If you are hitting the vineyards with kids, you need to choose your accommodation carefully. You need just enough bribes to get thee good behaviour at the tastings, then return to the hotel and let the kids have 'their turn'. If these treats are free, even better!
The Novotel offers two bedroom apartment style accommodation with a kitchenette and dining table, so if you are on a budget, you can eat in the room sometime. There's also barbeque facilities near the pool, which proved popular.
The common spaces and activities are what makes this hotel good. Everything comes with a spectacular view of the rolling hills and vineyards.
The pool is large and slightly heated, with plenty of deck chairs and shade clothes. There are some pool toys thrown in for good measure.
There is a children's playground for younger children, and for the under sevens, an indoor play area.
On top of the tennis courts, there is ping pong, volleyball, badminton and giant chess. There is also the very civilised croquet, which seems to be the popular sport in the vineyards. All with magnificent views, to please the adult roped into the sporting activities or supervision.
The Novotel also has a policy that children under 12 eat free with adults, which can make quite a difference if breakfast wasn't included in the room.
It's not all about the kids though, there is free wine tasting each night, in case you needed to try a few more tipples from the region. I don't need to mention there is a golf course on site too, and of course, a day spa.
The hotel itself is well located, with all the vineyards and towns about 10 minutes away, no matter which direction you're heading (though some are closer, obviously!)
One word of warning, we were charged $45 per night for the extra bed in our room, which I was not aware of, so got quite a shock when it was added to the bill on check out. It may've been in the fine print on booking by my attention wasn't drawn to it, or I somehow failed to see it. If you have built it into your budget, it's not a big deal, but if you stay 4 or 5 nights, it's quite a shock if you aren't expecting it.
We had a great stay here, and would recommend the resort style hotel for any families that want to enjoy the wine region with the kids in tow.