E AT
Drink Your guide to the finer things in life TASTING PLATE FROM SABOR IN THE HUNTER intouch 29
It's Heating Up at
HOPE ESTATE
Like so many businesses in and around Wine Country, Hope Estate is enjoying welcoming customers back to the Hunter's Biggest Beer Garden and their Cellar Door, which is open seven days (between 10am–5pm). Their recently renovated Cellar Door showcasing their wine, beer and spirits products offers a variety of experiences for everyone to enjoy, all in one place. There are two wine tasting experiences on offer. The first includes a selection of six varieties of the entry-level 'Estate' range.
CLOSED 25 DEC – 15 JAN
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Alternatively, taste the 'Premium' range, which includes a selection of eight wines alongside a cheese plate, and caters to both the curious and connoisseur. If beer is more your thing, why not try a tasting paddle of four varieties from the whopping 30 beers on tap! Across the tap range, you can find everything from hoppy ales, NEIPAs, sours, trophy-winning stouts, cider and more! Can't choose just four? They also offer a flight of 12 served with a cheese plate! For those after something different, the
spirits tasting paddle will go down a treat! Choose from two gin paddles or a vodka and ouzo paddle; all served with matching garnish, mixer, and a mini bucket of ice. As things are getting busier, bookings are highly recommended (and required for wine tastings). Book now by emailing cellardoor@ hopeestate.com.au or calling 4993 3555. All of these experiences, as well as a casual glass of wine, beer or mixed spirit can be enjoyed while overlooking the lush lawns of the Hope Estate amphitheatre, which is often inhabited by the local mob of kangaroos. The 2022 event season in the aforementioned amphitheatre is starting to ramp up, with the season kicking off with HOPE ROCKS on 5 February 2022 and includes a massive lineup of acclaimed Australian artists headlined by James Reyne with Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo and more. Two lifestyle events will return for their second year in 2022. Check out the Hunter Valley Gin & Jazz Festival from Saturday 2 April to Sunday 3 April 2022, and then return for the Big RAM Beer & BBQ Festival on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May. Also recently announced - The Killers will be coming to the Hunter on Saturday, 17 December 2022. With even more events still to be announced … bring on 2022!
So close you can almost Sniff...Swirl...Sip it.
Hunter Valley Wine Country. Brought to you by
www.wineanddinehuntervalley.com.au
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A WORLD OF DESSERTS AT
SABOR! 50+ Handmade Desserts Barista-Made Coffee Hunter Valley Wine Gourmet Icecream + Lots More!
A Journey North
FOR MODUS BREWERY 2342 Broke Road, Pokolbin | Open Thurs – Mon PH 1300 958 939 | www.sabordessertbar.com.au
OPEN 7 DAYS
LUNCH & DINNER
4929 6333 queenswharfhotel.com.au
Seven years into the Modus journey, the crew that brought you Modus Operandi Brewing on Sydney’s Northern Beaches have opened Modus Brewery in Merewether. A visit to the breathtaking space will see you enjoying delicious, brewery-fresh Modus beers poured from 36 frosty taps alongside a fresh and innovative menu featuring elevated pub-fare with a sprinkle of Mexican favourites and fresh seafood, small and large share plates, an entire vegan selection, and kids meals that are sure to delight the fussiest of eaters! The beers on offer include the core Modus range, including their non-alcoholic NORT range, as well as limited local-only releases ranging from sours to lagers, hazy hoppy IPA’s to dark beers. The range is insane and always changing! And if beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry – an extensive selection of curated cocktails, wines, and spirits are also on offer. And did we mention the barista-made coffee? Make sure to book before you arrive at www.mobrewing.com.au
BEER FIRST NO SHORTCUTS
MUSIC | HENS PARTIES | CELEBRATIONS | EVENTS | COCKTAILS
The Place to Celebrate! ROCHE ESTATE, POKOLBIN PH 4998 7671 WWW.THEGOLDFISH.COM.AU 32 intouch
Mon-Thu: Midday till late Fri & Sat: Midday to Midnight; Sun: Midday-10pm @modus-merewether 20 Merewether St, Merewether mobrewing.com.au | PH 4011 5850
intouch contributor
Wine Time with MARK DAVIDSON Tamburlaine Organic Wines
IMAGE: WINE AUSTRALIA COURTESY OF DESTINATION NSW
Summer
In The Vines SUMMER IS AN EXCITING TIME TO BE VISITING WINE COUNTRY. THE VINES ARE ON SHOW EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, BUNCHES HAVE EMERGED, AND BERRIES ARE FILLING OUT.
Traditionally fruit-forward The weather patterns we and characteristically bursting experience this season will go on with flavour, it is no mistake that to impart individual expressions Summer wines often taste like of terroir that each variety will bottled sunshine. When we think communicate differently, and of Summer styles, we instinctively each winemaker will attempt to reach for the chilled enhance and whites such as then capture Riesling, Sauvignon in a bottle. Blanc, Pinot Gris, No two or Viognier, but the Summers are "ALL OF THIS HARD big surprises of the the same, and WORK AND VIGOROUS season can often a vintage's PREPARATION MUST be found in a Rosé, overall UNDOUBTEDLY BE LINKED Pinot Noir and, of success often TO OUR LOVE OF 'SUMMER course, all those comes from STYLES' BECAUSE, LET'S Summer bubbles. an ability to BE HONEST – NOTHING Food pairings work with this FOLLOWS HARD WORK ON for Summer wines, ever-evolving A HOT SUMMERS DAY QUITE as with the wines Summer AS WELL AS A VIBRANT themselves, should season, not SUMMER VARIETAL." exhibit bright, against it. light, flavoursome characteristics For organic farmers (such as that work to enhance this sunny Tamburlaine), this is an extremely season. If only one word could be critical time for maintaining crop used to describe the ultimate food protection in the lead up to the pairing for a Summer varietal, it New Year. would undoubtedly be… fresh. intouch 33
Stock up for Spring!
Check out local artist Tanya Loviz from Loviz Art Gallery’s amazing new piece “Cocktail-In-Fusion” inspired by Hunter Distillery.
Order Gin, Vodkas, Liqueurs, and Schnapps and have them delivered to your door.
www.lovizarts.com.au/shop
FREE POSTAGE for orders above $160
Come in and try our top shelf spirits through a unique test tube tasting experience! OPEN FOR TASTINGS AND SALES 7 DAYS, 10AM–5PM Bookings Essential
1686 Broke Road, Pokolbin PH (02) 4998 6737 E info@hunterdistillery.com.au 34 intouch
www.hunterdistillery.com.au
Scratchley’s is an absolute waterfront restaurant on Newcastle Harbour, specialising in Seafood but catering for all tastes. Fabulous food, wine and views, you bring the company! We also have a fish and chipper/ice creamery out the front for family picnics on the Foreshore. Open 7 days and 6 nights (closed Sunday evenings), ph 4929 1111 www.scratchleys.com.au
Visit us at 200 Wharf Road, Newcastle
Modern Australian fine dining in a relaxed, stylish space. DINNER Wed–Sat 5:30pm–9:30pm LUNCH Friday 12–2:30pm TAKE AWAY Wed–Sat 5:30pm–9pm
Located at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Road, Pokolbin • Phone 4998 7584 LUNCH from 12pm Mon – Sat DINNER from 6pm Mon – Sat
3/35 Hunter St, Newcastle www.restaurantmason.com dining@restaurantmason.com (02) 4926 1014
www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au intouch 35
Small Mouths Shimmering Passionfruit Vodka is a delicious spring time burst of passionfruit, with beautiful scent of the passionfruit �owers! This Passionfruit Vodka is 40% alcohol but is dangerously smooth and will catch you o� guard. Delicious and Sweet, we are passionate that this is a must have!
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY* AND AUSTRALIA WIDE SHIPPING
We are o�ering free local contactless delivery daily to Cessnock, Rutherford, Maitland, Kurri Kurri and surrounds! Same day delivery when ordered by 1pm*
Small Mouth Vodka is a small family run business that specialises in Shimmering Vodka and Gins – handcrafted from only premium and organic ingredients. We boast full �avour with a long smooth �nish in every sip of our Vodkas, Gins, and Liqueurs. We try to show even the non-spirit drinkers that with our products its di�erent, that it is smoother and overall a more enjoyable experience than our competitors.
smallmouthvodka.com
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Find us at
HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS SHOPPING VILLAGE, BROKE ROAD, POKOLBIN. PH 0492 031 862 | E info@smallmouthvodka.com
SmallMouthVodka