Pokolbin

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The Pokolbin district, in the Lower Hunter Valley in New South Wales, is one of Australia's premier wine regions. Viticulture in the region has a long history, the first vineyards being established in the 1850's.

Pokolbin is something of a cross between a village and a district: it's a collection of vineyards and very small villages (Lovedale, Mount View and Rothbury), it doesn't have a single center that could be thought of as a township.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

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• Hot-air ballooning. Balloon Aloft 1 800 028 568, Hunter Valley Hot-Air Ballooning (1800 818 191).
• Jazz in the Vines[1] is a popular event held in October, hosted by Tyrrell's Winery.
• A Day on the Green[2] is a concert hosted each year by Bimbadgen Estate.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Wine

• Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard DeBeyers Rd, 02 4998 7411. M-F, 9.30am - 5pm. Widely regarded as the first vineyard in the Pokolbin district.
• Bimbadgen Estate McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin, 02 4998 7585.
• Brokenwood Wines 401- 427 McDonalds Road, 02 499 87559, (fax: 02 499 87893). [3]
• Hermitage Road Cellars at Hunter Resort 02 4998 7777. Daily tours at 9am, 11am & 2pm (booking required).
• McGuigan Cellars McDonalds Rd, 02 4998 7402. The McGuigan's complex houses McGuigan Fine Wines, the Hunter Valley Cheese Company and the Chocolate and Fudge Shop.
• Lindemans Ben Ean McDonalds Rd, 02 4998 7684. Open for tastings M-F 10am - 5pm, closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Years Day.
• McWilliams Mount Pleasant Estate Marrowbone Road, 02 4998 7505. Established in 1921, McWilliams is the largest Australian family owned wine company in the country. Open 7 days 10am - 4.30pm. Guided tours $2.20/person.
• Oakvale (Broke Road, Pokolbin, ph 02 4998 7088, fax 02 4998 7077). Often has value for money wines at the cheaper end of the price range. http://www.oakvalewines.com.au
• Pepper Tree Wines Halls Road, 02 4998 7539. The tasting room is surrounded by beautiful grounds and gardens. A good place to follow up wine tasting with a picnic. Open M-F 9am - 5pm, Sa & Su 9.30am - 5pm.
• Pokolbin Estate McDonalds Rd, 02 4998 7524). Open 7 days 10am - 6pm.
• Reg Drayton Wines corner of McDonalds Rd & Pokolbin Mountain Rd, 02 4998 7523.[4] Established 140 years ago, Draytons is family owned and operated.
• Rothbury Estate Broke Road, 02 4998 7363. Open 7 days 9.30am - 4.30 pm.
• Tamburlaine Vineyard McDonald's Rd, 02 4998 7570. [5]
• Tower Estate Wines Cnr Halls and Broke Rd, 02 4998 7989. Open 7 days 10am - 5 pm.
• Tyrell's Vineyards Broke Road, 02 4993 7000. One of the region's oldest vineyards. Open M-Sa. Winery tours are held at 1.30pm.

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• The Mill Restaurant. Tuscany Wine Estate, Cnr Hermatidge Rd & Mistletoe Lane 02 4998 7288 (fax 02 4998 7277) [6]

[edit] Splurge

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• Mercure Grand Hunter Valley [7], Vintage Drive, off MacDonalds Road, Rothbury NSW 2320, P: +61 2 4998 2222, F: +61 2 4998 2200, E: h5740@grandmercurethevintage.com.au - contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments with gas fireplaces, doonas and fully self-contained. Apartments cost approx $230 - $390 per night.

[edit] Get out

• Visit the historic village of Wollombi.