There’s something welcoming and comforting about a fireplace that can make you feel completely at home whilst on a holiday. When the weather cools down, the Hunter Valley is always ready to turn the heat up with plenty of winter warmer options. From fiery outdoor bonfires, to intimate in-house log fires, there is something for a range of occasions. Here are 26 places or events to indulge in all things food and wine fireside this Winter.
1. Burning of the Barrel
Join the Glandore team for the highly anticipated and sell out event Burning of the Barrel. As the name suggests, over 79 tonnes of wood and one or two sacrificial wine barrels (empty of course) are ignited, lighting up the night and heating up the Hunter Valley to celebrate the end of the harvest. Indulge in delicious foods and delectable Glandore Wine’s dance, sit and laugh around the bonfire and finish the evening gazing at the fireworks display.
2. Smoke in Broke
Get ready for the most finger licking, boot scootin’, BBQ festival in the Hunter Valley this June long weekend at Broke Fordwich. A local’s favourite, Smoke in Broke showcases all things BBQ in a festival style with local wines, cosy fire pits, rides for the kids and plenty of entertainment all weekend long.
3. Boydell’s Cellar door and Restaurant
Winers and diners can dine by the open fire at Boydell's in picturesque Morpeth. The restaurant is open for lunch & dinner from Thursday to Sunday inclusive, serving locally sourced seasonal produce with the fire lit daily through the cooler months to keep everyone snug and warm.
4. Briar Ridge picnic fireside tastings
Experience the ultimate indulgence at Briar Ridge this winter. Enjoy mouth-watering artisan antipasti, pizzas, and award-winning wines amidst the cosy warmth of the firepits. It really is the perfect setting for a romantic date or a fun gathering with friends in their beautiful wine garden in the Hunter Valley. Book in advance to select your preferred picnic package, each including a complimentary bottle of wine, and immerse yourself in the most snug and relaxing food and wine experience that Hunter Valley has to offer.
5. Tulloch Wines
Experience your next Hunter Valley wine-tasting experience fireside at Tulloch Wines. Tulloch has their indoor fireplace burning every day throughout Winter. Pro-tip, elevate your tasting experience and add on one of our gourmet cheese and charcuterie boards made from local produce.
6. Blaxland Inn
If you’re seeking a hearty, winter meal look no further than Blaxland Inn. Located in central Pokolbin, Blaxland Inn offers a steakhouse style of menu, perfectly paired with local reds and enjoyed best in front of the indoor or outdoor fires.
7. Brokenwood Wines
Wander inside the Brokenwood Cellar Door, order a glass or two of your favourite wine and stroll towards The Wood Restaurant. Look to the right and you’ll see a beautiful fireplace and sofa right in front of the crackling warmth. Add a delicious cheese and charcuterie board and you won’t want to leave. This little spot is the definition of cosy! Make sure Brokenwood is a MUST-VISIT this winter.'
8. Harrigan’s Hunter Valley
Nothing beats a rustic Irish pub with a Beef & Guinness Pot Pie and a pint of beer. Harrigan's Hunter Valley offers a relaxed, family friendly bistro with casual pub eats in cozy atmosphere featuring two large stone fireplaces in the indoor bistro – the perfect spot for those easy, hearty winter meals.
9. Sunset Fridays at Saddler’s Creek
Friday evenings at Saddler’s Creek offers visitors and locals an outdoor wine experience with a relaxed vibe. Grab a glass or bottle of award-winning Saddler’s Creek wine, local craft beer and order some delicious food from Saddler's Eats food van. 'Wine & Chill’ on their verandah and lawn with local live music and warm outdoor fires to kick off your weekend in the Hunter!
10. eRemo Restaurant and Bar
Warm up at eRemo Restaurant, the renowned resident restaurant at Spicers Guesthouse open seven days a week. Offering a range of intimate fireside experiences from casual snacks and drinks around the main bar fireplace, the gastronomical degustation dining experience front and centre of the grand fireplace in the restaurant, or a bottle of red with a slow sunset around the large, open outdoor fireplace facing restful bushlands, eRemo is the perfect Winter retreat.
11. Stomp! Fireside wine tasting
Rug up and relax fireside on Saturday July 13th, watch the sunset and discuss/taste your way through a range of Stomp! wines. Winemaker & owners Michael & Meredith McManus will host the tasting introducing the wine's terroir and how it affects the wines. The tasting will be paired with a delicious array of local Binnorie Dairy cheese and local guitarist Mark Henderson will add to the evening with ambiant tunes.
12. Mount Pleasant Wines
Lap up winter warmth at Mount Pleasant Wines in their newly renovated cellar door that boasts plenty of snug spaces for a winter wine tasting.
13. Margan Wines and Restaurant
Margan Wines & Restaurant has a fabulous double-sided fireplace that heats the acclaimed restaurant on one side and the cellar door on the other. It's the perfect place to lounge in the comfy chairs next to the fire and sample the estate-grown and estate-made drops or book an experience like the one-hour winery tour and gourmet platter for two.
14. Whispering Brook Wines
Experience rural ambience fireside this winter at Whispering Brook. Relax by the fire with friends and/or family as you taste their artisan wines paired with delicious local cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates with stunning views across our vineyards, olive groves and the mountains beyond. Enjoy a complimentary tasting of their extra virgin olive oils.
15. Vamp by Lisa Mcguigan
Vamp by Lisa McGuigan is a monochrome feast for the eyes and not surprisingly, everything about this place is unapologetically 'Lisa', but not in an egotistical kind of way. Rather, it's a beautifully stylish embodiment of her persona and passions and a reminder of her life's journey – the people that've made a mark and the events she wishes to honour. The space reflects Lisa's great loves – wine, fashion, music, art and her favourite colour, black. Curl up fireside in the dramatic courtyard space this winter with a delicious glass of red in hand while watching the local kangaroos go by.
16. Pooles Rock
Immerse yourself in the architecturally designed cellar door. The team at Pooles Rock are dedicated to producing the best of the Hunter Valley Classics, from some of the regions oldest vines. Cosy up this Winter beside our roaring fireplace, enjoying vineyard views from every angle. Book now at: https://poolesrock.com.au/visit-us/
17. Fireside tastings with Stay n’ Sip
Stay in and snuggle up this winter with Stay n' Sip private wine tastings. Your own personal host will come to you in your accommodation to present a wine tasting experience complete with seven rare, back vintage and museum Hunter Valley wines. Pictured here, the Iconic Wine Tasting at Tower at Tower Lodge which includes the most collected and acclaimed wines of the region.
18. Talits Estate
Talits Estate is an award-winning family-owned vineyard and a luxury Provençal holiday home in the Broke Fordwich winemaking region of the Hunter Valley. Curl up fireside in their cosy cellar door with a glass of Hunter wine in hand this winter.
19. Winmark Wines
Warm up this winter at the 2023 Cellar Door of the Year Winmark Wines. Winmark Cellar door is nestled into the beautiful sandstone surrounds, overlooking the vineyard. Snuggle around the outdoor fireplaces with a glass of their award winning Chardonnay in hand as you watch the sun slowly descend behind the Brokenback Mountain ranges in Broke Fordwich.
20. Circa 1876 at the Convent
A short stroll down the tree-lined driveway at the Convent is Circa 1876, where you will find the iconic restaurant, located in an historic cottage on the grounds of Roscrea Estate. Circa 1876 showcases some great Hunter Valley wines in an award-winning wine list, best experienced in the warm charm of the Champagne Lounge, with its open fire.
22. McLeish Estate
The combustion fire in the main cellar door area at McLeish Estate is the hottest hangout in winter and there's plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the warmth. You can request a table near the fireplace and settle in to enjoy a range of tasting options, including their iconic experience where you explore the vineyards and have a fireside tasting including a flight of the Reserve 2014 vintage wines – one of the best vintages ever – with local cheeses to snack on.
22. Peterson House
The open fire in the cellar door at Peterson House is the central feature of the space so no wonder they hold their sparkling wine tastings slap-bang in front of it. It's a fabulous setting to taste the huge range of sparkling wines on offer inside the beautiful sandstone walls with exposed timber ceilings.
23. Jimmy Joans
Eat, drink and relax around the rustic outdoor firepits under the open skies at Jimmy Joans in Lovedale. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday, this eclectic, laidback venue is the perfect place to spend lazy winter afternoons watching the sun go down by the fire with a glass (or bottle!) of local wine.
24. Lovedale Bar & Grill
Pull up a stump in front of the firepit at the Lovedale Bar and Grill located within Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. The perfect place for a relaxed drink of either a local wine or their in-house brewed beers by Sydney Brewery, the fireplace is the perfect place to perch up for the afternoon or for a quick and easy meal.
25. Boydell’s Winter Solstice Feast
Celebrate the enchantment of winter solstice with a cozy gathering at Boydell’s. Come together amidst the crisp winter air and crackling fireside warmth, indulging in delectable toasties paired perfectly with spiced mulled wine. Move indoors to immerse yourself in the rich flavors of winter, the embrace of good company, and Boydell’s fine wines.
26. Fireside wine and cheese at Latitude 32 Wines
Enjoy the serenity of the winter weather by gathering around the outdoor fire at Latitude 32. Let the cellar door staff guide you through a curated tasting, or indulge in a cheese platter and a glass of wine fireside with family or friends.
