Position, Position, Position

JOHN ROZENTALS finds the old real-estate truism —position, position and position — just as applicable when choosing tourism accommodation in the Hunter Valley.
Pictures: SANDRA BURN WHITE.

THE advantage of position is something that the Hunter Valley’s Holman Estate has in spades.

It’s right in the middle of the parish of Pokolbin, itself the very heart — geographically, historically and spiritually — of the valley’s world-renowned wine country.

From the house’s broad verandah you can look across the estate’s own vineyards to the corner of Broke Road and McDonalds Road, where Hunter Valley Gardens rubs shoulders with Brokenwood Wines and the futuristic Tempus Two. There’s also quite a magnificent view of the valley’s most recognised landmark, the Brokenback Range.

A 10-to-15-minute drive will take you to several dozen wineries, almost as many restaurants and a range of galleries, craftshops and antique dealers. It’s only a stroll across the driveway to Scarborough Wines, recently named as having the valley’s best cellar door,

Yet there’s a tranquillity to its location that completely removes Holman Estate from the touristy hustle and bustle normally associated from the Hunter. It truly is a retreat, its silence only rarely interrupted by the few vehicles that make their way to the end of Gillards Road.

And what an exceptionally grand retreat it is, comfortably accommodating three couples in double bedrooms, with twin beds in another room and an option of two pull-out single beds in the billiards room.

The property is part of Mount Eyre Vineyards, which also includes the Three Ponds Vineyard near Broke and which was established in 1999 by the Iannuzzi and Tsironis families, migrants respectively from Italy and Greece and with a fair amount of wine culture in the their blood.

They have created magnificent gardens around the hilltop house, which has been lavishly furnished and immediately reflects the two families’ love of fine art.

The long, painting-lined hallway leads past the bedrooms to a quite enormous combined lounge and dining area whose plush lounges, large wooden table, mirrors, paintings, and huge fireplace provide the feel of a European chateau.

The kitchen, though, is thoroughly modern — fitted with top-of-the-line appliances and equipped with all the utensils required by even the most ardent foodie. Essentials such as tea, coffee, sugar, olive oil, etc are provided, and there’s a supply of Mount Eyre wines available on an honour system,

And then, of course, there’s the billiard room. The table isn’t full-size but it’s a very good one that rolls truly and can be set up for billiards, snooker and pool. Best of all, there’s no slot marked “insert coins here”.

You could easily spend a few days relaxing in the house and doing some touring without having to leave Gillards Road.

Right at the end is the small tasting room of Constable Estate — surrounded by immaculately tended parklike gardens that include more than 70 varieties of camellias, separate rose and herb gardens, and a most impressive sculpture garden featuring work by prominent Australian artists. The latest addition is a larger-than-life bronze of renowned English cellist Jacqueline Du Pre.

At the other end, where Gillards Road intersects with McDonalds Road, is Il Cacciatore, which for seven of the past eight years has been named the Hunter’s best Italian restaurant in the Restaurant & Catering NSW Awards for Excellence. They’re still trying to work out what happened in 2006.

It’s run by Mark and Noreen Gottaas as part of Hermitage Lodge, and their executive chef Michael Haines has put together a scintillating menu of Italian-inspired delights, including his speciality of pan-fried gnocchi with local chorizo, roast pumpkin, wild rocket and basil pesto.

And then, as mentioned before, you can always do a tasting at Scarborough and toddle back to your the verandah or lounge room in just a few minutes.

Tariffs at Holman Estate range from $1350 to $1800 for two nights for eight adults, That’s more than comparable with the cost of four similar-quality hotel or motel rooms in the Hunter Valley — and the bonus is having so much more living and entertainment space available, and the feeling you’re not living out of a suitcase.

For further information:
Holman Estate — visit www.mounteyre.com, email holman@mounteyre.com or phone 0438 683 973.
Constable Estate — www.constablevineyards.com.au
Il Cacciatore — www.hermitagelodge.com.au
Scarborough Wines — www.scarboroughwine.com.au
Disclosure:
John Rozentals and Sandra Burn White were guests of Holman Estate.

CAPTIONS
Holman 1 & 3 — There’s a tranquillity to its location that completely removes Holman Estate from the touristy hustle and bustle normally associated from the Hunter.
Holman 2 — Holman Estate presents wonderful views overlooking vineyards to the Brokenback Range.
Holman 4 — Holman Estate … Plush lounges, large wooden table, mirrors, paintings, and huge fireplace provide the feel of a European chateau.
Constable — The latest addition to Constable Estate’s sculpture garden … a larger-than-life bronze of renowned English cellist Jacqueline Du Pre.
Cacciatore — Il Cacciatore’s executive chef Michael Haines … has put together a scintillating menu of Italian specialties.