For Lovers of Food & Wine

When it comes to boutique vineyards, family is often the lifeblood of the operation. From growing the grapes and making the wine to serving in the cellar door to managing the books, it’s usually all hands on deck at a family-owned and run winery. For almost 30 years, this has undoubtedly been the case for one of the region’s best-kept secrets – Tintilla Estate – a picturesque 25-hectare estate located at the heart of Hunter Valley wine country on Hermitage Road, Pokolbin.

The vineyard, winery and olive grove were established by Sydneybased vascular surgeon Robert Lusby in 1994 and have grown into an award-winning destination producing distinctive, individual, single vineyard wines and olive products.

A truly unique experience, at Tintilla, you can take a seat across the table in their tasting room and sip from a large Riedel glass while eating a cheese platter with an assortment of Tintilla condiments, all whilst looking out over the magnificent rolling vineyards. Olives are also an important element of this grand estate, with over 500 olive trees planted in parts of the property that were unsuitable for grapes.

Interestingly the olives were planted in 1994 before the vines, with the picturesque site surrounded by native trees and lined by olive trees. Sold exclusively from the Cellar Door, varieties such as Manzanillo, Sevillano, Verdale, jumbo Kalamata and a small-berried Tuscan variety named Frantoio, are handpicked, debittered and fermented before bottling with various traditional herbs and spices.

At the Tintilla cellar door, the visitor will gain insight into an array of European olives and an education on the Hunter region and its produce. From season to season, the produce will vary, with Tintilla producing its fine olives and luscious chilli tomato relish, fig jams, caramelised vinegar and a vincotto, which incorporates unused tasting wines and the juice from pressings in their respective productions.

Not surprisingly, though, Tintilla’s wines are the main attraction at the Estate and were also the inspiration for its name.

Tintilla Estate is for everyone with a love of food and wine, exquisitely reflecting the traditions of the old world with the tastes and flexibility of the new. One of the Hunter Valley’s best-kept secrets, this thoughtful family-run vineyard, winery and olive grove is a leader in the boutique cellar-door wine and food experience.

Tintilla Estate offers daily tastings. Booking is highly recommended and can be done online at www.tintilla.com.au