Broke is in a quiet picturesque corner of the Hunter Valley but it will be anything but quiet when the wine region of Broke Fordwich comes alive for one weekend in April, with the essence of Italian hospitality.
A Little Bit of Italy looks more like a lot of Italy when you see the program of classes, workshops, cooking demonstrations and entertainment lined up, along with authentic cuisine using local produce and the region's renowned wines.
Stretching across 12 venues, where many vineyards pair up with local restaurants, this weekend will see many a feast had with fun and laughter shared amongst family and friends.
Here's some highlights at each site:-
Ascella Organic Wines – 203 Thompsons Rd, Milbrodale
Saturday
Zafferano Wine & BdFarm Paris Creek Cheese Tasting at 11.15am
You are what you eat, why organic? at 2pm
Grape tasting & heritage tour at 4pm
Sunday
You are what you eat, why organic? at 2pm
Grape Tasting & heritage tour at 4pm
Lunch Offerings
Gourmet Italian BBQ over mangrove wood chips
BdFarm Paris Creek organic cheese and crackers
River Flats' olives, oils & chutneys
Cold drinks & Vittoria organic coffee
Ascella is the largest certified organic vineyard in the Hunter Valley and, with an orchard too, you can have lunch under marquees amongst the fruit trees.
Catherine Vale Wines – 656 Milbrodale Rd, Fordwich
Saturday
Gnocchi making class at 10.30am – presented by Il Cacciatore restaurant, $60pp sees you making 3 types of gnocchi with sauces
Tuscany Untouched Presentation at 11.30am
Zafferano wine masterclass at 1.30pm - $30pp, includes a pair of Zafferano glasses
Roving musicians The Caballeros playing between 11am & 2pm
Sunday
Free olive oil & preserving class at 10am – discover how to determine a great olive oil & how to preserve olives and oil
Tuscany Untouched Presentation at 11.30am
Zafferano wine masterclass at 1pm - $30pp
Roving musicians The Caballeros playing between 11am & 2pm
Lunch Offerings
11am-3pm lunch prepared by Il Cacciatore
Gelato & coffee by Duccio Gelato
Dinner - $95pp
4-course menu featuring the specialities of Tuscany
Includes beer and drinks on arrival plus matched wines
Bookings essential via 02 6579 1334
A very picturesque winery bordered by Yengo National Park with views of Yellow Rock, you can explore the wonders of Tuscany further with
Goose on the Loose Italian small goods, crafts and Italian leather goods
Maremma the Italian sheep dog making a special appearance
– 350 Wollombi Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Food pairing & cooking demos - at 10am enjoy Italian method Fiano sparkling wine and seafood or at 2pm sparkling Merlot and Italian ricotta doughnuts; for $45pp you get to take home the recipes as well (bookings essential on 0418 164 382)
Lunch Offerings
Paired wine & Italian gourmet picnic share hampers
Froze (rose granita), barista coffee & Italian desserts
Children's picnics & slushies
This small family owned and operated boutique vineyard uses sustainable farming practices and only bottles when the vintage is at its best. Wine tastings are $5pp, but this is redeemable on any bottle of wine purchased. Find the big red barn and you've made it.
Krinklewood Vineyard – 712 Wollombi Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Live music by La Tarantella guitar duo between 11am & 4.30pm
Lunch Offerings
Traditional home-made gnocchi
Bring a picnic rug or share one of the long luncheon tables in the beautiful cellar door courtyard and surrounding gardens that boast urns and fountains, along with a backdrop of Wollombi Brook and the Brokenback mountain range.
The kids will love the farm with its chickens, pigs, Limousin cattle, maremma dogs, peacocks, geese, bees and one old horse that just won't quit.
Margan Restaurant & Winery – 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke
Sunday
Margan Cooking School at 10am – for $155pp, release your inner Italian with a garden tour and harvest before learning the art of making pasta and enjoying a 3-course lunch with matched wines (bookings essential on 02 6579 1317)
Lunch Offerings
Italian-inspired sandwiches
Relax in the stunning Margan Piazza, enjoy the garden and take in the spectacular views which have provided many a photo opportunity for wedding parties.
Mount Broke Wines – 130 Adams Peak Rd, Broke
Lunch Offerings
Traditional wood fired Italian pizza
Hand-made truffle gnocchi
Italian beers, wine, espresso coffee & soft drinks
With a cellar door set inside the remnants of an old dairy, you can enjoy not only premium wines but a European beer list, vodka and gin & tonics.
There's also breathtaking views and great music all weekend.
Nightingale Wines – 1239 Milbrodale Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Olive oil appreciation at 12pm, 1pm & 2pm - $15pp
Breakfast
Available in the cafe between 8.30am-10.30am all weekend
Lunch Offerings
Italian desserts & coffee
Dinner
Saturday evening Italian-inspired menu
Bookings essential via 02 6579 1499
Relax on the lawns of this winery with live music, whilst activities keep the children busy. Inside, a lounge bar with happy hour awaits.
River Flats Estate – 530 Wollombi Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Traditional spinning & weaving
Lunch Offerings
Fresh fruit and vegetables are available for purchase as are Mediterranean olives, oils, jams, chutneys, condiments and sauces. Daughter Michelle also produces olive oil soaps and beauty products that go under the label of Bare Natures' Kin.
This family owned olive grove has two huge undercover entertainment areas, rows of olive trees for children to explore and animals. Farmstay accommodation, lakes, beautiful gardens and fairy lights will have you not wanting to leave.
Somerville Wines – 845 Wollombi Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Sausage making demonstrations
Live music & tasting of traditional Nduja (a spicy spreadable pork salami)
Lunch Offerings
Home-made Italian BBQ sausage panini
A little bit of Calabria (south-west Italy) is what you will find at Somerville Wines, along with George the llama, sheep, chooks and piglets that will have the littlies enthralled.
Tinonee Vineyard Estate – 1273 Milbrodale Rd, Broke
Lunch Offerings
Italian-originated macaroon
A beautiful estate with luxe accommodation, amazing views, wildlife and 1813 Wines.
Whispering Brook Winery – Rodd St, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Vineyard & olive grove tour at 10.15am & 3pm – learn the secrets of artisan winemaking & olive oil production
Italian cooking demonstration at 11.15am – more secrets to be learnt
Lunch Offerings
Slow roasted beef cheeks with soft polenta & gremolata
Fritto misto with white bean puree & salsa verde
Pesto penne pasta with grilled chicken breast & fire seared capsicum
Basil panna cotta with grilled peach & raspberry coulis
An al fresco celebration with panoramic mountain vistas and Italian music is yours to enjoy at Whispering Brook.
Children are welcome to explore the cubby house and play ball games.
Winmark Wines – 229 Wollombi Rd, Broke
Saturday & Sunday
Wine launch of first vintage Winmark Chardonnay 2018
Giant lawn games for families to compete in
Live music from Paul Eagle
Morning
Traditional Italian cornetti
Lunch Offerings
Visit the beautiful perennial garden, inspect the amazing Biosis sculpture, have your picture by the legendary Poole's Rock and watch the sun set at the fire pit by the dam.
Tickets to this event are $15pp and include admission plus a souvenir wine glass, with $2 from each ticket going to the Singleton Cancer Appeal. You can purchase them
online, at any of the participating venues on the day or at the Broke Fire Station.
All the sites are close to one another but it doesn't hurt to plan your weekend ahead to get the most out of the time you have. On Saturday only, a shuttle bus (for an additional $25pp) will operate via transport partner Rover Coaches and take you between the venues.
Plenty of parking is available at each venue, should you wish to drive, and if you're staying the whole weekend, visit
Broke Fordwich and discover the range of accommodation options available in the region.
Known for its Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz, as well as Verdelho and the successful introduction of Italian varietals Fiano, Barbera and Sangiovese, Broke is just over 2hrs from Sydney and makes for a perfect weekend escape.
For those that love their food, wine and all things Italian, A Little Bit of Italy is a touch of magic.
