The Hunter Valley’s boutique food and wine event, the Lovedale Long Lunch, returned in 2023 for another big year.

The Lovedale Long Lunch is a progressive-style lunch where food and wine lovers are invited to discover the many wonders of Lovedale. 

Launched in 1994, the concept is simple. Get a group together, organise your transport and spend the day exploring six boutique cellar doors in the Lovedale area.

While the event has evolved throughout its 29 year history, its soul has remained, with the same six cellar doors – Allandale Winery, Emmas Cottage, Gartleman Wines, Saltire Estate, Sandalyn Estate, and Tatler Wines – participating each year and being the driving force behind this iconic event.

This year, the iconic Pink Blush at Sandalyn, Tatler's Archie's Shiraz, Gartelmann’s trophy-winning Rose, crowd favourite 'The Unicorn' Moscato from Saltire, Allandale's recently launched Sparkling Gewürztraminer and Emma’s Cottage's bold new range of Atler Wines were some of the highlights of the event's wine offering.

When it came to food, this year saw six of the Hunter Valley's best chefs team up with the wineries involved to take guests on a culinary journey throughout the long lunch.

Think flavourful creations like Saffron and Preserved Lemon Arancini by The Deck Café at Gartelmann Wines; Oven-Roasted Wild Caught Snapper by Katy Carruthers at Tatler; and Rock Lobster and King Prawn Ravioli by Twine Restaurant at Allandale Winery. 

When paired with a lively line-up of local music on stage, the Lovedale Long Lunch makes for a splendid autumn day out in the Hunter Valley.

With the event returning on May 18-19 in 2024 for its 30th year, it's not too early to organise your long lunch gang for the ultimate feast in the vines. To keep up to date, head to Lovedale Long Lunch.