Hunter Valley Escape

This morning’s flight takes us to Cessnock, right in the middle of the Hunter Valley. It’s hard to imagine that in just over an hour we can feel ‘a world away’ in such a beautiful part of our country.

On arrival in our private aircraft, you will be met by our chauffeur and travel to our first winery, Mt Pleasant Wines. These vineyards stretch back to the very birth of the Hunter Valley as a premium wine growing region, planted by Charles King in 1880 and worked on by legendary winemaker and Mount Pleasant founder, Maurice O’Shea.

Our next stop is Brokenwood which was named the Best Cellar Door in New South Wales at the 2025 Halliday People’s Choice Award. Their flagship wines include, ILR Reserve Semillon, Graveyard Vinyard Shiraz and HBA Shiraz. Enjoy a wine complementing your chef-prepared lunch by Executive Chef Sean Townsend, in a private dining room overlooking the cellar below.

In the afternoon you have the option to visit Pokolbin Distillery or Savannah Estate – or both if you choose! All of Pokolbin Distillery products are made in-house, starting with a high-quality base spirit made by their award-winning distiller, and is produced in small batches in copper pot stills. Enjoy the premium range of Gins, Vodkas and Liqueurs.

Checking in at your luxury accommodation at Chateau Elan at The Vintage, as well as dining at the Legends Restaurant, will round off the first day very nicely indeed.

Overnight at Chateau Elan – Spa Suite

Your day starts rather early this morning to allow you to experience the sunrise from a very different vantage point – a hot-air balloon. The Hunter Valley has some stunning scenery, and gently floating above it all is one of the best ways to appreciate the area’s beauty.

On your return to earth, a gourmet à la carte breakfast will set you up for your second day in the Hunter. A Blending Master Class will give you a great insight into the art of how different flavours are blended for the perfect taste. Everyone likes some friendly competition, and you will have the opportunity to try your skills at wine making alongside your fellow travellers.

Our next stop is at Gartelmann Wines in Lovedale. As well as a great selection of Vino, lunch at The Deck Café will provide the opportunity to sample some of Matthew Dillow’s finest work. Matthew, following his apprenticeship as a chef, furthered his culinary expertise at numerous esteemed establishments. Remarkably, at just 21 years old, he assumed the role of Head Chef at Rydges Hotel North Sydney, where his journey began. He is now the owner and manager of Gartelmann Wines and The Deck Café.

Retuning to your accommodation for the afternoon, you can play a round of golf at the on-site, Greg Norman designed 18-hole championship golf course. Alternatively you can treat yourself to some pampering at the day spa. Feel free to make use of the pool and spa or play a game of tennis to finish off the afternoon.

Dinner tonight is at the Tower Lodge Restaurant. Start with drinks by the fireplace in the adjoining lounge or by the courtyard fountain on a summer evening. A shared tasting experience of the Hunter Valley’s Local Produce is the highlight of the night in a private room just for our guests.

Overnight at Chateau Elan – Spa Suite

Your first stop this morning is at Hunter Belle Dairy Co. where you will have the opportunity to sample the finest products in the Ultimate Cheese Experience. The milk produced to make the cheese is from local Brown Swiss cows.

Next, we head up the mountain to Petersons Wines. Ian Peterson and his family bought an old dairy farm at Mount View and established 10 acres of Semillon grapes to supply a nearby winery. As the vines flourished, new varieties of vines were planted to produce Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Ian hired a cellar hand to help him produce his first wines.

Petersons Family Wines have been recognised for making quality wines since 1981 and our next stop is for lunch at the Peterson House on Broke Road, Pokolbin. If you think your wine should be a bit ‘bubbly’ then you will love the range of over 30 sparkling wines on offer.

Following a long lunch overlooking the vines and lake, you have the option to visit either The Tower Whisky Distillery or Pepper Tree Wines, or both! The Tower’s Single Malt Whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and after two distillations, results in 68% distiller strength. A mixture of new and old, French and American oak Hogshead, Barrique, and Puncheon casks have been used to create their new make spirit.

Pepper Tree Wines’ owner has a background in Geology and has vineyards in various locations across NSW and South Australia, ensuring their wines are both diverse and of premium quality.

Returning to Chateau Elan allows you some down-time before heading off to Circa 1876, one of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic restaurants. Located beside the historic cottage on the picturesque grounds of Roscrea Estate, it is surrounded by rich produce-filled kitchen gardens. Executive Chef Joey Ingram’s menu, which was awarded the 2024-25 Australian Good Food Guide Chefs Hat offers a refined, yet relaxed dining experience, guided by the seasons and onsite garden.

Overnight at Chateau Elan – Spa Suite

They say “It’s never too early for chocolate!” As we take this truth seriously, your first stop is at the Hunter Valley Chocolate & Fudge Factory, which has been delighting visitors with its handcrafted chocolates, gourmet fudge, and decadent sweet treats for over 25 years. Enjoy an exclusive tasting session with your morning cup of tea or coffee.

The next winery dates back in history to 1886 when the Wilkinson family acquired the 270-acre property of the current Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard. This is set high on a hill overlooking the Hunter Valley. The 2006 Museum Semillon was Audrey Wilkinson’s most awarded wine, taking home an amazing 12 Trophies and 20 Gold awards. This setting for our lunch is spectacular and a real highlight of this tour.

All good things must come to an end, and as we head to the airport, we must call in to Sabor Desert Bar for one last indulgence as part of this Gourmet Food and Wine Tour. Sabor have grown their dessert menu to include over 50 different desserts, each one created individually. With multi-award-winning Portuguese Chocolate Mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, hand-made chocolates, Portuguese tarts, and gourmet ice-cream, there is bound to be something to tempt everyone.

As you depart for home, we trust that our Hunter Valley Escape tour has delighted your tastebuds as it showcased just one of Australia’s amazing food and wine regions.