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A Midweek Road Trip Itinerary to the Hunter Valley
Written by Katie Dundas
The Hunter Valley wine region is steeped in winemaking tradition going back to the 1800s. On a midweek escape to the home of semillon and shiraz in a brand-new Kia EV9, Katie Dundas discovers how the Hunter is turning over a new, more sustainable, leaf.
As I approach the village idyll of Pokolbin, a Hunter spot famous for its cellar doors, the sun is shining down as soft spring light bounces off the rolling hills of budding vines. If that’s not a sign that it’s time for a wine tasting, I’m not sure what is.
Audrey Wilkinson, one of the oldest wineries in Australia having started in 1866, is the perfect choice for an afternoon tipple. With sweeping views of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, this has to be one of the most picturesque wineries in the Hunter. Still, I’m here for more than just the views – I’ve booked into the vineyard’s Fortified and Fromage tour via Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia.
Guided by Brian, one of the winery’s inhouse experts, my immersive experience goes deeper than your standard wine tasting. This tour is designed to allow visitors the opportunity to slow down and really get to know both the wines and their makers.
As I walk into their heritage barn, an irresistible cheese and quince board, all locally sourced, has been beautifully prepared and I can’t wait to dig in. Brian tells me all about the winery’s history and ethos, but my highlight is the tour’s namesake – sampling the vineyard’s fortified wines, straight from their oak ageing barrels. I’m new to fortified wines, but I quickly fall in love with the Winemaker’s Selection Liqueur Verdelho NV – a blend of crisp white verdelho and brandy, aged to create a dark golden drop steeped in butterscotch, oak and orange flavours. A bottle of this one is definitely coming home with me.
As a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Audrey Wilkinson is raising the bar for ethical wine production in the Hunter.
“We saw the Sustainable Winegrowing Certification as a way to not just show our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint but also join a network of like-minded grape growers and business owners who we can support and learn from. It is our goal to continually improve all parts of our business from vineyard to bottle,” Audrey Wilkinson’s Chief Winemaker Xanthe Hatcher tells me.
From both an environmental and economic perspective, sustainability is vital to wine-producing regions like the Hunter Valley, with grape varieties particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate change. The Hunter has a particular focus on biodynamic viticulture, like native plants to ward off insects, or running sheep or guinea fowl beneath the vines that would otherwise be sprayed with chemicals.
So, my whole Hunter Valley road trip has a sustainable theme running through it. On this midweek road trip, my partner in crime is the EV9, Kia’s premium all-electric SUV. With reduced emissions from my electric vehicle (EV), free from the shackles of petrol stations, sustainability is at the front of my mind on this journey. On the trip up, I am surprised by how whisper-quiet and spacious the EV9 is and its powerful speed makes for a comfortable ride to discover the sustainable side of the valley.
Hunter Valley nouveau
Hotels in the Hunter Valley are embracing meaningful change as well. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, a spacious and friendly retreat for kids and adults, is completely powered by an onsite 13,350-panel solar farm. Before settling into my suite, I take the opportunity to plug into one of the resort’s three EV chargers.
I settle in with dinner at the casual Lovedale Bar & Grill, paired with a lager from the onsite Sydney Brewery. The focal point of the restaurant is the Rydges’ pool and kids’ water playground, the water heated by energy generated from the kitchens and brewery. After a good night’s sleep, both the EV9 and I are fully recharged, ready to hit the food and wine trails. Free from the weekend crowds, I’m pleasantly surprised by the serenity of the Hunter. There’s ample opportunity for unrushed chats with winemakers regarding their techniques and time to linger at wineries, semillon in hand, as eastern grey kangaroos forage in the distance.
Kia EV9
Released in 2024, the Kia EV9 is the brand’s fully electric SUV. It seats up to seven, with ample luggage space. Thanks to a li-ion battery, a spacious interior, and a combined all-electric range of 505 km, the high-tech EV9 is as versatile as it is stylish. Book a test drive today.
Discover the Hunter Valley
This article was originally featured in the sixth issue of Dream by Luxury Escapes magazine. Katie Dundas was a guest of the hotel, and this story was produced in partnership with Kia. Get your copy here.
