Hunter Valley Semillon & Seafood Festival

Find your Semillon personality at the Hunter Valley Semillon & Seafood Festival 17 - 19 April

It's a wine fact...
"The wines that you make are simply unique worldwide. Semillons that sing is how I describe your best whites - Hunter Semillon is finer, lighter, more etheral and piercing in its youth, but more age worthy and glorious in its age than anything I can think of." Matthew Jukes, acclaimed wine writer and wine correspondent of the Daily Mail which is read each week by over 9 million readers.

Wine and food lovers will be heading for the Hunter this April to sample the delights of over 150 different Semillons, including latest releases, museum treasures, sparkling and dessert styles paired to perfection with the freshest local seafood during the Hunter Valley Semillon & Seafood Festival April 17 - 19.

Now in its 8th year, this spectacular weekend will play host to over 20 Semillon inspired activities including: Master Classes, world class chef demonstrations, lunches, degustation dinners, sneak peak tastings, and mingle with some of the region's legendry winemaking families including: Bruce Tyrrell, Mike DeIuliis, Keith Tulloch, Phil Ryan and 2008 Winemaker of the Year Andrew Thomas.Visitors to the festival can be Semillon savvy in no time when they attend the Masterclasses held by highly regarded wine expert and writer Nick Ryan. Attendees will also discover their Semillon personality with Nick's entertaining presentation covering fresh, crisp and bubbly varieties to toasty, rich and sweet characters.

Tasty morsels will be on offer throughout the weekend with local restaurants serving up gourmet seafood dishes. Hunter Valley chef Andrew Clarke of famed two hatted Rock Restaurant will be hosting cooking demonstrations of char grilled local Balmain bugs. Port Stephens Oyster Farmers will present Oyster sessions and serve up the freshest local prawns to be eaten with a veritable array of mouth watering regional cheeses, olive oils and sourdough breads.

Hunter Semillon and Seafood Feature Event
Date: Saturday 18th April 2009, 10.30am - 4pm
In the grounds of Tyrrell's Vineyard, Broke Road, Pokolbin

$30 per person entry fee includes: one souvenir glass, one wine bag, 12 x 25ml tasting vouchers, entry to Semillon Masterclasses, seafood cooking and oyster demonstrations and live music.

Seafood aficionados can indulge in either the Seafood Picnic package at $95 per couple, which covers all the entry fee inclusions, plus a Hunter Valley picnic rug, 500g King Prawns and 1 doz Port Stephens oysters to dine on, or the premium seafood luncheon at $140 per person, which includes: Premium Marquee access and seating for the day, three course seafood luncheon (catered by the Verandah Restaurant), a range of Hunter Valley Semillons, Winemaker hostings, Souvenir wine glass & wine bag, Semillon tasting vouchers, plus access to seafood cooking demonstrations, Semillon masterclasses and Oyster sessions.

For those wanting to make a weekend of it, other festival events include:

Friday 17th April 2009
· The Semillon Experience Dinner
Hosted by Tyrrells Vineyards, McWilliams Mount Pleasant & Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.
To make the night even more enjoyable, Crown Plaza are offering a special dinner and accommodation package.
· Semillon with a View - Bistro Molines & Brokenwood


Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April 2009
· Semillon Tasting Plate at Esca Bimbadgen


Saturday 18th April 2009
· Breakfast & Bubbles at Ironbark Hill
· Scarborough Vertical Twilight Tasting


Sunday 19th April 2009
· Semillon & Seafood Luncheon - Pepper Tree Wines
· Semillon Recovery Lunch - Reds Rebuttal - McGuigan Cellars
· Gourmet Picnic in the Vines - Echo Ridge Wines
· Semillon BBQ at McWilliams Mount Pleasant


A visit to the Hunter wouldn't be the same without experiencing the comforts and hospitality of one of the many well-appointed accommodation options such as the Sebel Kirkton Park, Peppers Guest House or Tuscany Wine Estate or a transport package with River Coaches or Boutique Wine Tours.

For further information and tickets visit: www.huntersemillonandseafood.com.au or call 02 4991 4533.