Operation Rescue Hunter
Host: MIKE WHITNEY
The Hunter Valley has sent out an SOS and Mike & the Sydney Weekender team are responding to the call. The Hunter is NOT under water as Sydney seems to think, in fact, it’s business as usual in the Hunter Valley and there are some great Winter Deals on offer to warm you up.
Rock Restaurant & Firestick Café
ROCK Restaurant in Hunter Valley is a new fine dining destination for food and wine lovers and is set to become one of Australia's dining benchmarks. Contemporary Australian cuisine with classical French influence.
There is no one more passionate about the establishment of ROCK Restaurant than the chef’s uncle and restaurant partner David Clarke, who founded Poole’s Rock Wines in 1988. For several years, David had dreamt about a world-class restaurant overlooking the original block of 90-year-old shiraz vines at the Poole’s Rock Winery estate. ROCK Restaurant showcases the Poole’s Rock Wines portfolio including Poole’s Rock, Cockfighter’s Ghost and Firestick, as well, as the extensive Cellar Collection alongside Andrew’s artful and inspired cuisine.
Simplicity and harmony are integral to both the design of the restaurant and to the overall philosophy of hospitality at the ROCK Restaurant. Architects Group GSA have captured the essence of the vineyard location and the surrounding Australian bushland. Muted tones and restful views are served every day.
More Information
ROCK Restaurant
576 De Beyers Road
Pokolbin
Telephone: (02) 4998 6968
Hope Estate
The Rothbury Estate winery on Broke Rd Pokolbin has been bought by Michael Hope, local owner of the Broke based winery, Hope Estate.
Hope Estate is geographically almost slap-bang in the middle of the Hunter Valley - just 6 kms from the township of Broke and less than 2 hours drive from Sydney.
Michael Hope produced the first vintage of Hope Estate wine in 1997 from a vineyard he had purchased 3 years earlier. Since then the family vineyard has expanded to have over 90 hectares under vine.
Last year, wine was exported to Singapore, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, as well as the UK, USA, Japan and New Zealand - not bad for an ex-pharmacist who just wanted to do something he enjoyed and make wine.
The Wine
The whole thing about Hope Estate is that the wines should be the best they possibly can. To do this the entire process has to be done on-site, from growing to bottling. This means that they’re responsible for the grapes being picked at precisely the right moment.
The success of their Chardonnay is testament to this commitment. They ferment each individual batch of Chardonnay in 100% French Oak barrels. They then blend only the best of this Chardonnay. This gives a complexity of flavour that the critics rave about and their friends love to drink. Ultimately, making good wine is what they’re about.
Currently they make Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Merlot from the Hunter Valley. They also produce a great Shiraz from their vineyard in Donnybrook, WA.
More Information
Hope Estate Winery
2213 Broke Road, Pokolbin
Phone: 4993 3555
Cellar Door: 7 days - 10am - 5pm
www.hopeestate.com.au
Tulloch
Continuing the Tulloch tradition which started in the hunter in 1895, the new Cellar Door incorporates the following features:
- An extensive tasting area
- Large function rooms
- Private & group tasting areas
- Wedding ceremony & reception venue
Nestled among vines at the foot of the Broken Back mountain range, on land owned by the Tulloch family for the last 60 years, the cellar door sparks a new era in the Tulloch history.
Combining contemporary design with traditional charm the new building houses old winemaking equipment, historical photography and many pieces from the Tulloch families rich history in the Hunter.
Tulloch Wines invites visitors to the cellar door from 10am - 5pm daily to experience the true heritage of the Hunter Valley first hand. All the wines you love from the Tulloch range, including our famous Tulloch Verdelho, are available for tasting and sales through the cellar door. Also available is their exclusive range of Cellar Door Only wines, from interesting and emerging varietals like Sangiovese and Marsanne to the premium Limited Releases Range, including the Hector Shiraz, Julia Semillon and E.M. Chardonnay.
Groups and coaches are welcome by appointment or please call in advance to book a private tasting in the Museum Room or the more intimate E.M and Hector Rooms. Tulloch can take group bookings of up to 60 people, and all booked groups enjoy a personalised tasting experience with one of their friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff.
Tulloch Wines is closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
More Information
Tulloch Wines
Corner of McDonalds & De Beyers Road
Pokolbin
Telephone: (02) 4998 7580
Tallawanta Lodge
Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the Tallawanta Lodge provides a vast array of accommodation types and facilities to suit many individual tastes and budgets.
Comprising of 72 guestrooms, Tallawanta Lodge offers an indulgent selection of 4 ½ star studio, gardens studio, spa, family rooms and suites designed to allow guests to enjoy the ambience of relaxed luxury.
Each room is beautifully appointed and opens out to a private balcony or courtyard, taking in the wonderful Valley views and magnificent gardens surrounding the property. Guests can avail themselves of tennis courts, resort-style swimming pool, sauna, spa, the Lodge library and many other facilities including the Hunter Valley Gardens Village and the recently launched display gardens.
All rooms have reverse cycle air conditioning, refrigerator, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, remote controlled television, in-house videos, iron & ironing board, hairdryer and international direct-dial telephones. Disabled facilities are available in some of the Deluxe rooms.
More Information
Tallawanta Lodge
Broke Road
Pokolbin
Telephone: 1800 800 522.
Prices start from $175 per couple per night (min. 2 night stay on weekends) including entry to the Hunter Valley Gardens.
Prices correct as at 14/07/07
Balloon Aloft
Balloon Aloft is Australia’s largest & most experienced ballooning operator and they have recently celebrated their 27th anniversary. They run balloon trips all over the place – Canberra, Gold Coast, Sydney and the Hunter.
More Information
Balloon Aloft
1443 Wine Country Drive
North Rothbury, Hunter Valley
Telephone: 1800 028 568
HUNTER VALLEY WINTER GETWAY SPECIALS
For more information or to book
Phone: 02 4990 0900 or log onto www.visithunter.com.au
Hunter Valley Competition…
Fire up your winter with our Hunter Valley Ultimate
Indulgence Weekend Giveaways.
Thanks to Hunter Tourism, Sydney Weekender is giving you the chance to win one of five fantastic getaways in Wine Country. Each package is worth around $2,000 and includes 2 nights accommodation, dinner at some top notch restaurants
and a heap of activities to keep you entertained.
To be in the running call 1902 55 77 01
And get packing!
M.NET 55 cents max call cost. Mobile phones extra.
Lines close 19/07/07 at midnight
NSW permit number: LTPS07/22990, ACT permit number: TP 07/02836
Terms and conditions are available by contacting The Seven Network