Perhaps better known to his legion of fans as Fast Ed, the Better Homes and Gardens gourmand will be offering four free masterclasses including tips on how to pair Semillon and seafood, Chardonnay and cheese, seasonal sensations and chocolate and wine.

Set across four venues – McLeish Estate, Cypress Lakes, Ben Ean and Drayton Family Wines, the inaugural festival will incorporate more than 20 wineries’ offerings as well as some of the best food and produce that the region has to offer.

Set in the incredible scenery of the McLeish Estate the ‘Semillon 2 Seafood’ experience will be enjoyed lounge-style among the vineyards with McLeish Estate serving as a ‘hub’ for festivities.

Tickets to the McLeish hub include a festival glass on arrival while the other three hubs – Cypress Lakes, Ben Ean and Drayton Family Wines will also offer  an array of entertainment, sumptuous food and wine sales, by the glass and bottle, from some of the region’s leading producers.

Local chef Matt Dillow will prepare a gourmet lunch perfectly matched to the incredible wines on offer at the McLeish Hub, including wood smoked trout salad of roasted pumpkin, goats cheese, baby English spinach.

If that wasn’t enough, the hub will also feature platters to purchase from the  Hunter Valley Cheese Company, Olio Mio and Moorebank condiment tastings and  stalls, a petting zoo for the kids, a spot of aqua golf and even a scenic helicopter ride over picturesque Pokolbin.

McLeigh Estate vigneron Jessica McLeish said the festival was the perfect gateway to sampling the best produce the region has to offer in one of the most idyllic locations in the state.

“There is nothing like a day among the vines, soaking up the sun, tasting local produce and enjoying the company of the people you love,’  she said.

‘The Pokolbin parish is a little piece of paradise – perfect for taking some time out, letting the world go by and enjoying the moment! We’re looking forward to sharing it with our visitors.’

To make things even more convenient, hop-on, hop-off shuttle buses will be running all day between all venues.

The End 2 End Festival will be on Saturday 15 September and all of the action starts at 10am and wraps up at 5pm. 

General admission tickets are $53.95 (adult) and $33.75 (youth – 13-17). Tickets for the shuttle bus are $11.

For more information and tickets, visit www.end2endfestival.com.au/