Lovedale

If you are looking for accommodation on the fringe of the vineyards without the price tag then this is your place. Lovedale is next to Cessnock airport (operates light planes and only during daylight hours) and has reasonable accommodation selections. Your welcome!

I attended Lovedale Long Lunch on 20 May 2017. This was the third time I have attended the event. I really enjoyed the first two times however this last time was appalling - it has turned into a feral festival type event for young idiots to get ridiculously drunk. There were a number of fights while at Wandin Valley Winery. It is definitely no longer about promoting the beautiful Hunter Valley, the great wines and good food. In fact, if you enjoy lining up for wine for an hour or more and trying to avoid drunk idiots, then Lovedale Long Lunch is for you!! Whilst at Wandin Valley Estate Winery there were signs up indicating no bottles of wine would be sold after 3:00pm. I lined up to purchase a bottle for an hour when the signs were suddenly removed (it was 2:40pm at the time) and everyone in the line was told they could only purchase by the glass. As I had lined up to buy a bottle I did not have mine and my husband's plastic "Lovedale" glasses with me and was told I had to purchase two new glasses if I wanted to buy wine at $5 per glass!!!! I will not be attending the event again and I will not be recommending the event to any of my friends or family. The same thoughts were echoed by everyone else on the bus that I travelled to and from Lovedale on.

If you haven't been yet, put it on next years to do list.Enjoy the wine, food and music, along with the fun and atmosphere that it generates.Saturdays are busy so make it a Sunday if you can. There are many ways to enjoy the day but a minibus or driver is the best way to go. Around 10 vineyards to pick from, most choose 3 for the day and make it a progressive lunch.I will say the food is better in some places more than others but that's the luck of the draw.See you there next year.

A great area to base yourself to explore the region. There are plenty of good eateries and wineries in the region so you don't have to travel too far, can easily spend a slow day exploring Lovedale and all it offers

In a high standard hotel one expects a high standard cafe/restaurant. The Redsalt upstairs fits the bill but the Lovedale does not.There is so much potential here with good views and spacious areas yet the food is average and so are the staff. This is so much unlike the Crowne Plaza staff who are friendly and attentive. Maybe a management issue?As the Redsalt is closed for lunch this is the only place at the Crowne Plaza to eat during the day. What a pity it is not up to standard.