Fall in love with Lovedale

It’s no surprise that some people base themselves in Lovedale and explore no more. Local cellar doors are small and intimate but make character-laden wines to a very high standard. Experience sunset trike tours, a charming trattoria, artisan smokehouse, small farm cheeserey, cooking and amazing ballooning. Here's all the inspiration you need for your next getaway.

DRINK

One thing that makes Lovedale special is that it's full of boutique, family owned and operated wineries and vineyards that often fly under the radar. 

Like Gartelmann Wines. Located on Lovedale Road, Gartelmann Wines has become a bit of an all-in-one destination with wine tastings, an extensive garden, gelato, accommodation, an animal farm and an award-winning café overlooking the iconic pond. With a number of trophies under their belt, including their recent trophy for their 2022 Veronica Rose Shiraz at the 50th Hunter Valley Wine Show, Jan and Jorg Gartelmann feel proud of all their wines and would love for you to pop by the cellar door to say hi and sample them.

Stomp Wines! is another that flies under the radar. If you're looking for an up close and personal wine-tasting experience, you'll find it here. You'll also find some very pleasing wines under their main label – the white Fiano served with truffle Pecorino is a fave – as well as the tongue-in-cheek Pssst 'n' Broke range.

Despite being one of the smallest vineyards in the Hunter Valley, Alter Wines at Emma’s Cottage produces premium boutique wines from the seven different varieties of grapes grown onsite. All of the grapes are hand picked to ensure the best of the best gets crushed, fermented and bottled for your enjoyment. Extend your Emma’s Cottage Vineyard experience and find a spot outside to enjoy some light nibbles and charcuterie boards. With a tasty selection of refreshments paired perfectly with a glass of wine, you’ll be sure to want to stay a while.

Boutique wines made in small batches to showcase the best styles the Hunter produces can be found at Wandin Estate located on Wilderness Road. A stones throw away from Wandin you will find breathtaking views and simply delicious drops at Saltire Estate. Soak in panoramic vineyard and mountain views in front of a pond full of flora and fauna whilst sipping Tattler's bubbles, reds and whites where all wine is made onsite for your enjoyment. 

And if you want a sunset shot that will be the #photooftheday, you can't beat Allandale Winery. You may come for the scenic views but you'll stay for the great wines. It's hands down the best spot to sample lip-smackingly good Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz whilst watching the sun slowly sink behind the Brokenback mountain range in Lovedale.

Discover a full list of Cellar Doors in Lovedale here.

DINE

You can't visit Wine Country without having at least one meal out and Lovedale has some absolute crackers.

If you're looking for a spot to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of country life, head to The Deck Café at Gartelmann Wines. It's open seven days for breakfast and lunch, with owner/chef Matt Dillow offering everything from pancakes and hangover rolls for breakfast to burgers, pasta and gin-cured salmon gravlax for lunch. Even after a big expansion it draws crowds, so if you want to snag one of the outdoor deck tables perched beside the dam, you'll need to book.

Jimmy Joans opened their doors in 2022 providing the perfect place to eat, drink, relax and celebrate. The intimate dining room, inviting outdoor area and modern bar have been created for the gathering of family and friends to enjoy the space and region as much as the owners do. Feast on a range of delicious bar snacks from traditional scotch eggs to gourmet lobster rolls, or opt in for the degustation offering paired with matching wines in the dining room, whatever the occasion Jimmy Joans caters for all. 

New kids on the block, Lucky Duck Restaurant located at Leaves & Fishes is the perfect place to relax and unwind with family and friends. This picturesque, waterfront venue features flavours from various Asian cuisines made with locally sourced produce for both hot and cold, small and large dishes. Whether it’s sharing snacks of smoked trout betel leaves, bao buns, prawn toast or something larger - think whole fried baby snapper or sticky beef short ribs - we guarantee you’ll walk out feeling like fortune is in your favour. 

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley's signature restaurant Redsalt, takes you from morning to evening with an effortless transition from gourmet buffet breakfast to a sophisticated fine dining venue. Feast on seasonal ingredients so fresh you can taste the difference and treat your tastebuds to the gastronomic delights of locally sourced produce that embodies the true spirit of the Hunter region. Their À la carte dinner and 5-course degustation menus showcase the finest local produce, perfectly paired with an extensive list of Hunter Valley wines for unparalleled taste experiences.

Discover the full list of restaurants and cafes in Lovedale here.

SHOP

Lovedale is also home to a thriving gourmet food scene so you can taste and take home some mouth-watering locally made treats.

Nibble your way through an assortment of soft cheeses at Binnorie Dairy. Marinated fetta, ripe brie and creamy labna are standouts at this dairy dynamo, but the Binnorie team also make some out-of-the-box salamis too.

Another fabulous food producer is Lovedale Smokehouse. Discover an astonishing selection of handmade charcuterie and smoked goods including vine-smoked bacon, duck, salmon, and kangaroo to tasty terrines and pates, dressings and smoky sauces. If a taste isn't enough, you can take a seat in the on-site restaurant, which showcases the artisan smokehouse produce.

There's also a thriving olive scene in the Valley so head to Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove for some local olive oil. They grow and process fruit from about 2000 olive trees in their on-site olive mill. The shelves are stacked with premium EVOO, oils infused with truffle, garlic, chilli and lemon myrtle, jars of table olives, dressings and condiments, as well as olive-based skincare.

STAY

When it's time to hit the sack there are oodles of places with peaceful panoramas and country comforts. The plush pads at the sprawling Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is ideal for those who want all the bells and whistles including a golf course, pools, restaurants, bars and spa.

Tuckers Lane Boutique Accommodation is nestled in a peaceful, nature oasis in the heart of Lovedale. Each cabin is made from recycled shipping containers and feature unique and quirky interiors with plenty of amenities such as spa baths, private balconies and firepits. 

Set on ten acres of sweeping lawns, classic gardens and small vineyards is the secluded Blue Bush Estate. With four boutique houses available to stay in, Blue Bush Estate offers outstanding facilities for group accommodation sleeping up to fourty guests across the whole property. 

Rustic Australiana can be found at Lovedale Cottages on Brickmans Lane. The perfect, easy-going accommodation for couples, families and group getaways when visiting the Hunter Valley, escape the hustle bustle in your own private country cottage whilst witnessing the kangaroos mosey around the surrounding bushlands. 

For extravagant group getaways, try Villa Leone, a unique, self-contained Hunter Valley Stays property conveniently located next to the Hunter Valley wildlife park. You and your guests will feel like you have landed in the Italian countryside, with the added privilege of experiencing time slow down as you take in the neighbouring giraffes, lions and zebras as they roam!

Another group getaway crowd pleaser is Allawah Estate. Another iconic Hunter Valley Stays property, this house entails everything an entertainer needs to have to host an epic getaway with your loved ones. True to its name, Allawah, meaning ‘make your abode here’, comprises of a main house and guest wing, located 15 metres from the main house, together accommodating up to 22 guests within 11 luxurious bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 enormous living and dining rooms, two chef’s kitchen along with extensive entertaining areas.

Discover a full list of accommodation venues located in Lovedale here.

PLAY

Once in Lovedale, take a left at the T intersection on Wine Country Drive and take the next left onto Lomas Lane, and you will end up at the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. A place to meet both exotic and native animals, the Wildlife Park is open seven days a week and caters fun for all ages.

You'll catch killer views as you cruise the country roads but seeing the sun rise over the vineyards from a hot-air balloon will make your heart go boom, according to the many posts about Balloon Aloft on Instagram. You need to be an early riser as the team meet passengers around 6am in winter, but they say it's the most beautiful part of the day, drifting over the vineyards stretched out below surrounded by the craggy mountain range.

Or, kick back in the Lovedale Bar & Grill and enjoy beautiful brews from Sydney Brewery at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.