Beyond the Pour | Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival 2026
Beyond the Pour — Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival
Two days. Ten Hunter Valley winemakers. Three local chefs. A festival of food, wine and beer in one of Australia’s most storied wine regions — with The Wine Animal on the mic.
Book your seats See the program
Friday 10 July — Beyond the Pour Dinner
The Hunter, plated
The annual pre-festival dinner that sets the tone for the weekend. Three chefs and ten Hunter Valley winemakers in one room, with Brenden hosting from the front. Expect sparkling on arrival, four bold courses, eight regional wines poured side-by-side, and an open Q&A with the chefs and makers to close the night.
Doors at 6:30pm for canapés and bubbles. Seated at 7:00pm. Wrapped by 10:00pm.
Course One — Semillon
Cobia crudo, smoked buttermilk, wattle blossom vinegar, organic cucumber, desert lime
Andrew Thomas Braemore Semillon 2025
DeCapel Josephine Semillon 2019
Course Two — Chardonnay
Spiced carrot triangoli, carrot consommé, black garlic, Bonorrie vine ash chevre, saltbush pesto
Mercer Limited Release Chardonnay 2025
First Creek Single Vineyard Merton Chardonnay 2022
Course Three — Shiraz
Duck confit, truffled wild mushroom risotto, cherry honey, asparagus and rosemary sauce
Gartelmann Wilhelm Shiraz 2024
Mt Pleasant Wines Mount Henry Shiraz Pinot Noir 2022
Course Four — Emerging Varietals
Hunterbelle Blue Moon mild blue vein cheese, poached quince, smoked salt, local olive oil
Margan Ceres Barbera Broke Fordwich 2025
Cael’s Gate Samuel Tempranillo Broke Fordwich 2025
Chefs on the night: Frank Faukner (Thomas Allen / DeCapel), Ran Kimelfeld (Mercer / First Creek) and Matt Dillow (Gartelmann / Mt Pleasant).
Book the dinner — $149ppHere's what 2025 looked like
Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival — last year on the lawn
The pours, the picnic rugs and the long-table feast in the Hunter sun. A glimpse of the weekend you're booking into.
Photos — MJK Creative
Saturday 11 July — The Festival & Masterclasses
A full day on the lawn at Rydges
The main festival day brings the region together: Hunter wineries, breweries and distillers pouring all day, with food, music and three deep-dive masterclasses Brenden is MCing inside the Vintage Room. Masterclasses are a paid add-on at ticket purchase and capped at 60 seats each — book early.
Dumplings & Wine Pairing
Three dumplings, three wines. Latitude 32 takes you through how texture, spice and acidity change everything about a pour. Hosted by Emma from Latitude 32.
Beer, Cider & Hunter Belle Cheese
A guided tasting of beer and cider matched to premium Hunter Belle cheeses and crackers. Hosted by Annie Chesworth (Hunter Belle) and Jenna Farrell (Sydney Brewery).
Drop Your Guard — Bold Gin Cocktails
Two cocktails, plenty of personality. Pants Off Distillery walks you through their botanicals and shows you how to build the drinks at home. Hosted by Jenny from Pants Off.
Book your seats
Beyond the Pour and the Festival are two separate ticketed events on Universe — book one or both. Masterclasses are a paid add-on at festival ticket checkout.
Hosted at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Pokolbin NSW. Beyond the Pour dinner and the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday are two separate ticketed events on Universe — book one or both. Masterclasses are a paid add-on at festival ticket checkout, with limited seats.