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The New South Wales
Hunter Valley is currently offering great deals, perfect weather and delectable
wine to tempt thirsty travellers.
The number of
vineyards in the Hunter has more than doubled in recent years and now offers a
wide range of accommodation from the very palatial and expensive through to more
budget style digs.
One major upcoming
event is the Lovedale Long Lunch, running over Saturday and Sunday of May 17 and
18.
The Lovedale Long
Lunch is a progressive-type lunch where visitors wine and dine their way around
the seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend enjoying a glass of
wine, gourmet food, fabulous music.
The history of
Lovedale dates back to the 1800s when local wheat, dairy and general produce
farmers turned their hand to grape growing.
The Lovedale Long
Lunch was started in 1994 to market Lovedale as a premium wine producing area
and tourist attraction. Now in its 15th year, it includes seven wineries and
vineyards to visit over the Long Lunch weekend.
The Lovedale Long
Lunch has been the winner at the Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism
for the category Significant Regional Festivals and Special Events in 1996, 1998
and 2000. In 2006 the event was classified as a Regional Flagship Event by
Tourism NSW. The event was a winner again in 2007 at the Hunter Regional Tourism
Awards for excellence.
The participants in
the 2008 event are Allandale Winery with Infuzion Restaurant, Cooper Wines with
The Cellar Restaurant, Gartelmann with Chez Pok, Wandin Valley Estate with Bel
Posto Cafaacé/Restaurant, Sandalyn Estate with Red Salt, Warraroong Estate with
IL Cacciatore and Emmas Cottage Vineyard with Amandas Restaurant.
It doesn't matter
where you start and it doesn't matter where you finish. Firstly purchase your
Lovedale commemorative tasting glass for $5 at any participating winery. Then
choose a plate of gourmet cuisine provided by an impressive line-up of chefs,
matched with a complimentary glass of the winemakers specially selected wine,
all for just $20! Delicious desserts and cheese platters for $8, fresh coffee
and a host of other delights await you at every venue.
Lovedale opens its
doors once again to provide a moveable feast of culinary delights matched with
award winning wines. Indulge your senses along the Lovedale trail. |
