Hot in the Hunter

WHAT'S HOT IN THE Hunter

WEDDINGS

Love

IS IN THE AIR

Set in the heart of Wine Country, Pokolbin Estate is the perfect location to say ‘I do’ in 2020. Celebrate your special day amongst the picturesque vines and dance the night away in the 1889 Circa Sandstone Cellar Door while enjoying award-winning wines. The expert team at Pokolbin Estate will meet your every need, so you can create lasting memories in the Hunter Valley!

WHERE 298 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin PH 4998 7524 www.pokolbinestate.com.au

Mamma Mia

It’s time to treat yourself! Pop into Bimbadgen for their delicious woodfire pizzas! Relax in the Tuscan inspired courtyard with a glass of wine and take in the spectacular views from under the vine-covered pergola. Executive Chef Nick Samaras has created a menu featuring the classics and modern twists we know you will love. Plus, every Friday enjoy some Italian drinks from 3pm till 6pm for only $5 See you there!

WHERE 790 McDonald’s Road, Pokolbin PH 4998 4666 www.bimbadgen.com.au

$20 DAILY SPECIAL + a glass of Thomas Wines or Murrays Craft Beer $5 Casual Dining OPEN 7 DAYS Mon to Fri 11.30am till Late Weekends 11am till Late

SIMPLE FOOD DONE WELL The Mill Restaurant Brokenback Bar Accommodation Events Weddings Conferences Cooking Schools Food Wine Takeaway 4998 7288 www.estatetuscany.com.au The Mill Restaurant Luncheon Special Friday, Saturday and Sunday $50.00 2 Course & $60.00 3 Course with a glass of Thomas Wines

The Choice is Yours!

Nestled on 70 secluded acres, Hunter Resort is the ultimate place to stay, play, taste and relax in the picturesque Hunter Valley. With so much to experience all at one place, you will never want to leave! From Wine School, Cooking Classes, Segway Tours to cooling off and enjoying a cold one at Matilda Bay Brewhouse, there is something for everyone. With weekend and concert packages available, this is the perfect time to experience everything Wine Country has to offer!

WHERE Corner Hermitage Road & Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin PH 4998 7222 www.hunterresort.com.au

EXPERIENCE

NEW HOT-SPOT In the Valley

Did you know that there is a new dining destination hidden from view on Wilderness Road in Lovedale at Emma’s Cottage Vineyard? Restaurant Trey run by local chef Bryce Reynolds is now open for lunch, Wednesday through Sunday, and dinner, Friday and Saturday. Pop in and try some of their delicious dishes plus, while you are there taste their amazing boutique wines that are made from 30-year old estate grown vines.

WHERE 438 Wilderness Road, Lovedale OPEN Restaurant Trey opening hours: Wed – Sun 11.30am to 3pm, Fri and Sat 5pm – 10pm PH 8328 0503 www.emmascottage.com.au Open daily 9 am - 5 pm except Christmas Day. 358 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320

e Cellar Restaurant delivers modern contemporary Australian cuisine, utilising local and seasonal quality ingredients. Dine in our indoor garden seing or outside in the courtyard.

Try our NEW Summer menu!

A NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE Every second Wednesday of the month from 8/1/2020 Join us and the Hunter's newest Chefs for a night of food, wine and fun that you’re sure to remember. Choose from an impressive 2 or 3 course tasting menu. BYO encouraged or choose from our extensive wine menu.

Located at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Broke Road Pokolbin • Phone 4998 7584 Lunch from 12pm Mon – Sun; Dinner from 6pm Mon – Sat www.the-cellar-restaurant.com.au

TRADITION & HERITAGE IN BEAUTIFUL Murrurundi

King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge showcases the traditional skills of Australian Stockmen and women through an exciting and intense competition over four days. Competitors accumulate points for cattle work, pack-horse work, bareback riding, target whip-cracking, horseshoeing, and cross country jumping. Then finalists further display their skill and courage in catching and leading a wild horse and riding a buckjumper, to determine who will be the next King of the Ranges.

Throughout the King of the Ranges event, the Bush Festival program features a host of traditional and entertaining activities including fun competitions, displays of horsemanship, demonstrations of bushcraft, live music, great food and good old fashioned country hospitality. The King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge and Bush Festival offers something for all the family. Enjoy this celebration of Australian bush skills, tradition and heritage in beautiful Murrurundi the "Crown of the Hunter" at the foot of the Liverpool Ranges where the New England Highway leaves the Hunter Valley to cross the Great Dividing Range.

The KOTR Challenge and Festival will also incorporate the Indigenous Stockmen Program. In 2015 KOTR initiated a program aimed at assisting young Aboriginal stockmen from Northern Australia to develop skills and experiences which may benefit their careers. While small in capacity, this program has been successful enabling recipients to travel to the Upper Hunter and spend time under the guidance of experienced KOTR Committee members, practise specific skills required to compete on a Stockman’s Challenge and participate in a range of experiences to increase confidence and further their allround development.

Partnering with the Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust, KOTR has had considerable success from the mentoring program. Previous recipient, Stewart Foster returned to Murrurundi for the 2019 Challenge where he competed with credit. Following the KOTR Event, Stewart took up a position with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association as a Field Officer on the “Real Jobs Program” and has really enjoyed the past 12 months travelling to various Cattle Stations and mentoring young people in the pastoral industry. The Committee looks forward to welcoming some new young recipients of the Program in 2020.

The King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge and Bush Festival will be held from 27 February through until 1 March in Murrurundi (Upper Hunter). For more information visit www.kingoftheranges.com.au

FANCY NANCY

When Nancy Galea went to a ceramics class with friends in Sydney during 2016, she never dreamed the short wheel throwing course would lead to anything more than a few quirky clay creations. WORDS Michelle Meehan

But it turned out to be a case of love at first throw for the now passionate potter, who in less than three years has turned a fun hobby into a burgeoning business.

“We had a blast, and I got hooked straight away, I ended up repeating the course for the whole year and then decided I needed my own wheel,” Nancy said.

“Before I knew it everyone was getting pottery for Christmas and there was still some left over, so I decided to start selling it.

“Once we moved to Newcastle in 2018 I found a second-hand kiln and production really ramped up. Now I am able to create to my heart’s content.”

Fancy Nancy Ceramics officially kicked off in December 2017, creating functional pieces with a focus on basic forms and eye-catching glazes.

Nancy’s range includes everything from bowls and coffee mugs to wine glasses and chip and dip platters.

“Each clay, glaze and technique has its own texture, and I wanted to make pieces that people wanted to pick up, touch, experience and use every day,” Nancy said.

“Anything really can inspire me; usually it’s a mistake that’ll inspire me the most because I can physically see how the piece is going to end up and can continue down that road.

“I have a favourite mug that I made when I lived in Sydney; it is made using a technique that I don’t have access to in Newcastle at the moment. The handle isn’t very comfortable and the lip is quite thick, but it’s always the first mug to be picked from the cupboard. It reminds me how far I’ve come in a short time and all the progress I still want to make as an artist.”

Nancy has been selling her products at the Handmade in the Hunter markets since the beginning of last year and is looking forward to ramping things up in her business in 2020.

“Up until now Fancy Nancy Ceramics has just been a hobby that I did in my spare time,” she said.

“This year, I have made the choice to take ceramics a bit more seriously and have gone part-time at my day job to dedicate more time to my small business. I’m very excited to see where I can take this little business of mine now that I can dedicate a bit more time to it.”

Check out Fancy Nancy Ceramics at this month’s Handmade in the Hunter Markets, which will be held at Kevin Sobels Wines from 9am to 3pm on March 7, 14, 21 and 28.

$50 cases and $144 cases Massive Wine Sale at The Garden Cellars

Hunter Valley Wine, Hunter Distillery Vodka and craft beer tastings available daily!

“Largest beer range in the valley!” Come in and visit the ‘Tunnel of Beer’. Stocked to the brim with delicious brews from around the world.

THE GARDEN CELLARS

You will nd us at Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village Broke Road, Pokolbin OPEN 7 DAYS 10am - 5.30pm | PH 4998 7466 www.gardencellars.com.au