A wine weekend when it pays to go for Broke

It is always a pleasure to visit the Hunter Valley, but Saturday, March 14, is a date for the diary with one of the region's most popular festivals shining a spotlight on a less-visited sub-region.  

A Little Bit of Broke, the roaming wine and food celebration, returns across the Broke Fordwich wine region, just a little bit off the beaten track. 

Think a day in the vines moving between between 15 cellar doors, farms and dining spots, enjoying small-batch wines, local food and live music.

The event is designed for easy wandering - no set program, no central hub. 

Visitors can experience boutique wine tastings, cocktails at the region’s own distillery, farm-gate-style food, entertainment and a country vibe. 

Foods on offer will range form from Mediterranean-style shared dining to dumplings or seafood lunches, grazing platters and charcuterie. 

Karin Adcock, president of Broke Fordwich Wine and Tourism Association, says the event captures what visitors love most about the region.

“A Little Bit of Broke is exactly how we like to welcome people," she says. "It’s a chance to meet the 
winemakers and producers, listen to some live music, and really get a feel for Broke Fordwich as a place. You can take your time, follow your curiosity and shape the day however you like.”

Jennie Curran, CEO of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association, says the event showcases one of the Hunter’s most distinctive sub-regions.

“Broke Fordwich has its own rhythm and personality, and A Little Bit of Broke gives visitors a really authentic way to experience it,” she says. 

“It’s ideal for a day trip from Sydney or Newcastle, but we encourage visitors to book a stay in Broke Fordwich as part of a weekend away in the Hunter Valley”.

Tickets include access to all participating venues and live music across the region. 

Pre-sale tickets are now available for $35 including an event wine glass, 4 x 60ml wine tasting 
vouchers and event program.

See www.winecountry.com.au/a-little-bit-of-broke

Image: Destination NSW

The perfect time for wine lovers to go for Broke

The 20th anniversary of the Little Bit of Broke festival will be even more special given it coincides with the bicentenary of the tiny Hunter Valley hamlet.

To be held from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, the weekend promises wine, food, farm gate produce, live music and lots of fun.

A Festival Kit includes festival entry, a keepsake tasting glass and tasting tokens to which you can add dining, experiences, events, workshops, extra tastings and even transport, all bookable online.

There will be a record number of festival offerings with 17 locations from which to choose.

From dining in a hatted restaurant, picnicking with alpacas, sunset wines and tunes, there are plenty of choices.

Wineries involved include regional star Margan, Nightingale Wines, Whispering Brook, Winmark and Krinklewood.    

The program has just been announced and tickets are on sale now at brokefordwich.com.au.

A hop-on, hop-off bus service will enable festivalgoers to park their cars at the Festival Hub in the heart of Broke and the take the shuttle to different destinations.

The Festival Starter Kit begins at $35 per person with four tastings included, while the Festival Super Kit includes eight tastings for $50.

* Kids enter for free as they do not require a Festival Kit which includes wine tastings that are reserved for over 18 years only.

Broke bouncing back after devastating floods

The Broke Fordwich wine region in the Hunter Valley suffered unprecedented flooding last last week, but many local businesses are preparing to re-open this weekend: July 15-17.

The flood of July 6 was the worst flood in the 198-year history of the village, devastating the township and its people, with over 50 houses having been severely impacted by the disaster. The image above shows the inundated Margan Estate vines.

Local businesses, including winery cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation, are urging people to show support and visit the region this weekend and in coming weeks.

Local winemaker Andrew Margan, who with wife Lisa runs Margan Estate, said the region has been severely impacted by the damage and is asking for support:

“The community of Broke, government bodies, and all of the people who have been on the ground helping to try and put our wonderful community back together again can only do so much,” he says.

“We urge people to come and visit the cellar doors and restaurants, buy wines online or in retail outlets. We are also asking for donations via our community GOFUND ME with 100% of funds going directly to those left without homes and insurance policies that don’t cover flood damage.”

The Broke Disaster Relief team is working in partnership with Resilience NSW to raise much needed funds for flood-affected families.

Visitors are asked to be mindful that the actual township of Broke is accessible only to residents. All the restaurants and cellar doors of the area are outside the village and will be accessible by the weekend.

While access to Broke is unaffected from Pokolbin via Cessnock Road, the road from Singleton to Broke is damaged and closed until further notice. Guests travelling from Singleton can access Broke via Hermitage Rd Pokolbin and also via Bulga and Milbrodale Road.

Learn more about Broke HERE, via a Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association video.

Buy wine here: https://www.winecountry.com.au/wine/buy-hunter-valley-wines

Go for Broke at the Hunter Valley's Italian festival

For one weekend a year a small corner of the Hunter Valley adopts a serious Italian accent. 

After a two-year hiatus, the much-loved A Little Bit of Italy in Broke festival returns at the end of April, running from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1.

A Festival Starter Kit is what you need to0 get started. 

A payment of $30 will give you a take home Zafferano glass, a festival map and a minimum of four tasting experiences that you book at your chosen wineries. 

Basically, you create your own festival itinerary from the eight participating cellar doors – all via the ticketing platform on the new Broke Fordwich website. 

You can add on extra tasting experiences and special events when you book. 

The schedule features several events and workshops as well as a welcome dinner in a transformed piazza, pasta- making classes, chocolate workshops, cocktail masterclass, Italian wine masterclass, degustations, picnic hampers and more. 

Participating cellar doors are Greenway Wines, Krinklewood Wines (above), Margan Wines, Mount Broke Estate, Nightingale Wines, Somerville Wines, Whispering Brook and Winmark Wines. 

The website also features several accommodation options for anyone wanting to stay for the weekend.

See www.brokefordwich.com.au/events/a-little-bit-of-italy