28 August 2024
10 mins Read
Milk and cookies. Beer and burgers. Coffee and cake. Drinks just taste better washed down with their ultimate counterparts and when it comes to wine in the Hunter Valley, we’re spoiled for choice. NSW’s premier wine country has cottoned on plenty-fold, overflowing with sensational Hunter Valley chocolate and cheese either masterfully crafted locally or sourced from the most famous European producers. Here, we round up the most delicious chocolate and cheese retailers and experiences in the region.
No visit to the Hunter Valley is complete without sampling local chocolate and these guys have been churning out the silky-smooth stuff for more than 20 years.
Slip into chocolate heaven at Hunter Valley Chocolate Company.
The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company prides itself on using the most premium Belgian ingredients blended with Australian fruit and nuts, and crowds can’t get enough of it. In fact, the team have expanded their operations with Twenty-3-Twenty, their boutique factory and chocolate-making facility where you can catch Willy Wonka himself, Peter the chocolatier, spin his magic and enjoy his treats in the comfort of an on-site cafe.
Peter the chocolatier at work on his edible creations.
For the original experience, head to Petersons Champagne House where a quaint store overflows with edible art. Blocks, bark, bars, brittles – you name it, they nail it.
The Hunter Valley Chocolate Company serves an array of desserts and pastries.
Bestsellers include chocolate-coated pretzels, chocolate-coated coffee beans and bags of rainbow-dusted ‘Speckles’ but there’s truly an option for every taste bud. Milk chocolate ginger, anyone?
Address: The original location remains at Petersons Champagne House, corner Broke and Branxton Roads, Pokolbin, and the other is a showroom off their new factory located at 2320 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
What started as a passion project for pastry chef Aymee Slaviero at Newcastle’s Olive Tree Markets blossomed into her very own shopfront in 2012.
The awe-inspiring selection of artisan chocolates at Cocoa Nib. (Image: Nikki To)
Now selling her exquisite handmade creations out of a flagship store on Keith Tulloch Wine in the heart of wine country, Cocoa Nib’s founder has built a reputation for crafting some of the most splendid sweets in the state.
Cocoa Nib’s chocolates come in a range of vivid colours. (Image: Nikki To)
The Hunter Valley chocolate brand utilises a premium French couverture (that’s a word for bloody fancy chocolate, FYI) to whip up Cocoa Nib’s crowd favourite, melt-in-your-mouth artisan bonbons splashed Jackson Polloch-style with vivid colour, and an array of beautiful bites. Tarts, desserts, endless barks, bags of coconut rough, peanut brittle, honeycomb and so many more classics are just heavenly.
Address: Keith Tulloch Wine, 989 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin.
A smorgasbord of the world’s finest cheeses, Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop is a non-negotiable in wine country. Built with the only fromageries in the region and filled with a far larger range than any other Hunter Valley cheese retailer, it opened its doors in Pokolbin Village in 2004 and it wasn’t long before the passionate team began drawing loyal crowds.
Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop offers a smorgasbord of gooey goodness. (Image: Destination NSW)
Drop in to stack your charcuterie with the likes of blue (don’t miss the strong and sharp yet utterly melty Saint Agur), cheddar and hard and soft varieties including the standout Fromager d’Affinois Le Fromager in all its pudgy, buttery goodness.
Cured meats, top-notch olives, pastes, tapenades, pates and other delicious platter accompaniments can also be found and the team’s edit is so renowned that they’ve opened a second location within Roche Estate further down the road.
Shop the world’s finest cheeses and platter accompaniments. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: The original Smelly Deli is at Shop 3, Pokolbin Village, 2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin and there’s another outlet within Roche Estate Complex, 2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
Once you’ve stocked up on savoury, hop next door for your sweets. The Pokolbin Chocolate Company houses an impressive collection of Hunter Valley chocolate and it’s located one door down from the Smelly Cheese gang.
Putting smiles on dials for more than 21 years, these chocoholics sell a beautiful range of hand-painted Belgian chocolates, gooey fudge, jams and chutneys, chocolate-dipped fruits and nuts, classics like rocky road and truffles, and a handful of out-of-the-box products including chocolate pasta. They’ve also got an unusual range of sweet teas.
Address: Right next door to Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop at Pokolbin Village, 2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
After winning hearts through their original Hunter Valley Dessert Bar in Lovedale, the team’s Sabor Dessert Bar on Broke Road’s Lambloch Estate has cemented their status as local confectionary and sweet pastry heroes.
Growing their inventive edit of Hunter Valley chocolate and desserts to a menu filled with 50+ creations, these local wizards are renowned for the award-winning Sabor Portuguese Chocolate Mousse plus other Instagram-friendly showstoppers.
Don’t miss the glistening Green Apple Royale or the Flaming Choc Caramel Brownie, which you can savour on-site in the Bar’s large seating area or take away for at-home indulgence.
They even offer a tasting plate of their favourites and a kids’ menu for the littlest of visitors. Large groups and parties (including hens’ celebrations) are welcome as set menus and packages are available to order with seven days’ notice.
Address: Lambloch Estate, 2342 Broke Road, Pokolbin
The Melbourne-bred Curtis family is the brains behind the much-adored Hunter Valley Cheese Company. Located at McGuigan Wines on McDonalds Road and established by the late Peter Curtis and his wife Rose Lambert in 1995, it churns out its own seasonal handcrafted ranges that span the award-winning Hunter Gold Washed Rind, cheddar, gorgonzola, brie, goat’s cheese and more.
The Hunter Valley Cheese Company churns out seasonal handcrafted ranges.
Leaving a busy city life behind them in favour of something entirely new, the team honed their skills in their very own factory and now attracts visitors from all over the world for their standout Aussie cheese crafted from local cow and goat milk.
Pop in for a tasting of five paired with olives and preserves or upgrade your visit by booking a two-person lunch tasting of their seasonal best paired with a range of delicious accompaniments.
The standout Aussie cheese is available to purchase.
Address: McGuigan Wines, 447 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin.
Famed for its ultra-creamy, completely irresistible labna and multi-award-winning marinated feta, Binnorie Dairy is always a good idea before heading home with your wine haul.
Binnorie Dairy boasts a range of award-winning cheese. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Hunter Valley cheese pit-stop was opened by cheesemaker Simon Gough in 2003 after he’d spent significant time making it in Europe and the Yarra Valley. His Hunter Valley digs are home to so many indulgences including those aforementioned superstars plus several goat’s cheeses, washed rines, a triple cream brie and homemade sweet treats.
The specialty cheese plate. (Image: Destination NSW)
Drop in to see the team hard at work through a viewing window or grab a table on the deck to soak up the peaceful scenery before retreating.
Cheesemaker Simon Gough is the mastermind behind Binnorie Dairy. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 25 Lodge Road, Lovedale.
Geoff and Tania Chesworth, a pair of passionate dairy farmers, bring a wealth of experience to their Hunter Belle Cheese Room. But it might just be the next Chesworth generation, led by Annie and Jason, who are really putting their mark on the region.
While Geoff and Tania run the wonderful deli, bar and cafe located right next to De luliis Wines on Broke Road, Annie and Jason produce Hunter Belle Dairy Company’s dairy range in a factory in Scone.
House-made bries, cheddars, yoghurts, fetas and more can be found at the Hunter Belle Cheese Room which offers multiple experiences including picnic packs, wine and cheese tastings, beer and cheese tastings, a very punny ‘High Cheese’ and relaxed dining in the licenced cafe.
There’s plenty of lush grass to laze upon if you choose the picnic route and you’re right next to the vines so every vantage point is quintessentially Hunter Valley.
Address: 1616 Broke Road, Pokolbin
Climb upstairs at Ben Ean Winery and stumble into a boutique Hunter Valley chocolate shop that offers tastings and a separate section dedicated to cheese.
D’Vine Treats, which has expanded with the introduction of Fat Cow Cheese, is packed full of handcrafted chocolate including liqueur varieties using hard stuff from Petersons Family Wines and Savannah Estate.
The Fat Cow Cheese portion of the store gathers some of the region’s finest cheese, cured meats, olives, olive oils and sauces while the sweets branch out to fudge, lollies, gelato and more. It’s a wine country pit stop that’s really got it all.
Address: Ben Ean Winery, Shop 1, 119 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin
Inspired by the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film, Sutton Estate’s Chocolate Escape Room is unlike any other chocolate-tasting experience you’ve ever encountered.
Locked in a room within Sutton Estate winery in Rothbury, you and your group of no larger than six people must decode a series of puzzles in 60 minutes to uncover your exit and some of those puzzles include tasting chocolate. Sounds bizarre? It is, and we’re here for it. A ‘love of chocolate’ is required to unlock clues and five tastings are included in each session which costs $60 per person.
With axe throwing, a smash room inviting you to literally smash stuff and electric bike rentals to be found elsewhere on the property, it’s clear to say these guys offer a totally unique take on the whole Hunter Valley experience.
Address: Sutton Estate Hunter Valley, 381F Deasys Road, Rothbury.
While they’re better known for fermenting and ageing than tempering, a string of vineyards offer ultra-delicious wine and Hunter Valley chocolate pairings.
Tulloch Wines stages a 45-minute wine tasting of five blends paired with five local handmade chocolates, priced from $30 per person.
Wild Wren Wines does a ‘Birds of a Feather’ wine and chocolate pairing which lasts for one hour and costs $22 per person. Treat yourself to three wines matched with French and Swiss truffles.
Pull up a chair at Wild Wren for a glass of wine paired with truffles. (Image: Wren Wines)
Binet Family Wines offers a wine and chocolate tasting at around $30 per person including four to five premium wines served with Cocoa Nib’s signature bon bons.
Glandore Wines does a one-hour chocolate and wine pairing experience priced at $30 per person that includes six wine samples and handmade chocolate to match.
Glandore Estate Wines offers a delicious chocolate and wine pairing experience. (Image: Time Out)
Address: Various wineries in the Hunter Valley
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