- Liane Morris
Run, Don't Walk. Hunter Farm is Here!
The folk behind Hunter Valley Resort have hit the ground running. They can finally swing open their farm-gate, having initially opened their incredible new Hunter Valley venue on the property just a week shy of the 10-week lockdown. Not to be deterred, property owners, the Helé family, who always have a glass half full approach, decided to approach the enforced 10-week spell as an opportunity
to perfect their offering.
With the benefit of time, they have been able to put the finishing touches on the new 600 square metre taproom, bistro and cellar door and add to that a complete farm-life experience ready and rearing to go for one and all. So if you're busting to down a beer with your mates or sip a Semillon in the sun with your gals, keen for a family escape or getting the gang back together, no matter the occasion, you'll find there is something for everyone at Hunter Farm.
It's a farm-come resort and taproom with bistro and adventure centre all in one. It's a kind of wonderland for lovers of the Hunter Valley and all it has to offer. It's something we could all use right now.
Hunter Valley Resort is the Hunter Valley's longest continuously operating hospitality venue in Wine Country, having celebrated its 30th anniversary on 1st August 2021. Keen to take things to new heights, they announced an alliance with the iconic northern beaches 4 Pines Brewing brand and opened the regions most extensive craft beer and dining outlet just behind the former brewery site on Hermitage Road.
The Helé family have long been associated with hospitality. Hailing from Denmark, the Helé's great-grandparents owned the famous Grand Hotel in Copenhagen. Their hotelier grandparents built The Richmond Hotel and were the official caterers to King Frederik IV of Denmark and Queen Ingrid for many years, while their parents both worked for the Hilton Hotels group worldwide until settling in Australia in the 1960s. So it's hardly surprising that fourth-generation hotelier Philip Helé followed in their footsteps.
"This newest venture could be my family's greatest innovation," says Philip.
"After years of owning hotels such as The Sackville in Balmain, The Ascot Inn + Fox & Hounds in Wahroonga, Bel Air Hotel in Newcastle and The Yachtsman in Lake Macquarie, we singlehandedly took pub dining to a new level by presenting high-quality local produce together on a buffet.
"Top quality Australian beef, fresh, crisp salads and local condiments. You can't get more quintessentially Australian than that."
In 1991, the family purchased the Hunter Valley Resort on Hermitage Road, bringing bistro dining to the Hunter Valley. Now, to mark their 30th anniversary in the Hunter, the Helé's are taking bistro dining up another notch, teaming up with 4 Pines Brewing to bring their established brand to the Hunter Valley.
No strangers to the brewery business, the Helé's, together with advertising guru John Singleton, created quite a stir in the Hunter Valley in 2003 when they opened the region's first craft beer Bluetongue Brewery, inspiring a shift in offerings in the state's most visited regional destination that was previously primarily known as a wine region.
"At 'the farm', couples, groups, families, leisure and business travellers will be able to completely immerse themselves in all things beer, wine, food, accommodation and farming adventure all in one central location," says Philip.
"In a Hunter Valley first, Hunter Farm is a venue which offers something to everyone, with a tap bar and bistro, 4 star accommodation, farm animals, horse riding, carriage rides, Segway rides, workshops, wine tastings, beer school and so much more can be enjoyed."
Set amidst the fifty-five-year-old Helé Family vineyards on the ridge where Hermitage Road and Mistletoe Lane intersect, the 30-hectare property is set to become a wonderland for locals and visitors alike. Visitors can choose to stay the day or stay awhile with simple yet stylish accommodation, just a stumble away from the brand new 4 Pines at the Farm taproom.
The taproom takes pride of place overlooking the wonderous valley creating the regions most contemporary new food and beverage offering, with more than 600 sqm of superb entertainment space ready to serve their top brews to you and yours. Give any number of their 12 brews on tap a run. We guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Take in a bird's eye view of the valley from the expansive wrap-around veranda, serving food and brews (and wine, of course) to you seven days a week.
Philip says that the bistro is a rare offering in the Hunter Valley because it serves diners breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7-days a week.
"With all the bistro favourites alongside some of the chef's specialities, there is something on this vast menu for every kind of diner," he said.
"Typical burgers and pub classics, seafood, salads, steaks and sides, kids meals, group menus, banquets, and conference packages galore complete the package."
Down on the farm, just a moments meander from the brews, you'll find Hunter Farm + Adventure Centre, where adults and kids can be entertained for hours with an interactive farm walk and tractor ride. They can get amongst the action with pony rides, trail rides, tractor rides, hay bale rides, horse & carriage rides, Segway tours, educational adventures and more. Kids can feed the animals and learn about the different breeds; they'll also learn about harvesting, planting and watering crops.
There's also a roping station where kids can sit on a man-made wooden horse and learn to rope a bulls head. Or, if whip cracking is your thing, the team can teach you the appropriate and safe way in which to get cracking! Keep an eye out for the soon to be announced school holiday programs, which will also take in workshops like candy making and artists retreats.
Or, if it's simply a change of scenery you are after, perch yourself poolside in one of the many room types on offer at Hunter Valley Resort. There is bound to be a stay just right for you from twin to family, couples, and honeymooners.
The crew are very excited to be welcoming people back to Wine Country again. And what better way to celebrate everything the Hunter Valley is renowned for, including a good old dose of Helé hospitality – all in one place. For more information and opening hours, visit www.huntervalley.com.au to see what life at the all-new Hunter Farm looks like, and pop in to say hi or join us for a 4 Pines craft brew really soon!
Welcome back! We've missed you.
Visit huntervalley.com.au to find out more about Hunter Farm.
