About Around Hermitage

Pokolbin Hunter Valley

This brief history of the origins of the Association is to help readers understand the context in which the Association operates. The catalyst for the formation of the Association was a magazine published by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA) called ”. NSW Wine & Food Trails”. The goal of the magazine was to promote the various wine regions within NSW. Within each region, wineries, and associated businesses, were grouped together in geographic areas to form “Trails” that customers could follow.

These “Trails” didn’t need to be circuits (i.e. starting and ending at the same point) but were just a means of grouping businesses together in a way that would make it easy for visitors to travel from place to place.

Businesses in the Hermitage/Deasys Road area were approached by the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association, who were acting as coordinator for the NSWWIA in this area, to join together to form a “Trail”.

One of the first decisions that the group needed to make was to name the “Trail”. Many suggestions were put forward at the meeting. It was decided to use the mountain range, which is a backdrop to the area, as the name of the “Trail”, hence. The Brokenback Trail – note “wine” was not included in the title as this was implicit in all the “Trails”.

It was realised that the grouping of businesses could be advantageous in other areas apart from just the NSWWIA’ s magazine so it was decided to meet together on an ongoing basis to promote the area. In order to formalise the structure of the group a non-profit association was formed and to limit the liability of members it ‘was decided to incorporate this association.

Hence, on the 19 September 1996, the Association was formally registered with its full name being THE BROKENBACK TRAIL ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED.

In 2006 as decision was made to change the name of the association to Around Hermitage, as it was felt that this better represented the area.

Mission Statement

This mission statement should embody the reasons our Association has been formed. It should be concise but meaningful. It should, by omission, also say what things aren’t important to the Association.

The reason we have joined together to form the Association are:

• tourism – our main focus should always be tourism and how to promote it better. We will, at times, work on other issues, but we should never lose our focus on tourism;
• cooperation – we all run our businesses in different ways to achieve our own set of objectives. The reason we’ve formed the Association is to do things we can’t do by ourselves. It’s only through cooperation, in its many forms, that we will be able to do things we can’t do as individual businesses;
• local area – all members live in the same geographic area and it’s the unique attributes of this area that we need to promote (i.e. lovely countryside with some fabulous views, quiet roads, relaxed lifestyle);
• members – to achieve all of the above members need to interact, both between themselves and with visitors, in a friendly and professional manner otherwise everything else is to no avail.

These values still hold true today.

There are many areas within the wine regions of the world that have unique characteristics that contribute to their regions. The Around Hermitage precinct of the Pokolbin sub-region in the Hunter has developed in such a manner. Other precincts include the Parish of Pokolbin, Central Pokolbin, and Lovedale.

This precinct is made up of some old vineyards such as the Hunter Valley Distillery and Belford vineyards but consisting mainly of the new plantings that followed the rebirth of the Hunter vineyards in the 1960s and beyond. A phenomenon that occurred in many countries such as Italy, France, Spain, and California in the post WW11 period.

These new vineyards reflect the “Terroir” of our end of the Valley with a mix of Creek bed soils – good for Semillon in particular, and red clay soils of the hills, a natural home for great reds. The Belford dome of Limestone dominates the hill areas adding to the complexity of the soils.

We are grouped along some 35 kilometres of road winding along the creek beds of the Rothbury and Jump Up Creeks and the hills of the Belford Dome and Sweetwater. The area includes Hermitage Road and all roads off it including Old North and Deasys Roads plus parts of McDonald’s, Broke and Sweetwater Roads.

The development of the Around Hermitage precinct has followed that of much of the lower Hunter vineyards following the retreat to the hills after the Robertson land act of 1860 opened up smaller parcels of land. The move was away from the river sites of the 1830’s, although Wyndham Estate remains there.

Early plantings include the HVD (Hunter Valley Distillery) block on the flat along the Rothbury Creek near the corner of Deasys and Hermitage Roads, by the Holmes family. Once owned by Penfolds, it is now part of Tyrrells. The old Elliots Oakvale vineyard was founded in 1893 and continues on as Oakvale Wines. Close by were the old vineyards of Glandore.

Hermitage Estate just up from the corner of Deasys Road, was originally known as Mistletoe Farm where grapes were first planted in 1909.

Then in the 1960’s and seventies, a new phase was ushered in as the consumers moved from predominately fortified wines to table wines. The Hunter Estate was established in 1967 with shiraz, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and a variety including Rhine Riesling, Traminer and Blanquette being planted.
Following along the Rothbury creek near Deasys Road Marsh Estate was planted in 1971 to mainly Shiraz and Semillon with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. Next door Terrace Vale, now Hunters Dream, was planted also 1971 to shiraz, and Semillon mainly with Chardonnay, Traminer, Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Further along this road, you find some newer vineyards including Degen Estate and Misty Glen near Mary Anne’s creek.

Gabriel’s Paddock Vineyard (home of Hart and Hunter) on Deasys Road was founded in 1979 plantings included Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon Semillon, Chardonnay and interestingly Chenin Blanc

Next came the 1990’s when more vineyards were planted on selective sights and in response to the increased interest in Boutique wineries. De Iuliis vineyard was planted on Broke Road while Mistletoe, Tintilla Estate, Wombat Crossing, Iron Bark Hill (Peter Drayton Wines), among others were planted along Hermitage Road. These blocks have tributaries of the Rothbury Creek or Jump Up Creek on their lower aspects and clay soil higher up.

Heading higher up the dome, Belebula, its owner’s having an interest in Italian varietals, was planted in this phase. A little later came the Sweetwater vineyards such as Macquariedale with its organic wines and RidgeView. At the end of Old North Road is Black Creek Farm and Thélème Wines.

With all this development of vineyards and wineries along with small boutique hotels and farm stay accommodation, a group of us got together to form a Social and Business group, Around Hermitage, with a view to promoting this picturesque part of the Hunter Valley.

Wine and Food Trails were becoming popular during this period. A community spirit was developing and growing support among members was part of the organic evolution of our precinct. Viticultural services from Ken Bray and Fergie where also important as many newcomers were in need of support despite their passion for growing the vines. Being smaller there was also some degree of flexibility in the choice of varietals and a spirit of adventure.

The soils and aspect obviously determined the decisions and most followed the tradition of whites on the creek bed areas and reds on the elevated aspects. Some 25 years ago Tintilla Estate and Belebula planted Sangiovese, the grape of Tuscany, as there appeared to be an emerging market for this varietal. The soils and weather conditions had similarities to Tuscany along with the challenge of summer rainfall! Time has shown that by concentrating on the viticulture a fine wine can be produced.

The first initiative of the Association was the production and distribution of a brochure which helped those interested in exploring new vineyards and accommodation, away from the busy end of the valley to discover us.

The first event to bring our precinct into the public arena was “A Weekend Affair” which was held on November 1996. This was followed again with the same theme in 1997.

A most memorable and successful event staged was “Circus de Vine” which was held at Terrace Vale Winery, now Hunters Dream, in November 1999. It was a weekend to remember, the Big Top on site along with all sorts of stalls, entertainment, cooking demonstrations, clowns, etc. Funds raised that night resulted in a large cheque being given to The Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

The following year a Charity Fundraising Ball was held in the old warehouse at what is now known as the Hunter Bottling Company where the Pallets were built up for walls and decorations were made out of old vines.

Other successful events included The Olive and The Vine and Bush Poet’s BBQ that were held at Tuscany Estate. We have over time had interesting initiatives including the making of feature films about such as “The Life of Brian” about one of our famous wine producers Brian McGuigan and “Cooking for the Many and the Upper 10,000” linking our food and wine to the first Australian Cookbook published in the 1860’s.

More recently, we commenced another endeavor, “1St Release Wine Week” to bring our followers, mainly wine club members of the various vineyards, and others in Spring to try the new seasons’ releases and also releases of more mature wines, mainly Reds. Each “Cellar Door”, as the salesrooms are called, promotes its own wines but we come together for a dinner to celebrate the vintage that has just passed.

Now, home to what are generally regarded as some of the best boutique wineries, cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation in Pokolbin, the Around Hermitage family has grown dramatically. Business members now include a plethora of Wineries and Cellar Doors, Restaurants and Cafés, Accommodation Venues, Wedding Venues, Wine Tours, Antiques, Galleries and more.

As well as making the classic wines the Hunter Valley is known for such as Semillon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay, some of the Around Hermitage winemakers are achieving success with the more modern European styles of wine including Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Nebbiolo. In the early days, Cabernet Franc was planted when thought to be Merlot so there is a sprinkling of it about as well as the real thing. Merlot does well on the red clay blocks where the moisture is held and roots enjoy the soil leading to ripe and flavorsome grapes.

A new varietal developed by the CSIRO research group, Tyrian has been planted by Peter Drayton at Ironbark Hill and is proving very popular particularly as a fresh, drink now red.

There are an abundance of Cellar Doors to visit, including Black Creek Farm-Thélème Wines,  De Iuliis, Degen Wines, Eclectic Wines, Glandore Estate, Hermitage Rd Cellars, Hunter’s Dream, Keith Tulloch Wine, Macquariedale Estate Organic Wines, Mistletoe Winery, Misty Glen Wines, Oakvale Wines, Piggs Peake Winery, Peter Drayton Ironbark Hill, Pokolbin Estate Vineyard, Red Door Collective, RidgeView Wines, Rothvale Winery, Scarborough on Hermitage, Thomas Wines, Tintilla Estate Wines, Wombat Crossing Vineyard and Worthington’s Vineyard.