Hunter Valley

On saturday the 24^th we left “the Russels” hotel in the Rocks for a trip to Hunter valley. Our rental car, (again a Toyota Corolla) and a number of guide books led the way to the vineyards.

McGuigan was the first stop, where we not only enjoyed the wine but also the Cheese from the company’s own cheese factory.

Tyrrell’s was our next stop and at this vineyard we got the full tour of the manufacturing facilities and the cellar where large oak barrels (imported from France and America) held the wine for aging. The French oak barrels are VERY expensive for Australian wine manufacturers! But they are the best in the world. Tyrrell’s was well known for its Semillon, of which we got to taste the 1997, 1999 and 2005 (couldn’t try the 1989). Their Tawny (brown port wine) was very interesting. Yummy!

Rosemont Estate was our next quick stop, unfortunately not very impressive but the house was beautiful. We had an excellent lunch at McWilliams vineyard with fresh homemade pasta and we tried the Elisabeth Chardonnay, which was pretty good!

Next stop was the well known Lindemans vineyard. They had a fudge shop, much to Kristin’s delight! We only tried the Hunter valley wines at Lindemans, who produce wine all over Australia…

Time was running out and we wanted to manage at least one stop in the Upper Hunter Valley before closing. Realizing that the distance between the Lower and Upper Hunter is quite vast (75km) we had to leave in a hurry!

The way between the two wine areas was a surprisingly flat, dry, yellow and uninhabited, but on entering the Upper Hunter Valley the landscape became green again. Arrowfield winery in Upper Hunter Valley was our final stop for the day.

An old woman and her horse welcomed us at the B&B Wolley Fenn, in the middle of nowhere. The place was crowded with wild Kangeroos.