One of the best things about the Hunter Valley is its convenient location from Sydney and Newcastle, making it easy to escape for a weekend of relaxation in beautiful natural surroundings. But, the absolute standout for the region is Hunter Valley food.
Whether you have gourmet taste or not, when you come to the Hunter Valley it’s a time to be bold. Have fun trying new things or even foods you haven’t previously had a taste for. After all, our sense of taste changes throughout our lives and in the Hunter, you’ll be trying fresh, locally-made produce like nothing you’ve tasted from supermarket shelves and even many restaurants before.
Ready to know more about what’s on offer? Let’s dive in:
Beverages
Wine
With so many incredible cellar doors to choose from, the Hunter Valley has a rich wine heritage that’s difficult to surpass. The four renowned varieties in the region are Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Verdelho, with new European additions coming to the fore.
There are plenty of ways to experience Hunter Valley wine. You can enjoy a glass over lunch at a local restaurant for a start. Move up a step and try a paired cheese and wine tasting at the Two Fat Blokes to understand how to match local wines with cheeses from around the world.
Alternatively, you could go all out with an afternoon tour to several different wineries in the region accompanied by a degustation lunch. Experience Hunter Valley food and wine like this, and you’ll never want to leave!
Beer
And if you need a break from the delightful wines on offer, there’s also award-winning boutique beers produced in the Hunter Valley. Visit the microbrewery, Hunter Beer Co. to see how they craft their beers. Have any questions? Chat with one of the brewers as you kick back and sample their wares.
You could also be one of the first to get on board with the new Two Fat Blokes Beer Belly Tour! The tour includes behind-the-scenes views of Lovedale Brewery, a cheese and beer matching experience and a Hunter Valley beer tasting experience at Ironbark Hill Brew House. Designed with beer-lovers in mind.
Savoury
Cheese
Another cornerstone of the Hunter Valley region, is, of course, cheese. Beautiful cheese! And luckily for you, there are some exciting cheese experiences on hand.
Not keen for another night out? Why not pick up a dinner pack from the Two Fat Blokes Kitchen – take it back to your accommodation and enjoy a delightful night in with friends!
Of course, there are cheese tastings aplenty, but if you’re looking for one with a difference, we’ve found a unique option. The Hunter Valley Cheese Company offers an Artisan Cheese and Cheesemaking Appreciation 101 experience, including tastings and recipes you can even use at home.
Olives & preserves
So much of the locally-produced Hunter Valley food complements the region’s foundation of wine and cheese. None more so than the fresh olives and preserves available.
The Hunter OIive Centre produce a vast range of the products on offer, but they’re also a home for a few of the small local producers to sell their delicious wares too. What’s more – they offer daily tastings. Uncover a trove of olives, tapenade, dukkha and balsamic vinegar.
You can also seek out an antipasto delight to enjoy as a romantic picnic among the vines. Easy! Just pick up an Antipasto Tower from the Two Fat Blokes deli counter.
Smoked meats and seafood
Of course, antipasto isn’t complete without some gourmet cold meats. Lovedale Smokehouse Gourmet Pantry is the place in the Hunter Valley to go for small batch, artisan smoked everything – from trout to duck and kangaroo. Want a more intensive Hunter Valley food experience? They also offer a Smoking & Curing Masterclass.
Sweet
Chocolate
After the classic combination of wine and cheese, there is the even more decadent pairing of wine and chocolate to consider. Luckily, the best locally-produced Hunter Valley food includes chocolatey treats to enjoy on the go, take with you as a gift, or indulge in after the perfect meal.
Pop into Cocoa Nib for handmade artisan chocolate that features some more unique flavours than the average sweet treat. Trust us – you’ll want to eat these beauties by the block!
The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company is also worth a visit for chocolate and fudge. Buy it in bags and bars or choose a gourmet hamper that features a selection of produce from the region.
After dinner, you might like to take a stroll to Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar. One of their key dessert elements are mousses which include white, milk and dark chocolate.
But, as we mentioned earlier, chocolate and wine are a pairing not to be ignored. As part of the Two Fat Blokes Hunter Gatherer’s Tour, you can sample a fantastic selection of wines with handmade chocolates to match.
Honey
As you know, not all honey is created equal. The Hunter Valley Honey Farm produces honey with a unique flavour because the bees feed on seasonal wildflowers found nowhere else in the world. This means the raw honey is already incredible, but they take it a step further with their range of hand-crafted honey flavours that feature ginger and vanilla infusions, and more.
Gelato
If you’re looking for some refreshing Hunter Valley food on a warm day, you can’t go past gelato. 
But, you might be surprised to find the best gelato in the region at the Smelly Cheese Shop! They are home to The Hunter Valley Gelato Company’s Italian handmade gelato which comes from a 200-year-old recipe.
As you can see, the Hunter Valley is truly a foodie’s delight, offering the usual savoury fare to accompany prestigious wine and beer, but also some unexpected sweet treats. Be bold and try them all!
