The Hunter Valley’s popular D’Vine Food & Wine Festival is back this September, inviting visitors to spend a weekend eating, drinking, exploring and unwinding among the vineyards of Hermitage Road.
With five different ways to experience the festival, there is something for couples chasing a romantic escape, families looking for a weekend of fun, groups of friends ready to celebrate and adventurous travellers wanting to explore the region.
Wine lovers can also go beyond the tasting glass with behind the scenes experiences that bring them closer to the people and stories behind the Hunter’s wines.
The weekend begins on Friday evening with the Winemakers’ Showcase, where visitors can meet local winemakers, sample boutique wines and enjoy specially paired canapés and live music around the open fires.
From there, Saturday offers a full program of experiences to choose from. Start the morning with Eggscape to the Vines, meet one of the Hunter’s most adorable residents at Meet a Wombat, or head to Sip N Shuck for local flavours, lawn games and a relaxed afternoon among the vines.
For those wanting to get active, an e bike ride along the Hermitage Wine Trail offers a chance to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace, while Hunter Adventure Centre and D’Vine Adventures bring a little more excitement to the weekend.
As the afternoon rolls on, visitors can settle in for the Lawn Party or Wine and Unwind, before continuing the evening with Saturday Sundowners or an elegant dinner at Restaurant Botanica for The Perfect Match, where carefully selected local wines are paired with the restaurant’s menu.
Sunday brings another opportunity to explore the region, with the Gourmet Farmers Market offering a relaxed start to the morning before visitors can choose from vineyard tours, wine tastings, live music and wellness experiences.
Wine lovers can step behind the scenes during Winery Immersion before discovering more at Tintilla’s Vertical Tasting.
Those looking for a hands on experience can become the winemaker during Winemaker for a Day, creating their own blend to bottle and take home.
For a slower Sunday afternoon, Wine on the Decks at Glandore Estate combines wine, food and live music in the sunshine, while Pilates, Posies and Pinot offers the chance to stretch out before enjoying a well earned glass of wine.
The festival is also an opportunity to explore more of Hermitage Road beyond the individual events.
With accommodation options ranging from boutique retreats and guesthouses to glamping and vineyard stays, visitors can turn their festival experience into a full weekend away.
Whether the plan is to follow a carefully curated itinerary or simply pick a few experiences and see where the weekend takes you, D’Vine offers plenty of ways to enjoy the Hunter Valley at its best.
From local wines and seasonal food to live music, outdoor adventures and encounters with the people who make the region special, D’Vine is the perfect excuse to slow down, explore Hermitage Road and enjoy a weekend among the vines.
