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Hot Picks: The Hunter Valley, NSW,Australia

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Photo by Michael Reiss

No trip to New South Wales is complete without a trip to the Hunter Valley Wine Country. This is Australia's oldest and most visited wine region.

The Hunter Valley, Australia, is about the same distance from Sydney, Australia as Napa Valley, USA is from San Francisco, California, USA.

Just an hour and a half from Sydney, the Hunter Valley, offers 120 wineries, 70 restaurants, and 190 places to stay, ranging from cabins and cottages to luxury five-star resorts and lodges.

The Hunter Valley is a magnate for food and wine aficionados, offering superb examples of both.

In addition, there are numerous points of interest to visit such as the renowned botanical garden and the many gourmet shops.

The combination of world-class wines, food and lodging make this area a culinary powerhouse.

An invaluable resource in planning your culinary adventure is Tourism New South Wales, Australia. Consult their websites for a current list of suggestions to make your visit in all areas of New South Wales memorable.

http://www.sydney.com

http://www.visitnsw.com

Here are OUR RECOMMENDATIONS for your visit!

Where to Stay
Where to Eat
What to Do

Hot Picks: The Hunter Valley NSW, Australia

Where to Stay

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Tower Lodge

The Hunter Valley NSW, Australia

Photo by Michael Reiss

Tower Lodge epitomizes luxury, comfort and gracious living with an intimate, exclusive level of accommodations in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia, one of Australia's most prestigious wine growing regions.

From the moment the large wood doors swing open with "Anos 1890" written on them, you know you are going to experience something special.

The beautiful and tranquil grounds of Tower Lodge offer a quiet luxury retreat for the discriminating traveler.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Indeed Tower Lodge offers a five star standard from the sparkling heated swimming pool to the manicured golf putting range, to the in-room flat screen with surround-sound stereo and wood-burning fire place, you know you have arrived at a resting spot of ultimate quiet and luxurious comfort.

The suites at Tower Lodge offer ultimate comfort and privacy.

Photo by Michael Reiss

This is an intimate and distinctively styled accommodation tucked away amid a vineyard in the Hunter Valley.

In addition to the swimming pool, Tower Lodge offers an 18-hole short golf course, a 1.2 mile (1.6 km) walking track, a gym, and a massage treatment room.

The sparkling swimming pool at Tower Lodge awaits you.

Photo by Michael Reiss

The staff at Tower Lodge pride themselves on personalized service. The gourmet breakfast, buffet plus made- to- order items prepared by the in-house chef, might include these selections.

Herb roasted field mushrooms bruschetta with Binnorie feta.

Raspberry breakfast crepes served with fresh ricotta.

Spring onion pancake served with smoked salmon.

The gourmet cook-to-order breakfast can be enjoyed al freso in the patio of Tower Lodge.
Here is served the Herb roasted field mushrooms bruschetta with Binnorie feta.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Tower Lodge offers guests an ultra-luxury experience with topnotch service. This exclusive boutique retreat awaits the discriminating traveler who wants to experience the best of the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia.

Personalized high-level service is the hallmark of Tower Lodge.

Photo by Michael Reiss

Tower Lodge
Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Australia

Tel: +612 4998 7022
Fax: +612 4998 7164

e-mail: retreat@towerestate.com

http://www.towerestate.com

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

Listen to the lilting jazz sounds and scope out the panoramic view of the Hunter Valley Chez Bistro Molines. The Mediterranean vibe is palpable.

Welcome to Robert's world, a delightful venue perched above a beautiful stretch of the Hunter Valley located at Margan Cellar Door on Hermitage Road, where Robert's wife, Sally, greets you as if you're a friend.

The warm, gracious, informal vibe sets the stage for Bistro Molines "cuisine terroire" using local fresh produce and ingredients. Dining al fresco is a delight. Chef Robert serves country French-inspired dishes with gourmet flair paired with the finest of locally produced wines.

From the local Hunter Valley olives and complementary canapés to the passion fruit soufflé dessert, Bistro Molines is a thoroughly satisfying gourmet getaway.

At Bistro Molines you can dine al fresco and enjoy a sunning view of the Hunter Valley below.

Housemade Linguini with Fresh Mussels and Scallops
Basil Pesto, Hint of Chili

Risotto of Four Autumn Mushrooms with Sage, Truffle Oil and
Parmesan Shavings

Twice Roasted Hunter Duckling with Plum Glaze
Braised Cabbage and Fresh Plum Compote

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Chef Robert of Bistro Molines serves country French-inspired dishes with gourmet flair.

Bistro Molines
Tallavera Grove
749 Mount View Rd.
Mont View Rd.
Mont View 232

A long established restaurant with a new chef is always a challenge. Chef Daniel has risen to the occasion. At Robert's Restaurant you will enjoy Australian contemporary cuisine prepared with a firm grasp of French technique, using the freshest of Australian produce and complemented by a thoughtfully selected wine list of Australian and international vintages.

The dishes are copious, full-flavored and pair beautifully with local Hunter Valley wines.

Located on the Tower Vineyard Estate this historic property, Robert's Restaurant, is a feast for the eyes, as Chef Daniel's cuisine is a feast for all the senses.

Robert's Restaurant's historic "farm house" setting creates a delightful atmosphere to enjoy superb food and wine.

Ballotine of Hunter Valley Quail, Blood Plum Jam
Moscato Syrup

Atlantic Sea Scallops served Three Ways

Star Anise Glazed Duck Breast and Confit Leg, Cauliflower Puree,
Cherry Dressing, Garden Chives

Rosemary and Sea Salt Crusted Western Australian Lamb Rack
Grilled Eggplant, Capsicum, Sicilian Olives, Basil Oil

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Each dish at Robert's Restaurant is copious, full-flavored and pairs beautifully with local Hunter Valley wines.

Robert's Restaurant
Halls Road
Pokolbin NSW 2320

Tel: 61 2 4998 7330
E-mail: info@robertsrestaurant.com

Esca Bimbadgen Estate Restaurant, located within the Bimbadgen Estate Winery, is situated high on a hill in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country.

The contemporary architecture mirrors its fresh, modern Australian cuisine. Dedicated to the art of food and wine pairing, Esca's offers tasting plates designed with either red or white wine flights to match. The creative cuisine and thoughtful wine pairings makes this venue a unique stop on your culinary wine tour.

This is Esca Bimbadgen Estate Restaurant's white flight of Semillon, Viognier, and Chardonnay, carefully painted with gourmet food tastings.

Sumac King Prawns with a watermelon, marinated feta and mint salad with a lime dressing
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate Semillon `07

Steamed Pork, Scallop and garlic chive dumplings with sesame soy dressing and tatsoi
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate Viognier `07

Pan fried Sardine fillets with a pepperonata and basil tart with salsa verde
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate Chardonnay `07

Wood char-grilled Lamb loin with a chick pea, fennel and parsley salad, yogurt and harissa
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate Sangiovese ‘05

Wood spit-roasted Duck with a beetroot puree, watercress and walnut salad and a burnt orange vinaigrette
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate MCA Shiraz Viognier `06

Wood char-grilled Sirloin of Beef with a ragout of mushrooms, horseradish and a spinach cream
With a tasting of Bimbadgen Estate Shiraz `06

This is Esca Bimbadgen Estate Restaurant's red flight of Sangiovese, Shiraz Viognier, and Shiraz, carefully painted with gourmet food tastings.

Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food and Wine Access
Michael Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access

What To Do

Australian Luxury Escapes, family operated for more than 20 years, offers the discriminating traveler customized tours with a personal touch.

Australian Luxury Escapes presents its guests with unique intermarries of places in and around Sydney, Australia, the Hunter Valley, and also Melbourne, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, Australia.

We experienced a two-day "Wine and Gourmet Tour" of the Hunter Valley wine region some 90 minutes out of Sydney. In the comfort of a Mercedes Van, with the careful and professional tour guide and driver, Les, we explored fascinating wineries, boutique accommodations, and gourmet restaurants of the Hunter Valley.

Australian Luxury Escapes offers its guests the finest fully-escorted customized personal service.

As an added bonus, our guide, Les, was a trained historian and naturalist, so we learned the lore of the Hunter Valley's origins as part of the original development of Australia. With our guides help, we spotted wild kangaroo, wallaby, turtle, as well as the rare and illusive animal call the ekidna, the million-year old Australian survivor species that looks like a cross between a mole, anteater, and porcupine.

On the second day of our Hunter Valley "Wine and Gourmet Tour" we experienced a private tasting at Tyrell's Vineyard. Tyrell's, founded in 1858 by Edward Tyrell, and acknowledged as a distinguished winery with 192 medals and 74 trophies for wine making. Particularly noteworthy at Tyrell's is the Semillion and Shiraz bottling, representing fine examples of the most popular varieties of Hunter Valley wines.

All the while Australian Luxury Escapes provided expert driving and guide service that made our
Hunter Valley visit one that was highly focused on our interests, educational, and fun. The trip flowed seamlessly from one attraction to another, was well organize, and we experienced great comfort and safety as we acquired a profound and in-depth knowledge and appreciation for the richness of the area..

The shared meal communally prepared, offers the opportunity to solidify new friendships. This skills based approach to culinary mastery is fun, effective and contagious. You are bound to come back again and again.

Each outing on your Australian Luxury Escapes tour is escorted by knowledgeable guides.

Australian Luxury Escapes
Australian Wild Escapes
P.O. Box 42, Pennan Hills,
NSW 1715 Australia

Phone: 612 998 8799 or 612 9980 8788

For a delightful morning or afternoon stroll through spectacular "gardens of the world" visit the Hunter Valley Gardens.

Explore 10 stunning feature gardens set on 60 acres of impeccably kept grounds including The Storybook Garden, a delight for children of all ages as well as The Japanese Garden, The Chinese Garden, The French Formal Garden, and more..

For an in-depth winery tour, along with a focused wine learning experience, book the Hunter Valley Wine School.

The tour introduces you to one of the most modern wine-producing facilities in the Hunter Valley. Learn how modern technique enables a crush of some 6,500 tones of grapes each year, producing-- with efficiency as well as artristy-- some 6 million lifters of finely crafted wine.

Hunter Valley Wine School includes a vineyard tour, which emphasizes the importance of grape growing and its effects on wine.

With the educational component of the school you will determine through tasting why certain varieties of grapes excel in the Hunter Valley, most notably the Semillion and Shiraz varieties.