The Hunter Valley Wine Festival is to incorporate beer for the first time, with the newly designed Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 19, at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.
Wines from over 40 of the Hunter Valley's wineries and craft beer producers will be available for tasting at the festival, as well as cider, local foods and entertainment.
To ensure a safe and uncrowded environment, organisers said the festival will now be split into two ticketed sessions from 11am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm.
The festival has been expanded to incorporate beer producers because of the growth in premium craft brewers across the Hunter Valley, including the onsite Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley, which will be offering behind-the-scenes tours and premium beer and cider tastings throughout the day.
While the famed wine region is best regarded for its riesling, semillon, chardonnay and shiraz varietals, this year will feature a wider spectrum of local wine varietals for tasting, including verdelho, albarino, tempranillo and sangiovese as well as sparkling and rosé styles.
Children receive complimentary entry to the festival, and activities including a jumping castle, train rides, carousel, petting zoo and face painting.
Bus service to the festival will be available from the Novotel Newcastle and Rydges Newcastle ($30 return per person). Book via info@huntervalleywinefestival.com.
The festival will support the local Rural Fire Service, with fund-raising activities on the day.
Festival organiser Jenny Farrell, said that beer and cider tastings had been incorporated in the most recent festivals, and with the growth in craft beer producers in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley it was time to formalise their involvement.
"The festival is all about tasting 'local', and while the Hunter Valley's wines are well known and highly regarded, the region's beers, ciders and spirits are also gaining considerable recognition, and we want the festival to recognise the emergence of the sector," she said.
Advance purchase tickets will be available for $15pp ($25pp on the day) through Moshtix (booking fees apply).
Tastings are available for $2 each (30ml wine, 75ml beer/cider).
Bookings: huntervalleywinefestival.com
