{"id":42116,"date":"2016-05-31T10:35:57","date_gmt":"2016-05-31T00:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=42116"},"modified":"2018-05-14T06:02:25","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T20:02:25","slug":"what-to-do-in-the-hunter-valley-if-youre-not-a-vino-fan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/what-to-do-in-the-hunter-valley-if-youre-not-a-vino-fan\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in the Hunter Valley if you’re not a vino fan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hunter Valley<\/a> sits up there as one of my favourite NSW wine regions, alongside Aussie wine royalty Orange<\/a>, the Yarra Valley<\/a>\u00a0and the Barossa<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But what if you\u2019re not a big fan of wine? Well I\u2019m here to tell you that you can still appreciate a wine region without drinking a sip of the delicious grape nectar (but you’re totally missing out!)<\/p>\n

Read on for my tips for the not-so-thirsty visitor:<\/p>\n

Pasta-making at Sandalyn Wilderness Estate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Run from the cellar of Sandalyn Wilderness Estate<\/a>, the class will take around four hours (including the time it takes you to devour your handmade pasta) and you\u2019ll leave a pasta pro!<\/p>\n\"Sandalyn\n

Having not made pasta before I pay close attention to our teacher, Caiman, who shows us the basics of how to produce beautiful lasagna sheets, fettuccini and agnolotti. Now I understand the appeal of making your own pasta \u2013 you can really taste the difference!<\/p>\n

\"Sandalyn

The finished product<\/p><\/div>\n

Book your own pasta-making class here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spirit-tasting at Hunter Distillery<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t drink wine? Try some vodka. Or gin, schnapps or liqueurs (but seriously, you’re missing out \ud83d\ude09 )<\/p>\n

The Hunter Distillery<\/a> is only 3.5 years old, but in that short time they\u2019ve certainly made a name for themselves as a producer of top notch spirits.<\/p>\n\"Hunter\n

After a tour of the distillery and a lesson in how to make vodka (no potatoes are harmed in the making of this vodka!), we opt for a tasting. I have to admit that I\u2019m hesitant to drink straight spirits, but my worries are soon put to rest.<\/p>\n

\"Hunter

Where the magic is made<\/p><\/div>\n

The high quality of the spirits<\/a> makes them very smooth, and with flavours like honey, chilli and ginger, and chocolate, you could easily forget you\u2019re sipping vodka out of a test tube. My favourites are the coffee vodka and the Arak, which uses aniseed extract and tastes just like Ouzo or Raki. This takes me straight back to the balmy streets of Istanbul!<\/p>\n\"Turkish\n

Beer-sampling at Hunter Beer Co.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As early-risers we have some time to kill before our first activity of the day, so we go for a drive around town. Where else do you visit at 10am but a brewery, right?<\/p>\n\"Hunter\n

Hunter Beer Co<\/a> is located at Potters Hotel, Brewery, Resort<\/a> in Nulkaba, and is one of the smallest breweries in the country, but their huge range of beers which focus on different colours, aromas and flavours make it worth a drop in.<\/p>\n

We try a tasting paddle, which costs $12 and includes four beers of our choice and some nuts to nibble between sips. We choose the Hunter Kolsch, Hunter Lager, Hunter Bock and Slaked Magpie; my fave is the Bock which is easy-drinking like a lager, but full of flavour.<\/p>\n\"Hunter\n

Chocolate-nibbling at Cocoa Nib<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A recent addition to the Keith Tulloch Wine<\/a> estate, Cocoa Nib<\/a> is a must-visit for chocolate connoisseurs.<\/p>\n\"Keith\n

Created in the Hunter Valley<\/a>, Cocoa Nib experiments with local produce to create unique flavours. Some standouts include the Caramel and Macadamia Butter Crunch and the Raspberry Bark. Yum!<\/p>\n\"Cocoa\n

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A photo posted by Cocoa Nib (@cocoanibchocolates)<\/a> on