Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival

Now spanning over two months, the Festival showcases the region's iconic wine and food culture, with more than 70 epicurean events and activities during May and June. During this period, visitors to the country's oldest wine region are offered the chance to enjoy the Festival's favourite events, as well as some sensational new additions.

Showcasing the Hunter's award-winning wines and delicious gourmet food, the event also gives you the chance to get up close and personal with winemakers at a masterclass, tour the vineyards, unearth hidden gems, and take part in hands-on cooking classes to fine-tune your culinary skills. If you're after a more relaxing experience, there's always the option to simply curl up beside an open fire with a glass of premium Hunter Valley wine and a cheese plate, or enjoy a set price gourmet lunch with a glass of wine at some of the region's top restaurants.

This selection of world class experiences positions the Hunter Valley as a leading destination in the Wine & Food space, allowing them to align with likeminded corporations, whose own brand strategy is a perfect match for their gourmet travellers. One such corporation is Wine Selectors, this year's official partner of the Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival. Wine Selectors has been exploring Australian wine for over 40 years. From small beginnings in the Hunter Valley in 1975, Wine Selectors now proudly delivers the very best in Australian wine to over 200,000 customers throughout the country. Today they continue to share our passion for the Hunter Valley by uncovering new styles, sharing regional favourites and telling the story behind every bottle of wine so that their members are inspired to keep discovering everything the Hunter Valley has to offer.

Located just two hour's drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 150 wineries and bursting with a diverse wine and food culture. The picturesque region offers an extraordinary selection of accommodation packages, giving you the perfect opportunity to beat those winter blues and get out of the city.

This year the calendar is filled with a particularly stunning line-up of events, with a few highlights including:

By the Fireside Dinner Series, Hunter Valley Resort, Fridays commencing May 6, $120 pp

The epitome of up close and personal! Each Friday evening in May and June, Hunter Valley Resort will have a different Hunter Valley Winemaker on hand to share their stories, and sampling their latest releases as they discuss the amazing 2014 vintage – arguably the best in the Hunter's living memory! With a maximum of only 30 guests, this is the ultimate intimate fireside experience for anyone who loves perfectly matched food and wine. www.hunterresort.com.au

Bookings essential: 02 4998 7777

Margan Meet the Farmer Dinner, Margan Wines – Saturday June 25, $99 pp

Casual. Fun. Delicious! Margan Restaurant is joining forces with five local food producers to showcase the very best of Hunter Valley Produce. This casual event will give you a glimpse into the delicious quality of Hunter Valley Produce and the opportunity to meet the people behind it. www.margan.com.au

Bookings essential: 02 6579 1372

Olive Long Table Luncheon, Whispering Brook – Saturday June 4, $125pp for members, $139pp for non-members

The annual Whispering Brook Olive Long Table Luncheon this year will feature a magnificent four-course Mediterranean menu designed by Chef Andrew Wright and matching wine. The luncheon will begin with a tutored walking tour of the estates' beautiful olive groves and include a special guest speaker to guide guests through an olive oil appreciation experience. www.whispering-brook.com

Bookings essential: 02 9818 4126

Burning of the Barrel, Glandore Estate – Saturday June 25

Get involved in the annual Burning of the Barrel bonfire. At sunset, a lone wine barrel will be set aflame on the fire and mark the beginning of a fantastic night out! www.glandorewines.com

Bookings essential: 02 4998 7140

Cheese Lovers Festival at Sebel Kirkton Park – Saturday June 25, $15 Early Bird Tickets, $20 General Tickets, $30 on the Day

This is an exciting new event using one of the Hunter Valley's signature delicacies as its hero. The festival will showcase over 40 Cheese, Wine, Craft Beer and Complimentary stalls with tasting opportunities. The combination of food, drinks, entertainment and (most importantly) cheese, makes for a fun, family day out with cheese pairing for all to enjoy! www.cheeseloversfestival.com.au

Tickets available online: 02 4998 7680

Cork and Fork Cup, The Vintage Golf Club - Saturday June 18, $165pp

The perfect combination of golf, wine and food. Cork and Fork Cup allows you to indulge in on-course wine and food tasting whilst playing alongside some of the Hunter Valley's renowned Winemaker Legends and Larrikins. www.thevintage.com.au

Bookings essential: 02 4998 2208

Hunter Valley Wine Festival, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley - Saturday June 4, $20 Pre-Sale, $25 on the Day

Your chance to immerse yourself in everything Hunter Valley has to offer. Taking place within the grounds of the picturesque Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, this community event will spoil Festival goers with an extensive array of wine, food, beer and cider. It will be a memorable Hunter Valley experience. www.huntervallywinefestival.com

Lovedale Arts Festival, Various cellar doors, restaurants, accommodations – for locations visit website – May and June

With the Festival running through the entire months of May and June it would be silly not to go and check out the amazing talent and diversity the Hunter Valley region has to offer. Wineries, restaurants and other locations throughout Lovedale will be the venue for a wide range of exhibitions and events ranging from art and sculpture to music to cooking classes and wine launches. www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au