This Field of Dreams quote was Michael Hope’s philosophy when he set out to build the Hunter’s biggest outdoor amphitheatre, which will play host to triple Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eric Clapton when it opens on March 7 next year.

“I dreamt of being able to get the big names – but I never thought it would happen so quickly,” Mr. Hope said.

The $3 million project at Hope Estate on Broke Road, Pokolbin, will be able to seat 19,000 people – that’s about 7000 more than the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

More than 50,000 people attended concerts in the vineyards over the past year, and Mr. Hope said the amphitheatre will draw even more big names and tourists to the area.

“It gives the Hunter a chance to get a bigger name that may not have come here otherwise,” Mr. Hope said.

“The classic example is Eric Clapton; he sold out three shows in Sydney last year, and now he is doing one there, one here and one in Melbourne.”

Mr. Hope puts the success of these concerts down to the all-round appeal of the area to the target ‘baby boomer’ market.

“What works is that the Hunter as a whole is very appealing to people who want to attend these concerts,” he said.

“It has fine accommodation, restaurants, cellar doors, golf courses, and it all feeds off each other.”

The Hope Estate makeover also includes a new restaurant, where an episode of Channel Nine’s Farmer Wants a Wife series three was filmed yesterday, and two decks on the main building, where VIPs will be able to enjoy the concert.

Concert and dining packages are now on sale through Hope Estate on 1800 777 444, and tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday and will be available through Ticketmaster on 136100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au