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Kangaroos and wine. It may seem like and unexpected pairing, but it’s part of the magic of a stay at Spicers Vineyards Estate in Pokolbin. Located on a private vineyard about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, the boutique hotel is an ideal base to explore Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest continuous grape growing region.
Vineyards line the long driveway leading the way to the boutique hotel property. Go slow and keep your eyes open for kangaroos hopping among the grapevines. If you don’t see them, don’t worry. They’ll turn up.
Spicers Vineyards Estate features a dozen suites and a four-bedroom vineyard home with private pool. A majority of the accommodations are located on the ground floor and boast private entrances. I stayed in a spacious King Spa Terrace Room; it had a comfortable and welcoming feel thanks in part to a design scheme loaded with natural earth tones that reminded me of the vineyard steps outside the door.
The dedicated living room offered room to spread out. The cushy loveseat facing the wood-burning fireplace and television made me wish I had more down time to simply enjoy lingering in my room. A desk provided ample room to work and organize travel accessories, and a built-in series of cabinets contained an assortment of amenities ranging from coffee and tea making supplies, to cookies, wine glasses, a refrigerator, safe, and assorted board games. Bonus points to the property for stocking the refrigerator with cold milk for use in coffee and tea.
A bedroom with a king bed and closet, and the bathroom were a couple steps up from the living room. Much like the rest of the suite, the bathroom was generous with space. Along with a walk-in shower there was a deep, jetted soaking tub. Toiletries were provided in large, refillable bottles.
There were two ways to access the room from the outdoors. The back door led to lounge chairs with a view of the pool, while the front door, looked toward the sometimes kangaroo-studded vineyards.
Every stay includes breakfast at onsite Restaurant Botanica. Along with freshly squeezed orange juice and warm croissants, expect entrees the likes of Brioche French toast, buttermilk panna cotta, and smoked salmon with quinoa and poached eggs on toast.
Popular with locals as well and visitors, daily dinner service at Botanica includes a prix fixe menu and a la carte options. On weekends, the restaurant also offers a two- or three-course menu at lunch. For a more casual but equally delicious experience, considering booking a private picnic in the vineyards. All picnics are ridiculously photo worthy and free of single-use plastic.
Much of the local produce used at Botanica comes from the estate’s garden. Guests are welcome to stroll through and see what might wind up on their plate. While there, you’re practically guaranteed to meet a valued member of the restaurant team. Resident pig, Wiglet, takes care of scraps that don’t make it to the dinner table. She’s always happy to see visitors and loves a good scratch behind the ears.
The estate’s wine label, Harvest, is available at Botanica, but there are more than 150 wineries in the region to raise a glass. Hunter Valley icon, Tyrrell’s Wines, has been owned and operated by the same family since 1858. Audrey Wilkinson dates back to 1866, and offers a delicious fortified wine and local cheese tasting experience. Concierge staff at Spicers will happily share their favorite spots, if you’re struggling on where to head first.
Sydney Airport, (SYD) the closest international airport, is a 125 mile drive. Flight availability for travelers from the United States has increased recently thanks to the return of Qantas flights to San Francisco (SFO) and New York. (JFK) Flight service was paused for more than three years due to the pandemic.
Rates for a King Spa Terrace Room start at $471. Go to Booking.com or Priceline to compare rates. Wi-Fi and parking are complimentary. The guest lounge just off the lobby offers games, books, and a DVD library.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Destination New South Wales, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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