Hunter Valley vigneron, Bruce Tyrrell, described the 2018 vintage as being “in the top five per cent of the past 50 years of vintages” and the 2018 harvest follows three outstanding years in a row.

Wines from more than 60 of the Hunter Valley’s large and boutique wineries will be available for tasting at the festival, which is being held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley between 11am and 5pm.

There will also be beer and cider tastings throughout the day, as well as high-quality local cuisine.

Music will be provided by Master Blaster, who will play songs ranging from classic to contemporary, providing an acoustic backdrop that everyone will enjoy, regardless of their age. 

A feature of this year’s festival will be a wine and cheese tasting session hosted by Bruce Tyrrell (at 12.30pm) where cheeses from the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory will be matched with wines from Tyrrell’s. Join in for a $2 donation to the NSW RFS, but places are limited.

There will also be a blind tasting sparkling wine competition at 2.30pm, hosted by Peterson House. Again, donate $2 to NSW RFS and get there early for a seat to watch and taste the surprise sparkling wine. 

The festival is not just for the over-18s. Children receive free entry and can enjoy activities including a jumping castle, train rides, carousel, and face painting.

Presale tickets are available for $20, which includes festival entry, five tasting tickets and a tasting glass. You can buy six tickets for the price of five.

Park onsite at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley however if you’re coming from Newcastle, take the opportunity to not have to count how many wines you have taste-tested and book the bus, which will leave from the Novotel Newcastle at 9.45am and Rydges Newcastle at 10am, and leave the Festival at 5pm to bring you back to Newcastle. Bus tickets are $20 return per person.

Details and bus bookings: info@huntervalleywinefestival.com.