THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

​Love wine-tasting but get the guilts when you leave your pampered pooch at home? Join the club. Luckily there are plenty of dog-friendly wineries where my spoilt staffy Rosie has been given a warm welcome while I swirl and sip to my heart's content. So, which cellar doors are paw-fect for a dog-friendly Hunter Valley wine tour? I thought I'd ask R...

​It was bottoms-up for the Hunter Valley's Semillon this year after beating Shiraz on a total medal count to be the most successful variety exhibited at last week's CCL Label Hunter Valley Wine Show held at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.Over the three days of judging, the 19-strong panel judged 722 wines, with 50 gold, 75 silver, 225 bronze and 21 trop...

Private tasting parties. A salumi cellar door. A spectacular, vine-dripped dining terrace. The Hunter is filled with incredible food experiences – this bucket list takes in our pick of the best things to do this winter. The only challenge? Deciding which to savour first. Good luck!Scoff salumi and cheese at Usher Tinkler​ Picture an old wooden...

​It's the dead of winter and that usually conjures up dreams of a luscious, lip-smacking tipple beside an open fire – right? And a warming glass of fortified wine is just what the doctor ordered to chase away those shivery chills.So, what's a fortified wine? They're wines that have had some distilled grape spirit (like brandy) added to them, increa...

​ From Lovedale to Singleton, the Hunter Valley is packed with coffee spots where you can get your java fix. Here are five local favourites. FAWK FOODS KITCHEN & BAKERYThe sun-kissed deck at this cafe/bakery is a terrific place for that first cup of coffee in the morning to get you functioning. Their barista brew of choice is Sprocket Roasters ...

​When did you last make love in the afternoon… in front of a cosy fire? C'mon be honest, we've all done it or dreamt of doing it.When it's bitingly cold outdoors, nothing beats huddling indoors beside a flickering log fire nursing a good red wine. These places to stay take it to the next level with fireplaces in rooms, so you can unbutton in the wa...

The Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival dishes up a smorgasbord of tasty events this month for eager epicureans who'd like to learn a little more about food and wine. Whether you want to brush up on your wine knowledge or improve your kitchen skills there's a class to suit. Numbers are pretty limited and missing out sucks, so you'll need to book...

Set your sights on visiting some wineries but a bit unsure whether the kids will be welcome? You'll be happy to know that here in the Hunter wine-tasting can be fun, even when you've got the entire fam bam with you. Here's a round-up of cellar doors with games and activities to keep the little ones occupied while you sample some super-tasty wines. ...