Your Guide to Lovedale Road: Wine, Cheese, and Great Eats
Lovedale Road in the Hunter Valley is a treasure trove of culinary delights, artisanal experiences, and boutique wineries.Whether you're a local or a visitor, here's a curated guide to some must-visit spots along this scenic route:
🍷 Gartelmann Wines & The Deck Café
Start your journey at Gartelmann Wines, a boutique cellar door established in 1996. Now owned by chef-restaurateur Matt Dillow, the winery offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere . Adjacent to the cellar door is The Deck Café, serving delicious breakfasts and a modern Australian tapas-style lunch menu. Enjoy your meal on the deck overlooking the dam, and if you're there on a Friday evening, don't miss the live music sessions.
📍 701 Lovedale Road, Lovedale
🧀 Binnorie Dairy
Next, head to Binnorie Dairy, renowned for its award-winning soft cheeses. Their labna recently clinched a gold medal at the Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, while their marinated feta and Buche de Chevre earned bronze medals . Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, you can sample and purchase a variety of cheeses, and even watch the cheesemakers at work through viewing windows during weekdays.
📍 25 Lodge Road, Lovedale
🍝 Estancia Osteria at Adina Vineyard
For a unique dining experience, visit Estancia Osteria located within Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove. This restaurant offers a fusion of Italian and Latin American cuisines, with dishes like rock lobster linguine and orange-infused tiramisu . Open from Thursday to Sunday, it's the perfect spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner amidst the vineyards.
📍 492 Lovedale Road, Lovedale
🍇 Binet Family Wines
Conclude your tour at Binet Family Wines, a boutique winery known for its innovative approach that blends traditional and modern winemaking techniques. Winemaker Daniel Binet focuses on sustainable practices and offers a range of wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Hunter Valley . Their cellar door is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
📍 469-477 Lovedale Road, Lovedale
🦆 Lucky Duck at Leaves & Fishes
Nestled beside a tranquil dam at Leaves & Fishes, Lucky Duck offers a vibrant Asian-inspired dining experience.Originally a pop-up, it has become a permanent fixture, serving dishes like prawn toast, Szechuan-spiced chicken wings, and hibachi-grilled barramundi. The relaxed atmosphere, combined with a menu designed for sharing, makes it a perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner. Don't forget to feed the resident silver perch with fish food available for purchase.
📍 737 Lovedale Road, Lovedale
🍷 Allandale Winery
Established in 1978, Allandale Winery offers a welcoming cellar door experience with panoramic views of the Brokenback Mountain Range. Their award-winning wines, including a rare and exquisite Petit Verdot, are crafted on-site using state-of-the-art equipment. Tastings are available daily, with options to enjoy them on the sunny terrace or inside the architecturally designed cellar door.
📍 132 Lovedale Road, Lovedale
Whether you're indulging in gourmet cheeses, savoring fine wines, or enjoying a fusion dining experience, Lovedale Road offers a delightful journey through the heart of the Hunter Valley's culinary and viticultural scene.
