Star wineries sign up for Hunter festival

Brokenwood, First Creek Wines, Hungerford Hill, Margan and Bimbadgen are among the wine producers to have signed up for the 2026 Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival.

Offering a day of local food, wines, brews, spirits and entertainment, the event is pencilled in for Saturday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in Lovedale.

Festival goers will be able to taste wines from over 20 local producers also including Allandale, Petersons Family Wines, Gartelmann Wines and Gundog Estate.

Brewers and distillers including Steinbok, Pants Off, Phoenix Distillery, Wooden Axe, Kissofire Hunter Valley Liqueurs, CInCin Beverages, and Sydney Brewery.

Accompanying the drink options will be a range of dishes, including pizza, paella, curry, and artisan foods from local providers such as Goose on the Loose and Hunter Belle Dairy Co.

Masterclasses will be available as add-ons to general tickets. These will include a Dumplings and Wine Pairing hosted by Latitude 32 Wines; Beer & Cider pairing with cheese & crackers hosted by Sydney Brewery & Hunter Belle; and an interactive cocktail masterclass showcasing Pants Off Distillery’s spirits.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day on the festival stage.

General Admission tickets are available for $30pp ($40pp on the day) through Universe (booking fees apply). Tickets include entry into the festival, first drink up to the value of $8, memorabilia wine glass, access to 45+ wineries, distilleries and craft breweries, gourmet food vendors, live music, and other festival activities.

Families are welcome, with children accompanying adults receiving complimentary entry to the festival (ticket required when booking with an adult). A Kids Activities Pass will be available on the day for $10 per child, providing access to train rides, a jumping castle, face painting and more.

Parking is available at Rydges Resort and local transport operator Sip & Trip will be offering (paid) transfers to and from the festival with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.

 
Making the festival a potential weekend away,three of the Hunter Valley’s top chefs will partner with local wineries to present the Beyond the Pour Dinner on the Friday evening, July 10.

Matt Dillow from Gartelmann Wines’ Deck Café will join Gather executive chef Ran Kimelfeld, and Frank Fawkner of EXP (recently named Australia's Regional Restaurant of the Year) for a three-course meal celebrating the best local produce and wines.

See https://huntervalleywinefestival.com/beyondthepourdinner/

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has accommodation packages available for the Friday and Saturday nights from $350 per night including accommodation, breakfast, entry to the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival and a complimentary tasting glass.

See www.huntervalleywinefestival.com

Same, same but different for Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival

Been meaning to visit the Hunter Valley? 

Pencil in the date of Saturday, June 24, when the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival will be held at Lovedale on that date.

The festival - which will celebrate an excellent 2023 vintage - will be held 11am–5pm at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley (which was previously known as Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and will be hosting the event for the first time in its new guise).

There will be a line-up of over 50 premium wine, beer and spirit producers offering tastings throughout the day, complemented by food outlets, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Hunter Valley wineries will have plenty to celebrate with Scarborough Wines’ viticulturist Liz Riley labelling 2023 as a “stunning vintage for both reds and whites” and Margan Wines’ chief winemaker, Andrew Margan, rating it “10 out of 10”.

In between tastings (which will also include local cheese and other artisan products), festival-goers can enjoy food from a wide range of suppliers, with the opportunity to relax in the spacious grounds of the Rydges Resort.

There is plenty of on-site parking and Vineyard Shuttles will provide return transfers from local accommodation to the festival for $20 per person.

The festival will once again support the local Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities on the day.

General admission tickets are available for $15pp ($25pp on the day) through Moshtix (booking fees apply). Children have free access to the event when accompanied by parents.

Tastings are available for $2 each (30ml wine, 100ml beer/cider). Cans of beer will also be available for purchase.

Bookings and further information: www.huntervalleywinefestival.com

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley’s packages for the event start from $430 per room including accommodation, breakfast in Redsalt Restaurant, festival entry and a complimentary tasting glass (per person).

For information on accommodation on accommodation packages contact Rydges Resort Hunter Valley reservations on (02) 4991 0970.