Lovedale ... the Heart of the Hunter, is in the lower Hunter Valley directly east of Pokolbin.
Lovedale is a community of boutique wineries, quality guesthouses and homestay accommodation, fine restaurants, unique galleries, and features recreational facilities such as golf, hot air ballooning, horse-riding and adventure trips.
The Lovedale community is unique in that it works together to provide to the visitor a Lovedale experience based on quality, value for money and personal service. The service is friendly and family focussed, and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable with less traffic, less haste, stunning views and quality wines, food and accommodation. Everyone is encouraged to linger longer in Lovedale!
Lovedale hosts a number of events throughout the year, with the signature event being the famous Lovedale Long Lunch held on the third weekend in May each year. In addition, wineries conduct their own functions such as Country Music in the Vines, String Quartet in the Vines, olive oil promotions, pasta classes and special events to mark the release of a new vintage and to celebrate living in the Heart of the Hunter.
The picturesque Lovedale area of the Hunter Valley is renowned for its award winning wines from the local modern boutique wineries, and for fine restaurants, galleries, and tourist accommodation.
The history of Lovedale, however, as a major wine-producing area dates back to the early 1800s when local wheat and general produce farmers turned to grape growing. The name Lovedale combines the name of one of these early families, the Loves, with memories of the hills and dales of Yorkshire.
Settlement in Lovedale dates prior to 1825 when there were significant land grants along Black Creek. This area was particularly suitable for vineyards. This area was favoured also for its proximity to "Old North Road" to Windsor.
There were more wineries in this area before the 1920s than there are today. The Love's Winery in Lovedale Rd, for example, processed grapes from their own vineyard as well as from others, and had 80,000 gallons of wine in their cellars when they closed in 1927.
Lovedale is a composite of the old and the new. We offer premium wines, a variety of luxury and homestay style accommodation, superb restaurants, tantalising views and recreational attractions. Lovedale offers a relaxed and personable atmosphere, reminiscent of the past, but with the style, quality and attention to service expected of today.
For more information please visit our web site www.lovedalehuntervalley.com.au or contact Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism on 02 4990 0900.
Come and explore its secrets, and meet the Lovedale community.
