NEW CELLAR DOOR BY THE LITTLE WINE COMPANY UNVEILED IN BROKE, HUNTER VALLEY

The Little Wine Company

Broke, Hunter Valley – Celebrating over 20 years of excellence in winemaking, The Little Wine Company proudly unveils its new cellar door in the heart of the Broke Fordwich Region, Hunter Valley.

Established in 2000 by husband and wife winemaking duo Ian and Suzanne Little, The Little Wine Company is a trailblazer in the Hunter Valley wine scene.

“The Broke Fordwich region has been our home for nearly 30 years; it’s where our kids were born and raised, it’s where we built our winery and it’s where the majority of our grapes are grown, so it just feels right.” shares Suzanne.

Nestled in the historic village of Broke, The Little Wine Company has consistently pushed the boundaries of winemaking, exploring alternative varieties and championing the new and emerging. Winemakers Ian and Suzanne come from diverse winemaking backgrounds and this unique combination of talents makes The Little Wine Company a standout in the industry. 

“The increasing curiosity of wine consumers prompted Suzanne and I to explore and cultivate alternative grape varieties, which are flourishing. This strategic shift towards diverse and resilient varietals is also contributing to the sustainability of The Little Wine Company as a brand,” Ian says.

Excitingly, their Vermentino won Gold at the International Vermentino Competition held in Sardinia. Nothing like beating the Italians at their own game!

The new cellar door not only symbolises The Little Wine Company's growth but is also a homecoming for the Littles, eager to share their winemaking passion with the local community.

To mark this momentous occasion, The Little Wine Company is extending a special offer. Throughout April 2024, patrons spending $100 or more at the new cellar door will receive a complimentary bottle from the White Label range as a gesture of gratitude for continued support and an invitation to savour the distinct flavours of The Little Wine Company.

The cellar door promises a warm and inviting atmosphere, offering visitors a chance to delve into the winery's rich history and enjoy a curated selection of vegan-friendly wines crafted with passion and expertise. Join a Little Masterclass on March 16th and 17th where Suzanne will share 6 wines with 6 food pairings and enjoy complimentary tastings for wine club members. Located next to Magoony’s Coffee House, The Little Wine Company's cellar door is a must-visit for anyone exploring the region.

 Ian and Suzanne Little

About The Little Wine Company:

Founded in 2000 by winemakers Ian and Suzanne Little, The Little Wine Company is a pioneering winery located in the Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley. With a focus on alternative varieties and a commitment to innovation, The Little Wine Company has become a respected name in the Australian wine industry.

The Little Wine Company Opens Cellar Door

Ian and Suzanne Little

The Little Wine Company, a well-established and innovative winery with over 20 years of history in the Hunter Valley, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new cellar door in Broke. 

Founded in 2000 by winemakers Ian and Suzanne Little, The Little Wine Company has been a driving force in exploring alternative varieties and pushing the boundaries of winemaking. 

The opening of the cellar door in their hometown of Broke marks a significant milestone for the winery, providing an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience their unique and exceptional wines in a charming and intimate setting.

The Littles, renowned for their passion and expertise, invite you to join them at one of the 3 Little Masterclasses to experience firsthand the culmination of years of dedication to their craft. This promises to be a wonderful occasion to connect with the winemakers, explore the diverse range of wines, and gain insights into The Little Wine Company's journey in the Hunter Valley.

‘A Little Masterclass’ Event Details:

Date: 16th & 17th March [to coincide with the Little Bit of Broke festival]
Time: Saturday 16th at 11am and 2pm; Sunday 17th at 11am
Location: Corner Singleton & Nelson Streets, Broke NSW 2320

 The Little Wine Company 

The Little Wine Company is offering a special promotion throughout April 2024. Any visitor spending $100 or more at the new cellar door will receive a complimentary bottle from the White Label range. It's a fantastic opportunity for your readers to not only enjoy exceptional wines but also to take home a taste of The Little Wine Company's commitment to quality and innovation.

MARGAN WINES & RESTAURANT - A Little Bit of Margan

A Little Bit of Margan

Friday 15th March Dining from 6pm
Saturday 16th March, 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 17th March, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Relax in our courtyard and cellar door and sample a selection of sustainably farmed wines and small plates. 

For an outstanding farm to table dining experience, book a table in our acclaimed restaurant. 

Learn a little on a one-hour guided tour of the vineyard, kitchen garden and winery, including a flight of premium wines.

Don’t miss Dining Under the Stars on the Friday evening to kick off the festival.

A Little Bit of Margan

Go behind the scenes of a working vineyard and winery. Learn a little on a one-hour guided tour of the sustainably farmed vineyard, Restaurant kitchen garden & orchard and Margan winery. Sample wines straight from the tank and enjoy a tasting flight of premium wines.

Session times: 10.30 am & 12.30 pm, 90 minutes duration

$30 per person

Book Tickets

A Little Bit of Broke 2024 | 20th Anniversary

A Little Bit of Broke

15th – 17th March 2024

GET A TASTE FOR ALL THINGS BROKE IN ONE FABULOUS WEEKEND

Twenty years in the making, and in our Bicentennial year, this much-loved festival style weekend lets you explore the wine trail less travelled and get amongst all the wine, food and fabulousness that the Broke Fordwich region has to offer.

It’s a weekend to discover incredible wine, food, farm gate produce, events, live music, experiences, and accommodation, made easy.

So, grab your gang and a Festival Kit which includes your festival entry, a keepsake tasting glass and either 4 or 8 tasting tokens which you can use at any of the 16 venues, then decide if you’ll add on any of the great range of dining experiences, events & workshops.

With its wideopen spaces and fresh country air, it’s a bounty for food and wine lovers alike, and a festival sure to please.

SECURE YOUR TASTING TICKETS

Your Festival Kit is your entry ticket – access all venues with your kit! It’s a kind of choose-your-own adventure weekend where you set yourself up with a Starter Kit or Super Kit which, from just $35 will give you your festival entry, a take home tasting glass, festival map and a minimum of 4 tasting tokens to use at your chosen wineries.

Or if 4 tastings over an entire weekend isn’t going to quench your thirst, we have introduced the Festival Super Kit which gives you 8 tasting tokens redeemable at any of the 8 Cellar Doors taking part in the festival. It’s the very same thing as the Festival Starter Kit, only contains 8 tasting tokens instead of 4, it’s for the ultimate wine lover and festival goer, and saves you going back for top up tokens, grab yours for just $50.

Festival Starter Kit – 4 tasting tokens $35

Perfect for those looking to get a taste of Broke Fordwich perhaps over just one day of the festival. Your Festival Starter Kit includes your entry to the Festival, a take home tasting glass, event map and program as well as 4 tasting tokens which are redeemable at any of the participating Cellar Doors.

Festival Super Kit – 8 tasting tokens $50

The Festival Super Kit is the very same thing as the Festival Starter Kit, only contains 8 tasting coupons instead of 4, it’s for the ultimate wine lover and festival goer, and saves you going back for top up tokens. Entry, take home tasting glass, event map and program as well as 8 tasting tokens redeemable at any of the participating Cellar Doors.

Shuttle Bus – one day $25

The hop on hop off bus is back for 2024, circling Milbrodale and Wollombi Roads daily. Only have limited time for the festival? Book a one day shuttle when you purchase your festival kit to ensure you sample all the tastings and experiences the festival has to offer.

Shuttle Bus – both days – $40

Looking to sample more of what the Little Bit of Broke festival has to offer over the weekend – simple book the shuttle bus for both days when you purchase your festival kit.
Book Tickets

GET A TASTE FOR ALL THINGS BROKE IN ONE JAM PACKED MARCH WEEKEND…

Twenty years in the making, this much-loved festival style weekend lets you explore the wine trail less travelled and get amongst all the wine, food and fabulousness that the Broke Fordwich region has to offer.

Save the date, Friday 15 to Sunday 17 March 2024

Tickets on Sale Today!

It’s a weekend to discover incredible wine, food, farm gate produce, events, live music, experiences, and accommodation, made easy. So, grab your gang and a Festival Kit which includes your festival entry, a keepsake tasting glass and tasting tokens, then add dining, experiences, events, workshops, extra tastings and even transport, all bookable online, to round out your weekend. With its wide-open spaces and fresh country air, it’s a bounty for food and wine lovers alike, and a festival sure to please.

Coinciding with the momentous bicentenary of Broke, this year’s 20th anniversary of our annual festival is bigger and better than ever in 2024. There’s a record number of festival offerings with 17 fabulous locations taking part in this multi-venue festival, and many with several great events for you to immerse yourself in. Think dining in a hatted restaurant, picnicking with alpacas, sunset wines and tunes, get amongst the largest organic kitchen garden in the region, learning the art of bee keeping or try your hand at art ‘n sip, or indulge in a foot scrub made using local botanicals. Or just sit back and take in the spectacular scenery, overlooking some of the region’s most pristine vineyards, glass in hand and enjoy.

The jam-packed program has just been announced and tickets will go on sale today at brokefordwich.com.au, so get in early as events will sell out!

The secret to navigating the festival and the fabulous bookable events and experiences within it, is to plan ahead. Explore the Festival Program which includes a range of Special Events and Workshops that you can incorporate into your itinerary or work your way through one of our suggested itineraries.

With the hop on hop off bus service back for 2024, you’ll be able to park your car at the Festival Hub in the heart of Broke. Then opt to add on a daily festival shuttle service with regular busses circulating both Broke Road and Milbrodale Road stopping at each location in the festival program.

Your Festival Starter Kit is your ticket to ride! It’s a kind of choose-your-own adventure-weekend where you jump onto the ticketing site and set yourself up with a Starter Kit which, from just $35 will give you your festival entry, a take home Riedel tasting glass, festival map and a minimum of 4 tasting experiences that gives you a complimentary tasting at your chosen wineries.

Or if 4 tastings over an entire weekend isn’t going to quench your thirst, we have introduced the Festival Super Kit which gives you 8 complimentary tastings redeemable at any of the 8 cellar doors taking part in the festival weekend. It’s the very same thing as the Festival Starter Kit, only contains 8 tasting coupons instead of 4, it’s for the ultimate wine lover and festival goer, and saves you going back for top up tokens, grab yours for just $50.

This year’s special anniversary edition of the event includes program highlights and special entertainment like live music and family friendly activities, food and wine experiences, art workshops and of course wine tasting locations, so you can create your itinerary accordingly.

The brokefordwich.com.au website is the go-to place for all the incredible accommodation options from luxe to off-grid, for groups and gal gangs, or family farm stay to romance. And they’re all bookable online but be quick this popular festival weekend books out early.

With so much to do in the Broke Fordwich wine region itself, A Little Bit of Broke really is a great way to get a little taste of what’s on offer in our great region so start exploring!
* Kylie White at kyliewhite@whiteink.com.au

The Broke Village Fair

The Broke Village Fair celebrates the spirit of our village in the beautiful Broke Fordwich region. Come along to McNamara Park and enjoy the rural atmosphere while the village comes alive with 5,000 happy fair goers.

Centre stage will be non-stop action all day: live music, whip cracking, rocker cover car racing and bush poetry provide fair dinkum entertainment. Over 60 market stalls, food and local wine, chainsaw sculpting & so much more. For the kids we have the petting zoo from our local farms, face painting, magic, putt putt, jumping castles and rides.

Free mine tours will operate between 10am and 1.30pm for the whole family.

You’ll lose time as you wander through the vintage and classic cars, trucks and motorbikes display, which gets bigger and even more impressive each year!

Check out the display of lovingly restored machinery by the hardworking team from the Hunter Valley Vintage Farm Machinery.

Entry: gold coin donation. Monies raised go to local community groups including Broke Fire Brigade. For up to date event information, visit www.brokevillagefair.com.au

'A Little Bit of Italy in Broke' Italian Festival

A Little Bit of Italy in Broke will be held in various venues around the Broke Fordwich Wine Region from Saturday 31st March to Sunday 1st April 2012 from 10am to 4pm each day. Each autumn as the grape harvesting season gives way to the olive picking, Broke Fordwich hold their annual festival of food, wine, olives, music, dancing and celebration of all things Italian. People can enjoy all the fun and gusto at the Hunter Valley's Italian Festival - a little bit of Italy in Broke! This year sees the 7th 'A Little Bit of Italy in Broke' Italian Festival where visitors are encouraged to drop into any of the nine venues to sample a taste of "La Dolce Vita". 

 The price of entry is the $5 purchase of a souvenir tasting glass, which is used at each venue for a free sample of the local wines.

The passport lists the twelve participating venues and the food and entertainment to be found there. As the visitor travels from venue to venue they can get their passport stamped, allowing them to go into the draw for over $2,000 worth of local premium wines, gourmet produce and accommodation.

On Saturday evening four venues will be hosting first class Italian-themed dinners accompanied by live music. Booking essential for the dinners:

  

Your passport to travel, with map and info - available near the Broke Fire Station - will guide you around the participating venues in the area such as local cellar doors, olive groves and farm outlets where local wines, olives and other delights can be sampled. Visitors can even pick their own olives and visit other farm outlets. Selected venues will provide music and 'tasting plates' of Italian food for a small charge. Four local restaurants will be hosting an Italian-themed Dinner on Saturday evening accompanied by live music. There is free entry to all the day-time activities.

Participating Vineyards and Outlets

Ascella Pure Wine - Organic Wines - enjoy all the fun of the festival with us at Pickled & Pitted / River Flats Estate (see below)

Broke Estate - Taste award winning aged wines & gourmet Italian food.

Broke's Promise - Estate grown wines, olives (picking available on the grove), art gallery, wood fired pizzas.

Catherine Vale Wines - Award winning wines, market stalls, bocce, BBQ, live music, cooking demonstrations, Murphy's Puppets, The Italian Gardener, Artisan Cheese Masters, dinner on Saturday night. Special support from Shannons Insurance for Italian Car and Motorcycle display. See the newest Alpha from Brian Hilton Motors from the Central Coast.

Glenguin - Award winning wines, gourmet food and music. The wines of Glenguin include several major trophy winners including "NSW Best Young Red Wine", "NSW Wine of the Show" and "NSW Wine of the Year". Other wines have won numerous medals including several golds at various shows over the past decade.

Krinklewood Wines - Biodynamic grown, award winning wines set in a French Provincial style cellar door with music, cheese platters and a wood-fired pizza oven.

Margan Family Winegrowers - Award winning wines and awarded best new restaurant in the Hunter. Live music, dinner on Saturday night.

Mount Broke - Join us on the verandah outside the tasting room for some delicious Italian inspired light lunch offerings, washed down by award winning wines. Taste our spectacular range of local olive oils and olives, take in the view and enjoy "La dolce vita" with a gelato and an espresso.

Nightingale Wines - Award winning wines, music, gourmet restaurant, dinner on Saturday night.

Pickled & Pitted / River Flats Estate - Olive oils, olives, gourmet condiments, live music, coffee cart, fresh fruit & veg market, Italian style food, olive picking at the grove and dinner on Saturday night.

Stomp - Join our winemaker and olive growers as we celebrate all things food and wine. Taste our highly awarded wines and the full range of Woodlands Olive products. Relax as you soak up the music and partake in a glass of wine and your choice of light meals available.

Whispering Brook - Estate grown wines and olives, music and gourmet food.

Friendly locals, stunning scenery, fine Hunter wines, olives and olive oils, farm produce, seriously good eateries and great places to stay … what more could visitors want? The reality is, they’d just like to stay longer in this tranquil area of the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia.

The beautiful Broke Fordwich wine region is like a secret … one you can’t wait to share. And that is part of its true charm. Come and see why. The scenic Broke Fordwich stretch of the Wollombi Brook has quietly developed into a quality wine tourism region where visitors can enjoy premium wines, fresh olive oils and innovative farm gate products, wonderful restaurants and cafes, luxury accommodation and most importantly, a tranquil rural experience which is far removed from the hustle and bustle.

Situated in a wide section of the valley, the surrounding hills frame some of the best scenery in the area with the striking Brokenback Mountain Range and iconic Yellow Rock providing an impressive backdrop. The natural beauty of the region coupled with the great food, relaxed accommodation, skill and dedication of the locals has seen many couples choose Broke as the ideal place for their wedding.

Broke Fordwich is an easy fifteen minutes drive from the hectic centre of Pokolbin, about two hours drive from Sydney via the historic township of Wollombi, and just over an hour from Newcastle.

For further information call 

Catherine Vale - 02 6579 1334

Margan -  02 6579 1102

Nightingale - 02 - 6579 1499

River Flats Estate - 02 6579 1063

Hunter Valley Restaurant Named As One Of NSW’s Best Restaurants In 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Awards

Upper Hunter’s Margan Restaurant at Broke has been ranked in the top 10 of NSW’s best regional restaurants in the prestigious 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Awards.

Member for Upper Hunter and Minister for Tourism, Hospitality, Gaming and Racing and the Arts, George Souris, congratulated Margan, saying it was a tremendous achievement to be recognised by Australian Gourmet Traveller, one of Australia’s premier travel, food and dining magazines. “Margan is a valuable drawcard for visitors to our region, and being named in these awards adds further prestige to their already outstanding reputation, I am fully aware of its culinary reputation and I am not surprised it faired so well in these awards”.

Mr. Souris said. “In all, 46 of the top 100 restaurants in this year’s awards were won by NSW restaurants. I congratulate all the winners, especially our local restaurants who did NSW proud. “NSW features unique dining experiences with stunning restaurant locations, diverse cultural styles and leading chefs and Destination NSW has aggressively sought to position the State as Australia’s premier dining destination. The NSW Government has supported these efforts with an ambitious promotional campaign called Destination Dining, which involves our State’s leading chefs actively promoting NSW’s dining credentials to an international audience.”

Leading regional restaurants in NSW for 2012 named by the Australian Gourmet Traveller are:

Vulcans - Blackheath

Biota Dining – Bowral

Lochiel House - Kurrajong Heights

Bacchus - Newcastle

Bells at Killcare - Killcare Heights

Satiate - Bangalow –Ballina

Racine Restaurant at la Colline-Orange

Restaurant Como - Blaxland

Rick Stein at Bannisters - Mollymook

Margan Restaurant –Broke,UpperHunter Valley

“Fine dining has strong appeal for Australian and international visitors and our excellent showing in the 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Awards will further bolster that,” Mr Souris said.

For more information on the 2012 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Awards and a full list of winners go to www.gourmettraveller.com.au.

Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display

Broke Village Fair brings together the community with displays of cars, machinery, animals, reptiles, displays and numerous stalls.This is our the one big day of the year when the village of Broke, NSW Australia,  welcomes visitors from all over NSW to enjoy the  peaceful village.

The famous Vintage Car Display brings all sorts of classic cars, motorbikes, trucks & tractors and an amazing array of old but still functioning farm machinery from long ago. Hundreds of car enthusiasts dust will off their classic cars - old American and early Australian cars, classic British and European, trucks, motorcycles - all sorts of interesting things, and drive them to Broke to put on display.  The Upper Hunter Motoring Association, based in , will be in attendance.

Admission is by a a gold coin donation .Proceeds raised on the day go back to the community. The local school, bush fire brigade, churches and Village Hall all benefit from money raised on the day, and a great day out is assured for all.

There will be something for everybody, including market stalls stocking all sorts of things, plenty of food and drink, animals to pat, woodchopping, snakes & lizards, music and dancing, things for the kids (the always popular puppet show), local produce.

The Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display will be held on Sunday 11th September 2011 from 9am to 3pm at McNamara Park, Broke, NSW Australia.

For Further Information, contact Broke Fordwich Wine & Tourism Association PO Box 120, Broke, NSW 2320 Australia

'A Little Bit of Italy in Broke' Italian Festival

Friendly locals, stunning scenery, fine Hunter wines, olives and olive oils, farm produce, seriously good eateries and great places to stay … what more could visitors want? The reality is, they’d just like to stay longer in this tranquil area of the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia.

The beautiful Broke Fordwich wine region is like a secret … one you can’t wait to share. And that is part of its true charm. Come and see why. The scenic Broke Fordwich stretch of the Wollombi Brook has quietly developed into a quality wine tourism region where visitors can enjoy premium wines, fresh olive oils and innovative farm gate products, wonderful restaurants and cafes, luxury accommodation and most importantly, a tranquil rural experience which is far removed from the hustle and bustle.

Friendly locals, stunning scenery, fine Hunter wines, olives and olive oils, farm produce, seriously good eateries and great places to stay … what more could visitors want? The reality is, they’d just like to stay longer in this tranquil area of the Hunter Valley.

The beautiful Broke Fordwich wine region is like a secret … one you can’t wait to share. And that is part of its true charm. Come and see why. The scenic Broke Fordwich stretch of the Wollombi Brook has quietly developed into a quality wine tourism region where visitors can enjoy premium wines, fresh olive oils and innovative farm gate products, wonderful restaurants and cafes, luxury accommodation and most importantly, a tranquil rural experience which is far removed from the hustle and bustle.

Situated in a wide section of the valley, the surrounding hills frame some of the best scenery in the area with the striking Brokenback Mountain Range and iconic Yellow Rock providing an impressive backdrop. The natural beauty of the region coupled with the great food, relaxed accommodation, skill and dedication of the locals has seen many couples choose Broke as the ideal place for their wedding.

Broke Fordwich is an easy fifteen minutes drive from the hectic centre of Pokolbin, about two hours drive from Sydney via the historic township of Wollombi, and just over an hour from Newcastle.

A Little Bit of Italy in Broke will be held in various venues around the Broke Fordwich Wine Region from the 9th and 10 April 2011 from 10am to 4pm each day People can enjoy all the FUN and GUSTO at the Hunter Valley's Italian Festival - a little bit of ITALY in BROKE! This year sees the 4th 'A Little Bit of Italy in Broke' Italian Festival where visitors are encouraged to drop into any of the nine venues to sample a taste of "La Dolce Vita".

  

Your passport to travel, with map and info - available near the Broke Fire Station - will guide you around the participating venues in the area such as local cellar doors, olive groves and farm outlets where local wines, olives and other delights can be sampled. Visitors can even pick their own olives and visit other farm outlets. Selected venues will provide music and 'tasting plates' of Italian food for a small charge. Four local restaurants will be hosting an Italian-themed Dinner on Saturday evening accompanied by live music. There is free entry to all the day-time activities

For general enquiries call Phil Thornton 61 02 65791063.