Summer Dining in the Hunter Valley

Bright buttery sunshine, sweeping open-air views, rustic Wine Country charm and the finest fresh produce on tap. Summer has drenched the Hunter Valley with its long days and warm evenings, and here at Brokenwood, we’re ready with an abundance of summer dining options to fill your cup.

From picture-perfect weather to fresh local produce, there’s every reason why a visit to Wine Country is the ultimate summer activity.

With the help of our Executive Chef Sean Townsend, we take a close-up look at what’s on offer at Brokenwood this summer and why the Hunter Valley is an unmissable locale this time of year.

Why Visit the Hunter Valley in Summer? 

The question should be, why not? We might be biased, but we think there’s no better place to enjoy the warm weather with a delicious bite and sip than the picturesque Hunter Valley. With its rolling hills and vibrant vineyards, the region is a feast for the senses. The warm summer sunshine provides the perfect weather to explore Wine Country and sample its delicious local wines and produce.

The vibrant colours of the season are matched by the friendly and welcoming locals (like yours truly), who are always eager to share the beauty of the region and their knowledge of the land. 

Prime Grape Growing Season

Speak to any of our experienced viticulturists during your visit and learn that summer can be the best time for vine growth. The warm weather and increased sunlight provide ideal growing conditions, allowing the grapes to mature and reach optimal ripeness for harvesting. 

Immerse yourself in the infectious excitement of this crucial growing season when you visit us during summer and take home a finer appreciation for the wine you know and love.

Warmth Without the Humidity

Yet another reason why summer and the Hunter Valley match like a crisp glass of Semillon and a plate of freshly shucked oysters is the weather. Temperatures in the Hunter region during summer months typically fall between 25°C and 30°C, striking a warm yet milder climate for leisurely outdoor dining. 

Unlike our friends up north, the summer climate in Wine Country maintains low humidity levels, making the region an ideal destination for long, lazy lunches on the green and exploring the local vineyards. While we can’t control those sporadic tropical storms, we can guarantee a delicious and rejuvenating experience at our Cellar Door in summer.

What’s On the Summer Menu?

Allow yourself to be lured into scenic al fresco dining before winding your way into the twinkling night scene inside our Cellar Door. Summer at Brokenwood boasts long days spent with loved ones that melt into warm nights, where everything from that first glass of Semillon to those delectable new season cherries bursts with fresh flavour.

One of the key reasons why it’s so worth a visit to the Hunter Valley in summer is the rich, fertile soil giving rise to an abundance of fresh produce. With the warm temperatures and long daylight hours, there’s no shortage of fresh and flavourful fruits, vegetables and herbs to plate up. Summer is the best way to indulge in our farm-to-table experience and dine with the finest tastes and pairings.

Sumptuous Eats

In his new summer menu for The Wood Restaurant, Brokenwood’s Executive Chef Sean Townsend was sure to feature the finest local produce from the region’s best growers and our own on-site Chef’s Gardens.

‘Creativity can really flourish when you look at fresh seasonal produce,’ says Sean. ‘When starting work on a new menu, I always ask “What’s in the soil? What’s good this season?” and that obviously varies at each time of the year.’

When collaborating on The Wood’s new four-course dinner menu, which is served every Friday and Saturday from 6pm, Sean opted for particular fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood that are in abundance during warmer months.

‘We go to our local growers for things like stone fruits, berries and melons, then harvest from our own gardens for leafy greens, asparagus, tomatoes and herbs,’ says Sean.

The new season asparagus takes pride of place in The Wood’s first course, followed by the juiciest crystal bay prawns caught by local trawlers. Paired with ripe new season tomatoes and drizzled with avruga and fermented mandarin dressing, this seafood course is everything we love about summer in the Hunter on one plate.

Wood roasted Red Gate farm quail is then perfectly complemented by sweet and sour fruits at their juiciest. This ultimate Hunter Valley dining experience is rounded off by a mouthwatering selection of new season cherries with white chocolate cream and dacquoise.

Exquisite Sips

No dining experience in the Hunter Valley would be complete without a selection of best-in-season vintages to taste and pair. When it comes to summer wines, we can’t go past a dry, crisp white, but rest assured that there is a sip for every palate. If you’re seeking a wine tasting experience under the sun, you’ve come to the right place.

Start your Wine Country summer getaway with a glass of 2018 Tallawanta Vineyard Semillon out on our Terrace Wine Bar. The depth of fruit coupled with fresh lime flavours and soft acid perfectly primes the palate for a day of tasting. Enjoy with a charcuterie or fresh cheese board and you’re in for a deliciously summery day.

Move onto a chilled glass of 2021 Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay served with a plate of freshly shucked oysters on ice. This wine’s fine textured palette and bright citrus acidity blend beautifully with the salty-smoothness of the oysters, creating a sensual yet light dining treat.

For our red drinkers, don’t fret - we have the perfect summer wine to tickle your taste buds. Move inside to our Cru Bar + Pantry for a lazy lunch of woodfired pizzas paired with a glass or two of 2022 Brokenwood Tempranillo. This easy drinking wine boasts cherry ripe flavours and subtly spiced aromas, the perfect weekend lunch drink that can carry effortlessly into a summer dinner accompaniment.

Visit Our Cellar Door This Summer

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, an outdoor adventurer, or simply looking for a tranquil getaway to round out your summer, the Hunter Valley is bursting with vibrant dining options and even better wine.

Let lazy lunches at Cru Bar + Pantry melt into cheese platters and wine on the Terrace, then stay for dinner beneath the stars at The Wood Restaurant. Our Cellar Door has everything you need and more for that quintessential Wine Country summer dining experience.

Visit our website to reserve your next dining experience. The Hunter Valley sunshine  awaits with open arms.