A weekend in the Hunter Valley
We headed up to the Hunter Valley on Saturday morning for a weekend getaway, celebrating our friends’ 19th anniversary. Accommodation options were tight thanks to a Spartan event in the area, so we booked into Rydges—not our usual pick, but it did the job.
First stop: cocktails
We kicked things off at Jimmy Jones with a round of strawberry sours—bright, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. A few snacks on the side helped ease into the afternoon. If you go, don’t miss the scotch egg. Shocked I’m saying this but seriously, it's a standout.
From there, we made our way to Degen Estate. This tiny, under-the-radar vineyard doesn’t advertise, and it’s better for it. A few years back, a friend introduced me to their rich, buttery Chardonnay—think ‘80s excess in a glass. I’ve been a fan ever since. We picked up a few bottles, along with a jar of truffled olives from Adina Estate, which were served during the tasting and were so good we had to track them down later.
To top it off, Sash and her husband—who run Degen—introduced us to their miniature horses, Caviar and Truffles. Charming, a bit chaotic, and unexpectedly entertaining.
Dinner at Muse followed. It’s long been on our list, and we went all in with the seven-course tasting menu and matched wines. The experience was good—the service was excellent—but it didn’t quite hit the heights we’d hoped. The sommelier felt a little underwhelming, and while some of the wines were favourites of mine, they didn’t always pair well with the food. The Brokenwood Indigo Pinot Noir (a bottle we love) seemed past its best, which was disappointing.
The much-hyped “cloud” dessert looked stunning but missed the mark for me—more style than substance. It was nice, but not memorable. Honestly, for the time and money (we were there for over four hours), I couldn’t help but compare it to places like Lumi or Oncore in Sydney. Probably not a fair comparison, but with prices this close, the difference in experience is worth thinking about.
Sunday morning started at Petersons for breakfast with our friends post-balloon ride. The sparkling rosé was a highlight—bright, crisp, and celebratory. The food was solid, though a bit heavy when paired with wine that early. Still wondering why a magnum costs $60 when a bottle is $25. What’s with the extra $10 for the same wine in a larger bottle?
After that, we swung by Adina Estate to grab those olives (non-negotiable) and got talked into tasting their sparkling shiraz—a pleasant surprise. We grabbed a few bottles to drink with our parents, along with a rosé that was a bit sweet for me but hit the spot for Rach. Think Provence-style with a sugary hit.
The Ivanhoe Knight guarding over the vines.
Final stop: Ivanhoe Wines. Tastings run by a chatty Geordie chap who made the tasting fun, even if the wines were hit or miss. The flagship Ivanhoe shiraz, though, was a gem. We picked up a bottle to cellar for a few years.
Geese running riot at the Ivanhoe Estate.
Final thoughts?
The Hunter is always a good time. Easy to access, packed with charming spots, and full of character. But for me, it still doesn’t quite stack up against Barossa or Central Otago. The wines are good, the scenery’s lovely, but the wow factor? Still searching for it.