D'Vine and more: Hunter Valley tastings this spring

If you've been waiting for the Hunter Valley's tasting season to kick in, the next few weeks are the ones to circle. The big one is the D'Vine Food and Wine Festival, which runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September, themed 'Meet your Makers' this year. It's a street-long celebration along the Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail, centred on Hermitage Road in Pokolbin, with the main hub set up at 4 Pines at the Farm at Hunter Valley Resort.

The programme is built around getting close to the people behind the bottles. There's a Winemaker Showcase at The Beltree, a Winery Immersion at Glandore Wines, and a Winemaker for a Day session. For something a bit more active, Hunter Adventure Centre has segways and axe throwing, Wombat Crossing Vineyard lets you meet a wombat, and Thomas Wines pairs lawn games with a pig on a spit. Families are looked after too, with a Family Fun Weekend at Hunter Valley Resort, a Kids Corner at Sip & Shuck at Mercer Wines, and a Gourmet Farmers Market at Pokolbin Market.

If you're after a proper tasting, the premium experiences are where it's at. 'The Perfect Match' pairs Restaurant Botanica with a line-up of winemakers, Tintilla Estate runs its vertical tastings, Latitude 32 Wines does D'Vine Dumplings & Wine, and Ned's Cafe and Bar puts on Nibble's at Ned's. Live music is woven throughout, from Wine & Unwind at McCaffrey's Estate Wines and the Pink Prosecco Garden Party at Hunter Wine Lab to Sip & Shuck at Mercer Wine and the Saturday Sundowners at Thistle Hill Guest House.

Logistically, it's designed to be easy. A shuttle bus between venues is included in the entry ticket for Friday night and Saturday, while Sunday is the more relaxed day to self-drive, walk or bike. Early bird tickets were A$25 and included transport, available until 31 July, so the usual rate will apply now. The organisers, the Around Hermitage Association, suggest staying at least two nights to take it in properly. It's family-friendly, though some events are 18+, and pets are welcome as long as they're vaccinated, well-behaved and on a lead — the one exception is Wombat Crossing Vineyard, which is strictly dog-free. The dress code is smart casual with closed-toe footwear, so leave the heels, sandals and flip-flops at home.

There's more on around it, too. Chefs in the Vines runs on Saturday 5 September at Spicers Guesthouse, from 12pm to 4:30pm, with five restaurants and five wineries; tickets are A$149 for food only or A$249 with paired wine. National Verdelho Day at Tulloch Wines falls on 8 August with free entry and a A$45 tasting, and the Hunter Valley Highland Games are at Saltire Estate in Lovedale on 22 August. For something free and regular, Entwine Hunter Valley runs every Thursday to Sunday at Calais Estate, and Pokolbin Market is on every Sunday from 8am to 2pm. Pokolbin itself sits about 50 minutes west of Newcastle Airport with more than 150 cellar doors, so there's plenty to fill in between the big dates.