Hunter valley is always one of our favourite places to go when we have a spare weekend, great food, great hotels and of course great wine!
When the opportunity come about to work with Mercedes North Shore we obviously jumped at the chance.
With the family in tow the Mercedes GLE was the perfect ride for the trip. Inside the GLE's muscular and handsome shell is an interior that pampers, especially with options of your choosing. From massaging front seats to heated and cooled cup holders, the GLE's cabin has a way of making even the mundane seem marvelous. Rachael's favourite feature had to be the external cameras! Not only was it a reverse camera but also a total 180 degree camera which some how did a birds eye view down to the car, we still have no idea how it did it!
We have been to the Hunter valley a few times now and stayed at numerous hotels, but non stuck in our mind like the Kirkton Park Resort. We stayed here on our first trip to the hunter Valley which was in turn the first time we had ever stayed in a hotel with Venice.
After the pleasurable two hour drive in the GLE, we arrived at the impressive Kirkton Park. Based in Polkolin and right next door to some of our favourite vineyards and only 5 min drive to the main Pokolbin strip it was the perfect base. After a swift check in we were escorted to our impressive signature suite to be greeted with every girls dream..... High tea! Consisting afternoon tea, multiple cakes, scones, macaroons, sandwiches and champagne!
The look on Venice's face when she saw this was amazing, it was as if she had fallen down Alices rabbit hole and was being greeted by the mad hatter ready for their tea party.
The signature suite, has its own private entrance and decking area which looks over the sweeping hunter valley region. With a king size bed and a roll top bath in the middle of the room it certainly made an impression.
After filling ourselves with macaroons and cakes, we headed out to a new vineyard we had yet to visit. Just a 2 minute drive from the hotel, The Hanging Tree Cellar Door (once a cow shed) is decorated with antiques and warmly welcomes all with its rustic charm. The Cellar door is perfect for the little ones with games, gardens and live music to dance along to, Venice was in her element while we tasted the cellars signature "sweet reds" collection. After purchasing a couple of bottles and soaking up the sun we headed back to the hotel, for a quick dip in the indoor pool and a trip to see the resident Pigs and orange trees.
This was a quick trip for us so we only managed one vineyard this time but there are so many awesome ones in the Hunter Valley.
See a list below for some of our favourites
https://www.scarboroughwine.com.au/- Great for kids as has an outdoor play area.
http://ushertinklerwines.com/ - You must try the sharing boards!
https://hangingtreewines.com.au/ - Gorgeous setting in between rose gardens
https://cockfightersghost.com.au/ - Great setting and restaurant attached.
Kirkton Park Hotel- https://www.kirktonparkhuntervalley.com.au