Second Annual Marinators Winery Tour

[kevrenor]

auburnmariner said:

Kevrenor, try the brilliant "Red Storm Rising", by Tom Clancy, a novel that is now standard text at all of America's military academies.

That explains a lot!!

Anyway, one other winery to mind is Alandale - a favourite of my wife. Next to Capercaillie

[Trogdor]

im in + 1 mate

[nutmeg]

Also add T to that list of Chimmi's

[MrCelery]

kevrenor said:

Anyway, one other winery to mind is Alandale - a favourite of my wife. Next to Capercaillie

Allandale is a good choice, and Capercaillie itself is a worthy visit if pretty Celtic girls are a must (just avoid the Little Frau Hitler that runs the show though). A little further afield, on the same side of the highway, up the Lovedale road, a trip to Wandin Valley Estate is good. I've done this bit recently on a wobbly pushbike so we're only talking a couple of kilometers.

Pepper Tree wines is possibly the cutest celler door, with nice gardens and The Convent and Robert's Restaurant next door.

Cafe Enzo's is brilliant for an Italian experience, great coffee and a couple of lovely upmarket shops such as the Pepper Tree Winery and Antiques store, and a great French produce store. The big genuine Elephant doors are an interesting curiosity.

Audrey Wikinson is a little touristy, but some beautiful views and gardens.

And MarinerMick will laugh, but I found the Golden Grape good fun. Especially the cheap deals on small kegs and schnapps!

Count my family in, but as before, we'd meet you up there. Our daugher Teia loved the free bus trip between venues!

[T]

At least we know there are no elephants around wollombi as Dr Jurds is a well known elephant repelent. If your interested in something for after the stop at Wollombi, maybe a chance to sober up a little, Koolang Observatory is on George Downs Dr on the way back to Gosford, it has some spectacular views of the night sky.

[Rubbernose]

I've become fan of wine recently and would really like in on this tour, 4 seats if there's room, or at least 2 for me and the missus.

I went on one a few months back and ended up buying a big box of Merlot that really took my fancy from one on Broke Rd called 'Sobels'. It's the big circular wooden monstrosity, and I've been meaning to get back up there to grab another box.

One other thing I found when up there; about halfway between Wollombi and Cessnock (on Wollombi Rd) is a turn off to a batch of wineries down a dirt road called Mountainview Rd. Millbrook Estate is there. You follow it about 10 minutes through the secluded mountains and it comes to this big massive lookout over the Hunter Valley. It's a very scenic lookout. The rd then winds about 5 minutes down the mountain and spits you back out on Wollombi Rd again, about 2kms short of Cessnock.

[MrCelery]

rubbernose said:

One other thing I found when up there; about halfway between Wollombi and Cessnock (on Wollombi Rd) is a turn off to a batch of wineries down a dirt road called Mountainview Rd. Millbrook Estate is there. You follow it about 10 minutes through the secluded mountains and it comes to this big massive lookout over the Hunter Valley. It's a very scenic lookout. The rd then winds about 5 minutes down the mountain and spits you back out on Wollombi Rd again, about 2kms short of Cessnock.

Yes, Mount View Road - very pretty area - my favourite. Last Marinators trip we went up that road, stopping late at the Briar Ridge Vineyard for a very entertaining tasting.

[Auburn Mariner]

I think that Winery Tour Day is NSW Election Day. We may to have to arrange a stop at a school along the way if we are arranging an early start.

[dru]

Any chance of a pick up and drop off at Cessnock or somewhere similar on the way? Or do I need to find someone to drive me around following the bus.

Thanks Auburn you just reminded me that I need to change my enrolement details.

[marinermick]

dru said:

Any chance of a pick up and drop off at Cessnock or somewhere similar on the way? Or do I need to find someone to drive me around following the bus.

Thanks Auburn you just reminded me that I need to change my enrolement details.

we drive through the centre of cessnock on the way through but come out near bellbird on the way back

[marinermick]

auburnmariner said:

I think that Winery Tour Day is NSW Election Day. We may to have to arrange a stop at a school along the way if we are arranging an early start.

we might have to pull it back a week

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

auburnmariner said:

I think that Winery Tour Day is NSW Election Day. We may to have to arrange a stop at a school along the way if we are arranging an early start.

sure is - everyone ensure your enrolment is up to date, and if you've only recently turned 18, don't miss out on having your say. the form is available as a PDF here.

it's the festival of democracy, everyone should have their say!

[marinermick]

dibo said:

auburnmariner said:

I think that Winery Tour Day is NSW Election Day. We may to have to arrange a stop at a school along the way if we are arranging an early start.

sure is - everyone ensure your enrolment is up to date, and if you've only recently turned 18, don't miss out on having your say. the form is available as a PDF here.

it's the festival of democracy, everyone should have their say!

looks the 17th it is - mark it in your diary

cost will most likely be $30

pm me for reservations

details to come