decided our hearts and future
were in the countryrdquo says Mark ldquoThe main criteria for our choice of location were that we needed to be in a food and wine focussed region with like-minded people and the Hunter Valley came up trumpsrdquo
MeGaN amp troy rhoaDes-broWNMuse restauraNt amp caFeacute Muse kitcheN
Megan and Troy Rhoades-Brown are responsible for the successful Muse Restaurant amp Cafeacute located at Hungerford Hill on Broke Road Pokolbin The restaurant boasts a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and the couple have recently opened a second restaurant Muse Kitchen at Keith Tulloch Wines on Hermitage Road
ldquoWe love being able to provide a dining experience for our customers that is a true reflection of our passion and dedication for what we dordquo Megan says
While they obviously love what they do they say the biggest negative of running a business together is trying to find time off as a couple
ldquoWhile the odd day here or there is mostly achievable holidays are something we long for but havenrsquot been able to do yetrdquo says Megan ldquoBut we live in hope that this will change one dayrdquo
When it comes down to who is the boss they both dodge the issue
ldquoThis question always causes a bit of tension so we just leave it alonerdquo says Troy jokingly ldquoWe encourage you to visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roostrdquo
Jess GrahaM amp Guy ParkiNsoNthe beltree
Jess Graham and Guy Parkinson of The Beltree on Hermitage Road are full of youthful enthusiasm talent and boundless energy Along with The Beltree Guy also operates La Vespa at Charlestown and Jess
is Groups Sales Marketing and Revenue Manager for four Hunter Valley hotel properties so there is never a dull moment
ldquoTo ensure we take some time off together we have designated date nights and we make no apology for sometimes having to say to people lsquoSo sorry we canrsquot come to your barbequepartyevent we need a night togetherrsquo Our friends and family really appreciate where we are coming fromrdquo says Jess
The couple plan to marry later this year at their lsquobeloved Beltreersquo which reveals their individual personalities and also their passion for relaxed Italian dining In their lsquospare timersquo they have planted delightful vegetable fruit and herb gardens and added a boules court for diners and friends to enjoy on a sunny weekend lunch
ldquoWe couldnrsquot think of a better place to get married Beltree reflects everything we love about the Hunter Valleyrdquo Jess says ldquoAnd no Guy wonrsquot be cooking for most of the wedding celebrations although he is designing our wedding cake out of miniature portions of my favourite dessertsrdquo
sally amp robert MoliNesbistro MoliNes
Sally and Robert Molines are veterans of the hospitality industry and Hunter Valley icons
They are one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos best-known couples and when you dine at their gorgeous Bistro Molines itrsquos easy to see why Robertrsquos superb French cooking and Sallyrsquos natural flair for design and hospitality are a winning combination
Perched on the hill at Tallavera Grove at Mount View the French bistro has a Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Chefrsquos Hat and a reputation envied by many
The couple first came to the Hunter Valley in 1973 to open Happy Valley
our hearts and future were in the country
visit Muse and it will be quite clear who rules the roost
husbaND amp WiFe restauraNt teaMs caN be either FaNtastically DyNaMic or a reciPe For Disaster Our friends and
family really appreciate where we are coming from
I think our success comes from being a team
FooD Restaurant as part of the Saxonvale Wine Group Over the years they have established several highly-acclaimed restaurants including The Cellar Restaurant Rothbury Estate The Verandah Restaurant Robertrsquos and Bistro Molines
Hermitage Road
ldquoI think our success comes from being a teamrdquo says Robert ldquoWersquove been married
for 39 years and are a team at home and at work where we share what we enjoy and work towards our goals to make people happy and create a wonderful atmosphererdquo
When asked what the best parts of working and living together in the Hunter Valley are Robert Molines sums it up ldquoWe have been able to raise two beautiful sons in a magical environment where we can enjoy our life our farm and our animals Itrsquos amazing being able to be creative in
our industry and to have made millions of friends while doing so - and of course enjoying what the Valley has to offer great
food great wines great people and plenty of fresh airrdquo Robert says
iN the WiNter issue oF huNter Valley breathe
MeliNDa kelly coNtiNues to sPeak With More
culiNary couPles iNcluDiNG
aNDy aND JaNet WriGht oF the cellar
restauraNt aND the oliVe tree restauraNt
aNDMatt aND MoNika
DilloW oF the VeraNDah restauraNt
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
breathesubscriPtioNKeep up to date with whatrsquos happening in the Hunter Valley Have Hunter Valley Breathe delivered to your door hellip four times a year
Irsquod like to subscribe to Hunter Valley Breathe for
1 year $25 2 years $50 Includes GST amp postage within Australia
Start my subscription with
Spring 20 Summer 20
Autumn 20 Winter 20
The subscription is for me
SUBSCRIBERS DETAILSFull name Address Suburbcity State Post code Phone Email
The Subscription is a gift for
Full Name Address Suburbcity State Postcode Phone Email
PAYMENT METHODDirect Deposit (please use your name as the reference)
BSB 112 879 Acc No 118 839 688Acc Name Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association
Cheque (made to Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association)
Credit Card VISA Mastercard American Express
Amount Name Card Number Expiry date Signature Please send completed form via post fax or email toHunter Valley Wine Industry AssociationPO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325F 02 4991 4535 E melindawinehuntervalleyorgauFor any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine
Industry Association ABN 15728 023 119
A true lsquolocalrsquo cheese tasting experienceWe are providores of our own products as well as otherlocal and imported cheeses gourmet foods and home to theHunter Valley gelato CompanyPurchase our products either to take home or sit and indulge in store with a glass of local wine or beer smellyrsquos kitchen delivers fresh French-style bread gourmet pizzas stuffed baguettes burgers and chips VIP cheese tastings available $3 per personPurchases over $50 receive a 10 discount All VIP tastings must be pre-booked
STOP No need to look any further We stock all your local favourite cheeses as well - Smellyrsquos own Binnorie Dairy Hunter Belle plus other favourites from around the country and the globe
bull A gourmandrsquos delight - you have to see it to believe it Come on in have a big snoop around
bull Enjoy Merlo coffee with hand made Adora chocolatebull Hampers Wedding Fromage Cakes and Gelato Cakes also can be
ordered Give us a callbull Conveniently open 7 days (closed Christmas Day)
Rustic Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a spectacular outdoor setting Views from every table of manicured vines
picturesque countryside and the winding Hunter River
Saturday lunch 12-3pmSunday breakfast amp lunch 10am-3pm
Wyndham EstateDalwood Rd Dalwood via Branxton
wwwolivetreerestaurantcomauPh 02 4938 1831
infosmellycheesenetau
wwwsmellycheesenetaupvrsmellycheesenetau
wwwrobertsrestaurantcom
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
Driving through the historic village of Branxton you would hardly expect one of the Hunter Valleyrsquos
most dynamic art environments to be buzzing away behind the closed doors of the townrsquos oldest and most significant buildings
Push open the doors of the old Branxton Inn the townrsquos first pub and you could be in a bohemian inner Sydney studio You will find artists at their easels brushes and palettes in hand or bent over drawing boards brandishing black sticks of charcoal depicting the model in front of them with confident strokes At the heart of this activity amid a still life of coffee cups wine glasses plates of fruit cheese and bread the atmosphere enlivened by rhythmic music you find Steve James
The energetic fun-loving and creative force behind the Branxton Arthouse Steve has been making exhibiting and teaching art for over 20 years Born in Cessnock he grew up in the Hunter Valley before moving away to take up a career in health care Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1992 and a Master of Art in 1994 at the University of New South Walesrsquo College of Fine Arts Steve has made his living through art ever since His work has been shown in several exhibitions at Crawford Gallery in East Sydney including many successful solo shows and in further exhibitions at Harris Courtin Gallery Sydney and Gallery Canberra He was also selected for the prestigious Salon des Refuseacutes exhibition at the SH Ervin Gallery Sydney and named a finalist in the inaugural Canberra Art Prize
Steve is addicted to drawing - it is the foundation of art he believes He draws with passion and purpose an approach he passes onto his students His strong figurative works in particular show the influence of German and Australian Expressionism
BREATHE autumn 2012 43
beHind closed doors
WORDS amp IMAGES BY VirGiNia Mitchell
42 BREATHE autumn 2012
liFestyleart
His paintings which explore mythical themes in contemporary contexts have been described as lsquotense mythological compositions executed in jewel-like colours that evoke Roualt Beckman and certain Melbourne romantic paintersrsquo (Art Beat Anna Johnson Sydney Morning Herald)
Steve is also an accomplished abstract painter He treats the surface as a series of planes that he can alter through the skilled application of textured paint and brilliant colour Fellow artist Craig Malyon explains ldquothere is something in his painting technique a lustre that draws you inside the canvas Itrsquos in the glaze and the light you are not stopped at the surfacerdquo Steve is largely inspired by the colour and light of the picturesque valley he sees from his studio window although his more recent works have featured a monochrome palette Some of his small black and white paintings explore Steversquos ongoing love affair with the inner city - dark alleys wet nights reflected light His ability to harness the two worlds of city and country inform his work with some of those tensions that Anna Johnson observed The dark side of beauty fascinates him and at times his refined charcoal drawings seem to describe the strange familiarity of dreams
A creative and versatile artist and inspiring teacher Steve continues to exhibit locally in the Hunter Valley and in Sydney See huntervalleyartcomau for further information on art classes and workshops
Opposite page Inland Sea700 x 550mm
This page clockwise from top left Innercity Square 900 x 900mmBlueWhite Stripes + Beach Colour1000 x 700mmHead Over Heels 750 x 500mm Greenvioletred yellow 1200 x 60mm
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
4 alfred close east maitland p 4934 4781 e sallyssgdcomau
wwwssgdcomau
sally sneddon graphic design
brochures flyers wine labels advertisements billboards posters logos signs letterheads business cards illustrations with compliments envelopes menus booklets photographic styling winelists e-blasts packaging stickers lino prints newsletters invitationsmagazines postcards certificates presentation folderspull-up banners websites calenders prospectus
NEAR TO BROKE CELLAR DOORS AND RESTAURANTS
Fourteen modern self catering suites or cottagesPool Spa Kids Play Gym
Orchard Chicken Run Alpaca FeedingBBQ at each cottage and at the Poolside Cabanas
INHOUSE FUNCTION CENTREGift Shop with Starline yarn and handknit clothing
1100 Milbrodale Rd BROKE6579 1081
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
Bus group bookings essential 02 4930 9156
Coach Transport 02 4990 1699
No Byo food or alCohol
wwwlovedalelonglunchcomau
Lovedale19 amp 20 May 2012
Long Lunchh U N T E r Va l l E y
A weekend of fine wine gourmet food and musicwwwupperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
wwwwoodlandolivescomau
finewinesvindenestatecomauwwwvindenestatecomau
wwwssgdcomausallyssgdcomau
wwwstarlinealpacascomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co NetWorkiNG luNch
Monday April 2 2012 A three course networking luncheon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere $65 members $85 non-members Emersons at Pokolbin Hermitage Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Friday April 7 - Monday April 9 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Starts 2pm $5per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
NeW GeNeratioN caraVaN oF couraGe - oN the roaD aGaiN
Friday April 20 to May 20 2012 Join the six New Generation Hunter Valley Winemakers (David Hook Andrew Thomas Rhys Eather Nick Paterson Mike De Iuliis amp Andrew Margan) when they pop up at some secret amp sexy locations between Melbourne and Noosa throughout May Melbourne Sydney
aPriliNDiGeNous MeNrsquos PaiNtiNGs
Now until Saturday May 19 2012 A unique collection of paintings by Australian Aboriginal men from communities and art centres in the desert regions of Central Australia exhibited at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Drawn from the Sims Dickson collection held here in the Hunter Valley 16 Vincent Street CessnockP o2 4991 6619 W cragnetau
Vertical shiraz tastiNG at WoMbat crossiNG ViNeyarD
Every Saturday during autumn Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the smallest wine producers in the Hunter Valley specializing in making tiny quantities of quality single vineyard dry table wines On Saturdays during autumn they are offering individual vertical tastings of their medal amp trophy winning wines 530 Hermitage Road Pokolbin W wombatcrossingnetau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday April 1 2012 Itrsquos Mediterranean Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas
Pokolbin Village Resort Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am
Lauren Vidal
CKM
RJ Wear
Naot Shoes
Whatrsquos oN
CELLAR DOORCome enjoy our fine rangeat the acclaimed Pokolbincellar door - a breath-takingcontemporary space designedto complement your Tempus Two experience
Vineyard Walk and Wine TasTing experienceTake a guided stroll through the Tempus Two vineyard and then experience a structured tasting with one of our friendly cellar door team
When 1030am everydayWhere Departing from the Tempus Two Cellar DoorPRICE $5 pp - complimentary for Pewter Members
Bookings essential on Weekends and Public holidays
Private Tastings available by appointment amp groups welcome by appointment Bookings essential
OPenInG hOUrS10am - 5pm 7 days(closed Christmas Day amp Good Friday)
TeMPUS TWO cellar dOOrCnr Broke amp McDonalds Rds Pokolbin (PO Box 209 Cessnock 2325)
P 02 4993 3999 F 02 4993 3988e infotempustwocomauwwwtempustwocomauaBn 78 052 179 932
MayuPPer huNter WiNe amp FooD aFFair
Saturday May 5 2012 Denmanrsquos Ogilvie Street is transformed with over 40 stalls featuring gourmet food delicious local artisan produce and Upper Hunter wines Its unique village setting creates an ideal carnival atmosphere with jazz bands street performers and loads of kidsrsquo entertainment Ogilvie Street DenmanW upperhunterwineandfoodaffaircomau
recoVery at the riVer Sunday May 6 2012
Relax the day away at the magnificent Two Rivers Cellar Door Enjoy great food and live bands to top off a great weekend in the beautiful Upper Hunter 11am til 4pm 2 Yarrawa Rd Denman P o2 6547 2556 W tworiverswinescomau
WiNe amp chocolate Masterclass
Saturday May 5 amp Sunday May 6 2012 Be guided through a selection of Wyndham Estatersquos finest wine matched with the new premium range from The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company 2pm start $5 per person Bookings are essential Wyndham Estate 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday May 6 2012 Itrsquos Spanish Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles amp a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 e verandahrestaurantcomau
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch
Monday May 7 2012 A seasonal four course luncheon at Margan Restaurant with matching wines Guest speaker Adam Humphreys from Sydneyrsquos Arras Restaurant will also conduct a workshop before lunch $75
members $100 non-members Milbrodale Road Broke e mailhunterchefscomau
autuMN ldquoiN seasoNrsquo DiNNer Friday May 11 2012
Celebrate with friends at Ridge View Restaurant starting with a glass of Ridge View lsquobubblesrsquo canapeacutes amp a four course dinner $65 per person or $85 with matching wines BYO welcome Ridge View wines available at Cellar Door prices 273 Sweetwater Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7332 W ridgeviewcomau
loVeDale loNG luNch Saturday May 19 amp Sunday
May 20 2012 A progressive-style lunch where visitors wine amp dine their way around seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend Great wine gourmet food fabulous music and art Entry includes glass meal with complimentary wine amp dessertcheese Seven different wineries on Lovedale amp Wilderness Roads LovedaleW lovedalelonglunchcomau shiraz Masterclass
Saturday May 19 amp Sunday May 20 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
GooD stroNG PoWerFul Friday May 25 - Saturday
July 7 2012 Developed by Artback NT this touring exhibition stops at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery showcasing extraordinary works of established and emerging Indigenous artists with disabilities which have been produced through art centres in the NT 16 Vincent Street Cessnock W cragnetau
DoNrsquot Miss your iNtroDuctioN tohuNter Valley
WiNe amp FooD MoNth
oN the NeXt PaGe
Newcastle Port Macquarie Byron Bay Brisbane amp NoosaW newgenerationhuntervalleycomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday April 21 amp Sunday
April 22 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Starts 2pm amp includes a shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P o2 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
aNzac Day races Wednesday April 25 2012
Donrsquot miss the annual Anzac Day races Featuring sensational racing jazz on the lawn and free childrenrsquos activities Entry $8 per adult Race Course Road Cessnock P o2 4961 1573 W winecountryraceclubcomau
shakesPeare iN the ViNes - Much aDo about NothiNG
Saturday April 28 2012 Essential Theatre together with the Small Winemakers Centre is thrilled to present Shakespearersquos romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing 2012 is an exciting year for Essential Theatre as they proudly celebrate ten years of touring across Australia Small Winemakers Centre426 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W stickyticketscomau7392
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
entryonly $10per person
i s p r o u d t o p r e s e n t
o a k va l e
7 amp 8 JUly 2012A weekend of Hunter shiraz
comforting winter foods country music blazing firepits and more
VenUe oAKVAle WInes 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW tICKets AVAIlABle At tHe GAte CALL 02 4998 7088 OR VISIT wwwOAkVALeWINeScomau
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnetentries now open online
22 July
2012
Why not run for a cause and support
DESIGN
HUNTER VALLEY
Sunday 22 July 212 Hunter Valley Gardens Broke Rd Pokolbin NSW
winery runningfestival HUNTER VALLEY
Ph 02 4934 8138 or e adminheventscomau
bull Winery Marathonbull Winery Half Marathonbull Winery 10km Run or bull Lawler Partners Winery Wander 5km (run or walk)bull Pacific Smiles Dental Kids Marathon amp Storybook 2k
PARTICIPATE Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run then this event has something for everyone Staged in the heart of Wine Country the event includes 7 events from a marathon to a 2km runwalk for children There are rides great local food and wine sports expo and exciting atmosphere
Make a day of it and bring the whole family
Whatrsquos oN teMPus tWo zeNith lsquoMulti-MeDalsrsquo WiNe FliGht
Daily throughout June A structured tasting of Zenith Semillon from 2005 2007 2009 and 2011 These vintages have received over 50 medals amp trophies and this is your opportunity to experience these limited release lsquoCellar Door Onlyrsquo products McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
icoN Vs icoN - you be the JuDGe Saturdays at 11am in June
Visit Small Winemakers Centre and become a wine judge for the day Taste Australiarsquos most iconic wine Penfolds 2006 Grange against three of our Hunter Valley icons Name the wines correctly and you could win an Icon Pack valued at over $500 McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4998 7668 W smallwinemakerscomau
seNse-satioNs With huNter Valley sMelly cheese shoP amp teMPus tWo
Saturdays at 11am in June Indulge your senses with a truly decadent experience of premium wine and the world of cheese including an exclusive Botrytis Semillon gelato Tempus Two amp Hunter Valley Cheese Shop are passionate about the art of combining flavours and textures with added flair Join them for their version of a lsquomaster classrsquo Corner Broke amp McDonalds Road Pokolbin P o2 4993 4999 W tempustwocomau
JuNe
Throughout the month of June Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley with a month-long series of intimate events celebrating our glorious wine and food culture The following is a small sample of our enticing Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month experiences Full details and accommodation bookings information on website W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
huNter Valley troPhy amp GolD WiNe - selF tour
Throughout the month of June Treat yourself to a unique opportunity to taste some of the Hunter Valleyrsquos Trophy amp Gold medal winning wines Many of these wines are not always on offer for regular Cellar Door tastings so take advantage of this experience to taste the best of the best At various Trophy amp Gold medal winning wineries W huntervalleyuncorkedcomau
heritaGe luNch eXPerieNce at WyNDhaM estate amp the oliVe tree restauraNt
Saturdays amp Sundays in June A VIP tasting at Wydhamrsquos Cellar Door followed with a delightful lunch at The Olive Tree Restaurant - enjoy a juicy fillet steak and sides matched to a glass of 2007 Black Cluster Shiraz (four gold medals) After lunch stroll around the new Heritage Trail visiting George Wyndhamrsquos original homestead $60 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 1831
WhisPeriNG brook oliVe loNG table luNcheoN
Saturday June 2 2012 Experience a four course olive-inspired long table luncheon set in the olive grove at Whispering Brook This alfresco lunch includes matching glasses of Whispering Brook olive oil appreciation and learning about food matches for different styles of olive oils Bookings are essential 700 Rodd Street Broke P 02 9818 4126 W whispering-brookcom
ViNe WiNe DiNe Saturday June 2 2012
Matt Polin guides you through his vineyard and viticultural techniques Matt Burton takes you through his cellar and winemaking techniques Then enjoy the wines with an eight course degustation dinner at Emersonrsquos at PokolbinPolin amp Polin Gundog Wine amp Emersonrsquos at Pokolbin P 02 4998 7668
huNter cheFs amp co seasoN luNch Monday June 25 2012
A seasonal four course luncheon at Muse Restaurant with matching wines by Hungerford Hill and workshop before lunch $75 members $100 non-members Broke Road Pokolbin e mailhunterchefscomau
the VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday June 3 2012 Itrsquos Asian Night at The Verandah Restaurant 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
shiraz Masterclass Saturday June 16 amp Sunday
June 17 2012 Wyndham Estate presents a Shiraz Masterclass to indulge your senses Begins 2pm amp include shared cheese plate $950 per person Bookings are essential 700 Dalwood Road Dalwood P 02 4938 3444 W wyndhamestatecom
Julythe VeraNDah restauraNt locals NiGht
Sunday July 1 2012 Itrsquos French Night at The Verandah Restaurant Calais Estate 630pm start with complimentary canapeacutes
tiNtilla estate FortiFieD amp cheese tastiNG
Saturday June 2 9 16 amp 23 2012 Join the Lusby family at Tintilla Estate in front of their Cellar Door fire to discover the luscious world of fortified wines Samples of the wines are accompanied by cheese platters - a perfect indulgent warm-up before dinner 430pm til 630pm $20 per person Bookings are essential 725 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P o2 6574 7093 e infotintillacomau
Duck seNsatioN Saturdays throughout June
Duck Sensation at The Verandah Restaurant at Calais Estate is a sensational six course dining experience where duck is the star $85 per person or $115 per person with matching wines Bookings are essential Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P o2 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
charDoNNay cures eVerythiNG Saturdays amp Sundays in June
Scarborough Wine Co is offering a Cellar Door edible experience during June to celebrate Hunter Valley Wine amp Food Month Enjoy a cheese plate with a selection of cured meats while tasting their wonderful range of wines and learn some essential wine amp food pairing tips 179 Gillards Road Pokolbin amp Scarborough On Hermitage972 Hermitage Road Pokolbin P 1300 888 545 W scarboroughwinecomau
and bubbles followed by a five course tapas style degustation $50 per person BYO amp no corkage Palmerrsquos Lane Pokolbin P 02 4998 7231 W verandahrestaurantcomau
Jazz at catheriNe Vale Sunday July 1 2012
Enjoy a great afternoon at Catherine Vale Wines with the sounds of the Preservation Jazz Band fabulous food and wonderful wine Music from noon til 3pm No BYO please 656 Milbrodale Road Fordwich P 02 6579 1334 W catherinevalecomau
siMPly shiraz Saturday July 7 amp Sunday
July 8 2012 Enjoy a weekend of Hunter Valley Shiraz comforting winter foods country music blazing fire-pits and more at Simply Shiraz 10am - 4pm Entry $10 1596 Broke Road Pokolbin P 02 4998 7088 W oakvalewinescomau
WiNery ruNNiNG FestiVal Sunday July 22 2012
Whether you are a serious marathon runner or out for a social fun run this event has something for everyone Staged in Pokolbin in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country the event includes seven individual events from a marathon to a 2kmrunwalk for children P 02 4943 8138 e adminheventscomau W huntervalleymarathonnet
wwwhuntervalleymarathonnet
wwwoaKvaLewiNeScomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
50 BREATHE autumn 2012
out amp aboutin the Hunter Valley
C H R I S E L F E S P H O T O G R A P H Y
P O K O L B I N | N E W C A S T L E | S Y D N E Y
wwwchriselfesphotographycom | 0413 805 222 | elfesphotobigpondcomau
toP leFt The Verandah Restaurant celebrated their 5th birthday with a huge Spanish themed partytoP riGht Get your hands dirty with vintage fun at Brokenwood Wines bottoM leFt An international Chinese delegation enjoyed their tour of the Hunter Valley as part of a Wine Australia immersion bottoM riGht Winemaker Samantha Connew recently conquered the New York Marathon
toP leFt Pepper Tree Wines staff go all out at a recent Moulin Rouge nightbottoM leFt Bill and Will Sneddon and Jared Ross guide a bin of Semillon in to be crushed at Allandale WinerybottoM riGht Masseur Sally Margan from Heavenly Hunter soothes aching bodies during 2012 vintage aboVe riGht Brokenwood Wines General Manager Geoff Krieger is a tad shocked at their traditional start of vintage weigh-in
ldquoRobert Molines - Aka Bob the Cookrdquo
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau
behind every taste therersquos a talehellip
We are proud to share our rich heritage by taking you on a journey beyond the Cellar Door ndash explore our red and white winemaking facilities and see first hand the old oak vats and historic red cellar still in full operation Visit the original iron bark hut built by Edward Tyrrell and then let Andrew Murray and the Cellar Door team guide you through as tasting of our award winning wines including thebull Vat 1 Semillon - Australiarsquos most awarded white winebull Vat 9 Shiraz - our flagship shiraz and rated 97 Points in the 2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companionbull Johnnorsquos Semillon ndash sourced from 102 year old vines and made using the original basket pressbull Our range of Single Vineyard semillons chardonnays and shiraz ndash all scoring over 93 Points in the
2012 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
VISIT US 1838 Broke RoadPokolbin NSW 2320
CONTACT USPh (02) 4993 7000 Email infotyrrellscomau wwwtyrrellscomau
Discover over 150 years of winemaking experience with a trip to Tyrrellrsquos Hunter Valley winery
TyrrellsWines
CELLAR DOOR Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm amp Sunday 10am - 4pm
Winery tour daily 1030pm cost $5 per person no bookings required
Private group tour amp tasting cost $8 per person min 15pp bookings essential
Wine tasting masterclass Saturdays 11am - 12pm cost $20 per person bookings essential
TYR150_Cellar Door Breathe Ad FEB 2012indd 1 160212 335 PM
infotyrrellscomauwwwtyrrellscomau