Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month

Amateur cooks, serious foodies, wine lovers and lifestyle enthusiasts are gearing up for the year's ultimate celebration of flavour, the famous Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month.

This June, Australia's favourite and oldest wine and food region will open its spectacular arms and warmly welcome you to dine, wine, learn, play, taste and stay as you get up close and personal with the very best of the Hunter's renowned winemakers and chefs during a month-long series of over 60 decadent activities.

From festivals and fairs, magical dinners and gastronomical feasting, to dining in the sky (literally), exclusive culinary classes and winter indulgences under the stars, the highly anticipated annual event will truly rejoice in the mouth-watering taste of the Hunter Valley's unrivalled delights.

Home to more than 150 wineries, the picturesque Hunter Valley is Australia's most loved and most visited wine region. Located just two hours' drive north of Sydney, the region offers an extraordinary selection of accommodation packages, giving you the perfect excuse for an indulgent winter getaway.

This year's flavor odyssey will feature festival favourites on the menu, as well as a series of new and exciting indulgences. Here's a delicious taste of June's stunning line-up of events:

Hunter Chefs & Co Annual Food Fight, Wyndham Estate – Monday June 2, $150 pp
Come and view the "Battle of the Sexes" showdown as the Hunter Region's best female chefs take on the best male chefs in the annual culinary battle! Hosted by celebrity personality Matt Kemp.

Olive Long Table Luncheon, Whispering Brook – Saturday June 7, 12 p.m. $110 pp
A walking tour of the beautiful olive groves and vineyards, followed by a spectacular four course olive-inspired lunch. The event also includes matching Whispering Brook wine, live music and special guest speaker and leading Australian cardiologist, Professor Len Kritherides, to discuss the secrets of the Mediterranean diet. Bookings essential: 02 9818 4126

Eat, Drink, Run – Progressive Lunch, First Creek Wines, Gartelmann Wines, The Deck Cafe, Verandah Restaurant and Twine Restaurant – Every Saturday and Sunday in June, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $110 pp
A progressive lunch for serious foodies and wine lovers. Travel by bus between four of the Hunter Valley's leading venues, grazing along the way on oysters, canapés and tasting plates by renowned local chef Matt Dillow, with matching Hunter wines. Bookings essential: 02 4998 7293

Breakfast in the Air, Peterson House – Each Saturday in June, Sunrise $319 pp
Experience the wide open skies and enjoy a selection of Peterson House breakfast canapés and bubbles whilst floating above the picturesque Hunter Valley with Restaurant Cuvee & Balloon Aloft. Bookings essential: 1300 723 279

Ocean to Paddock, RidgeView – Saturday, June 14, 6.30 p.m. $125 pp (includes paired wines)
Executive chef Donna Hollis and her team draw inspiration from the local offerings to bring you a seven course degustation dinner matched perfectly with estate grown RidgeView wines. Embark on a gastronomic journey up the Valley from the ocean to the paddock. Bookings essential: 02 6574 7332

Steak & Shiraz Matching, Hunter Valley Steakhouse, Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens - Every Friday & Saturday in June, from 5 p.m. $15pp, free if dining after
Sample three different steaks and Shiraz with our chef and winemaker providing tasting notes to assist you in choosing the best matches. Bookings essential: 02 4998 2000

Garden to Plate Cooking School, Margan – Friday June 13 and June 20, 10 a.m. $85 pp
Tour the beautiful Margan Kitchen Garden with gardener Pat Hansson, then head to the kitchen for a cooking school with renowned chef Michael Robinson. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely lunch matched with award winning Margan wine. Booking essential: 02 6579 1372