After 20 years at the helm of one of the Hunter Valley’s favourite Italian restaurants, owners of Il Cacciatori and Hermitage Lodge have decided to sell.
For real estate buyers, this means an opportunity to buy a piece of Pokolbin and take ownership of one of the region’s most popular tourism addresses.
The 10.12 hectare property on McDonalds Road is an award-winning, fully operational boutique hotel and restaurant boasting 20 rooms, suites and studios with spas, a 90-seat licensed restaurant, a small boutique Shiraz vineyard, swimming pool and machinery shed.
The site also offers a comfortable four-bedroom, two-bathroom manager’s residence with its own swimming pool and fireplace.
Despite its $7 million price tag, Jurd Real Estate founder Alan Jurd says within 48 hours of it being posted online, the property had already received several calls of interest, many from within the region.
“I’ll be surprised if this property is still on the market when lockdown ends,” he said.
The collection of current owners stretch from Melbourne as far as the US, all deciding it was time to pass on the baton.
“They’ve been in the hospitality industry for a long time,” Mr Jurd said.
“I think they’ve all agreed their days with the well-loved, profitable business are numbered.”
Mr Jurd expects Hermitage Lodge and Il Cacciatori to gain interest from a wide range of potential owners.
“I think it will attract city buyers looking for a lifestyle change, or investors seeking a positive return, or someone with lots of cash wanting a new challenge,” he said.
“We’re talking about an award-winning restaurant with food that attracts its own loyal client base and long-term staff that are keen to stay and commit to its long-term future.”
Although the business has a cellar-door license, Mr Jurd says current owners opted to focus on accommodation and food.
“It is an option though, it has a small vineyard.”
Handing over the reins of his own business after 35 years, Mr Jurd says he is leaving the industry at a time when the Hunter Valley is once again experiencing a surge in sales.
A real estate search this week showed there were several large properties, vineyards, restaurants and wineries on the market despite, despite current NSW lockdown restrictions.
“I’ve sold a few larger properties in the area without buyers setting foot on the land recently,” he said.
“In fact last week we sold a $2.5 million Pokolbin property off a Facetime tour.”
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