Hunter Valley Cooperage, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Jun 21st, 2004
The Hunter Valley Cooperage is just two hours' drive from Sydney, located on the Kelman Estate at Pokolbin, in the heart of the Hunter Region. The very first vineyards were planted in the Hunter over 180 years ago. These days wine is huge in the Hunter Valley, with 110 vineyards in the area.
The 90 acre estate grows shiraz, semillon and chardonnay and has the potential to produce 100,000 bottles of wine a year. The Kelman cellar door opened in March 2001 and is open day from 10am to 4.30pm.
Kelman Estate also has a housing estate which is still being developed, as well as a golf course, fish stocked dams and tennis courts. On a sunny afternoon you can enjoy a BBQ on the banks of the dam or wander through the olive groves and lemon trees.
The Hunter Valley Cooperage offers five star accommodation, and guests have the choice of a variety of rooms. The Vineyard rooms are situated in the main building, featuring king or twin beds as well as a DVD player and TV - great for those nights in with a nice bottle of the local drop.
Away from the main building are the four star Scandinavian style studio apartments, which can sleep up to four people. The self contained units offer absolute privacy and are very popular among honeymooners.
If there are a few of you planning to stay, you can choose from five different cottages which can accommodate as many as 10 people. They're ideal for families who want to enjoy a secluded holiday stay.
Most of the vineyards are within 10 kilometres of the Cooperage. If the wine doesn't tempt you to stay, maybe the onsite cinema with free popcorn will! The private Cellar Theatre features a 3x2 metre cinema screen complete with surround sound, cinema style lounges and, of course, a good bottle of wine.
The facts
Qantas and QantasLink flies to Sydney with one way, online prices starting at $251 from Perth and $107 from Melbourne.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Accommodation at the Hunter Valley Cooperage starts from $199 for a double or $229 for The Retreat. Breakfast is included with both.
Hunter Valley Cooperage Bed and Breakfast
Tel: 02 4990 1232
E-mail: coopers@cooperage.com
Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism
Tel: 02 4990 4477
E-mail: info@winecountry.com.au
Prices correct at 21/06/04
