We’re looking forward to introducing our November guests to some behind the scenes wine blending at McCaffreys Estate. If you’ve always loved the idea of being a vigneron or wine maker, our #Huntervalley behind the scenes escapes are just the thing to satisfy your winemaking #wanderlust.
In this behind-the-scenes experience, you’ll learn how the grape varieties contribute a specific characteristic, and which aromas and distinct flavours will complement each other and awaken a whole new pallet.
Our wine blending experience will be led by Declan McCaffrey, Vigneron and owner at McCaffrey’s Estate. He’ll share insights of vineyard life and how the seasons and soils effect the flavour of your wine.
Join us to blend, bottle, label and take home your very own wine creation.
An unmissable experience for any self confessed wine connoisseur!
There’s no better way of discovering delicacies and hard to find produce, than by strolling the gorgeous acres of Rohanlea, a glass of bubbles in hand and the great company of Pup, Simon and Jo! If you’re an avid gardener or self-declared ‘Foodie’, our edible walking tour is NOT TO BE MISSED!
You’ll find plants from around the world, heirloom varietals of herbs and veggies, fruits that you’ve never heard of and you’ll get to enjoy a delicious fresh lunch cooked by Jo in the old round yard garden.
One of Simon’s latest projects, the espalier section of their orchard is both beautiful and fascinating, and luckily for our guests, he’s more than happy to share the know-how with you so that you can try it out back at home.
Our Live Like a Local Gourmet Escapes give people a chance to spend 5 days and 4 nights discovering the behind the scenes highlights of Hunter Valley life. We bring together the best things – great company, delicious food and wine and some unbookable hands-on experiences that only a local can arrange.
These are a handful of the weird and wonderful varieties that you might get to encounter on our time at Rowan Lea: Jaboticaba, Dragon fruit, Finger limes, Yuzu, a range of unusual Citrus, Tangelo, Little Chum (Cherry x Plum), Plumcot (Plum x Apricot), Blood oranges, Red flesh apple, Three-way pears, Herbs, Tumeric, Wasabi, Tasmanian Pepino Berry, Cucumelons, Black radish, White Eggplant, Logan berries, Youngberries, Boysenberries, Grapes, Indian Guava, Strawberry guava, Irish Strawberry trees, Feijoa, Pappano melon, Kiwi fruit, Kiwi berry, Strawberry Spinach!
We’re excited to say that we spent last week visiting all the fantastic places we’ll be showcasing in our November tour. We were busy locking in last minute details and road testing the experiences to make sure they’re just perfect!
We spent time at a hands-oncheesemaking class with Jenny, mixed our own blend of delicious red wine at McCaffreys estate with the lovely husband and wife team Danielle and Declan McCaffrey, and caught up with our friends from Hunter Wine Lab to sample some wines straight out of the barrel! The week kicked off with a stroll through an amazing edible garden in Belford, sampling and learning about the best growing conditions for various delicacies and hard to find fruits, veggies and herbs.
We’ve also been busy on our own vineyard at Thistle Hill Guesthouse, ensuring our vines are ready for bud burst and fertilising the stunning roses that are waiting to welcome you to our beautiful French Provincial Boutique hotel in November.
Our family has been so fortunate to make friends with so many amazing people in the Hunter Valley…people who also grow hard to find produce, make delicious wine, and craft artisan gourmet delights. We want to share with you some of the highlights of what it means to be a local in Hunter Valley Wine country!
We look forward to introducing you to some of our good friends an the tour, and hope that you might meet some new friends around the fire pit and relaxing on the deck of the Thistle Hill Pavilion.