HunterValleyOnline.com.au

HUNTERTHE

The No.1 magazine for visitors to Hunter Valley Wine Country

B L A C K B O A R D

Rose Pruning at Hunter Valley Gardens R P i t H tSNIP & CUT

JULY 2014 ||| ISSUE #89

IN THE GARDEN

GardensISSUE

THE

Our favourite sweet treats for winterJUST DESSERTS

THB July 2014 Cover.ai 1 23/06/2014 9:54:49 AM

2 | JULY 2014 thb

DIARY F O R Y O U R

july

PUBLISHED BY: WCP Media

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: PH +61 2 4967 3200

HunterValleyOnline.com.au enquiries@wcpmedia.com.au

WCP MEDIA 12 Hanbury St, Mayfield NSW 2304

July 2014. Copyright © 2014 WCP Media.

Published monthly by WCP Media. All rights reserved. Permission to

reprint or quote excerpt granted by wri en request only. While every

a empt has been made, WCP Media cannot guarantee the

legality, completeness or accuracy of the informa on presented and

accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE from 1st July 2014 until the

31st July 2014 inclusive or while stocks last.

GET MOBILE! View this month’s issue of

The Hunter Blackboard on your iPhone, iPad, android tablet or

android phone. Simply download the QR Code and get mobile!

1ST —13TH JULY 2014 |SNOW TIME IN THE GARDEN at Hunter Valley Gardens | Chill out these school holidays and enjoy ice ska ng on the 14 x 35 metre Real Ice Ska ng Rink. Join in other Snow Time fun including a 25 metre Ice Toboggan and play in the man made snow! There will be lots of fun for the whole family with games, hearty food, Husky dogs and warm beverages. You’ll also be able to watch the amazing ice sculptor carve something incredible on the weekends. Check the website closer to the date for more informa on and a full program. This is a day and night event running from 9.00am – 9.00pm every day. For more informa on visit www.hvg.com.au.

20TH JULY 2014 | HUNTER VALLEY RUNNING FESTIVAL start & finish at Hunter Valley Gardens| It’s not everyday that you get to run through world famous gardens, historic homesteads, interna onal golf resorts and of course, some of the most famous wineries in Australia. Mix that with a huge selec on of races, a friendly country race crew, loads of prizes and you have an event not to be missed. For more informa on visit www.huntervalleymarathon.net

18TH—22ND JULY 2014 | THE COAL & ALLIED SINGLETON ART PRIZE at Singleton Civic Centre | From humble beginnings 32 years ago, “The Singleton Art Prize” has matured into one of the largest regional art prizes in NSW, and one of the most pres gious. It con nues to feature prominent and up-and-coming Australian ar sts. In a typical year, an average of 1500 visitors pass through the Singleton Civic Centre to enjoy up to 800 pain ngs at the Singleton Art Prize, resul ng in substan al art sales and great exposure for emerging talent. For more informa on visit www.singleton.nsw.gov.au

THE HUNTER BLACKBOARD IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH...

14TH—31ST JULY 2014 | WINTER ROSE PRUNING at Hunter Valley Gardens Ever wondered how it’s done? Hunter Valley Gardens have 35,000 roses to prune, let them show you how! With demonstra ons and talks throughout the day, be sure you are caring for your roses correctly. There will be free rose cu ngs on departure. For more informa on visit the Hunter Valley Gardens website at www.hvg.com.au or read the great Q&A with Hunter Valley Garden’s Chief Hor culturist Sean O’Brien in this issue.

12TH JULY 2014 | JETBLACK MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE through Baerami Upper Hunter The JetBlack 12 Hour Mountain Bike Race is coming to the Upper Hunter Valley! For the first me this iconic endurance event will be held at one of the newest mountain bike des na ons in NSW at the James Estate Winery at Baerami near Muswellbrook! Explore the beau ful Upper Hunter Valley, racing your bike on the Saturday and tas ng those delicious wines and local foods on the Sunday. Free kids races and entertainment will keep the families busy! Camp on-site or pick from the many comfy accommoda on op ons in the region. For more info visit www.rockytrailentertainment.com.

5TH & 6TH JULY 2014 |2014 CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL at Hunter Valley Gardens | This amazing event will immerse you in a chocolate experience you will never forget, while enjoying family fun and ac vi es inspired by chocolate. There will be delicious stalls along with entertainment, demonstrations, activities and competitions. Don’t miss out on this chocolatey delight! Snow Time in the Garden is also running during this event. For more informa on visit www.hvg.com.au

SATURDAY 12TH JULY 2014 |WOLLOMBI WINTER PICNIC at Greys Inn Wollombi| The second in the series of 3 picnics over Autumn, Winter and Spring, this is a sophis cated, quirky and fun day in the beau ful Grays Inn Wollombi Garden. Combining fantas c live music, lawn games, stalls, great wine and a choice of 2 delicious picnic hampers, the Wollombi Winter Picnic is sure to be a beau ful day in the warm winter sunshine. Tickets are just $60 per couple including a choice of 2 hampers and a glass of wine on arrival. Bookings are essen al. For booking informa on visit www.visitwollombi.com.au

JULY 2014 | 3 thb

EDITORS f r o m t h e

HIGHLIGHTS SNOW TIME IN THE GARDEN | This month Hunter Valley Gardens will transform into a “Winter wonderland” to delight kids (big and small) ...

5

SNIP CUT SNIP | Can you imagine what a daun ng task pruning over 35,000 rose bushes might be? We talk to Sean O’Brien and get his expert advice.. 10

CREATING LIFE LONG MEMORIES | For many, Hunter Valley Gardens provides an exci ng and enriching experience, for others one of calm and comfort and of course, life long memories...

9

JUST DESSERTS | Is there anything be er than curling up a er dinner with a “sweet treat” of the wine variety! We look at 6 of the best... 25 WINE & PASTA | With winter upon us our thoughts naturally dri towards warm comfort food and for many of us that conjures up images of a plate of steaming pasta and a glass of ...

32

HUNTER BLACKBOARD MAP | A popular addi on to each and every issue. Use it to find your way around Wine Country...

18

As we speak, Winter has finally arrived in the Hunter Valley and we can finally stoke the open fires and bunker in with our favourite reds—or possibly a sweet dessert treat (not that we needed an excuse really but it’s always nice to have one!)

Hunter Valley Gardens is fully into the winter spirit with “Snow Time in the Garden” - the second largest feature event for the Gardens (second only to the Christmas Lights Spectacular). Who needs to head south to enjoy a spot of tobogganing or outdoor ice-ska ng when you can enjoy it all right here! Get the kids off the couch and head out for some family fun.

Also at the Gardens this month you can enjoy the annual Chocolate Fes val with demonstra ons from celebrity chefs such as Adriano Zumbo and you can also watch in awe as some of Australia’s best chocateliers sculpt amazing chocolate show-pieces.

This issue is the “Gardens” issue and it wouldn’t be complete without men oning the Rose Pruning event which will con nue throughout the second half

of the month. With over 35,000 bushes to prune (can you imagine it—we struggle with our dozen bushes!), Sean O’Brien could possibly be Australia’s most experienced Rose Pruner—we speak to Sean to get some ps and we also find out his favourite rose variety.

July is also the month for that unique Australian tradi on—Christmas in July. This year Ridgeview Restaurant will be hos ng a Christmas dinner to die for—complete with tradi onal pudding for lovers of all things sweet!

Speaking of sweet, is there a be er me of year to top off a meal with a dessert

pple? From Liqueur Shiraz to Botry s Semillon and everything in between we look at our top picks for a cold winter night. We also look in depth at the Muscat variety and learn that it is one of the oldest varie es (da ng back to the ancient Egyp ans) s ll around today.

When it comes to comfort food you really can’t go past a pasta and of course, to fully enjoy your pasta you’ll need a glass of wine to wash it down! Find out how to match your wine to your sauce for a truly heavenly feast! Enjoy (and stay warm!)