Hunter Valley Breathe Summer 2010-2011

breathe issue 27 summer 2010

Hunter Valley Legends Wine Release More Than Semillon • Retail Therapy • What’s On

Weddings

OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 12 NOON. LOCATED IN THE MERCURE RESORT, HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS | P 02 4998 2000 | E dining@mercurehuntervalley.com.au

Intimate Garden Ceremonies Unique Reception Rooms Beautiful Guest Accommodation Heart of the Hunter Valley

PHOTO COURTESY D&V PHOTOGRAPHY

FOR WEDDING ENQUIRIES CONTACT OUR WEDDING PLANNER TODAY. | P 02 4998 2000 | E reservations@mercurehuntervalley.com.au | W mercurehuntervalley.com.au

info@tyrrells.com.au

www.tyrrells.com.au

news 7 legends wine 11 wine profile 20 recipe 33

contents issue 27 summer 2010/2011 In Every Issue 5 President’s Note 7 News 24 Meet the Locals 45 What’s On 48 Out & About Wine 11 Hunter Valley Legends Wine Release 14 Hunter Valley Legends Wine Reviews 17 More Than Semillon 19

In the Winery

20 28

Wine Profile: Brett Keeping

Food 33 Recipe 34 Breakfast Lifestyle 38 Art 41 Retail Therapy 43 Concerts 50 Gardening COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES

Photographs by Chris Elfes appearing in Breathe may be purchased by contacting Chris Elfes Photography elfesphoto@bigpond.com.au.

Wine Reviews

charming

regional

rustic

located at spicers vineyards estate 555 hermitage rd pokolbin 02 6574 7229 www.thevineyardsestate.com.au

president’s note

I

s it just me, or did this year simply fly past? It seems like we just finished one vintage, and here we are, preparing for another.

We’ve had a very busy year here in the Hunter Valley, with a multitude of talented local winemakers, wineries, restaurants and businesses achieving some outstanding results and receiving some amazing accolades - not only here in Australia, but also internationally. See our news pages for just some of the more recent award winners and local achievers.

Our Hunter Valley Legends have been busy, too. They have joined forces with some of the region’s younger winemakers to produce and release the inaugural Hunter Valley Legends Shiraz and Semillon. Turn to page 11 to find out how you can purchase these great wines and become a part of this wonderful, community-based endeavour.

Summer is the ultimate time to sit back and relax with a chilled glass (or two) of Hunter Valley white, and while the Hunter Valley is world-famous for its superb Semillon, we do produce some other fine white wines. On page 17, Andrew Graham takes a look at some other white varietals which do well here, and who is making them.

And, while we are all in summer holiday mode, it’s also the perfect opportunity to take time out for a leisurely country breakfast or maybe brunch with champagne (page 34), followed by another of life’s little luxuries: a spot of retail therapy, Hunter Valley-style (page 41).

The Hunter Valley really has all that is required to make it the ultimate escape destination this summer - world class wines, great food, a multitude of accommodation styles and a number of international concerts in a series of events that are sure to be keenly sought after. So why not start planning your next trip to the fabulous Hunter Valley now? We’ll look forward to welcoming you soon!

Happy Huntering, GEOFF KRIEGER PRESIDENT - HUNTER VALLEY WINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Publisher

Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Rowena Hawkins p 02 4991 4533 e promotions@winehuntervalley.org.au

graphic design

Sally Sneddon p 02 4934 4781 Sally Sneddon Graphic Design e ssgd@hunterlink.net.au

Photography

Chris Elfes p 0413 805 222 Chris Elfes Photography elfesphoto@bigpond.com.au www.chriselfesphotography.com.au

SUB-EDITOR

Lauren Kennedy e wordhappy@gmail.com

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Melinda Kelly p 02 4991 4533 e melinda@winehuntervalley.org.au

EDITORIAL Writers Andrew Graham, Steve James, Melinda Kelly, Suzanne Little, Sean O’Brien, Grant Radford, Jo Thomas, Christina Tulloch Printing

Finsbury Green p 02 9662 2600

Publisher DETAILS Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association ABN 15 728 023 119 All correspondence to: PO BOX 352, Cessnock. 2325 © 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.

IronBark Hill Vineyard ... a unique Hunter Valley Wine Country experience with family and friends.

• Taste our premium wines in the modern Cellar Door.

• Relax with a coffee on the lounge.

• Available for weddings, conferences or celebrations.

• Contemporary design house with pool and tennis court, accommodating up to 14.

• Open 7 days – 10am to 5pm • 694 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin P 02 6574 7085 www.ironbarkhill.com.au

Photo by Jake Thomas

Celebrating 40 years of making great wines and having fun

1975, winery nearing completion

1978, open for business.

Elegance in a bush setting

ic comforts of Cru still enjoy the rust 2010 Cellar Door. Vintage plete with chef. com n datio mmo acco e dorm styl

www.brokenwood.com.au CELLAR DOOR: Open daily from 9.30am - 5pm (10am on Sunday) ‘The line up of great wines for tasting makes this place a must, and the service here from experienced tasting staff is second to none’ Huon Hooke

brokenwood wines pty ltd 401 - 427 mcdonalds road pokolbin nsw 2320 australia phone 61 02 4998 7559 email sales@brokenwood.com.au sales@brokenwood.com.au

info@arrowfieldestate.com.au

www.arrowfieldestate.com.au

news Hunter Shines at Tourism Awards

The Hunter Valley has excelled at the recent 2010 NSW Tourism Awards, with four businesses taking out gold awards.

Congratulations go to: Margan Restaurant - Gold award winner, Tourism Restaurant & Catering Services n Marga Lisa Andrew & Hermitage Lodge - Gold award winner, Deluxe Accommodation Wyndham Estate - Gold award winner, Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries Crown Plaza Newcastle - Gold award winner, Meeting & Business All gold award winners will go on to the Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Perth on Friday 11 March 2011.

Hunter Valley Gardens also received a bronze award in the Tourist Attractions category. Congratulations to the other Hunter Valley finalists: Hunter Valley Hotel Academy, Balloon Aloft, Activity Tours, Margan Cellar Door, The Vintry and Andrew Margan.

Hunter Valley Wins NSW Wine of The Year A Hunter Valley wine company has claimed the New South Wales Wine Awards title of NSW Wine of the Year for the third year running, with Tempus Two taking out the award with their 2003 Copper Zenith.

Last year, Brokenwood Wines won NSW Wine of the Year, and in 2008 it was Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard who took top honours.

Congratulations to the following Hunter Valley trophy winners: Best Young Riesling – Pokolbin Estate 2010 Riesling Best Young Semillon – First Creek 2010 Winemakers Reserve Semillon Best Young Other White Varieties – Benwarin 2010 Verdelho Best Mature Dry White – Tempus Two 2003 Copper Zenith Semillon The Hunter Valley had an impressive 17 wines named in the NSW Top 40 Wines for 2010.

Hunter Semillon Stars Hunter Valley Semillon has once again been thrown in the spotlight with several local, national and international awards.

The 2005 Cellar Aged Elizabeth Semillon and 2005 Lovedale Semillon by McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant, both recently won major international awards.

The 2005 Cellar Aged Elizabeth was awarded the Trophy for Best Australian White Wine at the International Wine Challenge in London.

“It’s an amazing achievement for this little Aussie wine,” said McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Chief Winemaker, Phil Ryan. “This international recognition shows what a great wine style we have, right on our doorstep.”

Phil Ryan

“Semillon is a truly remarkable wine style,” said Phil. “While young, the wine will be all about fresh and lively citrus flavours, but with age, it will develop classic bottle-aged characters of honey and toast. Semillons are designed to age gracefully over a long period of time - how many other white wines offer that opportunity?”

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant 2005 Lovedale Semillon has been named Best White Wine of the Show and also received the trophy for Best Other White at the 2010 Tri Nations Wine Challenge. It also won the trophy for Best Single Vineyard White Wine and the Semillon trophy at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, announced recently in London.

“This wine is a result of a truly great vintage in the Hunter Valley and it’s a wonderful result for all involved,” said Phil Ryan. “Hunter Valley Semillon is a style completely unique to Australia, and to see it recognised at international shows is tremendous, for both McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant and more broadly, for Australian wine. It shows the rest of the world that we can produce individual wines with character, immense quality and the soul of a special place,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pokolbin Estate’s 2005 Hunter Valley Semillon has won the trophy for Best Semillon at the 2010 Winestate Magazine Wine of the Year awards for the third time in five years. Their 2006 Phil Swannell Hunter Valley Semillon also made it into the top five along with the Allandale 2005 Semillon.

Andrew Thomas must be happy with his 2006 Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon, named Best Semillon in the 2011 Good Wine Guide Awards.

The 2010 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show Best White Wine of Show was also won by a Semillon, with the 2007 McLeish Estate Semillon taking out the top honours.

Tyrrell’s Vineyards have won a trophy at The Royal Hobart International Wine Show, with their 2005 Vat 1 Semillon.

Hermitage Lodge Wins Accommodation Award Hermitage Lodge has come up trumps, winning the award for Best 4½ Star Motel at the Hotel Motel and Accommodation’s 2010 National Awards for Excellence.

“The HMAA Accommodation Awards for Excellence are all about achieving and maintaining the highest standards in the accommodation industry,” said Lorraine Duffy, Chief Executive, HMAA. “Winning this award is wonderful recognition for our business and for the tourism industry of the Hunter Valley wine country,” said Noreen Gottaas, Managing Director, Hermitage Lodge. “We’ve worked very hard to build our business into one which brings credit to us, our staff and our region, so we are as pleased as punch to bring this award home to Pokolbin.”

Meanwhile, they are also celebrating as gold award winners for the Deluxe Accommodation category at the 2010 NSW Tourism Awards.

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news Hunter Valley Wines Exceptional

Winery Changes Mark Woods (formerly of Briar Ridge) has joined Leogate Estate Wines as Senior Winemaker.

Mark is very excited to be making wine for this new Hunter Valley wine company.

“My passion is making Hunter Valley wines. As a local, being able to further my career by staying in the Hunter Valley and working with such quality fruit from the famous Brokenback Vineyard is a great opportunity. I am also excited at the challenge of working with a new winery - a first for me,” said Mark.

Located on Broke Road, the Leogate Estate winery and cellar door are due to open around the middle of 2011.

Meanwhile, the Hunter Valley farewells Winemaker, William Rikard-Bell, and his lovely wife, Kimberley, who are off to pursue business interests in the Orange region. We wish them well.

Will was winemaker with Drayton Family Wines and was responsible for making many of the company’s award- winning wines.

Six Hunter Valley wines have been named in the highly esteemed 2010 Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine V. Brokenwood Wines Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz has been elevated to the highest level, “Exceptional”, while McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon has been promoted from “Excellent” to “Outstanding”, where Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon also claims a spot.

Lakes Folly’s White Label Cabernet Blend has been classed as “Excellent” and McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea Shiraz and Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay have both been named “Distinguished”.

Langton’s 2010 Classification of Australian Wines V is a “form guide” of the best performing and most prized wines. First published in 1990 and revised every five years, it has become an Australian institution with a prestigious international currency. It is the most famous and widely respected wine classification outside of Europe.

The classification comprises four levels: Exceptional, Outstanding, Excellent and Distinguished.

“The development of the classification mirrors the growing worldwide interest in fine Australian wines. There is a clear need to focus the market by creating and regularly updating a fine wine “form guide”. It is a simple, straightforward guide for anyone interested in drinking or investing in the best Australian wines,” said Andrew Caillard MW, Langton’s.

According to Langton’s, the Classification demonstrates an evolving Australian winemaking culture at the forefront of innovation and excellence in the world of fine wine. It also reflects a continuing momentum towards single vineyard wines and regional identity.

Tower Lodge The Hunter Valley’s Tower Lodge has been named the Global Luxury Lodge award winner at the 2010 World Luxury Hotel Awards, and is the only Australian luxury hotel to win a global accolade since the awards commenced in 2006.

“To be announced the best luxury lodge in the word is a wonderful honour for the entire team at Tower Estate,” said Matt Cowley, Chief Executive Officer, Tower Estate.

“Australia has so many brilliant holiday destinations, and I hope this award brings attention to everyone in this great country that some of the best destinations in the world are right on our doorstep.”

Meanwhile, Tower Lodge’s restaurant, Nine, won the Best New Restaurant award at the 2010 Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Regional NSW Awards for Excellence.

Daniel Hunt, Executive Chef of Nine and Robert’s Restaurant, has designed nine seasonal degustation menus using, where possible, local Hunter Valley produce paired with one of nine optional wine lists featuring premium local and imported varieties.

“To win at the prestigious 2010 Restaurant & Catering wards is a true reflection on the team we have working for us at Nine, and for the long-term dedication of the owners of Tower Lodge,” said Andreas Breitfuss, Maître De Masion, Tower Estate.

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Best Aged Semillon Congratulations to Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard for taking out the trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor at the 2010 Australian Small Winemakers Show, and the trophy for Best Aged Semillon at 2010 Royal Melbourne Wine Show.

Winemaker, Jeff Byrne pictured above.

Congratulations to two of the Hunter Valley’s talented young winemakers, Luke Watson, Assistant Winemaker at Pepper Tree Wines, and Scott Comyns, Winemaker at Tempus Two. Both were finalists in the Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year 2010. The award was won by Anna Pooley from Heemskerk Wines in Tasmania.

The Wine Society launched the awards ten years ago and they attract entries from Australia and New Zealand’s best wine companies. It is open to all winemakers aged 30 years and under, and aims to recognise the importance and best efforts of the youth in the wine industry, and to help distinguish them as winemakers of the future.

Brokenwood Wins Best Small Winery “The Cru” at Brokenwood Wines is celebrating after being named Best Small Winery at the 2010 Australian Liquor Industry Awards.

It’s been a big year for Brokenwood, who celebrated their 40th anniversary in October, and picked up a number of awards, including Winemaker of the Year and Cellar Door of the Year at the 2010 Hunter Valley Wine Industry & Legends Awards.

Please join us at our two 2011 Hunter Valley Uncorked events in Sydney: Hunter Valley Uncorked at Pyrmont Sunday 17 April Hunter Valley Uncorked at Balmoral Sunday 6 November www.hunteruncorked.com.au

What’s New in the Kitchen?

‘

Young Winemakers

Diary dates

The Around Hermitage area is buzzing with the recent launch of three new restaurants and a new cellar door.

After ten years of hard work developing Ridgeview Wines on Sweetwater Road, Darren and Tracey Scott and their family are excited to launch their new cellar door and restaurant.

RidgeView Restaurant & Cafe is being managed by Matt Dillow of The Verandah Restaurant, and long-time The Verandah Restaurant Chef, Nathan George, is on the pans. The pair has developed a menu with a strong focus on fresh local produce, with their eggs from the estate’s free-range chickens, and vegetables and herbs from their kitchen garden.

Wine sales help create special wishes Congratulations to all involved in the Small Winemakers Centre’s quest to raise funds for Make-A-Wish® Australia, with over $5,000 raised in just one weekend.

The Small Winemakers Centre joined forces with The Little Wine Company, Margan Family Wines, Thomas Wines and Mount Broke for their Wishing for Wine event. Each winemaker made their wines available at special prices for one weekend, with 20% of proceeds donated directly to Make-A-Wish® Australia.

Suzanne Little, winemaker and owner of the Small Winemakers Centre, said, “This is the first year for this event, so we are just amazed at how well it went. The winemakers and customers all got into the spirit, and to raise this much for such a great charity is fantastic.”

Suzanne adds, “We have a personal connection with the work of Make-A-Wish® Australia, so that makes us even more motivated. We’ve told everyone to put Wishing for Wine 2011 in their diaries for the October long weekend, and our aim is to double what we raised this year!”

Darren Scott says the new restaurant is open Fridays for lunch and dinner, Saturdays for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sundays for breakfast and lunch, with dining both inside the restaurant and outside on the expansive verandahs overlooking the vineyards.

A private tasting room in the cellar door is also available for private dining.

Meanwhile, after years of preparing Mexican food in California, husband and wife team Dennis and Adelina Pinelo-Ortiz, have decided to bring their authentic Mexican and Spanish cuisine to their new Hermitage Road restaurant, Mariachis at The Beltree.

Local chef, Emerson Rodriguez and his wife Sam, have launched their new restaurant, (aptly named) Emerson’s At Pokolbin, at Casuarina Estate on Hermitage Road.

Open for lunch Thursday to Monday, and for dinner Friday and Saturday, Emerson says the new restaurant offers Spanish-style tapas dishes for lunch and modern Australian cuisine during the evenings.

breathe summer 2010/2011

9

keeping it simple

Taste @ The Small Winemakers Centre & Hunter Resort

T 02 6574 7371 E sales@thomaswines.com.au W www.thomaswines.com.au thomaswines.com.au

10 breathe

wine

legends wine

Legends Wine Released

WORDS BY CHRISTINA TULLOCH PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES breathe summer 2010

11

Imagine a blend produced from grapes donated by top Hunter producers, crafted by the brightest up-and-coming talent in the area, under the watchful eye of some of the most experienced and revered members of the community, and sold to raise money to market the area.

I

n a world dominated by profits and margins, it seems unlikely that such a product could exist, but in the true spirit of what the Hunter Valley community stands for, the inaugural release of the Hunter Valley Legends wines is exactly this.

The 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz are the epitome of community spirit in action and provide a proud reminder of what can be achieved when competitors unite for a common cause.

The wines are aptly named in recognition of the Hunter Valley Legends, a group of people with centuries of collective experience of the local area, the viticulture and the wine styles that have made the Hunter famous. With their watchful eyes upon the process, the Legends wines were always going to be very special examples of what the Hunter does best: our worldrenowned Semillon and elegant, medium-bodied Shiraz.

The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association first began inducting Living Legends in 2007, beginning with Max Drayton (OAM), Max Lake, Perc McGuigan, Karl Stockhausen, John Tulloch and Brian Walsh. In 2008, Brian McGuigan joined the ranks, along with four new Living Legends, Fay McGuigan, Phil Ryan, Jay Tulloch and Bruce Tyrrell in 2009 and, most recently, Christopher Barnes (OAM) in 2010.

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.

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L to R: Karl Stockhausen, Christopher Barnes OAM, Phil Ryan, Jim Chatto, Jay Tulloch, Bruce Tyrrell Fay McGuigan & Chris Tyrrell As the most recent inductee, Christopher Barnes has endorsed the inaugural releases with his signature on the label, which continues the local theme, featuring artwork by renowned Hunter Valley artist, Chris Fussell.

Jim Chatto, Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Winemaking Sub-Committee, says, “We’ve had an amazing response from our industry with all the wine donated by local industry; suppliers’ support of the initiative includes label design

by Sally Sneddon Graphic Design and printing by industry supplier Clear Image; local contractors Monarch Wines bottled and packaged the wines, with Wine Selectors assisting with marketing and sales. It really is a community effort.”

These releases have also embraced sustainable viticulture and have taken sustainability to the next step by being bottled in award winning lightweight environmentally friendly “Lean+Green” bottles by O-I. The bottles are between 18 per cent and 28 per cent lighter than their predecessors and deliver substantially lighter- weight and more environmentally friendly bottles saving on glass packaging, and delivering large savings in water, energy and emissions.

With wine donated by some of the Hunter Valley’s most wellknown producers, including Allandale, Brokenwood, David Hook, De Iuliis, Draytons, Echo Ridge, Hungerford Hill, Kevin Sobels, Krinklewood, McWilliam’s, Meerea Park, Margan, Little Wine Co., Peppertree, Ridgeview, Scarborough, Thomas, Tower, Tulloch, Two Rivers and Tyrrell’s, the wines are must-have, unique additions for every cellar.

The 2010 Legends Hunter Valley Semillon and 2009 Legends Hunter Valley Shiraz are available for purchase from Wine Selectors. There are three easy ways to order: 1. Phone 1300 735 984 (8:30am-8:30pm weekdays & 10am- 2:30pm Saturday EST) 2. Order online www.wineselectors.com.au/legends 3. Visit the Hunter Valley Wine Society counter at the Visitors Information Centre, 455 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin when next you visit the Hunter Valley. n

Main photo: Christopher Barnes OAM Bottom: L to R Jim Chatto, back label, Karl Stockhausen & Jay Tulloch, Max Drayton OAM, Fay McGuigan & Bruce Tyrrell, Brian Walsh

wine

legends wine review

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS 2010 SEMILLON RRP $199 per dozen The inaugural Hunter Valley Legends releases showcase Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz - our two signature grape varieties.

Premium parcels of high quality fruit were donated by our local growers. It was vinified by our Hunter Valley Legends including Christopher Barnes, Max Drayton, Brian McGuigan, Fay McGuigan, Perc McGuigan, Phil Ryan, Karl Stockhausen, Jay Tulloch, John Tulloch, Bruce Tyrrell and Brian Walsh.

There are hundreds of years of experience in each wine and each reflect the makers’ deep understanding of the Hunter Valley’s unique soil, climate and varieties to represent the ultimate regional expression of Semillon and Shiraz.

Made in the traditional Hunter Valley style, this Semillon features fruit that was gently pressed to preserve the delicate fruit flavours and ensure the palate shows great elegance and finesse. The nose is fresh and expressive, offering lifted aromas of lime leaf and lemongrass. In the mouth it is crisp and lively, with classic citrus fruit flavours and a long, refreshing finish. Enjoy it now or over the next five years.

This beautifully balanced Semillon makes a great partner to seafood dishes or simply enjoy it to kick off a great meal or occasion.

TO TASTE AND PURCHASE this wine drop in to the Hunter Valley Wine Society at the Visitors Information Centre, 455 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin.

Open 7 days 10am til 5pm. Closed public holidays.

PHONE ORDERS please call Wine Selectors on 1300 735 984

or go to www.wineselectors.com.au/legends 14

breathe summer 2010/2011

wine

legends wine review

HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS 2009 SHIRAZ RRP $199 per dozen The inaugural Hunter Valley Legends releases showcase Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz - our two signature grape varieties.

Premium parcels of high quality fruit were donated by our local growers. It was vinified by our Hunter Valley Legends including Christopher Barnes, Max Drayton, Brian McGuigan, Fay McGuigan, Perc McGuigan, Phil Ryan, Karl Stockhausen, Jay Tulloch, John Tulloch, Bruce Tyrrell and Brian Walsh.

There are hundreds of years of experience in each wine and each reflect the makers’ deep understanding of the Hunter Valley’s unique soil, climate and varieties to represent the ultimate regional expression of Semillon and Shiraz.

A fine example of why Shiraz thrives in the Hunter Valley. The nose offers a complex mix of ripe mulberry, spice, earth and savoury oak aromas. The palate is classically medium bodied with an ideal balance of sweet berry flavours, fine tannins and subtle oak characters leading to a long, elegant finish. It should provide peak drinking in three to five years.

This fine red goes with a wide range of food, from fillet steak, lamb or spaghetti bolognaise.

TO TASTE AND PURCHASE this wine drop in to the Hunter Valley Wine Society at the Visitors Information Centre, 455 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin.

Open 7 days 10am til 5pm. Closed public holidays.

PHONE ORDERS please call Wine Selectors on 1300 735 984

or go to www.wineselectors.com.au/legends

breathe summer 2010/2011

15

Living the good life

Broke Rd Pokolbin P 02 4998 7666 www.hungerfordhill.com.au www.hungerfordhill.com.au

Executive & Business Services | Winemakers | Laboratory Staff | Sales & Marketing | Cellar Hands | Packaging & Distribution

Vintage 2011 Recruitment Just like wine has a special glass, the wine industry has a specialist recruiter.

Part of the Bayside Group AS/NZS ISO 9001 Certified RCSA Member AHRI Member

North Sydney | Phone: 02 9919 6930 | www.cozwine.com.au www.cozwine.com.au

wine

More than Semillon WORDS BY ANDREW GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES

Like most Australian wine regions, the Hunter Valley has a signature wine. A wine that stands out in a crowd and people identify with. A hero wine, if you will, that the region does better, or differently, than anywhere else.

That wine, as you most likely know, is Semillon. Hunter Valley Semillon has been variously called ‘a unique gift to the world’ (Jancis Robinson) and ‘Australia’s most unique wine’. Indeed, all throughout this magazine, you will see it talked about and heralded and focused upon (and we won’t quibble about that).

But, while the Hunter Valley is rightly renowned for its Semillon, if we dig a little further amongst the vineyards, we’ll discover that the region has a few more white grapes that do well here. A few more white grapes that could also produce distinctive and unique wines, if given the chance.

The perfect place to start is to look at a grape that, arguably, is ideally suited to the Hunter Valley.

Verdelho, a variety which originated in Portugal, has a rather long, if ignominious, history in Australia, with its first plantings dating back over 100 years. Indeed, at the turn of last century, the variety was heralded as, potentially, the nation’s premier white grape.

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wine

W

hat makes Verdelho so suitable, particularly to the Hunter Valley, is the resilient nature of the grape itself. It’s a characteristic that didn’t escape Rod Windrim, owner and vigneron of renowned Verdelho producer, Krinklewood Wines.

“We planted Verdelho as it is very well-suited to the Hunter climate,” Rod says. “It has berries with tough skins, which make it easy to harvest the fruit in top condition, plus it maintains good acidity in hot weather. The grapes are also not prone to rotting, and they ripen early in the season, even if it’s raining.”

Other producers, too, have come to realise that with this sort of sturdy personality, when nurtured with attentive viticulture, this grape can produce some really interesting wines.

Christina Tulloch, General Manager of renowned Verdelho producer, Tulloch Wines, agrees.

“One of the quite unique factors about Verdelho is its diversity. We currently make five different products from Verdelho, all the way from dry to semi-sweet, to lightly sparkling, to fortified. It can be very versatile.”

For both Rod and Christina, the key to producing a good Verdelho is largely in knowing when to pick the grapes.

“Many make the mistake of letting Verdelho get too ripe, which results in quite a hot, flabby, one-dimensional wine,” says Christina.

Rod defines it even further: “At Krinklewood, we try to pick at the first sign of a musky character in some of the samples, usually looking to harvest the following night. It’s important to do this quickly, as [Verdelho] ripens very fast and we don’t want an alcoholic bombshell.”

As for the wines themselves, what makes Hunter Valley Verdelho so attractive is its excellent natural acidity, which, when combined with some fruit sweetness, can make for some particularly refreshing and balanced low-alcohol white wines.

“Our Verdelhos have vibrant, racy acids which make them wonderful food wines,” says Rod. “They also have an amazing capacity to cellar well – we have ten year-old Verdelhos that are drinking beautifully now.”

Perhaps the only challenge with Verdelho is – in the eyes of a fashion-conscious wine business – that it is simply uncool. “Let’s face it, many in the wine industry love to hate Verdelho,” laments Christina.

Beyond Verdelho, another white variety that the Hunter Valley does well is Chardonnay, a noble variety that has slipped from mainstream favour in recent years (replaced by Sauvignon Blanc).

Like Verdelho, the secret to the success of Hunter Valley Chardonnay comes down to acidity and refinement. The Hunter Valley Chardonnay, in contrast to many other regions, is often made without malolactic fermentation, with the wines kept in oak for less time, and made from grapes typically picked earlier than many others. Ultimately, this combination often makes for drier and fresher wines.

One such proponent of this modern style is Tyrrell’s, a producer that deliberately picks their grapes early and gives many of their top single vineyard Chardonnays only six months’ oak maturation.

The results are already obvious, with the 2009 Tyrrell’s Belford Vineyard Chardonnay recently picking up the trophy for Best Chardonnay at the 2010 Hunter Valley Wine Show.

Another wine family with a Chardonnay focus is the Scarboroughs, who credit their enduring success with Chardonnay to diversity and refinement. The diversity comes from two new styles of Chardonnay joining the Scarborough range. These are the modern Blue Label Chardonnay that Sally Scarborough describes 18

breathe summer 2010/2011

as an “elegant, fruit-driven style that only sees older oak”, and the complex, powerful, top-tier White Label Chardonnay, produced with fine-grained oak barrels and no malolactic fermentation.

Interestingly, while these two utterly modern wines have become more popular over time, it is not at the expense of the ‘classic’ Yellow Label Chardonnay. And that is all about refinement, as Sally explains.

“The secret is consistency of style, and a slow evolution following customers’ tastes. It’s not about trying to emulate this year’s trophy winning style, but you need to evolve. The Yellow Label Chardonnay is not the same as it was 20 years ago, it is more refined and elegant, yet the style is, in essence, the same.”

Beyond these stayers, the really vexing question is simply, what else looks promising? Are there other white varieties that could prove to be ideally suited to the Hunter Valley, that haven’t yet been planted or explored?

One potential answer comes in the form of French variety Viognier, which has already had some initial usage, largely as a blending component with Shiraz. Or, at least, that’s what Simon Miles of Molly Morgan first utilised it for.

“We originally looked at Viognier in 2009 because we wanted to create a medium-bodied, aromatic Shiraz blend. But we also decided that a straight Viognier would be a point of difference for Molly Morgan from the standard trilogy of Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz,” says Simon.

Indeed, the appeal of Viognier may actually be that it is different, and even capable of attracting the Sauvignon Blanc drinkers back to the sway.

‘When people try the [Viognier], the response has been good. The lifted aromatics seem to be the key, although those who consume Sauvignon Blanc seem to like the wine in preference to Chardonnay,” explains Simon.

The real challenge is simply that the vast majority of customers have never heard of, and can’t pronounce, Viognier. But Neala Miles, also of Molly Morgan, has devised a fun tool in the cellar door to counter this.

“I tell customers to make a V with their fingers, say ‘vee’, then point to the tasting bar and say ‘on’, and then raise their hands in the air and say with gusto, ‘YAY!’ It’s just a bit of a giggle, but it helps make people more comfortable with Viognier.”

Interestingly, one variety that a few producers have toyed with is Gewürtztraminer, which Rod Windrim would like to grow and Christina Tulloch believes could become popular once again, particularly if produced in a sweeter style.

Ultimately though, it is Chardonnay which more producers feel is the perfect ‘non Semillon’ white grape in the Hunter Valley. In fact, the Scarborough family are looking to plant more.

“It may sound [like] a bit of a cop-out but we are looking at planting more Chardonnay, particularly utilising some of the Burgundy-sourced Bernard clones that ripen earlier (which is always a good thing in the Hunter) and give a different flavour profile.”

The final word on just how attractive Chardonnay is in the Hunter Valley comes from Christina Tulloch.

“Chardonnay is the greatest white wine variety in terms of winemakers having the opportunity to show their skill and individual style, particularly in the Hunter Valley. It can also handle some really complex food matches. I think Chardonnay fell victim to the fashions of the time, but we all know when it comes to fashion, the classics never go out of style.”n

wine

in the winery WORDS BY SUZANNE LITTLE

It’s showtime! It’s hot, it’s frantic … it must be vintage. Summer is when all the grapes are harvested. The wineries only get one shot at it each year, so it’s all hands on deck, sleep becomes a luxury, and the rest of the world takes a backseat.

From the first white grapes for sparkling in early January to the last of the reds in March, this is make-or-break for the rest of the year.

JANUARY The start of the New Year brings all the tension and excitement of a new vintage. The early-ripening whites, such as Verdelho and Semillon, are not yet ready to harvest, but they’re all on the home stretch. Winemakers are in the vineyards sampling the grapes and checking the sugar levels, flavour ripeness and condition of the fruit; all the while keeping a nervous eye on the weather forecast.

There are many factors behind the decision of when to harvest each block of each vineyard – it’s like a stressful game of poker, with Mother Nature holding most of the cards. Pick too early and the grapes will not be at their optimum flavour ripeness, leave it too late and the weather can wreak havoc in the vineyard. Finally, somebody breaks the tension and sends in the pickers, and by the second week of January, the madness of vintage is in full swing.

FEBRUARY Traditionally, February is the hottest month of the year, however, it is unfortunately often the wettest. It’s true that the Hunter is an odd place to grow grapes, but it is our unique (and often challenging) climate that gives the region its distinctive wines.

By February, most of the white varieties have been harvested and crushed, the juice separated from the grape skins and now

www.nationalpolyindustries.com.au

fermenting. The process of fermentation converts the natural grape sugars to alcohol through the addition of yeast. This process can take anywhere from four to 14 days, the pace of fermentation being controlled by refrigeration in the winery.

The first of the reds are now being harvested. Reds are fermented with their skins, so it is vital to wine quality that the fruit is in good condition. Damaged or mouldy grapes can impart ‘off’ flavours to the end wine, and so every winemaker and vineyard manager is praying for the weather to hold until the grapes are harvested. Coupled with the long hours and hard physical work of vintage, it all adds up to a stressful time.

MARCH By early March, most of the Hunter grapes have been harvested, yet some of the cooler regions in Australia are yet to pick a grape - such is the diversity of the Australian wine industry.

The Hunter whites have all but finished fermenting, but many of the reds are still being ‘pumped-over’. The fermentation process produces carbon dioxide and causes the skins to rise to the surface, separating from the fermenting juice below. As the desired colour, tannin and extracts all in the grape skins, pump-overs ensure the juice is kept in contact with the skins.

This must be done repeatedly throughout the day and night (the perfect job for that young, foreign winemaker!).

By the end of March, the end is in sight. The grapes are all harvested, the last reds have been pressed off from their skins, and some semblance of routine begins in the winery. Until the next growing season begins, there is a ceasefire with Mother Nature, and everyone can finally enjoy a good thunderstorm.n

wine profile

brett keeping 2010 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year WORDS BY MELINDA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES

20

breathe summer 2010/2011

breathe summer 2010/2011

21

wine profile

B

rett Keeping and his wife, Linda, established their Two Rivers winery and vineyard on the outskirts of Denman in the Upper Hunter just on 22 years ago.

At the 2010 Hunter Valley Industry & Legends Awards, Brett was named Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year. He currently sits on the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association’s Executive Committee, and shares his expertise and experience on the Viticulture Sub-Committee.

As the President of the Upper Hunter Winemakers Association, and an active member of the Denman community, Brett is a passionate spokesperson and representative of the community, especially in their struggle to keep the balance of mining and agriculture and tourism on an equal par.

Melinda Kelly recently took a drive to the picturesque Upper Hunter to chat with Brett.

You were named the 2010 Hunter Valley Viticulturist of the Year - how was that?

It was a huge thrill to be a part of these awards and a real honour to be recognised by one’s peers. Of course, awards like this are never really about just one person, so it was great recognition for the whole vineyard team for their many years of hard work. Usually we don’t have the opportunity to hang around after these functions because we have to travel back to Denman, but on this occasion we stayed and had a huge night - thanks to the Brokenwood crew!

Any tips for anyone interested in entering the field of viticulture?

One thing I have learned over the years is that there is no substitute for experience. We are really lucky to be in such a collaborative industry where everyone is happy to share experiences and offer advice - make the most of it! Also, no matter how much you think you are in control of your vineyard, remember that Mother Nature will always have the final say! You have to learn to accept that, work with it and keep going.

What do you see as the future for the Hunter Valley wine industry?

I think overall, the Hunter Valley wine industry is in good shape. We have such a rich history and a strong heritage in the Hunter, and it is important that we capitalise on this as one of our greatest assets.

On the other hand, there is an exciting group of younger winemakers coming through who have a real passion for the Hunter and a genuine desire to move the region forward. The key to the future is keeping everyone in the Hunter working together for a common goal.

What has been your best experience?

A good vintage, where everything goes to plan, is a great reward for a year’s worth of hard work.

How did you get into viticulture and the wine industry?

What has been your worst experience?

Linda - my wife - and I are both from the Hunter and always thought it was a great place to settle down. I had a rural background and this, plus a combination of meeting the right people at the right time, led us to establish Two Rivers.

Pretty much the opposite of the above!

Did you ever consider another career apart from viticulture?

Before the vineyard, I was involved in the film industry as a lighting technician for about four years. It’s a long story, but it is another industry that is easy to get swept up in. I had a lot of fun, saw a lot of Australia - but for me, it was never really a long-term career prospect.

How did you happen to settle in the Denman area, and what is the best thing about the Upper Hunter?

As Linda and I both grew up in the Upper Hunter, the area was a natural fit for us and we were very fortunate to find this property when we looking for a vineyard site. It ticked all the boxes - great soils, north-easterly aspect, and Hunter River frontage with plenty of water. Denman also has a fairly laid-back, rural atmosphere, which definitely suits our lifestyle.

Who/what has influenced you most, professionally?

The wine industry has so many influential characters - you don’t have to look too far for inspiration. Linda’s father, John Muddle, established the original Richmond Grove vineyard in the ‘60s and was a great help to us in the early days at Two Rivers. Since then, I have been lucky enough to work with and get to know so many that have helped us along the way - Jay Tulloch, Ross Pitts, Brian McGuigan, Sandy Oatley - there are plenty more, and just about everyone I have met in the industry has something to offer.

What is your favourite Two Rivers wine?

I tend to look at this from a vineyard perspective. The wine that has given me the most satisfaction is our Reserve Chardonnay. We have 22

worked really hard on the block this wine is made from, over many years, and it’s really gratifying to see the results in the bottle when a plan comes together.

breathe summer 2010/2011

What has been your greatest achievement?

Without question, my family. I have a wonderful wife and three great kids, of whom I am enormously proud.

You’ve had a busy year this year, and probably haven’t had much of a break, but what is your favourite holiday destination?

As summer is taken up with the growing season and the demands of harvest, we usually leave it to winter to get away. A favourite holiday destination for us over the years has been Thredbo. Skiing is such a great family holiday because everyone is there, happy to be doing the same thing.

Everyone has a favourite Hunter hideout - what is your favourite place in the Hunter Valley?

A good friend of ours has a beautiful property near us that is surrounded by the Wollemi National Park. There is an old bush hut in the hills which is a great place to escape to and enjoy a night around the camp fire. Inevitably, the atmosphere of the place takes over, and we have enjoyed some great nights up there. It’s a beautiful part of the world!

To date, what has been your best ever wine and food experience?

Every Monday night, I play tennis with four other locals and we take turns at cooking. There have been many highs and many more lows in the cooking department, but when John Quayle cooks, you can guarantee everyone turns up, as a gourmet feast is inevitable!

He goes completely over the top with the food, and always pulls out something special from the cellar - those nights are always memorable! n

opulence Pre-Concert Summer Lunch

Avoid the hassle of parking and queuing and leave your vehicle at Peppers Guest House and join us on the Terrace at Restaurant Sanctuary for your pre-concert lunch.

exquisite

Cost $75 per person includes:

- Two Course Lunch from our a-la-carte menu - Glass of Wine - Transfers to and from the concert venue

2011 Summer Concert Schedule

Michael Bolam

INXS, TRAIN & BABY ANIMALS Bimbadgen Estate | 29 January

STING | Hope Estate | 5 February

JOE COCKER, GEORGE THOROGOOD & DIESEL Bimbadgen Estate | 12 February ROXY MUSIC | Hope Estate | 26 February

COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL | Hope Estate | 4-6 March NEIL DIAMOND | Hope Estate | 19 March

www.ridgeview.com.au

LUNCH AND DINNER 7 DAYS P 02 4993 8999 restaurantsanctuary@peppers.com.au E restaurantsanctuary@peppers.com.au PEPPERS GUEST HOUSE EKERTS ROAD, POKOLBIN www.restaurantsanctuary.com.au www.restaurantsanctuary.com.au

wine

meet the locals WORDS BY GRANT RADFORD

LIZ CLARK

With a passion for travel and a background in hospitality, Liz Clark recently moved from the Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the Hunter Valley to experience country life, and indulge in her passion for good wine and food.

She is now the Cellar Door Supervisor with Scarborough Wine Company, where each day is a learning experience that increases her knowledge of the intricacies of the winemaking process and the amazing wine of the Hunter Valley.

What is the best part of your job?

Sampling the product, without a doubt! Breathing the country air and enjoying the view from our Cellar Door is right up there, too.

What is the worst part of your job?

Scarby ( Ian Scarborough) won’t let me drive the tractor!

A typical day includes…

Pouring wines for a varied clientele. We have an ever-changing mix of regulars, referrals and international visitors who curse the restrictions on the amount of our wines they may take home with them.

What is your most memorable bottle tasted?

On my first visit to the Hunter Valley, a superb bottle of Peppertree Chardonnay planted the seed in my mind that I would love to live and work here. I guess that bottle has a lot to answer for! More recently, a bottle of 1999 Taittinger Comtes was amazing.

dinner table. I know everyone thinks their Mum is the best cook in the world, but mine really is!

What do you drink at home?

Scarborough, of course! I always have some White Label Chardonnay in the fridge to impress guests, while on a hot day, an icy jug of Pimms goes down pretty well.

What would your last meal and drinks be?

Tuna and scallop sashimi, beef tataki, avocado rolls, fresh mangoes and a bottle of Hunter Valley Viognier.

How do you relax after a hard day?

Entertaining visitors and friends who come to stay and experience our region. Some quiet time with a good fat book is great, too.

Your fantasy dinner party guests are…

Michael Palin for laughs and travel talk, Douglas Coupland to discuss books, and Conor Oberst to provide the music.

It’s not cool but I love…

My 1981 Mercedes… it really IS cool!

If you weren’t you, who would you like to be?

Anne of Green Gables.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Falling asleep in my chair after partaking a little too enthusiastically at a recent wine dinner.

What is your favourite product on offer at the moment?

Our Scarborough Wine Co. Green Label Semillon, which is just great for the summer weather.

The best customer/ visitor is one who…

Makes me laugh.

What is your favourite holiday destination (outside the Hunter, of course)?

Japan - lots of powder snow, friendly people, and spectacular food washed down with ume shu, which is a delicious plum wine.

What is your favourite food and wine match?

That would have to be the classic duck and Pinot Noir at my Mum’s

Welcome 7 days McGuigan Cellars open 9.30am to 5pm pointment Groups welcome by ap at 12 noon & Winery tours weekdays oon weekends at 11am & 12n Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin NSW m c g u i g a n c e l l ars@mcguiganwines.com.au Telephone: (02) 4998 7402 Email: mcguigancellars@mcguiganwines.com.au

What do you drink at home?

My passion for Hunter wines was nurtured by a fellow known as ‘Flash’, who sold me a lot of wine in the early ‘90s. I now have an extensive cellar of lovely aged wines. I also enjoy a good Cabernet, and you can’t beat a Buller Rare Muscat or Tokay by the fire during winter.

How do you relax after a hard day?

You gotta love happy hour... A refreshing beer or two with my family, followed by a great meal and a nice bottle of red.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

In the early days of dating Tracey, we went water-skiing with her friends.

She was a good skier and I had never been before. Hoping to impress, I held on for dear life and face-planted a beach finish on my very first attempt. I swear I can still hear her laughing!

DARREN SCOTT

Born and raised in the mighty St George area of southern Sydney, Darren has been a dentist in Randwick for the past 22 years. He and his wife, Tracey, have four children (now in their late teens and early twenties), who are all actively involved in the family business.

Darren and Tracey frequently visited the Hunter during the early 1990s and made some lifelong friends. Their passion for wine and the Hunter Valley led them to purchase their own patch of dirt in 2000 and to start ‘living the dream’. They have built RidgeView Wines on Sweetwater Road from the ground up, planting 22,000 rootlings, developing self-contained cottage accommodation and, recently, launching a fantastic new Cellar Door and restaurant.

Darren describes his varied role in the business as owner, viticulturist and winemaker.

What is the best part of your job?

The tremendous contrast to my city life. I love watching the vines and grapes develop. There’s nothing better than getting my hands dirty and sitting back at the end of a hard day with a cold one or two.

What is the worst part of your job?

Heading back to Sydney on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to do bookwork!

The best customer/visitor is one who… ... is excited to be in the Hunter and appreciates being served by the owner, grower, winemaker.

I love seeing guests having enjoyed their visit so much that they don’t want to leave. It reminds me of how we felt when we visited the Hunter 20 years ago.

What is your favourite food and wine match?

A big, juicy, medium rare pepper steak with our 2006 “Generations” Reserve Shiraz.

Your fantasy dinner party guests are...

Entertainment by Mark Knopfler, comedy by Robin Williams, and conversation with Richard Branson, Albert Einstein and Maurice O’Shea.

What would your last meal and drinks be?

A wine and food degustation prepared by Tetsuya with RidgeView wines - of course!

It’s not cool, but I love … jigsaw puzzles.

If you weren’t you, who would you like to be?

I am really happy at the moment. I wouldn’t change a thing! But if I had to, I would like be one of my own kids. They have such a good life... all thanks to me!

A typical day includes…

In the Hunter, sunrise is the alarm clock. During the growing season, I spend the cooler mornings monitoring the vineyard. This is broken up by welcoming guests staying in our cottages, and showcasing our wines to visitors in the Cellar Door. Now that we have a restaurant, I even get to do the washing up!

If you weren’t a dentist, what you would be?

A presenter on Getaway or The Stig.

What is your most memorable bottle ever tasted?

1983 Grange, bought and served by my best mate on a weekend getaway staying in a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River. He filtered it through his grandad’s linen hankie. Stunning!

What is your favourite holiday destination (outside the Hunter, of course)?

Somewhere warm and quiet with just my wife... no phones... no kids... the Cook Islands.

What is your favourite product on offer at the moment?

Our 2006 Helping Hands Red is a blend of the four red varieties we grow: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Chambourcin. This wine goes well with everything.

The Hunter’s best kept

Secret is out...

Treat your tastebuds! Visit our breathtaking vineyard in the rolling hills of Pokolbin to discover the best the Hunter Valley has to offer.

Centurion Wines 110 Old North Road Pokolbin NSW Cellar door open weekends 10am-4pm www.centurionwines.com www.centurionwines.com

az 2010 Sparkling Shir mpenoise NV a h C e d o th e nnay M Pinot Chardo wine onal & niche + more traditi

varieties

Photography by Scott Ehler. Second row to bottom L to R: 1. Freshly opened oysters 2. Jerome Scarborough serving 3. Alvin Quah 4. Janelle Bloom 5. Salt & Pepper Squid 6. MC Brett Lavaring 7. Bob Lusby from Tintilla 9. Masterclass with PJ Charteris & Andrew Spinaze 9. Scallops 26

breathe summer 2010/2011

BALMORAL PICTORIAL

Photography by Scott Ehler

breathe summer 2010/2011

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wine

reviews Two Rivers 2009 Reserve Chardonnay RRP $24 COMPANY OVERVIEW James Halliday 5 Star Winery 2011 Australian Wine Companion Two Rivers was established near the picturesque township of Denman in 1988 by Brett & Linda Keeping and has specialized in making quality wines for over 20 years. Two Rivers draws its name from the vineyards unique proximity to the Upper Hunters two dominant waterways; the Hunter and Goulburn Rivers. The vineyard enjoys excellent well drained clay loam soils over a sandstone ridge providing ideal grape growing conditions. Two Rivers has quietly built up a reputation as an outstanding and highly awarded vineyard and their beautiful Cellar Door is a must see on a visit to the Denman area.

WINEMAKING NOTES It all starts in the vineyard with careful fruit selection which underpins a style of restraint and finesse. Slow cool barrel ferments and barrique maturation provide a backdrop to naturally intense fruit flavours and mineral acidity.

Minimal intervention winemaking techniques combine with exceptionally delicate small format French oak to achieve intensity balance and drive.

TASTING NOTES A classic Hunter chardonnay. Citrus and orange blossoms layer above a rich cashew and patisserie nose. An intense creamy structure balances with delicate oak and natural acidity to give a wonderful finish to the seamless mix of lemon, rockmelons and stone fruits.

This wine to date has won Blue Gold & Top 100 2011 Sydney International Wine Show, Gold 2010 International Chardonnay Challenge, Top 40 Wine & Gold Medal 2010 NSW Wine Awards, Top Gold 2010 Royal Sydney Wine Show, Top Gold 2010 Cowra Wine Show, 5 stars and Top of Category 2010 Winestate Magazine.

FOOD MATCH To complement the wonderful depth and structure of this wine we suggest you match it with a dish of roasted spatchcock stuffed with orange and cashews, served on a bed of couscous, with freshly steamed green vegetables. Ensure to serve this wine chilled in lovely large glasses so the intense aromas can be fully enjoyed.

p 02 6547 2556 e sales@tworivers.com.au Cellar door open 7 days 11am - 4pm

2 Yarrawa Road DENMAN www.tworiverswines.com.au

wine

reviews Tulloch 2010 JYT Selection Semillon RRP $25 COMPANY OVERVIEW The Tulloch story began in 1895 when John Younie Tulloch accepted an unusual settlement of a debt, a property in Pokolbin. Starting with just five acres of Shiraz, the Tulloch name is now synonymous with the Hunter.

Visitors to the Cellar Door are invited to experience the true heritage of the Hunter and to sample some of the regions most renowned wines. Located in the heart of Pokolbin, the award-winning Tulloch Cellar Door is a must visit Hunter destination.

WINEMAKING NOTES A new addition to our range, this wine is the epitome of Hunter Semillon, with fruit sourced from some of the Hunter’s most established Semillon vineyards (we can’t say where, but it’s owned by a very large company and its adjacent to our cellar door property). Delicate fruit and a seamless acid backbone make this is wine one to watch for many years to come. This classic Hunter Semillon is produced only in exceptional vintages. It is made from fruit personally selected by Jay (JYT) Tulloch, which he feels typifies the unique and unparalleled characteristics Hunter Semillon is famous for.

TASTING NOTES The Semillon grapes from which this wine was made were grown on the historic vineyard property first planted by the pioneering McDonald family in the mid 1800’s in the Parish of Pokolbin. This is a Semillon of distinction made in the traditional Hunter Valley style with lifted fruit on the middle of the palate with a crisp finish. In the tradition of good Hunter Valley Semillon from mature vineyards, this wine will be enhanced by medium term cellaring under good conditions.

Available at the Cellar Door and through our 1895 Wine Club FOOD MATCH Best matched with Port Stephens oysters, Hunter River prawns or fresh scallops.

u Winner 2007 Cellar Door of the Year - Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards u

p 02 4998 7580 e cellardoor@tullochwines.net Cellar Door 10am - 5pm daily (except Good Friday & Christmas Day)

638 DeBeyers Rd POKOLBIN www.tulloch.com.au

wine

reviews Margan 2010 Frizzante RRP $17 COMPANY OVERVIEW Margan Family Winegrowers was established over a decade ago and are proud to be considered a leading premium wine producer. Winemaker, Andrew Margan, handcrafts unique wines which show contemporary personality but also show respect to their regional heritage.

All grapes are grown on the low yielding, old-vine Margan vineyards and the wines are made onsite at Margan winery. The Margan winery, vineyards, tasting room and restaurant are based in the picturesque valley of Broke Fordwich.

WINEMAKING NOTES The grapes for this wine were handpicked from the Margan Home Block Vineyard which produces a leaner, grassy style of Semillon. The juice was fermented under temperature controlled conditions to maintain all of its fruit characters and the ferment stopped to keep the balance between the sugar and the natural acid and alcohol. Natural CO2 was retained after the ferment to provide the wine with a light fizziness.

TASTING NOTES Light green in colour with a very fine spritz. The wine displays a bouquet of fresh lemon and lime with hints of crushed nettle. The palate is perfectly balanced with delicate fruit characters and a racy citrus finish. Enjoy chilled as a young, slightly effervescent, low alcohol style. Makes a great aperitif and at 8% alcohol is perfect for summer drinking.

FOOD MATCH Enjoy with a range of seafood or simply as a stand - alone aperitif. At Margan Restaurant it pairs beautifully with the Seared kingfish, prawn agnolotti and poached Mullaway on white bean puree, with apple cider dressing and Spanish jamon.

p 02 6579 1372 e cellardoor@margan.com.au Cellar Door open 7 days 10am -5pm

1238 Milbrodale Road BROKE www.margan.com.au

wine

reviews Scarborough Wine Co. 2008 Yellow Label Chardonnay RRP $22 COMPANY OVERVIEW Scarborough Wine Co. has been producing its unique style of wines since 1987 and is one of the few Hunter Valley only producers. Specialising in Chardonnay but also producing other traditional premium Hunter varieties, such as Semillon and Shiraz, Scarborough has established itself as one of the Hunter Valley’s leading wine producers. Awarded Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year in 2009, Scarborough prides itself on customer service and providing a unique wine tasting experience at its Gillards Road property.

WINEMAKING NOTES The Gillards Road site was chosen by Ian Scarborough for its limestone-based, terra rossa soils. The hillside property produces premium quality Chardonnay fruit which has defined Scarborough’s trademark Yellow Label Chardonnay since 1987.

This unique Hunter Valley style of Chardonnay is achieved through a careful balance of fruit and oak integration. The wine is fermented and matured in French Oak barrels for 12 months. Over this time, the contact and storage of the wine with yeast lees and a degree of malo-lactic fermentation, creates a beautifully structured and flavourful wine.

The wine is released at three years of age which allows the flavours to combine and display rich complexity.

TASTING NOTES This is a wine which expresses a soft, creamy and rich palate. The texture of the wine is balanced by delightful tones of ripe peach, toasty oak, vanilla and soft ground nuts. Yet it still carries a lovely freshness and lemon citrus tang. Gorgeous buttery aromas with melon and cashew nut characters show cleanly on the nose.

This wine will become richer over two or three years, and will show a mouthful of butterscotch, caramel and stronger nut flavours.

FOOD MATCH The Yellow Label Chardonnay is best enjoyed with seafood such as crustaceans or white fish with capers and lemon buttered sauces. Creamy risottos or light pasta dishes and richer chicken, game birds or servings of veal also partner nicely with this wine.

Winner 2009 Cellar Door of the Year – Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards

p 02 4998 7563 e cellar@scarboroughwine.com.au Cellar door open 7 days from 9am - 5pm

179 Gillards Road POKOLBIN www.scarboroughwine.com.au

wine

reviews Tintilla Estate 2010 Rosato di Jupiter Sangiovese RRP $22 COMPANY OVERVIEW Rosato di Jupiter is “summer in a bottle”, an exceptional rosé style of wine made from the Sangiovese grape variety which was first planted in the Hunter, by Tintilla Estate, over 15 years ago.

The world wide phenomena of Rosé seemingly taking over as our preferred summer wine seemed impossible only a few years ago! In some ways it reflects a confidence in selecting a wine more appropriate to summer outdoor living and our modern Australian cuisine. “It’s a style that seems to have great appeal with our customers who today are looking for different flavours and textures that go with alfresco eating” said James Lusby our Winemaker.

WINEMAKING NOTES Tintilla Rosato is made in a dryer style by leaving the freshly crushed juice on the skins for about 48 hours to extract the vibrant pink/red colour and the flavours without the harshness of prolonged contact. The juice is racked off and cool fermented in stainless steel retaining its fragrance, freshness and acidity.

TASTING NOTES The wine has an inviting bright pale red colour with a lovely aromatic lifted fruity nose that wafts in the glass. This is followed by a savoury cherry flavour with natural crispness and dryness of the Sangiovese fine tannins. It has a moreish after taste, and should be served chilled but not too chilled.

FOOD MATCH Rosato goes well with a variety of foods Salads, pasta, ocean trout or Atlantic salmon, paella and a variety of spicy Asian dishes . However, on a hot summers day there is nothing better than an antipasto platter, fresh bread and a bottle of Rosato.

p 02 6575 7093 e info@tintilla.com.au Cellar door open 7 days 10:30am - 6pm

725 Hermitage Road POKOLBIN www.tintilla.com.au

food

RECIPE FROM ESCA BIMBADGEN RESTAURANT HEAD CHEF EBONNIE NEWBY PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS ELFES

SEARED SCALLOPS, ESCABECHE OF VEGETABLES, GAZPACHIO SORBET Serves 2 as an entrée 6 large scallops with roe off ( for 2 serves but you can add more) Gazpachio Sorbet 700g tomatoes 200g red capsicum 200g cucumber 1 slice of bread (crusts removed) 1 ½ cloves garlic 150g red onion 25ml red wine vinegar 50ml water 170 ml sugar syrup 2 small red chillies 150g liquid glucose Escabeche of Vegetables 1 red capsicum ½ yellow capsicum 1 small fennel bulb 2 shallots 1 zucchini 1 clove garlic ½ orange ½ lemon

50ml Chardonnay vinegar 100ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil Salt ½ tspn coriander seeds baby herbs to garnish To prepare Gazpachio Sorbet 1. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT sugar syrup & glucose in a big kitchen bucket.

2. Blitz using a large stick blender until a puree then add remaining ingredients.

3. Churn in ice-cream machine.

To prepare vegetables 1. Finely dice all the vegetables and mix together.

2. Segment citrus and set aside.

3. Lightly sauté vegetables and coriander seeds– without colour, then remove from heat & set aside.

4. Mix vinegar & oil together & add to the vegetables.

5. When vegetables are cool, add citrus & season.

To Cook & Serve 1. Toss the scallops lightly in a little oil, salt & pepper.

2. Place the scallops in a pre-heated pan. The pan needs to be hot but not burning.

3. After one minute turn the scallops over and cook for a further minute.

4. On the plate, place a line of the escabeche of vegetable then place three scallops on top.

5. Place a scoop of the sorbet in a Chinese spoon (or small dish) and sit beside the vegetables.

6. Toss baby herbs in a little extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper & place on top of the scallops. Enjoy with a chilled Hunter Valley Semillon.

p 02 4998 4666 e esca@bimbadgen.com.au Open 7 days for lunch Midday-4pm Dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm

790 McDonalds Road POKOLBIN www.bimbadgen.com.au

food

breakfast

The health professionals all tell us that breakfast is by far the most important meal of the day.

So why do so many of us rush it, eat it on the go or skip it completely?

WORDS BY MELINDA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES

W

ith summer holidays here, let’s all take time out and reclaim breakfast.

You can be guaranteed that the Hunter Valley has breakfast covered, whether you are the muesli and yoghurt type, the full-cooked breakfast type, the buffet grazer, or the sleep-in-and-make-it-just-in-time-forbrunch type.

Restaurant Sanctuary (formerly Chez Pok) of Peppers Guest House has been serving breakfast for over 25 years.

Their signature breakfast dish, bread-and-butter pudding, is deliciously indulgent and comes with sultanas or berries.

This is a ‘take your time’ kind of breakfast – one to luxuriate over. Kick back on the verandah with the quiet hum of cicadas, endless cups of tea and coffee, and catch up with the news of the world reading the papers.

Regulars to Peppers Guest House will remember a particularly happy, smiling face at breakfast. Joy, who has been serving breakfast for just on 26 years, will greet you like a longlost friend, talk you through the menu and point you in the direction of the buffet.

The long, wooden table used as the buffet is laid out with all the things we love to eat, but are too busy to prepare ourselves: fruit compotes, stewed seasonal fruits like rhubarb and apple, and freshly baked pastries. Then, of course, comes cooked breakfast to order - Eggs Benedict are always a favourite.

If you are after a late and leisurely country breakfast, Briar Grillade at Briar Ridge on Mount View Road is the perfect spot. They offer breakfast Wednesday to Sunday from 9.30am til 12 noon, so you can sleep in and still satisfy your growling stomach.

Order their Grillade Indulgence Breakfast for two and you won’t even think about lunch. It comes as a hearty platter of Eggs Benedict on Turkish bread, grilled tomato, mushrooms, crispy bacon, sausage, avocado and smoked salmon, with a 2008 Briar Ridge Pinot Chardonnay, orange juice, and tea and coffee.

For a Sunday breakfast of farm fresh eggs and homegrown fruits, take a short drive out to Broke, to Margan Restaurant. The restaurant has a strong focus on sustainability, with its own garden and free-range chickens, who

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lead a very comfortable country life in return for their eggs.

Owner and manager, Lisa Margan, describes the restaurant’s one-acre fruit and vegetable garden as a labour of love and a sustainable way to reduce their food miles.

“We base our menus around the seasons and, in particular, what we are harvesting from the garden right now,” she says. “As it’s summer, that means sweet, juicy strawberries, which are delicious with our light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes.”

The restaurant was named the Sustainable Restaurant of the Year at the 2011 Good Food Guide Awards, and received a gold award at the 2010 NSW Tourism Awards.

The recently launched Ridgeview Restaurant & Café on Sweetwater Road also uses eggs from its estate’s free-range chickens for their weekend breakfast menu.

Owners, Darren and Tracey Scott, say the chooks have been hand-raised by their son, Brendan, and he has named them all to ensure none of them make it onto the menu.

Elizabeth’s, at McWiliam’s Mount Pleasant, serves breakfast daily, from 9am til 11am. The sunny courtyard is a lovely spot to sit and indulge in tempting treats like bagels with smoke-cured salmon, crème fraiche, fresh tomato and red onion salsa with poached eggs, or maybe the baked custard with poached pear and honey ginger glaze. And their Elizabeth’s Detox Tea might be what you need if you overindulged the night before.

Sipping champagne at breakfast is not something you can do every day, but there are times when bubbles are a must do: kicking off your holidays, celebrating a special occasion, or just getting together with the girls.

Chef Chad Pridue, of Restaurant Cuvee at Petersons Champagne House, offers a fabulous breakfast menu, including marinated field mushrooms, English spinach and Binnorie Dairy fetta served on Turkish bread, and delightful berry pancakes with warm berry compote and Chantilly cream.

And, after breakfast, you can wander in to the Cellar Door to sample some more champagne. Now, that’s a fun way to start the day!

There are always enticing baking smells wafting from the kitchen of Wine Country Café, which is located on Wine Country Drive.

Margan Restaurant chooks (top right) & pancakes at Margan Restaurant (left)

Breakfast at Restaurant Sanctuary, Peppers Guest House

When they are not preparing tasty, home-style, country breakfasts, the chefs are busy filling the ovens with biscuits, slices, cakes and tarts – just perfect to take away for morning tea when you grab your morning coffee. They also have takeaway breakfast options, so if you are pushed for time, you won’t go hungry.

But, if the thought of getting out of your pyjamas is just too much, make sure you have your fridge and pantry stocked full of scrumptious ingredients for an ‘all hands on deck’ homecooked, country breakfast.

The Pokolbin General Store, The Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop, The Hunter Valley Cheese Company and The Australian Regional Food Store & Café have all the necessary goodies for a sensational breakfast banquet at home.n

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Relax in the tranquil garden setting and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Briar Grillade is the perfect place to catch up with friends or meet with colleagues. Enjoy a coffee while reading the daily paper, or savour items from the changing al fresco menu. Meals are prepared from the very best fresh, seasonal produce and cooked on the feature grill.

Open Wednesday - Sunday | Breakfast 9.30am-12noon | Lunch till 3pm | Morning & afternoon tea till 4pm Briar Ridge Vineyard | 593 Mount View Road Mount View | 02 4990 8601 | www.briarridge.com.au

visitor information centre 455 wine country drive pokolbin ph 4990 9208 • open 7 days • 9am-5pm www.winecountrycafe.com.au

... so much more than a coffee shop

RESTAURANT

Cuveé

@ PETERSONS CHAMPAGNE HOUSE

LTD

Open 7 days Breakfast 8.30am – 11.00am Lunch 12.00pm – 3.00pm Corner of Broke Road & Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin NSW 2320 P 02 4998 7881 E cuvee@petersonhouse.com.au cuvee@petersonhouse.com.au www.petersonhouse.com.au www.petersonhouse.com.au

Restaurant Cuvee located at Petersons Champagne House Ltd offers modern Australian cuisine at its best. Our al-a-carte menu has been designed using fresh local produce - with seasonal menu changes, you will be sure to find something to please your palate. The romance of the building provides a beautiful setting for weddings, private functions, corporate dinners or any special occasion of celebration.

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Please send completed form via post, fax or email to: Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association, PO Box 352 Cessnock NSW 2325 F 02 4991 4535 E events@winehuntervalley.org.au For any enquiries please call 02 4991 4533 Hunter Valley Breathe is published quarterly by Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association. ABN 15728 023 119

lifestyle art

Les Elvin Artist WORDS BY STEVE JAMES

‘The Fire Spirit’ - acrylic on canvas

For Hunter Valley artist, Les Elvin, a lifelong love of art led him on the journey to discover his own art and explore his heritage as a descendant of the local Wonnaruah people.

This journey has had dramatic effects, which reach well beyond his Cessnock studio. In 2008, Les was named NAIDOC Artist of the Year. His visually stunning art is much in demand locally, nationally and internationally.

H

e has been pivotal in establishing - and continues to support - a highly successful aboriginal arts program at St Heliers Corrective Centre in Muswellbrook, which has helped many inmates to find new lives and careers back in society. He has, through the sale of his artworks, assisted and promoted diabetes preventative health services for aboriginal people in central Australia. He was introduced to the program by his daughter, Leslie, who is a renowned nurse-practitioner as well as author and artist in her own right.

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Les is a tireless worker in bringing about understanding of aboriginal culture in schools, seniors groups and community art projects. He has an ongoing project to help conserve, through art, the culture of his people.

His interest in art goes back to an early obsession with drawing.

His talent was recognised and fostered by an artistic aunt, who unfortunately died during Les’s early teens, ending his connection with the art world for many years.

Les’ adult life as an artist began towards the end of a long career as a mines electrician. The demands of his work, raising a family and running a small business took priority until near retirement, when he undertook aboriginal cultural studies, which included art. There, he met teacher and mentor, Bill Reece, an accomplished aboriginal artist who worked and taught in the western style. Bill provided Les with extra drawing classes and encouraged him to pursue his art studies more formally. Les was impressed by Bill’s practise of discreetly including animal and bird shapes in his mangrove landscape paintings as a way of honouring his culture.

Once again, he was deprived of his mentor through illness, but Les took Bill’s advice and undertook an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts through TAFE.

This was a choice that Les says he took “not knowing that walking through those doors would change life completely.”

Les describes the practise of studying art as “an octopus with tentacles showing you lots of directions, from which you eventually choose one” or, in his case, one that chose him.

It was going to art school that really brought Les back to his Aboriginal culture. He immersed himself in the study of aboriginal and western art and emerged with a passion for portraiture and a great admiration for the artists of central Australia. He was inspired by the role of these artists in passing on their people’s stories. At that time, he didn’t have much knowledge of the stories of his own people, the local Wonnaruau. Because of their displacement from the early years of colonisation onward, much of their history had been lost.

On graduating from art school, Les envisioned a major portraiture project to tell the stories of individual aboriginal people in their own environment. With this in mind, he made plans to “head north” and did a course in remedial massage to fund the journey along the way. In the meantime, he was approached by TAFE to teach a fine arts certificate course for aboriginal inmates of Muswellbrook Correctional centre.

‘Lionel Munroe, Morree Elder’ - acrylic on canvas

As well as teaching art to the inmates, Les helped organise exhibitions which brought their work to the attention of the wider community, from their first well-sold show at Wollombi, to taking part in a highly acclaimed Upper Hunter Aboriginal People’s exhibition – now a regular event on the regional arts calendar. Many individuals have benefitted from the program, and a number have found new careers in the arts as a result.

Les says that, for him, the program was a two-way experience.

While he taught painting skills, he was always learning more about aboriginal heritage and culture in return. With years spent learning more about his culture and drawing on established aboriginal painting traditions, Les has taken a lead in evolving a contemporary local art style, which reflects Wonnaruah stories and country.

Always modest about his achievements and generous with his time, he sees his successes as opportunities to gain recognition for the local aboriginal arts community and to help the wider community share understanding of aboriginal culture.

Les’s work may be viewed by appointment at Kungera Art, 79 Aberdare Road, Cessnock. See www. mandurahhibe.com.au for further details. n

‘Secret Meeting Place’ - acrylic on canvas

‘Tidlik The Frog’ - acrylic on canvas

‘Fishing Spot’ - acrylic on canvas breathe summer 2010/2011

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Shoes

Jewellery

Sleep Wear

Clothing

Italian Leather Hand bags

Gifts

Men’s Ties & Cuff Links

Pokolbin Village Resort

Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Ph: (02) 4998-6656 Open daily from 10am

breathe Do you want to advertise in Hunter Valley Breathe?

Tempt Homewares H U N T E R

V A L L E Y

Art • Jewellery • Homewares • Mirrors • Giftware • Lamps At Tempt we love beautiful homes, deliciously pretty gifts and delightful accessories!

Monday to Friday from 10am Saturday and Sunday from 9am

Pokolbin Village Broke Road Pokolbin Phone 02 4998 6515

Shop online www.tempthomewares.com.au

To advertise your business or product to the wider Hunter Valley region, visitors to the area, plus a broad and targeted Sydney readership, contact Melinda Kelly p: 02 4991 4533 or email events@winehuntervalley.org.au

lifestyle shopping

retail therapy hunter valley style WORDS BY MELINDA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ELFES

breathe summer 2010

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lifestyle shopping

S

hopping! All of us do it. Some of us love it and some of us loathe it. For some, shopping is a pure indulgent pleasure, and others only do it out of sheer necessity.

The broader Hunter Valley has its fair share of big shopping centres and malls - the kind that dominate every city and large regional town. Also the kind that cause mothers to meltdown and kids to go crazy, even before the elusive car space has been found!

Thankfully, there is another side of shopping - an enjoyable side, where you can wander at a leisurely pace and browse to your heart’s content. Hunter Valley Wine Country has retail shops that are real “retail therapy” - they are the shops where you are served by locals (often by the owners), are given true and honest advice, and good old-fashioned service.

Pokolbin Village on Broke Road has an eclectic mix of shops where you can find everything from the daily newspapers, cheese and chocolate, to stylish ladies’ fashion and quirky antiques and homewares.

Fashionable Central Coast duo, Karen Lynch and Jodi Jordan, launched their boutique ‘D’Vine in the Hunter’ at Pokolbin Village two years ago, and say they love the range of people they meet through their store.

“Our motto is ‘every thing a girl wants in the one store and more’,” says Karen. “It’s fun being able to help someone find the perfect outfit for a special occasion, the right piece of jewellery to complete a ‘look’, or pick out a gift to spoil someone else.”

D’Vine in the Hunter has a fantastic range of handbags, sterling silver and fashion jewellery, men’s ties and cufflinks, sleepwear

by Gingerlilly, Naot Shoes from Israel, and ladies’ fashion labels including Vigorella, The Ark, Martini, Metaphor and Lauren Vidal.

Take a stroll along the verandah at Pokolbin Village to sample wine from Pokolbin Winemakers Outlet, then pop into the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop for an impressive selection of local and international cheeses, deli goods, condiments, jams, gelato and a great range of nifty kitchen utensils.

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Just next door is one for the chocoholics and those with a sweet-tooth. The Pokolbin Chocolate & Jam Company specialises in home-made chocolates, jams, and local produce and has loads of lollies, like old-fashioned bull’s eyes, licorice straps, and lollipops for the kids.

Drop into the General Store for takeaway coffee, snacks, essentials, local produce, gifts and memorabilia and a newsstand that is updated daily with local and national media.

With an eye for the quirky, individual and unique, Kylie Gough has an enchanting collection of art, jewellery, giftware, homewares, mirrors, lamps and furniture at the charming Tempt Gallery.

“Choosing pieces for the shop is a joy,” says Kylie. “I love interior design and collectables, so this is a natural extension of what I do for fun. We are all individuals, so of course we want our surroundings to be an expression of ourselves.”

“It’s really enjoyable to speak to people and help them picture pieces in the own home, help them choose a special gift, or just chat about the local area,” she says.

If you are craving a little more ‘therapy’, head to Hunter Valley Gardens, where, once again, the stores are located in a relaxed village atmosphere with scattered gardens and shady spots.

Here you will find everything from fashion at Wilson & Hunter, sweet treats at the British Lolly Shop and the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, and wine gadgets and cooking utensils at The Waiter’s Friend, to lovely candles at Candelabra, gifts and jewellery at The Twig and Beautiful Things, art at Ken Duncan’s Gallery and the latest novels at Village Books.

Many of the region’s Cellar Doors also have delightful art galleries, like Capercaillie Wine Co., Mistletoe Wines, Undercliff Winery & Gallery, Pokolbin Vineyard Estate, Broke’s Promise and Butterflies Gallery, located next to De Iuliis Wines.

And, for real community shopping, keep an eye out for the local regional market days, held regularly throughout the year.

There, you can always grab a bargain while supporting local artists, producers and charities. Happy shopping! n

lifestyle music

Did You Know • Some artist have unusual requests like a bowl of only blue M&Ms. • It takes about 600 staff to stage an average sized concert.

• The first A Day On The Green at Bimbadgen was held in November 2002, featuring The Whitlams. The first Bimbadgen Blues was staged in 2000.

Concerts WORDS BY JO THOMAS

• The biggest concert crowd was 19,000 people at the 2009 Fleetwood Mac concert.There were 21 police on site and 160 buses.

• The Hope Estate concert stage takes over a week to construct and is about 15m high.

• About 4000 bottles of wine and 130 kegs of beer are consumed at each concert.

S

ummer is set to sizzle here in the Hunter Valley, with an incredible line-up of artists schedule to perform.

January kicks off with A Day On The Green at Bimbadgen Estate, featuring INXS, with Sting (February) and Neil Diamond (March) performing at Hope Estate.Check out our What’s On pages for more concert details.

We spoke with some of the wine companies that host these concerts and they shared some interesting information.

The Milestones • Wyndham Estate celebrates its 15th year of its hallmark event, Opera in the Vineyards. Almost 60,000 fans have attended the event on the banks of the Hunter River over the last 15 years.

• The first concert of the 10th anniversary of A Day On The Green was a massive double header, with Blondie and The Pretenders.

• A Day On The Green has staged 211 shows since its inception in January 2001, to well over one million happy patrons.

• In March, the famous Country Music Channel (CMC) will make Hope Estate the new home for its annual concert, after outgrowing its previous location in Thredbo.

Up Close & Personal • Ronan Keating came to the winery at Bimbadgen Estate where he enjoyed a tasting, chatted at length with staff and other guests and, according to the Cellar Door staff, was a very friendly and down-to-earth guy.

• Jimmy Barnes, when visiting in 2006, lunched at Esca with other patrons and decided to watch most of the concert from the balcony with everyone else.

• Alicia Keys was wonderful in hosting a ‘meet and greet’ with a very lucky lady featured on Domestic Blitz in 2008, who had a wish to meet the superstar.

• Kate Miller-Heidke supported Crowded House in November 2010 and received rave reviews from concert-goers after she walked through the crowd signing autographs.

Experiencing the Hunter Many international artists are pleasantly surprised by the Australian environment and our outdoor venues.

• At Alicia Keys’s show, there was a truly amazing sunset followed by a bursting full moon, which crept over the concert site. The crew of New Yorkers couldn’t believe it. They are used to playing indoor venues and don’t get to sit back to enjoy the view.

• Lionel Richie’s rendition of the great Australian salute – the fly swipe – is a story to remember. He actually thought everyone in the crowd was waving to him, until he worked out they were brushing flies away! breathe summer 2010/2011

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australian regional food store and café

Artisan Cheese Manufacturer, Wholesaler & Retailer Supplier of our own, local and imported cheeses

Cheese Tasting

ALL DAY

lunch all day • produce tastings open 7 days • 9am-5pm @ the small winemakers centre

426 mcdonalds road pokolbin hunter valley p • 4998 6800 australianregionalfood@westnet.com.au e • australianregionalfood@westnet.com.au w • www.australianregionalfood.com.au

More info phone 4998 6713. www.huntervalleysmellycheeseshop.com.au www.huntervalleysmellycheeseshop.com.au

Cheese Made On Site • Factory Viewing & Tastings daily 9am - 5.30pm • Award Winning • Preservative Free • Made with Vegetarian Rennet • Complimentary Cheese Talk 11am & 3pm daily • Factory Outlet Sales & Discounts

“Blessed are the cheesemakers” HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY & SHOP McGuigan Wine Cellars, 447 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin Ph: 02 4998 7744 www.huntervalleycheese.com.au

Broke’s Promise is a boutique vineyard, olive grove and art gallery situated in the tranquil valley of Broke Fordwich.

OPEN EVERY WEEKEND 11AM-4PM 725 MILBRODALE ROAD BROKE P • 6579 1165 E • cr@brokespromise.com.au W • www.brokespromise.com.au

what’s on DECEMBER Christmas Lights Spectacular Date Every night until Thursday, January 6th, 2011

(excluding Christmas Day and Night) Contact 4998 4000 www.hvg.com.au Location Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin Open every night, a magical event the whole family will enjoy.

With exciting new displays of over a million lights plus festive food, beverages, children’s entertainment and Santa! See the website for details.

Sculpture in the Vineyards Date December 2010 through January 2011 Contact www.wollombiwinetrail.com.au Location Along with Wollombi Wine Trail This exhibition gives local, regional and city based artists an opportunity to develop cultural partnerships through creating and exhibiting large-scale and site-specific works inspired by the rural surrounds of the vineyards along the Wollombi Wine Trail and historic township. Artist-run workshops and forums are also running in partnership with the exhibition.

JANUARY Wet & Wild - Hunter Valley Gardens Date Saturday, January 1 - Sunday, January 16, 2011 Contact 4998 4000 www.hvg.com.au Location Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin The Wet & Wild theme is sure to cool off the kids these school holidays with Aqua Blast Hopscotch, Slide ‘n’ Splash Alligator Pool, Croc Stars, Roaming Reptiles and more. Bring along your towel and swimmers and enjoy summer in the Gardens. Full program on the website.

Toni Childs Date Saturday, January 15, 2011 Contact 4998 4217 www.mywinery.com Location Tamburlaine Organic Wines, McDonalds Road,

Pokolbin ‘Tamburlaine at Twilight’ returns featuring the three time Grammy nominee Toni Childs, best known for her hit ‘Don’t Walk Away’ from her critically acclaimed album Union. ‘Tamburlaine at Twilight’ will again be supporting the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and you can help make a difference to the life of someone you love.

Christmas Day Lunch @ The Verandah Restaurant Date Saturday, December 25, 2010 Contact 4998 7231 www.verandahrestaurant.com.au Location Calais Estate, Palmer’s Lane, Pokolbin.

Take the hard work out of Christmas this year and enjoy an amazing Christmas Day feast at The Verandah Restaurant. $130 per adult, children under 12 $50 children’s menu & dessert. Bookings are essential and no BYO. Celebrate Christmas Day Lunch @ Restaurant Sanctuary Date Saturday, December 25, 2010 Contact 4993 8999 www.peppers.com.au Location Peppers Guest House, Ekerts Road, Pokolbin Relax & unwind on Christmas Day. Let Michael Bolam and his team take care of you and your family and enjoy a decadent degustation lunch on the terrace or dine in air conditioned comfort in our gorgeous dining room. $125 per person, children’s menu available on request. Bookings essential.

NEW YEAR’S EVE Celebrate New Year’s Eve @ Restaurant Sanctuary Date Friday, December 31, 2010 Contact 4993 8999 www.peppers.com.au Location Peppers Guest House, Ekerts Road, Pokolbin Join us at Restaurant Sanctuary for a sumptuous degustation to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your someone special or a fun group of friends. Dine on the terrace or in air conditioned comfort in our gorgeous dining room. $110 per person, bookings essential.

New Year’s Eve @ The Verandah Restaurant Date Friday, December 31, 2010 Contact 4998 7231 www.verandahrestaurant.com.au Location Calais Estate, Palmer’s Lane, Pokolbin.

Bring in the New Year in style this year with a six course tapas style degustation dinner at The Verandah Restaurant. $130 per adult, children under 12 $50 children’s menu & dessert. Bookings are essential and no BYO.

A Day On The Green - INXS Date Saturday, January 29, 2011 Contact www.adayonthegreen.com.au

www.ticketmaster.com.au Location Bimbadgen Estate, McDonalds Road, Pokolbin Aussie icons INXS play their first Australian tour in four years exclusively for A Day On The Green with JD Fortune as guest vocalist.

With more than 35 million album sold, an enviable reputation for live performance and a collection of master hits, INXS remain one of our most-loved and respected treasures. Joining them will be US Grammy-Award winners TRAIN (‘Hey Soul Sister’, ‘Drops of Jupiter’) and the reformed Baby Animals.

BBX Race Day Date Friday, January 14, 2011 Contact 4961 1573 www.winecountryraceclub.com.au Location Wine Country Race Club, Race Course Road,

Cessnock Experience the best of country racing. Cessnock Racecourse is just minutes form Cessnock city centre. Admission is free.

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what’s on Wine Country Race Club Race Day Date Monday, January 31, 2011 Contact 4961 1573 www.winecountryraceclub.com.au Location Race Course Road, Cessnock Experience the best of country racing. Cessnock Racecourse is just minutes form Cessnock city centre. Admission is free.

Wine Country Race Club Race Day Date Monday, February 28, 2011 Contact 4961 1573 www.winecountryraceclub.com.au Location Race Course Road, Cessnock Experience the best of country racing. Cessnock Racecourse is just minutes form Cessnock city centre. Admission is free.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Sting @ Hope Estate Date Saturday, February 5, 2011 Contact 4993 3555 wwwhopeestate.com.au Location Hope Estate, Broke Rd, Pokolbin Hope Estate is proud to host Sting performing his most celebrated songs featuring the Sydney Symphony conducted by Steven Mercurio. Book your tickets on 1800 777 444.

Local’s Night @ Verandah Restaurant Date Sunday, February 6, 2011 Contact 4998 7231 www.verandahrestaurant.com.au Location Calais Estate, Palmer’s Lane, Pokolbin.

“Tastes of the Verandah on our 4th Birthday.”This one will be special with The Verandah celebrating its 4th Birthday. Starting at 6:30pm with complimentary canapés and bubbles, followed by a five course tapas style degustation dinner. $50 per person BYO No corkage.

A Day On The Green - Joe Cocker Date Saturday, February 12, 2011 Contact www.adayonthegreen.com.au

www.ticketmaster.com.au Location Bimbadgen Estate, McDonalds Road, Pokolbin Get ready for double trouble when Joe Cocker returns to Australia in February, accompanied by his special guests, the master of slide guitar, the truly bad-to-the-bone George Thorogood and his Destroyers. The concert also features Diesel & The Dingoes and is the fifth Day On The Green for Bimbadgen Estate this summer.

Roxy Music @ Hope Estate Date Saturday, February 26, 2011 Contact 4993 3555 www.hopeestate.com.au Location Hope Estate, Broke Road, Pokolbin Hope Estate is proud to host Roxy Music with special guests Mondo Rock. Book your tickets now on 1800 777 444.

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breathe summer 2010/2011

Local’s Night @ Verandah Restaurant Date Sunday. March 6, March, 2011 Contact 4998 7231 www.verandahrestaurant.com.au Location Calais Estate, Palmer’s Lane, Pokolbin.

“Tastes from the Ocean” at The Verandah Restaurant. Starting at 6:30pm with complimentary canapés and bubbles, followed by a five course tapas style degustation dinner. $50 per person BYO No corkage.

CMC Rocks The Hunter Date Saturday, March 5 & Sunday March 6, 2011 Contact 1300 369 882 www.countrymusicchannel.com.au,

www.hopeestate.com.au Location Hope Estate, Broke Road, Pokolbin The biggest international country music talent lineup ever in Australia is coming to the Hunter Valley. This unprecedented roster of international and local country music stars is headlined by US legendary superstar, Alan Jackson. He will be joined by over 20 artists including Miranda Lambert (US), Joe Nichols (US), Emerson Drive (Canada), The McClymonts, Buxton Hughes (US) and many more.

Wine Country Race Club Race Day Date Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Contact 4961 1573 www.winecountryraceclub.com.au Location Race Course Road, Cessnock Experience the best of country racing. Cessnock Racecourse is just minutes form Cessnock city centre. Admission is free.

Neil Diamond @ Hope Estate Date Saturday, March 19, 2011 Contact 4993 3555 www.hopeestate.com.au Location Hope Estate, Broke Road, Pokolbin Hope Estate is proud to host Neil Diamond - the legend; the icon and the showman live in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country.

Book your tickets now on 1800 777 444.

NSW Senior’s Week @ Hunter Valley Gardens Date Sunday, March 20 - Sunday, March 27, 2011 Contact 4998 4000 www.hvg.com.au Location Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin Celebrate NSW Senior’s Week at the Hunter Valley Gardens with live entertainment, special guests and daily talks and tours with trained horticultural staff. For more information see the website closer to the event date. n

AUSSIE WINE TOURS

As featured in Australia’s Best Wine Tours Have you been to Hunter Valley Wine Country several times before?

Tired of the same old wineries that the bus tours visit?

Want to go to wineries of your choice?

Want to have lunch somewhere special?

Want to be on your own private tour with just that special person or a few select friends?

Why not indulge ... splash out in one of our Chauffeur Driven Private Hire Cars. Design a Tour Degustation and let us help you match your palate to local award winning wines.

1-8 pax | Bookings Essential | Airport & Hotel transfers available

P • 0402 90 90 90 | E • tours@aussiewinetours.com.au www.aussiewinetours.com.au

www.starlinealpacas.com.au

Wine Country Race Club

CELLAR DOOR

When visiting the Hunter why not experience Country Racing Close to the City

Come enjoy our fine range at the acclaimed Pokolbin cellar door – a breath-taking contemporary space designed to complement your Tempus Two experience.

Race Dates

Friday January 14 Monday January 31 Monday February 28 Tuesday March 8

8FFL %BZ .FFUJOHT FREE ENTRY Racecourse Rd Cessnock www.winecountryraceclub.com.au www.winecountryraceclub.com.au Tel: 02 4961 1573 Is Gambling a problem for you? Call G-Line (NSW) Counselling Service. Call 1800 633 635.

Intoxicated persons will be refused entry to the racecourse.

OPENING HOURS 10am - 5pm, 7 days (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday) www.tempustwo.com.au www.tempustwo.com.au Groups welcome by appointment Private Tastings available by appointment Bookings essential on 02 4993 3999

AVIN1124-5 ad FINAL.indd 1

TEMPUS TWO WINERY cnr Broke and McDonalds Road, Pokolbin PO Box 209, Cessnock 2325 Phone: 02 4993 3999 Fax: 02 4993 3988 Email: info@tempustwo.com.au info@tempustwo.com.au ABN: 78 052 179 932 amba11245

out & about

Some lovely local enjoying the Locals Night at the Christmas Lights Spectacular, Hunter Valley Gardens

Ben Knight, Alex Holness, Kieran McMahon & Joel Wagner - Sydney Kings, McGuigan Wines & Aqua Golf join forces to raise funds for ‘Movember’.

Jimmy Barnes at the recent Day On The Green, Bimbadgen Estate

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breathe summer 2010/2011

Bob McLeish, Terry Danie l, Maryanne McLeish, & Jessica McLei sh celebrate their Best White Wine of Show @ Hunter Valley Boutique Winemak ers Show 2010

Briar Ridge Vintage Club Members Spring Indulgence Lunch at Briar Grillade

Grant Radford & David Mc Creedie - Brokenwood 40th Birthday Celebration s October 2010

Hunter Darren, Tracey, Belinda, Brendan & Scott from RidgeView Wines at the n.

Sauvigno t Caberne for trophy their Valley Boutique Winemakers Show with

2010 NSW Wine Awards at Guillaume@Bennelong

wines PJ Charteris & Stuart Horden check the ober 2010 for Brokenwood’s 40th celebrations Oct

MC Pat Auld at Hun ter Chef’s Annual Food Fight Lunch

Kirsty Gregson & Janet Wright at Hunter Chef’s Annual Food Fight Lunch

Tony Drice & Steve Coo per at Hunter Chef’s Annual Food Fight Lunch

breathe summer 2010/2011

49

lifestyle gardening WORDS BY SEAN O’BRIEN

scents of summer P

erfume in the garden is an essential part of any garden structure. It adds another dimension. While many people associate a perfumed garden with spring, there are also plenty of scented plants that can lift a summer garden.

The key to a perfumed garden is planning. Perfumed plants need to be spaced and separated so as not to crowd each other out or become overpowering. The other key factor is positioning scented plants in positions where they can be enjoyed. Under windows, along pathways and around entertaining areas are perfect. Also, take note of directions of summer breezes for maximum effect.

The first obvious choice for summer perfume is Roses. There are plenty varieties around that will flower throughout summer, with various degrees of perfume and a wide range of colours.

Murrayas are a great hedging plant that will provide a mass of flower throughout summer with an intense jasmine scent that is particularly strong at night. Shrubs such as the classic Gardenia are great for semi-shaded areas, and are perfect for positioning under windows or around entrances for maximum benefits.

Bovardia is another beautiful, sweetly-scented plant for shaded areas, with clusters of tubular white flowers and growing up to 60cm high. For something a little different, you could try Chocolate Cosmos, a sun-loving perennial with copper, dahlia-like leaves and, in summer, daisy-shaped flowers. The flowers are not only chocolate in colour, but also have the most magnificent vanilla-chocolate scent that fills the air in the late afternoons. Along with the Chocolate Cosmos, you could try Helitrope ‘Cherry Pie’, a tough, ground-spreading cover for

11 NOV 2010 - 6 JAN 2011

sunny positions, with clusters of deep blue flowers that actually smell of cherry pie!

There are also some good summer bulbs that not only do well in the garden, but can also be grown in pots and moved around or kept indoors whilst in flower, to make the most of the perfume. Tuber Roses are very tough and will grow just about anywhere, lasting for weeks as a cut flower - it will fill the house with its heady sweet scent – while Lilliums, which come in a range of sizes and colours these days, can be grown in pots and brought inside so their traditional perfume can be enjoyed, but remember to cut the yellow stamens off, as they can stain.

If all of this sounds too hard, the easiest thing to do to add fragrance to your summer garden is to incorporate herbs into your flower beds. Basil, rosemary and sage can all be planted into existing garden beds and, throughout summer, oils within the leaves are released to fill the air with aroma. Plant thyme, oregano or chamomile along path edges or between cracks in pavers so they release their perfume when walked on, or - better still - substitute a section of traditional turf and plant out a lawn of chamomile. It is fast-growing, easy to maintain and can be mown like traditional turf but will let off the sweet scent of green apples.

Lastly, for the pagola, decking or fence line, try planting Jasmine, Stephanotis or Star Jasmine. All have white flowers, are vigorous and self-twining, and are easy to grow, with a heavy perfume.

These are just of few of the fantastic range of perfumed summer plants available. All are relatively easy to grow, but you will find plenty of others available at your local garden centre. n

1-16 JAN 2011

w w w. h v g. c o m . a u

“The band is back together again” CHRIS ELFES PHOTOGRAPHY POKOLBIN

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NEWCASTLE

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SYDNEY

www.chriselfesphotography.com | 0413 805 222 | elfesphoto@bigpond.com.au

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McDonalds Road

Bimbadgen Estate

POKOLBIN VILLAGE

Tower Estate

Hunter Valley Gardens

Tempus II

Broke Road

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Hope Estate

www.pokolbinvillage.com.au