The highly anticipated Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival returns this year bigger than ever. Showcasing the region’s distinct wine and food culture through a series of over forty events across May and June, the event supported by Wine Selectors, celebrates the best the region has to offer.
This year’s program sees the return, after a two-year hiatus, of signature events celebrating the sub-regions of Broke and Lovedale, as well as new and exciting additions to the program.
Wine and dine with some of the Hunter Valley’s leading winemakers and chefs, take part in a range of entertaining and interactive masterclasses to sharpen your culinary skills, or if you’re seeking a more relaxed experience, simply curl up beside an open fire with a glass of premium Hunter Valley wine paired with a local cheese spread. From gastronomical lunch experiences that roll into late dinners, to vineyard and winery tours followed by a tasting, there is something to suit all palettes.
“Given the challenges the of past few years for the hospitality, wine and tourism industries, we are delighted to be able to bring our signature festival to life again with a full program across both May and June,” commented Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association CEO Amy Cooper.
“The 2022 program is bursting with events and our reputable chefs, cooks, winemakers and hospitality stars are ready to put their best foot forward to allow you to immerse yourself and experience Wine Country in all its glory”.
The festival kicks off on the 29 April with the return of A Little Bit of Italy, a weekend-long festival celebrating incredible wine, great food, and Italian country style hospitality in Broke Fordwich.
This year’s program also sees the return of the iconic Lovedale Long Lunch. The progressive lunch will run on the 14 and 15 May, with leading local chefs teamed up with seven Lovedale wineries to offer guests food, wine and live music al fresco among the vineyards. A new and exciting event on this year’s program is the Firelight Festival + Firewalk, set to transform Singleton’s town centre with a spectacular light show combining unique sensory, hologram and immersive laser light experiences.
The Hunter Valley experienced high visitor numbers across the recent Easter and School Holiday period as visitors once again embarked on air and road trips after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. “We encourage people to book all aspects of their visit early, including accommodation, wine tastings, events and experiences as well as restaurants if you don’t want to miss out” noted Ms Cooper.
The full program, with something for all wine and food lovers, is now live at www.winecountry.com.au/events/wine-and-food-festival