D'Vine Food and Wine Festival

Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

October 5-8 2024

Thanks for joining us for the D'Vine Festival 2024. We'll be back September 20 & 21, 2025 for another jam packed weekend of great good, amazing wine and good times!

To stay up to date and have access to early bird ticket releases, join our mailing list

What’s Happening at the D’Vine long weekend 2024?

We've got a flavour packed long weekend in store with something for the WHOLE family! Book in for wine, gin and craft beer tasting masterclasses, cheese and pasta making workshops, cooking demonstrations, tasting experiences pairing local wines with cuisine from around the world, barrel tastings, a Pet’s paradise with dog show and plenty of kids activities.

There’s even horse and cart carriage rides for a more glamorous form of transport and E-bikes for the more adventurous nature lovers.

There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase local produce and handmade gourmet delights that you can take home and recreate amazing gastronomical experiences with.

Your Festival Passport will give you access to over 20 amazing events! Once you have your passport, you can pre-book experiences, purchase hampers and put together the weekend of your dreams.

Want to bring your fur baby, but need a break too? Find out about Pokolbin Pet Service here

Festival Passport

Your Ticket to a Great Weekend! 

Your Festival Passport is your ticket to discovering amazing artisan producers and wine makers and includes:

Transport from our Festival hub or your Around Hermitage accommodation
Entry to all participating venues
A Festival tasting glass
A coffee or other beverage from one of our barista coffee carts
Access to our shopping concierge service
Partner deals

Festival passports are jam packed with value at just $45 for adults, $15 for children and free for kids under 5.

Where's it all Happening?

The D’Vine long weekend is happening across the ‘Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail' extending from Hermitage Road across Deasys Road, and Old North Road. Often considered the centre of the oldest wine region in Australia, Pokolbin is rich with wine making history, stunning views of the Brokenback ranges and is home to a community of passionate small artisans. 

The D’Vine long weekend gives you an opportunity to discover more of these hidden gems than on any other weekend of the year. Even the smallest of our boutique producers without cellar doors are invited to be a part of the exciting D'Vine Festival!

Head to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley for this amazing event!

Plan your Long Weekend

There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in some immersive gourmet experiences with add-ons to your Festival Passport. Individual events are ONLY bookable once you’ve secured your Festival Passport.

Here's just a taster of some of the amazing events we have in-store. No two days will be exactly the same, so make sure you book a few nights' accommodation so that you don't miss any of the excitement!

Stay in the Thick of It

   Free Pick up and drop off


Stay with an Around Hermitage accommodation provider and pickup/ drop off to your accommodation is included in your Festival Passport! No need to drive. Find somewhere to stay

   Free Shopping Concierge Service


No need to worry about carting your purchases around or doubling back later! The shopping concierge service, as well as the accommodation pick up and drop off is included free if you’re staying with any participating ‘Around Hermitage’ venues! This includes lots of venues located on Hermitage Road, Deasy’s Road, Old North Road, Sweetwater Road and Mistletoe Lane. Find Accommodation here

 Accommodation for everyone's tastes


You can find self-contained cottages nestled away in the trees, hotel style accommodation, luxury glamping tents, spa accommodation, air BNBs, or bed and breakfasts, and pet friendly options. Find AHA Accomodation here

Find Accommodation specials ONLY for the D'vine Festival here

 Special Offers for D'Vine Passport Holders


We're busy gathering some great deals from our wonderful Around Hermitage accommodation providers to help you have the BEST festival.

Staying with an Around Hermitage Accommodation provider gives you plenty of perks!

4

Days

20+

Festival Events

21

Discover Hidden gems

8

Kids Activities

26

Accommodation Options

FAQs

Should I stay a day or the whole long weekend?

Venues will be showcasing the best wine, food and fun the Hunter has to offer across Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and flowing into some fantastic school holiday activities on Tuesday. With so many venues to explore, we suggest that grabbing one of our early release weekend passes is a great way to go! Book in for an extra night or two and make sure you make the most of all the special offers that come with your D’Vine Passport!

With so much on offer over the weekend we recommend staying at least 2 nights.

Stay longer and save. There's so much to do, why not stay 3 days or more and get discounts at participating Around Hermitage accommodation providers.

Is every day the same?

The D’Vine program is being developed so that each day will have some different and exciting events on. There will be some events that will repeat over the weekend so that you won’t miss out on them. 

The shuttle buses will be available on Saturday and Sunday, while Monday and Tuesday are self-drive days.  

Monday will be a quieter pace, great for those looking for more intimate experiences.  

With the school holidays in mind, Tuesday is highly family focused with activities for parents and children to enjoy together.

Be sure to double check the program and find what interests you most when planning your stay.  

Is there anything to do at night?

We are planning casual events for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings and a family night on Monday.

Is this really a family friendly event?

We get it - plenty of events say they're family friendly, but the kids are miserable with nothing to do! We have venues that have specifically planned events that kids will love, while parents can relax and really enjoy their experiences! There's even venues offering parallel experiences for children with their parents.

Thanks to the great big paddocks, other venues will have outdoor games, craft and entertainment. If you're staying with kids, you might want to stay from Sunday into the new week and take advantage of the kids’ day Tuesday and embrace the great offers from Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and more.

There are a handful of venues that are designated adult only spaces, so we ask you to check the program before planning your itinerary and respect the venues that have opted to be adult only.

Where is the D’Vine Festival Hub and what will be there?

The D’Vine Festival Hub will be at 4 Pines at the Farm (Hunter Valley Resort) on Hermitage Road. There you will be able to collect your Festival Passport pack and grab a coffee before you head off to your events. Our friendly customer service staff will be on hand to answer any questions on the day. Car parking available for those traveling in from outside of the Around Hermitage area.

Is my dog welcome at all venues?

The majority of venues are dog friendly, so long as your dog is vaccinated, well behaved, and kept on a lead they are welcome. Some of our venues are working vineyards with dams, wildlife, working dogs and machinery, so it is not safe to let your dogs off lead to explore on their own.  Due to health and safety regulations dogs will not be allowed indoors in restaurants and some other venues but are welcome outside. Please double check with the venue if unsure.

We have a doggy daycare service available at Thistle Hill Guesthouse on Hermitage road with pick up and drop off (for a fee), so if you'd like to keep your pooch close for most of the time and then visit non-pet friendly venues, or give your doggy a rest, this option is available. 

Where can I stay with my dog?

Many accommodation providers in the Around Hermitage area have Pet friendly accommodation 

Can we buy tickets on the day?

Last minute tickets may be available, but venues will have capped numbers, so there are no guarantees. Activities with extensive preparation, such as cooking classes require pre purchasing. Ticket sales for these events will close on Thursday October 4 if not sold out prior.

We recommend booking your accommodation and grabbing your Festival Passport nice and early to avoid disappointment.

When can we buy tickets?

Our program will be confirmed in May with all tickets going on sale early June! Early bird discounts will be available, so register for event updates below to get a reminder!

What should I wear?

The dress code is generally casual however please dress appropriately for the activities and weather. Footwear for walking around vineyards and some other activities must be closed in shoes and no high heelssandals or thongs. This is for your safety and comfort.

How does the shopping concierge service work?

Concierge service is for users of the bus who have purchased wine and produce at D’Vine venues and staying at accommodation within the Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail. Purchases will need to be clearly labelled with your name, mobile phone number and where you are staying or you can elect to collect from the D’Vine Festival Hub. At the end of each day the concierge will collect purchases from each of the venues and delivered to your accommodation or collected from the D’Vine Festival Hub. 

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Sorry no, apart from drinking water or food for babies and snacks for small children. 

How do I use the shuttle bus?

The use of the shuttle bus is a complimentary service for all D’Vine Passport holders as part of our responsible service of alcohol policy. All guests (including children) must have a passport (children under 5 years are Free). The buses will initially pick up from accommodation in the Around Hermitage area – show the driver your passport ticket, you will then be taken to the Festival Hub to collect your Passport Pack containing lots of goodies. The buses will then take you on to your first event. At the end of the day, hop on a bus to take you back to your accommodation or the Festival Hub if your car is parked there. 

When using the buses please follow the instructions given by the driver, remain seated whilst the bus is in motion, use seatbelts where provided, no eating or drinking on the bus. Abusive, drunk and disorderly conduct may result in removal from the bus.

I plan to use the shuttle bus, how to I time plan which events to go to?

The bus timetable will be designed to endeavour to get guests to the various events in good time. When planning which events you want to attend please allow enough time between them for a relaxed, stress free transfer. Our handy D’Vine event map will give you an idea of how far the venues are from each other. Although some venues may be only a few minutes from each other, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to an hour between events. You may actually be able to walk between some venues.

I plan to self-drive, do I get a discount on the D’Vine Passport for transport element?

The transport to and from venues is a complimentary benefit of the D’Vine Passport, there are no discounts on the passport should you elect not to utilise the buses.

What happens in the event of Inclement weather?

Each event / venue will have an inclement weather policy, in most cases the events will go ahead whatever the weather, please check with the venue should you have concerns. 

The D’Vine Festival organisers will endeavour to keep you updated via its socials and D’Vine website and by email to Passport holders.

Stay tasteful while tasting

We ask that all guests drink responsibly! 

All staff at venues serving or selling alcohol, and the bus drivers are trained in the Responsible Service of Alcohol.

The liquor laws require patrons of licensed premises to behave responsibly. Penalties apply where intoxicated or violent persons fail to leave licensed premises when requested, or where they attempt to re-enter licensed premises after being ejected.

As part of the D’Vine event Responsible Service of Alcohol policy the complimentary shuttle buses are being provided and guests must behave responsibly on the buses. 

 If you are self-driving don’t forget to have a designated driver. A quick guide : 6 x 15ml tastings at 13% alcohol is equivalent to 1 standard drink. 

Who is the event organiser?

The Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail (Around Hermitage Association Inc) is the overall event promoter and is organising the event hub and shuttle buses. Each individual event is organised and run by the specific venue.

Can I get a refund or exchange?

Unless the D’Vine event has been cancelled or rescheduled, or there are legal requirements that provide otherwise (including those of the Australian Consumer Law), tickets will not be refunded. In the event of cancellation or reschedule all refund details will be clearly posted on our website.

Each individual event / venue has a cancellation policy these are stated in the booking area, please check with the venue should you have any queries.

Register for D'Vine Long Weekend Event Updates

Want to stay in the loop about all things D'Vine? Simply enter your email and we will send you important updates.

Your information is only utilised by D'Vine Wine & Food Festival. For more information see our privacy policy.

D'Vine Sponsorship

We have some exciting sponsorship opportunities available for this growing event! 

If you’re in the business of selling to cellar doors, accommodation providers and agribusiness, sponsoring D'Vine is a great way to build profitable relationships. Not only will you benefit from recognition print and digitally, you’ll also gain networking opportunities with AHA members and the opportunity to represent your business at our event hub! We’re looking to partner with businesses and organisations with values like our own. We value locally sourced, Australian products, and ethical dealings.

For more information on Around Hermitage sponsorships please download our prospectus or reach out to marketing@aroundhermitage.com.au

DOWNLOAD PROSPECTUS

Download Prospectus

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D'Vine is broughT to you by the Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail

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