Tantalising Tasting Companions
Wine tasting is not just about savouring the nuances of fine wine; it's a journey of sensory exploration that can be elevated to extraordinary heights when paired with the perfect food companions. Like Romeo and Juliet, wine and food belong together, and for a new generation of wine tasters looking for a different experience, food is the perfect tasting companion. With a variety of paired tastings around the Hunter Valley to choose from – here are some of our favourites….
Hunters Quarter
Hunters Quarter (HQ) is a relaxed, elegant destination in Pooles Rock Vineyard. Discover contemporary food with welcoming service in a unique setting. Dine on the private terrace in vineyards and while away your day with family and friends. Whatever the occasion, settle in and dine on a fresh seasonal dish or two before or after your tasting.
What’s On Offer? Order a Seasonal Cheese Platter with condiments and take it to your tasting at Pooles Rock.
What’s it Cost? $24pp
How to book? Visit www.huntersquarter.com.au
Saddler’s Creek Wines
Saddler's Creek Wines, a cherished family-owned winery in the heart of Pokolbin, offers visitors daily premium wine tastings led by knowledgeable wine hosts. This scenic property provides the stunning backdrop of the Brokenback Range, setting the stage for Wine & Chill experiences every Friday evening and throughout the weekend.
What’s On Offer? Saddler's Creek Wines offers three different winetasting experiences daily and two tasting companion experiences:
• For the Grown Ups – WineHarmony: A gourmet wine and food pairing experience – The perfect tasting option for those exploring how food and wine complement each other. This tasting is a curated eight wine menu paired with four canape sized accompaniments. $35pp
• For the Kids – Looking for something for the children whilst you are tasting? We offer Kid's Tasting Paddles in conjunction with any wine tasting! Offering a tasting of 5 Bundaberg soft drinks paired with five snacks.
How to book? Visit www.saddlerscreek.com/cellar-door
Savannah Estate
Savannah Estate wines are crafted using carefully chosen, small, and exclusive parcels of premium fruit sourced from renowned viticulture regions across Australia. With keen discernment, Savannah personally selects varietals from the country's most distinct and exceptional areas, ensuring they beautifully showcase their unique regional characteristics and inherent character.
What’s On Offer? The Pie and Wine Tasting experience at Savannah Estate is a delightful culinary journey that combines the savoury goodness of gourmet pies paired with the exquisite flavours of Savannah Estate wines. Guests are treated to a selection of four meticulously crafted gourmet pies, each bursting with unique and flavourful fillings. To complement these delectable pies, participants can savour four carefully chosen wines from Savannah Estate's exceptional collection. As you indulge in the pies, the Cellar Door staff will guide you through the wine-tasting process, sharing insights about the wine varietals and tasting notes. The harmonious marriage of pies and wines creates a memorable sensory experience that delights both your taste buds and your palate.
What’s it Cost? $40 pp
How to book? Visit www.savannahestate.com.au or call 02 4990 6326.
Cael’s Gate Wines
Cael’s Gate is a family-owned and operated business. Established in 2016, Cael’s Gate is a boutique winery that has created award-winning, handcrafted wines since its inception.
What’s On Offer? - A member of the Cellar Door team will guide you through a set list of current release wines. Match your tasting with a Cheese Board with locally sourced produce (gluten-free options also available).
What’s it Cost? $20pp
How to book? Visit www.caelsgate.com.au/experience
Gartelmann Wines
If you are looking for the complete package of great wine, mouthwatering food and warm hospitality, look no further than Gartelmann Wines. A boutique Cellar Door and wine producer founded in 1996, Gartelmann Wines is located in Lovedale. Gartelmann specialises in fine, hand-crafted wines created by expert winemakers using grapes selected from a range of premium growers in the Lower and Upper Hunter Valley, Rylstone and Orange regions of NSW.
What’s On Offer? Set tasting of eight wines from the Gartelmann Range (allow approximately 45 minutes) or an extended range tasting of 12 wines (allow 60 minutes). A Cheese Platter to accompany the tasting can be ordered at the tasting.
What’s it Cost? Tastings from $10-$15pp with a small cheese platter for two ($20)
How to book? Call (02) 4930 7113 or book a tasting online at www.gartelmann.com.au
Tintilla Estate
Tintilla Estate is an enticing, family vineyard passionate about the unique character of Hunter wines and seeks to deliver individual, hand-crafted wines that reflect the Single Vineyard Pokolbin terroir. Wines made at Tintilla include classic Semillon, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Merlot. They pioneered the Italian varietal Sangiovese in the Hunter, producing a Rosato di Jupiter and a blend of Sangiovese/Merlot. Modern Spritzanti-styled wines, The Lizzie and Sparkling Blush Rosalind, are also extremely popular. At Tintilla, you’ll also find a range of olives, olive oil and homemade condiments, plus a food platter.
What’s On Offer? A guided Wine tasting of eight wines from their single vineyard winery served with a Cheese Plate of three regional Binnorie Dairy Cheeses: Brie, Cheddar, and Labna with seasonal Estate-made condiments.
What’s it Cost? $28 Cheese plate plus Wine tasting $10pp.
How to book? Call 02 6574 7093 or visit www.tintilla.com.au
