October 2019
THE AROUND HERMITAGE WINE & FOOD TRAIL WELCOMED
THE WINE MEDIA CONFERENCE BLOGGERS TO
THIS UNIQUE PART OF THE HUNTER VALLEY!
Participating Wineries
Misty Glen Wines – Deasys Road
In 2009 Vicci & Eric purchased the prospering Hunter Valley property and have since devoted their time and energy into the management of the property and it’s thriving Vineyard; working tirelessly to ensure fruit production of the highest quality for every vintage.
2009 also brought about the birth of Vicci and Eric’s first boutique wine and accommodation label consisting of Misty Glen Wines, Vineyard and Cottage. Featuring an impressive wine portfolio showcasing varietals grown only in the Misty Glen Vineyard, located 60 metres above sea level consisting of sandy alluvial loams with Mary Anne’s Creek weaving in and out of the property – providing perfect conditions for producing quality Hunter wines. These varietals include Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin and Shiraz from which a combination of traditional and unusual wine styles are created.
The name Misty Glen came about because of its unique position; In the Autumn & Winter months you can watch the mist roll up across the flats from the Hunter River, through the back of the property and right through the vineyard.
Taste the Good Life at Misty Glen Wines!
@mistyglenhv #mistyglen www.mistyglen.com.au
Peter Drayton Wines – Hermitage Road
The Ironbark Hill vineyard produces wine from the grape varieties for which the Hunter is famous, including Shiraz, Semillon and Chardonnay. It also has extensive plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Verdelho and the CSIRO hybrid grape Tyrian. An exciting range of ‘alternate’ varieties are now available given these Mediterranean styles are extremely suitable and receptive to the Hunter’s climate. To compliment it all, an impressive sparkling wine range and selection of Liqueur Fortified wines are available.
@peterdraytonwines #peterdraytonwines www.pdwines.com.au
Pokolbin Estate – McDonalds Road
Our wines are exclusively handpicked and crafted from the grapes grown on our Pokolbin Estate and Belebula Vineyards. Our philosophy of wine is to create wines of distinction that easily compliment every day foods. Our multi-award winning boutique style wines are meticulously crafted and balanced yet maintain their elegant structure.
Pokolbin Estate originally concentrated on Semillon and Shiraz and these varieties have stood apart from others in their consistency, flavour and ability to age. We are the only vineyard in the Hunter Valley to grow the traditional Riesling variety, which on fully mature vines can produce world-class wine. Our Riesling vines are now close to 50 years old.
Our Belebula Vineyard is located on Old North Rd about 10 minutes from our cellar door. Here we produce our Mediterranean style reds including Sangiovese, Tempranillo & Nebbiolo. At the time of planting in 1999, there was little to no experience with these varieties elsewhere in Australia. Now, these styles are extremely popular due to their ability to complement many contemporary Australian & European foods and age exceptionally well.
@pokolbinestate #pokolbinestate www.pokolbinestate.com.au
RidgeView wines are the product of a dream that Darren and Tracey Scott had after their first trip to the Hunter Valley in the early 90’s. The natural beauty of the Brokenback Ranges and glorious weather that blessed the Hunter, together with the charm of the surrounding country towns and the warmth of the local people created a desire to become part of the lifestyle one day.
In 2000 that dream became reality when “Ironbark Estate”, part of Sweetwater Ridge was purchased. After RidgeView Cottages were built in June 2001, a 22 acre vineyard was established following 12 months of soil preparation which included cover crops of oats and sorghum to build up the nutrients in the soil. This soil preparation has significantly enhanced the quality of the grapes we produce.
The process of planting, training and pruning vines brought home the reality that this dream was a lot of hard work. The establishment of RidgeView Wines was bought to fruition in 2004 as the first grapes were hand harvested, the wines bottled and labelled.
It cannot go without mention that if it wasn’t for the tireless devotion of our 4 children, Belinda, Brendan, Michelle and Kelly as well as the many family members and valued friends, RidgeView Wines would not exist today. The person that says “it can’t be done” should get out of the way of the people getting it done!
Our family continues to grow with our children’s partners, Scott, Lauren, Thomas and David joining the RidgeView ranks. A new generation of RidgeView has also blossomed with Lachlan, Aidan, Holly and Archer now part of our growing team.
“Our Passion, Your Reward” .
@ridgeviewhv @ridgeview.hv #RidgeView www.ridgeview.com.au
Wombat Crossing Vineyard – Hermitage Road
Wombat Crossing Vineyard is one of the Hunter Valley’s smallest boutique producers of fine table wines. The range of wines shown is modest in size but exceptional in quality. Our vineyards were established from 1996, planted to the traditional forte of varieties for the Hunter Valley – Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay. The first wines under our label were vintaged in 2005. Each wine inherits its characteristics from the soils in its individual (single) paddock vineyard, naturally varied by the climate experienced during that vintage at our property.
At Wombat you taste the terroir in the wine!
@wombat_crossing_vineyard #wombatcrossingvineyard www.wombatcrossing.com.au
Hunters Dream – Deasys Road
Our established vines were first planted some 40 years ago, making Hunter’s Dream one of the oldest boutique wineries in the region. The tradition of these vines yielding award winning wines continues to this day under the guiding influence of Kees van de Scheur and his experienced team.
With careful winter pruning, our vines first buds burst in late August. Grape harvest follows in new year allowing for new barrel tasting in late March. Weather permitting of course!
@huntersdreamestate #huntersdreamestate www.huntersdream.com.au
Macquariedale Organic Wines – Sweetwater Road
Our passion is making beautiful wine grown Biodynamically to harvest the unique flavours of the Hunter Valley.
Derice and I started Macquariedale back in the early 1990’s as an escape out of the Sydney corporate world. We began our dream with an acre or so of Shiraz and Chardonnay on a property close to the Hunter River at Branxton. From those early steps a fully Certified Organic/Biodynamic vineyard has evolved at Sweetwater Rd, Rothbury, in the Lower Hunter winegrowing region.
The vineyards now comprise of approximately 15ha which are home to outstanding Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Semillon, Chardonnay and Verdelho. We also have a small plot of Pinot Noir which gets added to our Emma’s Bubbles and as a single variety Pinot. Derice, our children and I have immersed ourselves in country life and live sustainably producing olives and olive oil and beef cattle, as well as growing vegetables and many varieties of fruit.
In our small sustainable winery we follow a natural winemaking passion specialising converting small parcels of grapes into the most delicious natural wines available in Australia.
Naturally Bloody Good!
@macquariedaleorganicwines #macquaridaleorganicwines www.macquariedale.com.au
Braemore Vineyard – Thomas Wines
Braemore Semillon
The iconic Braemore vineyard (planted 1969) and located on Hermitage Road has amazing deep sandy/loam alluvial soil consistently producing exceptional Semillon. The Braemore Semillon features vibrancy and remarkable longevity, we think the following description from Thommo sums it up perfectly … “intensity, in a feather weight frame”.
Semsational!
The Braemore Vineyard Story https://www.aroundhermitage.com.au/the-story-of-one-of-our-countrys-greatest-vineyards/
Tintilla Estate – Hermitage Road
‘From Grape to Glass’ Tintilla Estate is for everyone with a love of food, wine and family. One of the Hunter Valley’s best kept secrets this thoughtful family owned and run boutique winey, vineyard and olive grove is a leader in the burgeoning cellar door wine and food experience, established in 1993. The winery cellar door has that wholesome family warmth that keeps people returning. 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 eating fresh bread with rich olive oil and biscuits to nibble, all whilst looking out over the magnificent rolling vineyard!
Olives are an important element of this grand estate with 5 varieties grown amongst the vineyard. Interestingly the olives were planted in 1994 before the vines and whilst Trophy winning wines flow from the 25 hectare estate Tintilla’s essence is that of about a vineyard which has managed to find that perfect blend of food, wine and family.
Good wine always starts with good grapes that reflect the natural balance between the land, the climate and the vines. At Tintilla, the aim is to deliver high quality fruit and make wine with minimal interference so that as much of the Hunter character is preserved. Winemaker James Lusby and his father Robert are passionate about the unique styles of wine that come from the Hunter terroir and seek to deliver true regional varietal wines.
From ancient times olives and vines were planted together, enjoying the same growing conditions, and providing essential ingredients for daily living. It is only fitting then that Tintilla boasts a tantalising range of olives, olive oils, tapenade, verjus and vinegars. As well as a seasonal relish’s and jam’s.
@tintillaestate #tintillaestate www.tintillaestate.com.au
Glandore Estate Wines – Broke Road
Established in 2005 after the procurement of the original Brokenback chardonnay vineyard on Broke Rd. From day one the aim of Glandore Estate wines has been to produce wines of great character, regionality and style from the traditional varieties known in the Hunter Valley. This has been achievable through the strict selection of some of the Hunter Valley’s most distinguished old vine vineyards. Thinking outside of the square we have also started to forge ahead with new and exciting varieties to the Hunter Valley such as our superb Tempranillo.
Our winemaking style is all hands on, from hand picking right through to the hand operated basket press, quality without compromise and a winery that is designed specifically for small batch production of the very best parcels of fruit.
For the love of wine!
@glandore_estate @Glandorewines #glandorewines www.glandorewines.com