The Hunter Blackboard - December 2015

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

B L A C K B O A R D

DECEMBER 2015 | ISSUE #106

SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER | ELTON JOHN | Hope Estate | Sir Elton John and his band will return to Hope Estate this summer as part of his international All The Hits tour. The All The Hits tour will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career, including a selection of songs from his highly acclaimed album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Deluxe Edition. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s greatest pop musicians in spectacular form when Elton John returns to the Hunter Valley this December. For more information visit www.hopeestate.com.au

SATURDAY 12TH DECEMBER | COLD CHISEL ONE NIGHT STAND | Hope Estate | The legendary Cold Chisel will be coming to Hope Estate this December with very special guests The Living End. With a history that spans forty years and a reputation forged through blistering live shows and a catalogue of much-loved songs and albums, Cold Chisel has become a part of the nation’s psyche. The band has sold almost 7 million albums featuring songs like Cheap Wine, Choir Girl, When The War Is Over, Flame Trees, Saturday Night and Khe Sanh. Get in quick to buy tickets, this one will sell out! For more information visit www.hopeestate.com.au

TUESDAY 8TH DECEMBER | FAULTY TOWERS DINING EXPERIENCE | Hunter Resort | Based on the BBC’s best-loved sitcom, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience is fully immersive, highly improvised and site-specific comedy theatre at its best! Only a third of the show is scripted, so anything can happen as you take a seat in the 'Faulty Towers' restaurant. Expect all the best gags and shambolic service when the show returns to Hunter Resort. The experience has been acclaimed around the world by audiences and critics alike so don’t miss your chance to dine with Sybil, Manuel and Basil! For more information visit www.interactivetheatre.com.au

14TH - 16TH DECEMBER | THE JACK NEWTON CELEBRITY CLASSIC | Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley | The Jack Newton pro-am 36 hole golf tournament pairs 54 celebrities ranging from sporting greats, comedians, entertainers, film stars and television personalities with 54 professional golfers. The tournament offers a unique opportunity for amateurs to play with their golfing heroes and celebrities. Whilst the celebrity heavy tournament prides itself on promoting a fun, relaxed vibe for its participants, there is a real purpose behind it – with all proceeds duly donated to the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation and Diabetes. For more information visit www.celebrityclassic.jacknewtongroup.com

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THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER | NEW YEARS EVE IN THE HUNTER | Party into 2016 at Harrigans Irish Pub, Circa 1876 and Esca Bimbadgen with delicious feasts and live entertainment. The whole family can also celebrate the new year at Hunter Valley Gardens with a dazzling fireworks display at 9pm, amusement rides, plenty of live entertainment and the Christmas Lights Spectacular. More information about each event is available on Page 6 or on the individual venues websites.

FOR YOUR DIARYDecember

WANT MORE? Keep up to date with events in the Hunter by visiting www.huntervalleyonline.com.authb 2 | DECEMBER 2015

6TH NOVEMBER - 26TH JANUARY| CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SPECTACULAR | Hunter Valley Gardens | Every year Hunter Valley Gardens bring thousands of families together to celebrate the magic of Christmas at the Christmas Lights Spectacular. Open every night with over 1.5 million Christmas lights on show throughout designated areas of the Hunter Valley Gardens. With sound and light displays, live entertainment, food and beverages available for purchase on site and a special appearance from Santa, this is an event for all ages. Also up until Christmas, have your photo taken with Santa by a professional photographer. Closed December 25th. For more information and tickets visit www.hvg.com.au

thb 3 | DECEMBER 2015

Spend your Christmas at Circa 1876, Peppers Convent Hunter Valley to immerse yourself in the ultimate

Hunter Valley dining experience in the spectacular setting of the

Circa 1876 dining room.

Christmas Lunch at Circa 1876

Circa 1876 are preparing a feast fit to indulge in with signature hearty farm-to-fork cuisine accented by fresh takes on your family Christmas favourites

that make up the perfect Christmas lunch for foodies.

Enjoy Three Courses - $165 per person Bookings are essential:

[email protected] or (02) 4998 4998

64 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320www.theconventhuntervalley.com

H U N T E R V A L L E Y

No matter who you speak to, young or old, there is a general feeling that 2015 has passed by us at light speed. Perhaps this is the sign of a good year – a year to celebrate.

This special “Celebration” issue, the last for 2015, delivers a magazine that has continued to grow and transform, just as the Hunter Valley has. This year saw the publication of our 100th issue and the team at the Hunter Blackboard are proud to have been responsible for bringing all the latest news and events to the 2 million (plus!) visitors to the Hunter Valley each and every year for the past 8 years (and 106 issues).

But it’s not just our visitors who have made the Hunter Blackboard what it is today – it’s the locals who share their stories, the restaurateurs and vignerons who constantly strive for excellence, the attractions and shops and every single person who works tirelessly to ensure that the Hunter Valley is the best Wine Destination in Australia – which we are happy to say – it is! So, let’s Celebrate the people behind the scenes, those that have, or will, make your stay here one to remember.

Of course it wouldn’t be a celebration without a glass (or two) of sparkles and we’ve put a Christmas spin on our partying to bring you the Sparkling Dozen.

“Dazzling” is really the only way to describe this year’s Christmas Lights Spectacular and we’ve aimed to capture as many lights as possible from this year’s display on the cover! Fortunately there are still about 1.5 million lights that we couldn’t fit on the cover, so get along to Hunter Valley Gardens to be dazzled yourself!

Also this month we welcome the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic to its new home at Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club (Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley). If you’re not brave enough to enter the 3 day pro-am yourself you can go along and enjoy the spectacle of 54 pro-golfers teamed with 54 celebrity golfers and a bunch of amateurs let loose on the golf course.

We also welcome Sir Elton John back to the Hunter this month with a show that promises to delight audiences and could possibly be the last time we see the world-class performer in the area – so don’t miss out.

From our family to yours, we wish you the very best Christmas and a happy and safe 2016.

Enjoy!

FROM THE EDITORS

ContentsA WINEMAKERS CHRISTMASWe talk to some of the Hunter’s winemaking families to find out how they will be celebrating this Christmas, what they will be serving and most importantly – what they will be drinking!

CHEF TRENT BARRETTFrom gardening with his grandmother as a child, Chef Trent Barrett has always appreciated fresh produce, which is reflected in his garden-to-plate philosophy at restaurants - Circa 1876 and Eighty Eight…

HUNTER BLACKBOARD MAPThe Hunter Blackboard’s handy guide to finding your way around Wine Country…

DISHING UP CHRISTMASMany would agree that it wouldn’t be an Australian Christmas without prawns on the menu! We take a look at where you can enjoy prawns this festive season!

FE[A]STIVE SEASONFor many of us, Christmas is a time when diets and exercise are put on hold. Golden Door gives us some tips on how to stay on track this holiday season…

THE SPARKLING DOZENIt doesn’t matter whether you prefer red or white, we have chosen 12 of our favourite Sparkling wines to help you toast in the New Year!

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