New South Wales - Hunter Valley - go for Broke
By Louise Johnson
Catherine Vale Wines
Nestled at the foothills of the Brokenback Range, Broke Fordwich is known as the tranquil side of the Hunter Valley and is home to many boutique winereis, award winning wines, olive groves and restaurants.
Follow Broke Road from Pokolbin and you'll find yourself at the gateway to National Parks and a number of scenic drives, including the Putty Road route back to the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney, which is a day trip in itself.
Stop 1
On the road from Pokolbin you'll find Tyrrell's Wines Ashman's Winery. The Tyrrell family celebrate 150 years of winemaking in the Hunter region in 2008 and it's been a great anniversary year, with some massive win at the 2008 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show. Tyrrell's took out 14 of the 21 trophies awarded including the coveted "best red" and "best white" wines of the show. They open early, seven days, so a good early stop on your way out to Broke.
You'll be greeted at theircellar door by Murray Flanagan who marks his 40th year with Tyrrell's in 2008. Murray is an icon, not only within Tyrrell's but in the Hunter Valley Wine district, and is as much a part of Tyrrell's as the wine.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 4pm. There is a winery tour daily at 1.30pm
Broke Road
Pokolbin NSW 2320
Tel 02 4993 7000
Stop 2
Pickled & Pitted Gourmet Products
An amazing range of olives, oils, cheeses, preserves and other gourmet items are available for tasting and sale. All are prepared locally and with seasonal produce. Make sure you hunt out some of the wonderful olive oil soaps. Pickled & Pitted open Friday to Monday only, but if you're around mid-week call Marion and she will often open up for you to browse.
Open: Friday to Monday 10am to 4.30pm
67 Wollombi St
Broke
Tel 02 6579 1063
Stop 3
Don't make a wager with Gail, one of the owners of Nightingale Wines. The vineyard is the result of a wager between her and husband Paul - one we are sure he is happy to have lost given the success and growth of the business.
This is one of the prettiest vineyard vistas in the area, with a great view of Yellow Rock Escarpment, and it's a great place to stop for lunch and sample wines with your meal.There is accommodation here, so if you ate too much at Pickled & Pitted, save Nightingales for an evening meal and a comfy bed.
Open: Seven days 10am to 4pm.
1239 Milbrodale Road
Broke
Tel (02) 6579 1499
Stop 4
A beautiful cellar door which combines olive products from the property and a fine arts gallery, featuring glassware by Blue Mountains artist Keith Rowe, ceramics by Lyn Hart, timber carvings and paintings by local artist Rebecca Rath, and the resident sandstone sculptor Samuel Re.
Brokes specialise in handcrafting wines from some of the Hunters most renowned varieties, Semillon, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Shiraz and for something a little different a Northern Italian red variety Barbera. Wines are made under contract by Andrew Margan from Margan Family Wines.
Open: weekends from 10am to 5pm
725 Milbrodale Road
Broke
Tel (02) 6579 1165
Stop 5
Something a little different, especially if you're touring on a Sunday and feeling guilty for missing church. Vignerons Bill and Wendy Lawson invite you to enjoy tastings in their unique church tasting rooms. Wines are made from 100% estate grown fruit including Chardonnay, Semillon, Semillon-Chardonnay, Verdelho, Madeira, Dolcetto and Barbera. Ask them to get the bocce set out (similar to boules and petanque) for an afternoon on the lawn.
Open: weekends 10 am to 5pm
656 Milbrodale Road
Broke
Tel (02) 6579 1334
Stop 6
Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard
If you've time to squeeze in one more, then make your way to Krinklewood for a truely unique family experience. Every aspect of the vineyard and farm is managed in a holistic and sustainable way. Every member of the Windrim family contributes significantly to the daily operations of the business. This includes everything from designing the labels, working at the cellar door , marketing, PR, vineyard work and making the wine.
More than just a cellar door experience for visitors, Krinklewood is a living example of the importance of Biodynamic viticulture. The Vineyard is Certified Biodynamic and all wines are 100% estate grown. The cellar door is set amongst beautiful Provencal gardens, urns and fountains with the Wollombi Brook and Brokenback Range providing a spectacular backdrop.
You must try:
- Chardonnay - Pale straw in colour, has aromas of stone fruits and citrus, and a fresh lively fruit palate.
- Lucia Dessert Wine - Soft golden straw in colour, with apricots and peaches intermingled fresh citrus peel, this wine is viscous without being overly sweet.
Open: weekends 10am to 5pm and by appointment
712 Wollombi Road
Broke
Tel (02) 6579 1322
Regions
- Upper Hunter Valley (NSW)
- Hunter Valley (NSW)
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