{"id":30490,"date":"2024-11-28T13:11:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T02:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=30490"},"modified":"2024-12-03T08:57:04","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T21:57:04","slug":"hunter-valley-road-trip-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/hunter-valley-road-trip-itinerary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Midweek Road Trip Itinerary to the Hunter Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I approach the village idyll of Pokolbin, a Hunter spot<\/a> famous for its cellar doors, the sun is shining down as soft spring light bounces off the rolling hills of budding vines. If that\u2019s not a sign that it\u2019s time for a wine tasting, I\u2019m not sure what is.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audrey Wilkinson<\/a>, 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\u2019m here for more than just the views \u2013 I\u2019ve booked into the vineyard\u2019s Fortified and Fromage tour via Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Guided by Brian, one of the winery\u2019s 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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I walk into their heritage barn, an irresistible cheese and quince board, all locally sourced, has been beautifully prepared and I can\u2019t wait to dig in. Brian tells me all about the winery\u2019s history and ethos, but my highlight is the tour\u2019s namesake \u2013 sampling the vineyard\u2019s fortified wines, straight from their oak ageing barrels. I\u2019m new to fortified wines, but I quickly fall in love with the Winemaker\u2019s Selection Liqueur Verdelho NV \u2013 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.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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As a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Audrey Wilkinson is raising the bar for ethical wine production in the Hunter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d Audrey Wilkinson\u2019s Chief Winemaker Xanthe Hatcher tells me.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2019s premium all-electric SUV<\/a>. 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter Valley nouveau  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hotels in the Hunter Valley are embracing meaningful change as well. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley<\/a>, 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\u2019s three EV chargers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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