The Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is returning to Lovedale this month, serving up the region’s best wineries, breweries and distilleries, along with the chance for one lucky visitor to win $50,000.
Set to take over Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in July, the festival will bring together more than 45 local wine, beer and spirit producers for a day celebrating the region’s renowned food and drink scene.
Alongside tastings from some of the Hunter’s best-known wineries, craft brewers and distillers, visitors can enjoy gourmet food, live music and interactive experiences.
One of this year’s biggest attractions is the $50,000 Hole-in-One Challenge. Festivalgoers can test their golfing skills on Golf Daze’s state-of-the-art mobile golf simulator, with anyone lucky enough to sink a hole-in-one walking away with the impressive cash prize.
No golfing experience is required, making it an opportunity for everyone to have a swing between tastings.
Food lovers can also book into a range of limited-capacity masterclasses, including dumplings paired with wine, beer and cider matched with local cheeses, and an interactive cocktail-making session.
Families are welcome, with dedicated children’s activities available on the day, while Newcastle and East Maitland visitors can take advantage of return transport options to and from the festival.
The celebrations begin even earlier with the Beyond the Pour Dinner, where three acclaimed chefs will collaborate with local wineries to showcase the region’s produce in a three-course dining experience.
Guests will also enjoy sparkling wine and canapés on arrival, while special accommodation packages at Rydges Resort make it easy to turn the festival into a weekend getaway.
The Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival will be held at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in Lovedale on Saturday, 11 July. More information and tickets are available via huntervalleywinefestival.com.
