Spicers Tower Lodge: The Hunter Valley says hello to an old friend

The Hunter Valley will welcome back an old friend when Tower Lodge in Pokolbin re-opens as Spicers Tower Lodge from July 1.

After a $6 million renovation, the new-look lodge is ready to open up to visitors again.

Tower Estate was first launched in 1999 by Australian wine legend Len Evans AO OBE and some business partners.

The exclusive retreat is built in a modern Spanish mission style and will now be home to Sebastian - a Basque-style restaurant.

David Assef, Spicers Retreats managing director, says: “We are honoured to be the new custodians of this iconic property. Tower Lodge has a wonderfully earthy and natural design, it’s in harmony with the changing seasons around it, as the vines bud, flower and eventually drop their leaves for a winter display.”

Spicers Tower Lodge will be the third Spicers Retreat in the Pokolbin area, joining Spicers Vineyards Estate and Spicers Guesthouse.

The 14 rooms at Spicers Tower Lodge all feature a large bedroom, lounge, dressing room and new bathtubs, while some have a private courtyard, open fireplace, or outdoor hot tub, from which to view the vineyards.

Sebastian Restaurant is inspired by San Sebastian in Spain, famous for its many pintxos bars and starred restaurants.

Sebastian offers a five-course set menu, which will change daily on a four-day cycle, with a different premium meat presented three ways as the main course each night.

The winter ‘game and forest’ menu features trout, squab, roe deer and wild boar - certainly something different for the Hunter but likely to be polarising.

The Hunter region’s 200-year wine heritage is on full display at Tower Lodge, supported by iconic Spanish varietals, including albariño, tempranillo, Grenache and gently sparkling Txakoli with notes of apple and citrus, which dances on your palette as Sebastian’s flavours of Basque country fill your senses.

You will find Spicers Tower Lodge on the corner of Broke and Halls Roads; a two-hour drive from Sydney or one hour from Newcastle. Sydney Airport is 190km away, Newcastle Airport is 80km. Transfers are available upon request.

So you'd like to rent a luxury holiday home in Australia?

Some of Australia's finest private homes will soon be available to rent after Spicers Retreats announced the launch of Private Collection by Spicers. 

Inspired by the pandemic-driven demand for tranquil, nature-based getaways, Private Collection by Spicers will launch in September with a portfolio of high-end properties in iconic locations across Australia. 

Spicers plan to have over 50 private homes in the Collection within the next 24 months with destinations including Hamilton Island, the Barossa and Port Douglas. 

Properties will range from beach shacks to snow chalets with mountain views - and will include properties owned by Spicers founders the Turner family. 

Already confirmed are two retreats owned by Spicers Retreats founder Jude Turner and her husband “Skroo” Turner (the Flight Centre co-founder and CEO). 

They are the First Point apartment overlooking Main Beach in Noosa (top) and the Beach Shack on Belongil Beach in Byron Bay. 

Asgard House (above) in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland will also be part of the collection. 

David Assef, managing director of Spicers Retreats, says: “It’s the perfect time to expand our offering to meet the high demand for unique holiday experiences. 

"The luxury home market is a natural fit and extension for our brand and we are excited to open up these beautiful homes for people to come and stay.

“Celebrating our incredible natural world has always been a great passion at Spicers,” he says, “and people need an energising escape now more than ever.”

Private Collection by Spicers will be headed up by David Lacey, a 40-year hospitality veteran from the Hunter Valley. 

Bookings will be open from September 1. See https://spicersretreats.com/private-collection/

A Hunter Valley favourite to make its return

The Hunter Valley will soon welcome the return of an old favourite after Tower Estate lodge and winery in Pokolbin has been reimagined with a $6m renovation, expected to be completed by June 2022.

Two family-owned businesses that share a passion for the wine region, Spicers Retreats and Tower Estate, owned by Michael and Karen Hope of nearby Hope Estate, have announced their plans for Spicers Tower Lodge in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country.

 

“Hope Estate shares much with Spicers Retreats,” said Michael Hope (above), the owner of Hope Estate Wines. “We’ve both worked to do something wonderful with our piece of heaven in the Hunter, and draw in more people seeking somewhere to enjoy life to the fullest.

 

“We each bring something unique to the partnership. Spicers have perfected their brand of relaxed luxury, and we’re the custodians of Tower Estate. This area is my family’s lifeblood.”

 

The Hope Estate winery, brewery and distillery in Pokolbin is set in spectacular grounds, and home to Australia’s largest winery concert amphitheatre.

 

Spicers Tower Lodge will be the third Spicers Retreat in the area, joining Spicers Vineyards Estate and Spicers Guesthouse. Each retreat compliments the region and offers a very different experience.

 

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the Hope family to restore Tower Estate,” said David Assef, Spicers Retreats managing director. “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to bring back an iconic lodge drawing on its history and creating something special together.

“We have ambitious plans for the Lodge and function space. The buildings will have that sense of place and a strong connection to the landscape, with plentiful natural materials and colours. 

"Spicers Tower Lodge will be a new way to experience the flavour and landscapes of the beautiful Hunter Valley tapping into the world-class wines of the region and working alongside Australia’s best chefs and restaurateurs in the region.” 

Founded by Jude Turner in 2002, Spicers Retreats has grown its portfolio to nine luxury retreats and eight fine-dining restaurants across Queensland and New South Wales. It also operates the iconic Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland’s only Great Walk of Australia.