Lovedale Long Lunch May 15/16 2010

Sheridan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:33:33 +0000

It’s the road less taken by visitors to the Hunter Valley. Most turn left into Broke Road and head unblinkingly for Pokolbin once they exit Cessnock, never thinking to make a right turn into the lesser known Lovedale Road.
Little do they realise how much they miss, for this less built-up part of the valley boasts some fabulous boutique wineries and restaurants and embodies a quiet charm all its own.
When I visited recently, preparations were being made for the Lovedale Long Lunch, an annual two-day extended picnic which stretches along the length of the Lovedale Road. Now in its 17th year, it has evolved into one of the biggest food and wine events in NSW, something of a triumph for this lesser known part of the valley.
At Wandin Valley Estate, one of the seven wineries involved, chef Robert Bujka was in the middle of putting in his order for the food which was to be accompanied by a glass of Fatso’s Red (named after Fatso the Wombat from “A Country Practice”).
“Dessert is always popular,” adds Bujka with a grin.
Lovedale produces some beautiful whites such as Gartelmann’s 2001 Reserve Semillon, Allandale’s 2007 Chardonnay and Cooper’s 2007 Verdelho.
The seven participating wineries are all boutique producers which means they produce a limited quantity of wines which express the particular passion of the winemaker. While some, like Jorg Gartelmann, aim to make the best reds in the valley, others lik

Firding up for the Lovedale Long Lunch

e Alec Barrass from Emma’s Cottage believe you can produce an award-winning wine, yet most people will prefer the one standing next to it.
“At the end of the day, our wines are only as good as our clients think they are,” he says. “And our late harvest semillon dessert wine has proven to be so popular, we named it ‘Perfect’,” he adds cheekily.
Wandin Valley is the only winery with a restaurant on site (”Bel Posto”), while the others team up with different restaurants from around the valley.
At picturesque Sandalyn Estate, pasta making classes are available throughout the year in the underground cellar (bookings are essential) and you can also taste a wide range of infused Fuchs olive oils while you’re there.
“People always ask how to pronounce it,” says proprietor Lindsay Whaling with a chuckle. “Very carefully, I tell them.”
Food and wine matching, along with a lot of music and fun, is a major theme of the weekend. A new theme (”going green”) has emerged this year. Last year the event’s 7 restaurants served over 20,000 meals. The water and energy used to wash the crockery and cutlery will be reduced by 100% in 2010 with the introduction of biodegradable and compostable plates and cutlery.
“Some people come for both days,” says Tanya Henzell, marketing manager for Allandale Winery. “Others just come for a day. Saturday is party day when people dress up in crazy outfits whereas Sunday is more of a family day. Quite a few come every year and have collected all 14 wine glasses”.
Which explains why most choose to do the lunch by bus and not by car – and why you might want to re-boot your system or indulge in a thermal recovery later in the day at the recently completed Tea Tree Spa at the Crowne Plaza. Remember, that’s where you made the right turn at the start of the day.

Travel Tip: Lovedale is 2 1/2 hours by car from Sydney via Cessnock – take Cessnock exit off F3.

Lovedale Long Lunch May 15th and 16th 2010
www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au

Sheridan Rogers » Sandalyn

Lovedale Long Lunch May 15/16 2010