Each year at the Wine Media Conference we cooperate with the local industry to organize five-hour wine country excursions into the local wine region. Below are the six planned excursions for Friday, October 11 in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia.
These excursions have traditionally been “mystery” excursions in which conference attendees have no idea where they are heading when they board a bus. This year we are making a change by publishing the host venues and other details in advance. Attendees will be able to choose their destination on a first come, first served basis and pre-registering here.
These five-hour excursions are mini media tours complete with tastings of unique and award winning wines, education, dinner, beautiful scenery, and opportunities to meet local industry players. They are included in the price of the conference, thanks to the generosity of participating wineries and restaurants and the organization of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association. We think you will love them.
WMC19 Friday Wine Country Excursions
Around Hermitage: The Around Hermitage Food & Wine Trail encompasses over 20 wineries along with breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and accommodations in the area of Hermitage Road near Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. We’ll first shuttle to Mistletoe Lane for an introduction to the topography of the area, enjoying the view towards the Brokenback Mountains. You’ll then have the option to use an electric bike or hop in a horse-drawn carriage (weather permitting) to travel to the private residence of owners Bob and Mary Lusby of Tintilla Estate.
We will do a tasting of member wineries, with the opportunity to chat with locals who live and breathe the Hunter Valley. Dinner will then be served, with the theme Hunter and Gatherers of the Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail. The menu is matched with a specially chosen selection of wines from Around Hermitage vineyards to showcase the influence of the terroir of the area and the diversity of wines produced in the Hunter Valley. Recipes and produce sourced from Around Hermitage Restaurants and Producers expertly prepared for you by the master chefs from Wine Country Catering:
- Pokolbin wild rabbit and Branxton pork terrine with local chutneys and pickled vegetables
- Roasted local wild red deer with smoked potato puree
- Locally grown vegetables roasted in Belebula extra virgin olive oil
- Salads from our members gardens, dressed with Thomas Wines Verjus and Hunters
Dream extra virgin olive oil
Brokenwood/De Iuliis Wines/Margan Wines/Mt Pleasant Wines/Thomas Wines: This excursion is a cooperation of five nearby wineries: Brokenwood, De Iuliis, Margan, Mt. Pleasant, and Thomas Wines.We’ll start with an outdoor Semillon masterclass showcasing old vs new, with Oysters and Aqua Golf at Steven Vineyard. Planted in 1968 by Lindeman’s, the historic Steven Vineyard has consistently produced some of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic Shiraz. This historic site will provide the setting to discuss the history and importance of viticulture in the Hunter Valley. Located in central Pokolbin, with its contour planted rows, it is also one of the most photographed vineyards in the region.
We’ll then transfer to Brokenwood Wines for a Winemakers Shiraz tasting with winemakers: Michael De Iuliis (De Iuliis Wines), Stuart Hordern (Brokenwood Wines), Nicole Wilson (Margan Family Wines), and Dan Conlin (Mt Pleasant Wines), followed by a cleansing ale. Dinner will be a relaxed Quintessential Aussie BBQ paired with wines selected from the hosts museum served en Magnum. Dinner will be prepared by Brokenwood Vintage chef and Hunter legend, Mark Delandro.
The Magic of Mount View:
Set your map to Mount View and experience for yourself ‘The Magic of Mount View’. Presented by award winning grape growers and winemakers Briar Ridge Vineyard and Carillion in partnership with One Chef Hatted Restaurant Bistro Molines.
We will travel a little off the beaten track to one of the most ‘Instagramable’ parts of the Hunter Valley, Mount View! Waiting for you at the first stop (Briar Ridge Vineyard) will be Vineyard Owner and General Manager Jaclyn Davis & Winemaker, Alex Beckett who will talk with you about all things Mount View. You will then be split into groups and challenged to craft a premium Hunter red wine by blending select barrel samples carefully chosen to showcase just why this part of the Hunter is something magic! – Don’t worry Alex will give you a few pointers on how to do this!
Each team will then have the opportunity to test their illustrative creativity by designing a label for their new ‘Magic of Mount View’ Red blend. And just for something fun your wine blends and labels will be judged by Alex and Jaclyn with prizes awarded.
We will then travel through the picturesque amphitheatre like vineyard connecting the Briar Ridge and Carillion cellar doors. Waiting for you on the other side will be Carillon Vigneron Tim Davis. Tim having a special connection to his family Estate will talk with you about all things Mount View terroir, plantings and vineyard practices that shape the distinct wine styles produced from fruit grown in this part of the Hunter Valley.
It’s then across the adjoining court yard of Carillion and Bistro Molines where Hunter Valley Living Legends Robert and Sally Molines will welcome you into their highly acclaimed French provincial influenced restaurant. Your tastebuds will then be taken on a ‘Magic of Mount View’ culinary journey, accompanied by a selection of exceptional Briar Ridge and Carillion wines.
The complete synopsis of one of the most beautiful parts of the Hunter Valley, Mount View – experience the Magic!
Tyrrell’s Wines: Tyrrell’s Wines is one of the most iconic family-owned vineyards in Australia, with a history dating back to 1858. We’ll travel to the winery and start our experience with a tour of some of the oldest and most historic ungrafted vines in the Hunter Valley, dating over 100 years old. We’ll then enjoy a four-part “Verontal” tasting: a vertical of Vat 1 Semillon from 2019, 2009, 2005 & 2003; a horizontal of 2014 Stevens Semillon, Belford Semillon & HVD Semillon; a vertical of Vat 9 Shiraz from 2017, 2014, 2011 & 2009; and a horizontal of 2017 Stevens Shiraz, Old Hut Shiraz & Mother’s Shiraz.
Dinner will be catered by Muse restaurant, one of the most awarded restaurants in the Hunter Valley. Experience an exquisite menu curated by chef/proprietor Troy Rhoades-Brown matched perfectly with some of our finest Museum wines.
Wine House Hunter Valley: The Wine House is a unique facility that showcases the talents of five leading Hunter Valley wineries: The Little Wine Company, Silkman Wines, and David Hook Wines. These three are all well-established, family owned, boutique winemakers with an incredible track record of awards and accolades. The evening will begin with a vineyard walk followed by a masterclass hosted by the winemakers from each brand. You will be invited to taste a bracket of wines in the enomatic machine.
We will then be seated on the terrace seated among the winemakers at a long table at the Wine House (or inside if inclement weather) with a beautiful selection of share plates paired with museum wines from each winemaker. Chef Ros Baldwin has created a menu at the restaurant full of share plates, mezze, and charcuterie boards