Wine Country News – March 31 2017
The Around Hermitage Team Reviews Vintage 2017.
The origin of sparkling wine in the Hunter
Sparkling Tintilla Blush with some Granita Syrup from the Two Fat Blokes and a day in the freezer made the welcoming Cocktail at our end of Harvest Hawaiian night. We have a long tradition of making sparkling wines in the Hunter, starting with the experiments of James King of Illawang. In 1850 he was awarded…
It’s about Balance – especially in a hot year
About 23 years ago when we were developing Tintilla vineyard we had a visit from Richard Smart, the famed viticulturist, to advise us on what we were doing . He told us of a vineyard in Victoria where they had almost trained their vines to do without irrigation when they suddenly all died! Good fruit…
Shepherd’s Riesling – origin of Hunter Semillon
While harvesting our Semillon I was asked by one of the pickers “how come Semillon does so well in the Hunter?” Well it was not by accident but as a result of keen observation and experiment in the early days of the wine industry that it emerged as a successful varietal in the Hunter. It…
The “Rum Rebellion”
We recently visited the very successful Hunter Distillery on Broke Road as part of an Around Hermitage Famil. It got me thinking about the role distillation has had in our history. The First Fleet’s arrival in Botany Bay on 26 January 1788 is not the only important event that has occurred on 26 January. In…
Newcastle & The Hunter 2017 Restaurant Awards
“This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Australian Good Food & Travel Guide. Back then, we were the only guide of its kind! Since our establishment in 1977, we have seen restaurants come and go, diners’ tastes develop, culinary styles emerge and new talents make their mark; so, put down the forks, knives and…
Spend two perfect days in the Hunter Valley
“The Hunter Valley, situated just two hours drive from Sydney is Australia’s oldest wine region, and well worth a visit. Australia’s oldest wine region isn’t just home to award-winning sémillon and shiraz, cellar-door tastings and beautiful vineyard hotels. The fertile valley, just a two-hour drive north of Sydney, offers a feast of experiences, from boutique…
New Information Bay Opens on Hermitage Road Pokolbin
On 2nd December 2017 the new information bay on Hermitage Road just south of Old North Road was officially opened by NSW Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen. Mr Johnsen was joined by representatives from Singleton and Cessnock Councils as well as local business operators and residents. This was a key milestone in the Hermitage and…
Construction starts on Cessnock end of Hermitage Road project
“Dual milestones have been reached in the vineyard roads project, with the Broke Road west section complete, and construction underway on the Cessnock end of the Hermitage Road upgrade. A joint project between Cessnock and Singleton councils, the $17.1 million upgrade includes safety improvements, intersection upgrades, construction of on-road cycleways and installation of tourist facilities including signage and rest areas.” Read…
Wine Country News – 5 December 2016
Highlights the coming of the Hermitage Road Cycleway and a special wine country weather report.