"Mark Lipton" wrote ..................
>
>> Anyone had experience with this outfit? There list of wineries
>> includes a few from the FAQ but a lot I know nothing about.
>
> No experience, Larry, but if you list the wineries, I (and St. H. among
> others) can give you some feedback. The Hunter isn't a very large place
> and there aren't that many wineries there.


It is a few years since I ventured north from Sydney into the Hunter Valley,
but it still remains a very comfortable two hours drive to the north of
Sydney and west of Newcastle.

Roads are excellent - as with all antipodean countries, driving is on the
correct side of the road :-), so if you are comfortable with this, I would
drive yourself.

The Hunter boasts around 140 cellar doors - so plan on visiting six or seven
max - many good dining establishments too.

Do you own research (plenty of material on-line) - despite their own blurb
as to the range of wines made in the region, aged Semillon is wonderful but
in its youth is acidic and green.

Shiraz and some CS is OK, but generally, this is a very hot region - whites
are bland and reds are plummy and cooked (IMVHO of course).

But, if I were a wine lover and in Sydney, and had one day to spare, I would
drive myself.

But then, I am the adventurous type.

st.helier

I am reminded, in 1970 I raced in a bicycle race from Muswellbrook in the
Northern Hunter to Tamworth in New England (approx 160km). As the peloton
sprinted for the finish line, I felt my jersey being pulled; I veered across
the road and struck out at the culprit, all while riding at about 60-65kph.
The net result is that I was the one disqualified. I later found out that
the perpetrator was a friend who was playing practical joke. (I would not
have won anyhow -I was not that good!)