VICTORIA FEASTS 

Foodies and wine devotees from around the world will again descend on Melbourne for the 2008 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, celebrating Victoria's quality produce, wine and culinary talent,  and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world with an impressive line up of 13 international chef stars and the best of Australia's local talent. It will run for the first time in conjunction with Gippsland Inspired! A Celebration of Food and Wine (23 Feb - 23 March 2008) and A Taste of Slow (22 February - 8 March) the largest Slow Food event in Australia and the largest held outside of Italy.  
Details: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Gippsland Inspired! A Celebration of Food and Wine: www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au ; A Taste of Slow, visit www.atasteofslow.com.au

GRAZING IN THE VALLEY

Head to the Yarra Valley this month and rejoice in its annual celebration of Grape Grazing, featuring exceptional wines and outstanding food from some of the Yarra Valley's best wineries and restaurants.  ( . . read on)traditional Sicilian gnocchi cooking class.
Tickets and information: www.grapegrazing.com.au  (03) 5962 6600.

TOP TEN AGAIN!

Western Australia’s premier small luxury hotel Cape Lodge (www.capelodge.com.au) has once again consolidated its place as one of the world’s finest dining establishments by again making the top 10 in the prestigious annual Conde Nast Traveller magazine Gold List Awards.  The food at the exclusive Margaret River property near Yallingup was rated eighth in the "Best for Food" category of the Gold List 2007, overcoming competition from many of world's most celebrated hotel restaurants. Cape Lodge also made the Top 10 for food in the Gold List in 2005. The hotel’s fabulous lakeside restaurant is now firmly established as one of the truly great culinary experiences in Australia.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Orange gets ready for F.O.O.D week 2008. From April 11th-20th 2008, the Orange region in central western NSW will be hosting the 16th annual edition of F.O.O.D Week. One of Australia’s oldest food festivals, F.O.O.D Week (food of Orange district) is an enthusiastic celebration of Orange’s produce and producers. This year the region’s farmers, cooks, orchardists and winemakers will be host a night market; cheerful suppers, swanky dinners, farm gate tours, work-shops, tastings, live music, the Food Affair and lots more. One key event will be the Orange Night Market on April 11th. For more information: www.orangefoodweek.com.au

BIG CHEESES

Tasmanian Heritage Traditional Camembert was recently named the Grand Champion Cheese at the Australian Grand Dairy Awards in Melbourne. Connoisseur Caramel Honey Macadamia ice cream made by Fonterra was named grand champion dairy product. Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese was the Fleurieu Peninsula's B-d Farm Paris Creek for their Swiss Style Quark. More congratulations to Tasmanian cheesemakers, National Foods for winning Champion Semi-Hard and Eye Cheese with Heidi Farm Raclette and also Ashgrove Cheese winning Champion Cheddar- Style Cheese with their Double Gloucester. Champion Blue Cheese went to Jindi Blue, and the Barossa Valley Cheese Co took off the Champion Washed Rind Cheese with its Washington Washrind. Champion  Flavoured Cheese went to Yarra Valley Dairy's Persian Fetta, sold in a tin, and Jannei Goat Dairy picked up yet another award: Champion Goat's Milk Cheese for their Buche Noir. More details on www.dairyaustralia.com.au

SOUTH BURNETT HAPPENINGS

This fertile part of Queensland has some interesting times  ahead. 
• Wine and Cheese Experience: Thursday 28th February 2008 hosted by Kingaroy Cheese cheesemaker Christopher Ganzer and Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith.   
• Cheesemaking workshops. The first workshop of the year is to be held in Kingaroy on the 19th April 2008.  Last year's workshop sold out in less than a week, so you need to get in fast.   Bookings for both events cellardoor@kingaroycheese.com.au or phone Tracy-Anne on 07 4162 5990. For those who can't make it to Kingaroy for the cheesemaking workshop, check www.blackpearl.com.au/school.php for cheesemaking workshops in Brisbane, beginning 1st March 2008.
• The tenth annual Food and Wine In The Park will be held on Saturday 8 March 2008 in Kingaroy. For more information www.winefood.southburnett.com.au

LOVE-ERLY!

Valentine's Day is the ideal time to remind you of the Lovedale Long Lunch, a progressive-type lunch in which visitors wine and dine their way around the seven participating Lovedale wineries over the weekend of May 17 & 18 enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, fabulous music and art. Go for the day or stay the weekend. For further information visit www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au or lunch@lovedalelonglunch.com.au

HELP THE PLANET

A certified organic four course dinner on Earth Hour day, March 29th, will be held at Pine End, The Oaks, a small village approximately 80 kms south-west of Sydney. The aim of the dinner is to raise local awareness of issues relating to climate change and its adverse effect on the planet while raising funds for the continuation of important environmental work. Dinner will be prepared using produce from the Certified Organic farm and also from locally sourced organic suppliers, including complimentary wines. In keeping with Earth Hour the evening will be illuminated by home-made bees wax candles. More details: Margarita, Pine End Organic Farm and B&B, www.pineend.com

FIG LOVERS ALERT!

John Maguire from Enniskillen Orchard (02 45 721124) in the Hawkesbury region close to Sydney reports that figs are in now - that's the dark Genoa ones. If you particularly like the little green ones with the honey-coloured centres, you will need a little more patience - another four weeks, he thinks.

Seasonal Indulgence

Travelling to Victoria this year? Now you can get the most out of your trip to Victoria's sensational north east region with the new and improved 2008 Seasonal Indulgence Food and Wine Guide, which highlights the region's formidable food, wine, tourism experiences and local characters with everything the food and wine-lover needs to know about travelling Victoria's Alpine Valleys, Rutherglen, Beechworth, Glenrowan, and King Valley. To obtain a copy of the guide freecall Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre 1800 801 065 (Australia only) or email enquiries@northeastvalleys.com.au  Further information www.northeastvalleys.com.au

COUNTRY DOES IT AGAIN

UK's Conde Nast Traveller magazine has just released its annual gold list of "Best Hotels in the World for Food" based on reader's responses to it annual survey. While it is no surprise that Sydney's Shangri-La Hotel is there, it is worth noting that the only other Australian hotels on the list were Cape Lodge in WA and Freycinet Lodge in Tasmania. Well done all!

SUNNYBRAE RETURNS

Great news from George Biron. Sunnybrae Restaurant & Cooking School near Colac in the Great Ocean Road region of Victoria will be reopening in April-May 2008. You can keep up with developments with his interesting and informative blog

Parties, picnics, platters and Pinot 

Victoria's Mornington Peninsula is already shining the glasses and cutlery for 2008 Harvest to Table Festival. This annual festival will romp through a delicious series of parties, picnics, platters and Pinot tastings, with more than 20 events from Friday February 29 until Victoria’s long weekend on Monday March 10. Events range from sumptuous High Tea at luxurious Woodman Estate and a ‘Mad Hatters Pinot Party’ at Hickinbotham Winery to a Red Hill Market visit with Chef James Redfern of Vines of Red Hill, followed by a ‘Menu Spontanee’ lunch. Accommodation packages are available. Visit www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org or call 03 5987 3078.

MUSIC IN THE VINES

Joadja Winery & Cellar Door, the NSW Southern Highlands’ first established vineyard, is presenting music, food and fun in their first Music in the Vines event on  Sunday, 27th January. Take a picnic, listen to live music, taste the best of the cool climate wines of the Southern Highlands and enjoy Tandoori dishes & naan cooked on site by local chef Man Raj in the wood-fired oven. Specialist Joadja wines such as Port, Boysenberry Liqueur - all made on site - will be available and visitors can also take vineyard walks and guided tours. Joadja Vineyards, Cnr. Greenhills & Joadja Rds. Berrima, NSW,  www.joadja.com,  02 4878 5236.

MURRAY MARKETS

One way to fully support a region is to visit the local farmers' market. Most towns seem to have one these days so check the Markets button to the left on this page for one near you. If you know of one that we have missed, please email us or let us know on 02 9918 2997  

We visited a market last year in South Australia. The Riverland Farmers' Market at Berri is held every Saturday morning has a great sense of community and provides a meeting place and a forum to share ideas and advice on local produce and products. The organisers say "There is nothing more satisfying than being able to offer locally grown seasonal vegetables, fruits, wines, even flowers and plants. In addition to this, while you purchase your fresh produce (and we have organically grown produce too!) you can also enjoy tasty bakery items such as woodfire oven breads and pizza bases, biscuits, pavlova shells and a variety of multicultural delicacies which window our Riverland heritage. We are proud of the fact that all of this is produced locally. There is more: fresh local eggs and honey, fresh olives and locally produced olive oil, locally reared emu and goat meat. On the antipasti side our rich multicultural heritage at the Riverland means that we can offer a wonderful choice of Italian, Greek, Indian, Lebanese delicacies, just to mention a few." More details: www.riverlandfarmersmarket.org.au

SLOW-L-Y DOES IT

Quick! Make plans to attend Slow Food Orange’s second annual mini-festival — Slow Summer from February 8-10. This weekend is all about enjoying the region’s produce and saying thank you to those who grow/make/prepare it. Bookings are essential for all events (02 6360 1990) or online (www.tasteorange.com.au  and click on the events page to download a booking form). Saturday night has been deliberately left free so all may enjoy some slow dining at their own pace. Or visit the farmers' markets on Saturday morning, stock up and cook dinner for your friends and family. More information: www.tasteorange.com.au call the Orange Visitors’ Information Centre on 1800 069 466 or check out the cellar door booklet which lists all of Orange’s restaurants, cellar doors and producers

THIS PUB'S NOW GOT PLENTY

Can you think of a more appropriate place to spend out national day? Australia Day Weekend @ The Pub with No Beer, Taylor’s Arm on the lush and lovely Mid-North Coast of  NSW would have to be one of the best around the country with entertainment, cricket on the big screen, face painting, tours of the brewery and more. Ph: 6564 2100

CHANCE TO STAR

Applications for the annual Lexus Appetite for Excellence awards, the ultimate competition for young hospitality professionals, has recently opened with entries being accepted in the categories of Lexus Young Chef and Lexus Young Waiter. The awards' judges are searching for Australia's hottest young restaurant and catering talent. Founders Chef Luke Mangan and business partner Lucy Allon believe that the future of the industry lies in continuing to motivate, innovate and educate young chefs and waiters.2008 application forms and further information can be found on www.appetiteforexcellence.com

 AUSSIE LYCHEES

Australian Lychees are widely acclaimed as the best in the world as Australian growers don’t use sulphur dioxide, a treatment used in many other countries to maintain skin colour which can diminish the taste.  Australian Lychees are also only picked first thing in the morning when it’s cool, then are quickly packed and transported to market – a short supply chain. In fact, Chinese producers (the home of lychees) are now in touch with Australian growers for help in improving their supply chain and post harvest handling. Lychees are high in antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C and also contain good levels of calcium, fibre and thiamine and less than 65 calories per 100g of flesh. Australian Fresh Lychees are in season from October to March and available from major supermarkets and green grocers. More information: www.lycheesonline.com/origin.cfm

Faraway FARE

The famous Kimberley Cooking School at Faraway Bay the Bush Camp will take place between 12-16 May 2008.  Each year, Perth chef Chris Taylor joins a select group of 12 guests in a four-day all-inclusive experience of a lifetime. The ambience is laid-back and informal, and as hands-on as guests want it to be, with plenty of time for sightseeing and excursions during the day. Packages cover air transfers, the cooking school and all activities as well as all meals and beverages. www.farawaybay.com.au

DIARY DATE

Bong Bong Boot Picnic + Family Day. This inaugural event will showcase the foods and wine of the Southern Highlands plus entertainment, at the Bong Bong Picnic Race Track, Kangaloon Rd, Bowral, NSW, Sunday 9 March 2008  -  11am to 4pm. Tickets 02 4869 1340, or admin@southernhighlands.net.au www.southernhighlands.net.au

PLAN YOUR QUEENSLAND SUMMER FUN

The Ginger Flower Festival, 24 - 27 January.
Colour your world with the flavours and the flowers of the 11th annual Ginger Flower Festival showcasing the gastronomic genius of internationally recognised chef Philip Johnson of Ecco, along with top tips from some of Australia’s leading green thumbs. The Ginger Factory is located at 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina. Access from the Bruce Highway is via the Coolum/Yandina exit, www.gingerfactory.com.au

Feast of the Senses, 1 - 16 March. 
See, hear, taste, touch and smell the delights on offer at this fortnight of festivities featuring a market day, formal dinner, industry development workshops, music workshops, concert, and art and cultural exhibitions in Innisfail. More details:  info@feastofthesenses.com www.feastofthesenses.com.au

Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, 7 - 9 March. 
This three-day event celebrates the Granite Belt’s booming horticultural and tourism industry with fine food, winning wines, plenty of music and a grand parade. More details: info@appleandgrape.org www.appleandgrape.org 

NSW 2008 FOOD FESTIVALS 

In summer - discover who has the biggest tomatoes in the land? You’ll find out at the National Tomato Contest which is held each year in Gunnedah to coincide with National Tomato Day in January.  
In autumn, visit the annual Collector Pumpkin Festival (4 May). A celebration of regional produce and food, plus some quirky competitions such as Best Dressed Fence. www.pumpkinfestival.com.au 
Then there's a food-related event, the Stroud International Brick & Rolling Pin Contest has been held in the world’s four Stroud townships (in Canada, UK, USA and Australia) since the 1960s. Women throw rolling pins and men hurtle bricks through the air in a contest of strength. www.greatlakes.org.au 
Could you let us know of any others please............?

CELEBRATIONS

Victoria’s premier food and wine event, the 2008 Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival will be 21 years old in 2008 and to mark the event, festivities have been extended to two weeks - from Saturday 9th to Monday 18th February. The celebration will feature a wide variety of events, including musical performances, degustation experiences and gourmet cooking classes, to showcase the exceptional wines, outstanding food and welcoming hospitality of the Yarra Valley’s best wineries and restaurants. The culmination will be the traditional Grape Grazing weekend on Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th February. Tickets for the Grape Grazing pass and Grape Grazing events are available from Thursday 1 November, 2007 and can be purchased on the website www.grapegrazing.com.au  For information on the Grape Grazing Festival phone (03) 5962 6600.

DAY AT DAYLESFORD

Here's a diary date: Lake House's founder and chef extraordinaire, Alla Wolk-Tasker's next regional producer's day will be held on February 10th, 2008 from 8.30am. As always it promises to be a fantastic day. www.lakehouse.com.au

Get out those new diaries

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (February 22 – March 8, 2008) will be here before you know it!!
Stay tuned as the tantalising array of Festival events on offer next year – from Langham Melbourne MasterClass, Gala Dinner, Cellar Door and World’s Longest Lunches to a host of regional Victorian events – will be announced in the next couple of months. www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

South Burnett Culinary Competition

The quality produce of the South Burnett, Qld, will be showcased in a cook-off at the Tarong Mine Wine and Food in the Park Festival on March 8. The competition invites entrants to create a main course using South Burnett product and PCA Hi Oleic peanuts matched with a South Burnett wine. This is the festival’s 10th year and promises a great day out with entertainment and stalls featuring local products and wines. More information: www.winefood.southburnett.com.au

Best of the best

Queenslanders now have a chance to rate and reward those cafes, restaurants and delis (and the people who work in them) who they think deserve some time in the spotlight by voting at www.lifestyleawards.couriermail.com.au

“It's not just restaurants who are to be lauded, this is your chance to thank the barista who creates the perfect crema on your morning espresso," says Martin Duncan, founder of the FBI (the Food and Beverage Industry), an independent organisation representing food and beverage producers in Queensland. More information: www.lifestyleawards.couriermail.com.au

Island Tucker

While it’s hard to drag your attention away from the stunning scenery on Queensland's world heritage listed Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay’s award-winning Seabelle Restaurant succeeds with its innovative bush tucker themed food. Chef Corey Griffin, Chef de Cuisine at Seabelle relishes the challenge of bringing bush food flavours and the fresh foods of the region together on the menu and also in cocktails. More information: www.kingfisherbay.com

Beaudesert’s big day of fun 

Beaudesert, Queensland, is the place to be on Saturday February 23 as it becomes the centre of celebrations with food, music and art throughout the day. Tantalise your tastebuds with the Food and Wine Festival at Jubilee Park. There will be cooking demonstrations and some of Beaudesert's finest food and wine from 15 local food and wine operators

COOL TIMES AHEAD

Southern Highlands Food & Wine will be holding its third 'Cool Flavours of the Southern Highlands' - the popular Food & Wine Festival on the Queens Birthday weekend,7-9th June 2008.  New this year: tours of the famous mushroom tunnel at Mittagong - courtesy Li-Sun Mushrooms, Music in the Vines at Joadja Winery & Cellar Door, and special menus using local produce at Grand Bar & Brasserie in Bowral. More information: admin@southernhighlands.net.au                              www.southernhighlands.net.au Tel:02 4869 1340.

OUT AT LAST

After a lengthy pause, the third issue of Regional Food Australia has hit to bookstands to the delight of food-lovers around the country. Congratulations to Fred Harden and his team for their perseverance and for turning out such a truly beautiful magazine. Let's hope we now see it more regularly. The magazine is on sale now at newsagents for $8.95. More details: www.regionalfood.com.au

DAIRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Large dairy companies and small boutique operators across Australia did well last week when the 2008 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Awards were announced. 

After judging 1000 cheese and dairy products, the results are in – 25 trophies, 79 Gold Medals and 444 Silver Medals were awarded covering a ranges of cheeses and other dairy products.  

King Island Dairy won both Australian Dairy Corporation Perpetual Trophy for Champion Cheese of Show and NSW Government Perpetual Trophy for Champion Fancy Cheese with its Bass Strait Blue, while the NSW Government Perpetual Trophy for Champion Cheddar Cheese was won by Bega Cheddar Cheese – Matured.  

The five cheeses selected for the highly coveted Australian Cheeseboard Perpetual Trophy were:  Bega Cheddar Cheese – Matured; Tasmanian Heritage Signature Camembert, National Foods; Bass Strait Blue, King Island Dairy; Holy Goat Cheese, Holy Goat La Luna; and Bufalina, Vannella Cheese Factory. 

The Jim Forsyth Perpetual Trophy for Champion Milk was won by Peel Valley Milk’s Over The Moon Milk and the Champion Cultured Milk Product or Yoghurt was won by Country Valley Lush Traditional Handmade Natural Yoghurt.  

The Simon Johnson Perpetual Trophy for Champion Sheep, Goat and Buffalo Milk Product was won by Holy Goat Cheese.  

Champion Ice-Cream was awarded to Serendipity’s Hokey Pokey and Champion Gelato was awarded to Sublime Gelato’s Belgian Chocolate. 

YES CHEF!

The 2008 program of the Lexus Appetite for Excellence (formerly Lexus Young Chef/Yong Waiter Awards) is now underway. Entries are now open across Australia, searching for the hottest talent from each state and applicants can download forms from the website www.appetiteforexcellence.com.au. As in previous years, a number of Australia’s most respected chefs and food industry leaders are on the judging panel including; Tetsuya Wakuda, Guy Grossi, Luke Mangan and Anthony Musarra, amongst others.

SENSUAL STUFF

See, hear, taste, touch and smell the delights on offer at the Feast of the Senses - a fortnight of festivities featuring a market day, formal dinner, industry development workshops, music workshops, concert, and art and cultural exhibitions, set against the backdrop of beautiful tropical Innisfail in Queensland’s north.
Feast of the Senses,1 - 16 March 2008, www.feastofthesenses.com.au info@feastofthesenses.com Tel: 0419 780 865

TAKE THE HIGH GROUND

Head to the high country this May for the Hampton High Country Food and Arts Festival. The hills will be alive with the sounds of music, the sights of local artists and the taste of food from nearby producers and restaurants. This two-day event showcases the Toowoomba region’s finest through a cacophony of cocktail parties, art exhibitions and sales, entertainers, and restaurants and food stalls at Hampton, 17 - 18 May 2008. For more details phone 07 4698 2956, 
rbplant@bigpond.com  www.hamptonfestival.com

MUDGEE MUD FEST

Join hundreds of film buffs on Saturday 15 March under the moonlight at Elliot Rocke Estate’s Mudfest international short film festival. The region’s cultural night of nights has a distinctive international and local flavour with two thirds of the 500 film entries received from overseas, and some of Mudgee’s renowned food and wine on offer. Guests can purchase wine on site at Elliot Rocke Estate, home of Ice Wine Semillon, and enjoy a gourmet BBQ from Mudgee Fine Foods and picnic boxes from Deeb’s Kitchen. Much like the origin’s of Tropfest which began in Tropicana Caffe, Mudfest is now in its fourth year and has grown from its humble beginnings at The Butcher Shop Café in Mudgee with just 90 people. For more information and bookings go to www.mudfest.com.au or call +61(2) 6372 7722. Elliot Rocke Estate is located at Craigmoor Road, Mudgee. 
Why not make a weekend of it? After a day at the cellar doors and an evening at Mudfest, retreat to one of the region’s luxurious B&Bs or guesthouses. The Mudgee Region is rich with accessible nature and wildlife, arts and crafts and historical experiences. To find out more and to book your weekend escape go to www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au or contact the Visitor Information Centre on +61(2) 6372 1020. The Mudgee Region of NSW is a 3.5hr drive from Sydney.

GINGER DOES IT AGAIN!

After sixty-six years of producing traditional ginger products for the more mature palette and growing to become the world’s largest producer of sugar-processed ginger, Queensland's Buderim Ginger is now attracting a more youthful crowd. Buderim Ginger Beer has fast become the drink of choice for twenty-something professional surfboat crews and spectators at the Ocean Thunder Pro Surf Boat Series who love it so much they’re asking for jugs instead of bottles!

For more information visit www.buderimginger.com

RAISE A GLASS

The annual Canberra District Wine Harvest Festival will showcase the quality wine produced in the Canberra District on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April 2008. Canberra District wineries from Lake George, Bungendore, Murrumbateman, Hall and the ACT are participating in this year’s festival which will offer a weekend of wine, food and music to complement the wine harvest. Harvest activities include lectures on winemaking, winemaking and disgorging demonstrations, vineyard/winery tours, grape picking and stomping, and of course, tastings of the superb District wines. For more information: www.canberrawines.com.au

MARKET CHANGES

The Capital Region Farmers Market has also had a facelift in response to customer feedback. The Rotary Club of Hall, which operates the market, has split stallholders in two groups, with one shed reserved for producers selling their own products and a smaller shed for people selling on behalf of others. “We’ve listened to feedback from our customers and there seemed to be a genuine need for greater transparency about producers,” said the Rotary Club’s Tony Howard. The market, held at Exhibition Park in Canberra every Saturday from 8am to 11am, is a terrific showcase of Capital Region produce.

CONGRATULATIONS GAIA

NSW North Coast Gaia Retreat and Spa has won the prestigious CONDE NAST 2008 READ-ERS’ SPA AWARDS category of “Favourite Overseas Hotel Spa- Australasia & South Pacific” for which 100 leading international hotels are nominated annually. The awards criteria involves readers recommending favourite international spa resorts and addressing facilities and services. Ambience, décor, body treatments, cuisine and staff service, are all listed within an index of overall satisfaction.  It is then independently verified and counted for results. Gaia Retreat and Spa was created and is owned by Gregg Cave, Olivia Newton-John, Ruth Kalnin and Warwick Evans. For full details of the retreat go to www.gaiaretreat.com.au

A YEAR OF HUNTER GATHERINGS

It's all happening in the Hunter in 2008. Events to be hosted by the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association in 2008 include:        
April 2008

Hunter Semillon & Seafood Festival -18th – 20th April: From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April, 2008 the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association will proudly host the ever popular, must do Hunter Semillon & Seafood Festival. 
 
Hunter Uncorked Warners Bay Wine & Food Fair - 27th April: Warners Bay Wine & Food Fair, featuring Hunter Uncorked, will be held on the foreshore of the picturesque Lake Macquarie.  Premium wines from over 10 Hunter Valley wineries, from boutique companies to the larger well known brands, will be available for tasting and sale.  Delicious meals from Hunter Valley and Warners Bay Restaurants as well as Hunter Valley cheeses and local olives will also be available.  

May 2008:

Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month - 1st – 31st May: Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month is a favourite for many visitors to the Hunter.  The month long celebration kicks off with the Hunter Legends dinner, where local industry legends are inducted into the legends honour board for their service to the industry and region.   Visitors to the Hunter Valley throughout the month also enjoy the renowned Lovedale Long Lunch, Broke Fordwich Spirit of the Vines, fabulous wine dinners and lunches as well as tutored wine tastings.
 

September 2008

Shoal Bay Jazz, Food & Wine Festival featuring Hunter Uncorked: 6th- 7th September. Enjoy a weekend of fabulous Jazz, Hunter Valley wine and local produce at Shoal Bay Resort and Spa’s Jazz Food and Wine Festival. Held on the foreshore of the magnificent Port Stephens this weekend of Jazz features concerts, wine dinners and finishes on the Sunday with day of a Jazz, Wine and Food featuring Hunter Uncorked. 

November 2008

Hunter Uncorked at Balmoral Beach - 2nd November:
The Hunter Valley Vineyard Association will be bringing the best of the Hunter Valley to Sydney with Hunter Uncorked at Balmoral Beach.  Visitors have the chance to relax by the sea and let their tastebuds savour the delicious food and fabulous Hunter Valley wines available for tasting and sale.   The event will showcase wines from 16 boutique and iconic wineries including Brokenwood, Allandale, Deluliis, Tulloch, Scarborough, Tyrrell’s, and Littledale Wines to name but a few.  Live entertainment and children’s activities will be available throughout the day to ensure a great family day out.
 
For further information regarding the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association and events to be held throughout the year visit www.hvva.com.au or call 02 4991 4533.