I recently travelled to Sydney under the invitation of Destination New South Wales and spent two nights in Hunter Valley enjoying the sights, food and of course, wines. I stayed at Chateau Elan where my room offered a view of the expansive golf course.
My time in Hunter Valley was amazing there was plenty to eat and drink, and I was in the company of wonderful people. Here’s my list of things to eat, drink and see in Hunter Valley. Enjoy!
EAT: Muse Kitchen
Muse Kitchen is located at Keith Tulloch Winery and is known for delivering European inspired fare based on seasonal produce. Al fresco dining is highly recommended as the restaurant offers a beautiful view of the courtyard.
The wines are lovely as if you’re a fan of fish, opt for the catch of the day. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Muse Kitchen serves good organic Ciabatta with caramelised onion and aged balsamic. So good that it’s hard not to ask for seconds!
Muse Kitchen
Cnr. Hermitage and Deasys Roads, Pokolbin NSW 2320
P 02 4998 7899
[email protected]
DRINK: Tulloch Winery
Tulloch Cellar Door is a must visit when you’re in Hunter Valley. The winery is famous for Veldelho and the Cellar Door carries several Limited Release ranges of wines. I sampled some of the best wines Tulloch Winery had to offer, paired with some light bites to allow us to see how wines can bring out the best in food.
Tulloch Winery
De Beyers Rd,
Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
DRINK: Hunter Beer Co.
I never pegged Hunter Valley as a beer spot until I visited Hunter Beer Co.. This award winning brewery offers the ultimate beer experience with 10 varieties of beers on tap. Learn about the art of brewing beer through a short induction onsite. Hunter Beer Co. uses traditional brewing equipments and natural ingredients.
My personal favourite? The Hunter Pale Ale! 🙂
Hunter Beer Co.
Potters Hotel Brewery Resort,
Wine Country Drive & Fleming Street
Nulkaba NSW 2325
Tel: 61 2 4991 7922
EAT: Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant
Esca Bimbadgen offers modern Australian cuisine using fresh local and home grown produce. The restaurant interior is contemporary, featuring large glass windows and an all-glass kitchen for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
I had the privilege of sampling the “Beef-Olution” menu – a series of courses dedicated to bring out the best in beef. My favourite dish? The grilled scotch fillet with blackened shallot and crispy beef belly.
Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant
790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: 61 2 4998 4666
STAY: Chateau Elan
Chateau Elan is an award winning hotel accommodation in Hunter Valley boasting luxury hotel style rooms and an expansive golf course. The property overlooks the fairways of the Greg Norman designed vintage golf course and houses 17 spa treatment rooms.
The spa suite offers full immersion in the world of luxury spa treatment, promising complete relaxation and rejuvenation to guests. Exclusive to the suite is an open spa bath and an Ergomotion king size bed with massage functions.
Chatrau Elan
Vintage Dr,
Rothbury NSW 2320, Australia
Phone: 61 2 4998 2500
EAT: Emerson’s Café & Restaurant

Warn baguette with seasoned butter, Adina olive oil and caramelised balsamic vinegar and house made Dukkah
Emerson’s Café on Lovedale Road is a lovely venue surrounded by acres of vineyards and an impressive olive grove. The restaurant is committed to producing elegant dishes using fresh produce from trusted suppliers.

Roasted Black Angus Sirloin with Potato Galette, Beetroot, New Season Asparagus and Reduced Braising Liquid
The ambiance is casual, relaxed and unpretentious, and Chef Emerson’s dishes certainly did not disappoint. I really enjoyed his caramelised shallot and labna tart, and the Black Angus Sirloin with potato galatte and beetroot.
Emerson’s Café & Restaurant
492 Lovedale Rd,
Lovedale NSW 2325, Australia
Tel: 61 2 4930 7029
VISIT: Adina Vineyard
If you’re a fan of olives, you would enjoy a tour at Adina Vineyard where some of the best olives in Hunter Valley are produced. The vineyard also produces good extra virgin olive oils, which I had the chance of sampling and subsequently, purchasing.
Adina Vineyard
492 Lovedale Rd,
Lovedale NSW 2325, Australia
Tel: 61 2 4930 7473
STAY: Peppers Convent
For a European charm, one can opt to stay at Peppers Convent , once home to the Brigidine Order of nuns in Coonamble. The Convent offers the ambience of an indulgent French Baroque hotel combined with the distinctive character of an Australian country guesthouse.The convent is a combination of grandeur and comfort, perfect for that romantic escape or country-side getaway.
Peppers Convent
88 Halls Rd,
Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Tel: 61 1300 987 600
DO: Candy Making Class at Hunter Resort
One of the activities I enjoyed was the Candy Making Class where we each learnt how to work with different types of chocolates and how to make our own Rocky Road. The class was very hands-on, aimed to allow us to step in the shoes of a dessert chef, even if it was just for a few hours.
I managed to make a (rather large) Rocky Road which I happily brought home to Malaysia for rif to indulge in!
Hunter Resort
Cnr Hermitage Road & Mistletoe Lane,
Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Tel: +61 2 4998 7777
VISIT: Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop
This store carries one of the finest local and imported cheese and gourmet foods, including its own product range. They have an extensive range of cheese, some of which I’ve never heard before. Samples are provided to allow you to decide if you would like to buy some home.
Alternatively, try their homemade gelato, made with imported Italian ingredients. The pistachio and rum & raisin is good stuff!
Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop
3/188 Broke Rd,
Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Tel: 61 2 4998 6960
VISIT: De Iuliis Wines
Fans of Shiraz should pay De Iuliis Wines a visit, an acclaimed producer with several award winning Shiraz under its belt. I had a private Wine and Cheese Matching Session here where I sampled three very good Shiraz with an assortment of cheese for taste tests.
The wines are top-notch, each with their own strong character and I particularly loved the mouthfeel of all three wines sampled. If you’re lucky, you get to catch Murphy Dog, the resident friendly dog. He’s a darling!
De Iuliis Wines
1616 Broke Rd,
Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Tel: 61 2 4993 8000
VISIT: Two Fat Blokes
Two Fat Blokes Gourmet overlooks the beautiful lush grounds at De Iuliis Winery and comprises a dining section and deli next door. This is a place to relax and plan your day, while tucking into lunch or coffee. The deli next door is stocked with an amazing range of cheeses, cold cuts and fresh bread.

Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Kirchen and Deli, which overlooks the beautiful lush grounds at De Iuliis Winery
Two Fat Blokes
1616 Broke Road
Pokolbin NSW 2320 Australia
Tel: 61 2 4998 6699
EAT: EXP at Oakvale
A hidden gem in Pokolbin, EXP at Oak is chic and intimate, with hand crafted local furniture and utensils that create topics for conversation. Guests can opt to sit by the bar to watch Frank and his kitchen team prepare the food, at the dining area or in the garden where the air is crisp during spring.
The menu at EXP is one of the more exciting ones I’ve seen, pushing boundaries and taking all senses to a different level. They serve good wines too – unique, handcrafter ones that are a true reflection of the Hunter Valley region.
EXP at Oakvale
1596 Broke Road,
Pokolbin NSW 2320
Tel: 61 2 4998 7088
Thank you Marina and Edmund of Destination New South Wales, for making sure we had a lovely time in Hunter Valley!