What to do in the Hunter Valley if you don’t drink!

It’s hard being a non-drinker. You get constant shocked looks every time you tell someone that you don’t drink, and entire destinations like the Hunter Valley – which plays host to beautiful vineyards and wineries – always seem just out of reach. Cause what are you going to do if you don’t drink wine, amirite?

Well, not exactly.

Christine and I – both “fuddy duddy” non drinkers – went on a girls’ weekend out to the Hunter, and had a TON of non-alcoholic fun along the way.

Mmmm chocolate

The Hunter Valley plays host to a whole bunch of Chocolate shops and dessert restaurants, and uh, they’re full of antioxidants right? So it’s basically the same as drinking wine. Yeah, that.

Christine and I dropped by the chocolate shop at the Pokolbin Shopping arcade, and were just blown away by the beautifully moulded chocolate in all kinds of shapes and flavours! From wine cork stoppers, to grapes, to peanuts, to wombats, that chocolate shop had every shape imaginable, and fudge tastings to boot! And you gotta love a good tasting.

Cup of tea?

Right in the same shopping arcade, there’s a little tea and jam shop, selling different blends of teas, jams and chutney. From basil jam, to elderflower tea, I came away with armfuls tea packets to fill my tea cupboard with.

Yes. I have a tea cupboard. You know this blog is called Tea for Tammi, right?

Who cut the cheese?

What goes extremely well with wine? CHEESE. Well cheese makes everything better because it’s fan-frickin’ delicious. The Smelly Cheese Shop in the Hunter Valley has a couple of outlets, and this one we went to – just down the road from the Pokolbin shopping village – has display after display, as well as a dedicated cold room for the good stuff. Imported cheese, local cheese, they have it all!

And if cheese is not exactly your thing, you can also drop by for the condiments that they stock, as well as an amazing array of gelatos on display.

Have a smoke

I just love LOVE smoked goods, and I think it’s just so cool that the Lovedale Smokehouse Cafe has vine-smoked goods that you can purchase in a little gourmet shop right next to the cafe. From beef jerky, to veal, to duck to chicken, this was another one of those “let’s just buy everything” stops for us.

Oh, and did I mention the smoked mussels, octopus and garlic?? Everyone should have smoked garlic in their life. Just. Just. YES.

Lovedale Smokehouse Cafe
64 Majors Bay Rd
Lovedale, NSW 2320
Phone: 02 4930 7832
Website: http://www.majorslane.com/lovedale-smokehouse-cafe.html

Stuff your face

Besides wineries, the Hunter Valley also plays host to some amazing restaurants that are set in stunning, beautiful locations. We only had one night there, and decided to spend dinner at Emerson’s. Which was just SO GOOD that we also ended up there for breakfast the next day.

Stalker much?

It was truly fine dining quality food that is located on a beautiful estate, and it changed all my thoughts about restaurants located in “hotels”. Fantastic service, and amazing execution, Emerson’s really exuded hospitality, and their beautifully presented food was delicious, and augmented by the friendliness of the staff. Highly recommended.

Emerson’s
Adina Vineyard
492 Lovedale Rd
Lovedale, NSW 2325
Phone: 02 4930 7029
Website: http://www.emersonsatpokolbin.com/

Visit the vineyards

It may be tempting to skip past the vineyards because you don’t drink, but I say that it’s worth a visit anyway. Why? Verjuice my friend. This acidic condiment is a useful tool in the kitchen, and is made from unfermented grapes, making it a close cousin to wine, and providing a fruity finish. I love using it in place of Apple Cider Vinegar in salad dressings, to add a zingy fresh touch to my lunches!

Do you have favourite places to visit in the Hunter Valley? What’d your favourite thing to do there? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments down below!