Spicers Vineyards Estate, Hunter Valley

Location

Hunter Valley, New South Wales, is home to some of the finest wines in Australia. Spicers is set on its very own working vineyard and its highly experienced staff will guide you between boutique wineries and household names. Rolling vineyards and the wilds of the native bushland make for a gorgeous backdrop that’s prime for exploration. What’s more, it’s just two hours’ drive from Sydney.

Accommodation

The hotel houses only 12 guest rooms meaning the eight-acre estate easily maintains its intimate and friendly atmosphere. All accommodation is in spa rooms which, with their spa baths and his-and-her sinks, bring modern living to a typically traditional region of Australia. Each open room comes with a wood-burning fireplace. The ground floor King Spa Rooms feature French doors that open onto a large verandah that affords views over the estate’s vineyard, framed by Pokolbin’s mountain backdrop. The Luxury Spa Suites, in turn, have a private lounge, courtyard or balcony and a waterfall shower.

Dining

Spicers Vineyards’ award-winning Restaurant Botanica uses ingredients from its kitchen garden to inspire dishes that focus on seasonality and freshness. A typical menu boasts gourmet dining in dishes such as crispy ocean trout, herb roasted lamb rump and braised veal cheek. For lunch, guests can expect a menu of lighter meals including herbed gnocchi and grilled king prawns. Of course, this is all complemented by an extensive wine list supplied by the estate’s vineyard.

Facilities

Wine has been grown in the vineyard since the 1820s so it’s not surprising that the hotel’s best attraction is its wine tours. The vineyard’s respected experts will educate you on everything from the production process to the drinking process. Aside from wine, the Hunter Valley can offer world-class golf courses or alternative modes of transport including ballooning, biking, horse riding, cycling and even sky diving. After all this excitement, guests can unwind at the hotel’s spa, where you can enjoy a range of treatments including massages, facials and body treatments, or relax with a swim in the delightful outdoor pool.