Hunter Valley
The following day we were suppose to be stopping in singleton at a free rest area but when we arrived there, it was horrible.. full off flies everywhere. With a bit of hmming and awwwing we both came to the decision that we would carry on to the next rest area which went a little out of our way to stay the night. This rest area was in Broke and when we got there was absolutely packed, basically just an open forrest with a few toilets (blocked ones may i add) that was when we knew it was going to be a swatting situation yet again. That afternoon we had a great time, just sat in the sun chilling out, getting ready for our first ever wine tasting experience in the morning. But during the night the both of us needed the toilet, out came the torches and went to find a place to swat.. lovely!! When Lucy was swatting she saw a massive spider which had spun a huge web from the tree to the car.. Peter had nearly walked straight into it Haha!!
In the morning the spider had gone.. only where? We don't know!!
Getting as sproosed up as we could (considering we hadn't had a shower for 4 days,) we were ready to taste some wine. Digusting as it may sound we needed to save the pennies.
First winery that we gave a visit was called Audery Wilkinsons, we waited until 10am for it to open. Once walking in we had a look round the museum and nobody came to meet us or even say hello.. what a great start! We looked at the old stuck up man behind the counter and he basically wasn't interested or even acknowleged that we were there. So we walked out feeling a little peeved off. Well that went well.
Not letting that upset us we drove down to Pooles Rock Vine yard where we were greeted by a lovely lady who was orginally from England but has grown up in Australia. We told here we hadn't done anything like this before , to which she didn't bother. She taught us how to smell, swish, swirl and spit the lot. We must have tried several different white wines including chardonnays, verdelho's etc. We both liked the cockfighter's Verdelho which was nice and fruity, so we purchased a bottle. After having a nice long chat with the lady she kindly gave us a map of the Hunter Valley and marked down some of the best Wineries, cheese and chocolate shops.
Tempus Two and the smelly cheese shop was our next stop. Peter couldn't wait to try some cheeses but when we got inside there were only 4 different blue cheeses to try. Obviously he tried them all but wasn't that keen. At the other side of the cheese shop were a few olive oils to try, we tried the garlic one which was delicious. Probably would have bought some if being at home. The lady from Pooles Rock had recommended the Moscato from Tempus Two, telling us how nice it was.. she wasn't wrong there causing us to buy a bottle. Peter found it very easy drinking, as he finds it hard to drink wine from time to time. Although i've got to say he's getting better now.
Pokolbin village where we looked around a chocolate shop, oh man we could have bought everything in site. Walking around saying to each other hmm look at this and hmmm look at that. BUT in the end we stood firm and decided against buying anything in there. PROUD?? Don't be just yet!! haha!!
We carried on down Broke Rd to where we knew there was another chocolate shop called 'The Hunter Valley Chocolate Co' now we couldn't resist the temptation, chocolate covered strawberries and marshmallows.. yessss please!! We got absolutely loads of chocolate on ours to the point we were using our fingers to scoop it all off the plate.. haha!! Further down the road we pop into a candy shop full of retro sweets such as lollypops, NERD'S and wonka bar's etc. We didn't buy anything though because it was all to expensive.
After we had finished in the chocolate and sweet shops this is when our 'Form went down' as they call it, apparently when you go into a winery it is 'bad form' if you don't buy anything.
Our next place was called Ballabourneen wine company, we tried loads of wines in here, even some reds which none of us actually like. A nice Semillion is well known to Hunter Valley yet we couldn't find a single wine we liked from Ballabourneen, forcing us to walk out. Oops!!
Our last two stops were The Hunter cheese company where we found a really nice cheese called Harrigans but looked at the price of $40 and thought Noooo way!! And First Creek wines which had won an award for best vine yard 2011. Here we bought a really nice rose.
After 3 bottles of wine purchased, strawberries and chocolate eaten we had a fantasic day. And would definiately do it again. Peter now thinks he could become a wine conisseur when returning back to England.. watch this space....