The No.1 magazine for visitors to Hunter Valley Wine Country

B L A C K B O A R D

MAY 2016 | ISSUE #111

FESTIVAL

Your Hunter Valley

FESTIVAL GUIDE!

MOTHER’S DAY IN WINE COUNTRY

HEAVEN IN THE HUNTERBroke Fordwich

26TH TO 29TH MAY | PORT TO PORT RACE | through Port Stephens, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley | Port to Port MTB is an annual four day MTB stage race where riders will be treated to the iconic local scenery of Port Stephens, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. This year’s event has day two (the 27th) being held in the Hunter Valley, beginning at Lindeman’s Winery and concluding at Briar Ridge Vineyard. For spectators, this will be the best chance to enjoy the hospitality of the Hunter and witness Australia’s best mountain bike riders up-close in action. Registrations for the 2016 Port to Port MTB are now open. Visit www.porttoportmtb.com for more information.

EACH FRIDAY IN MAY AND JUNE | FIRESIDE WINEMAKER DINNERS | Hunter Resort | As part of the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival, Hunter Resort will feature a different Hunter Valley Winemaker each Friday evening in a series of "By the Fireside" Dinners. With a maximum of 30 guests each evening, this is indeed an intimate experience where you will discuss latest releases and talk all things wine with the likes of renown winemakers such as Bruce Tyrrell and Lisa McGuigan. Each of the 4-course dinners will be perfectly matched by the Winemaker's best. Cost is $120 per person, for more information or to book phone 4998 7777 or visit www.hunterresort.com.au/fireside

SATURDAY 7TH MAY | BLENDED: THE SHIRAZ SHOWDOWN | Sebel Kirkton Park | Join some of the Hunter Valley’s leading winemakers in an entertaining ‘friendly’ team blend-off against other wineries to make the ‘best Shiraz based blend in the Valley’. The showdown will begin with canapes and sparkling wine on arrival as you mix and mingle with your rivals and team mates. Then join your team at the Blending Tables to sip, taste and enjoy the wines you are blending! Tickets are $105 pp, including blending wines and cheese platters. To book, contact a Hunter Valley winery to join their team or go to www.huntervalleyevents.com.au

13TH TO 15TH MAY | MORPETH CHAPEL JAZZ | throughout Morpeth | Morpeth Chapel Jazz is a joint venture of the three churches of Morpeth. Until the 1980’s, Morpeth was a rundown village in fear of demolition. Then it was slowly rejuvenated as a destination and what was left of its charming buildings rescued from the bulldozer. A few local businesses joined together to establish a small jazz festival in the bicentenary year of 1988 and the jazz festival soon acquired a life of its own. By 2000 it had developed into a major event on the Morpeth Calendar. Chapel Jazz presents traditional jazz in a welcoming environment to jazz lovers and their families. For more information, visit www.chapeljazz.com

TUESDAY 17TH MAY | THE "WEDDING RECEPTION" COMEDY EXPERIENCE | Hunter Valley Resort | Boasting 5 star reviews from premieres in London Covent Garden, Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe, this new immersive comedy from the producers of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience makes its Hunter Valley debut! Be a guest at The Wedding Reception. This 2.5 hour immersive comedy is highly improvised, and as interactive as you want it to be. And, in true wedding reception style, it even includes a sit-down dinner – with cake! Tickets are $75 pp including a 3-course meal. Be quick, it's sure to sell out! www.hunterresort.com.au/interactive-theatre

14TH AND 15TH MAY | LOVEDALE LONG LUNCH | Lovedale | Gourmands take note that in May, Lovedale will once again be continuing the tradition of bringing endless delight to lovers of wine, food and music by hosting the annual Lovedale Long Lunch. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 20,000 people to the seven participating Lovedale wineries - Allandale Winery, Tatler Wines, Gartelmann Wines, Wandin Estate, Saltire Wines, Sandalyn Estate and Emmas Cottage Vineyard. This progressive style lunch also involves a selection of the regions finest restaurants and live entertainment! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

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H U N T E R V A L L E Y

Wine Country is loaded with festivals. Locals and visitors alike are always ready to raise their glasses and toast something… this year’s harvest, spring, roses, chocolates, our award-winning wine and food and yes – even lunch!

The temperatures are settling into a more comfortable Autumn ambiance, and the leaves may be yellowing and falling from the vines, but there’s no time to hibernate in Wine Country with a slew of festival style events turning up the heat in the cooler months.

The month of May welcomes the 23rd annual Lovedale Long Lunch. Held on the third weekend of May, this progressive style lunch from winery to winery in the beautiful Lovedale area is a festival of the senses, as well as the taste-buds.

The 4th annual Hunter Valley Wine Festival will return to the Crowne Plaza in early June. With an extensive array of wine, food, beer and cider on offer, this community event promises to be one to remember and, as always, festival goers will be spoilt for choice as they wine and dine with the region's best winemakers, brewers, and culinary talent.

You can plan your annual calendar of Hunter Valley events with our handy festival guide. Of course, there’s a focus on wine and food (this is Australia’s premier wine region after all!), but you’ll also find an array of events to help you get Jazzy, find your groove, enjoy nature

or even get fit. We hope you relish the abundance of Festivals, not only in May but right throughout the year.

This month we also visit the “tranquil” side of the Hunter – the Broke Fordwich region where over 180 years of passion and dedication has gone into the craft of winemaking. A visit to the area will likely uncover some hidden gems – and a bargain or two from the local markets.

There’s nothing that signals Autumn more than a pumpkin and this month you’ll find a delicious Autumn recipe from Chad Pridue at Restaurant Cuvee for Gnocchi with Pumpkin and Sage Cream to make at home. Yum!

May wouldn’t be May without recognising Mother’s Day. Sunday 8th May see’s various organised events throughout the Hunter Valley. From the simple to the extravagant, you would be hard-pressed not to find a way to show your appreciation and love to the one person who knows all your foibles and loves you anyway! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mums… we hope you have a beautiful day.

Enjoy!

FROM THE EDITORS

ContentsLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

ANNUAL FESTIVALSThe weather may be cooling down in the Hunter Valley but it’s not a time to hibernate it's a time to celebrate - with a number of events throughout May turning up the heat. HEAVEN IN THE HUNTER The beauty of the natural landscape, coupled with fine Hunter wines, local farm produce, great places to stay and cultural significance make Broke Fordwich well worth a visit…

FOOD FIVE WAYS - BEETROOTIt doesn’t matter what it is served with, Beetroot has the ability to become the hero of any dish. Yes, the red stains can be problematic but we love it regardless!

IVANHOE WINESFor many, owning and running a vineyard and winery may be considered “living the dream” but for Stephen and Tracy Drayton, creating some of the Hunter’s finest wines means working long hours, six or seven days a week.

VARIETY: THE SPICE OF LIFE The landscape of Australian wines has changed significantly over the last 10 years. No longer are wine lovers drinking just Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, nowadays they are itching to try something new.

HUNTER BLACKBOARD MAPThe Hunter Blackboard’s handy guide to finding your way around Wine Country.

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