MARRICKVILLE PUB CRAWL FIELD GUIDE
Grains & Grapes: A Day from Newcastle Into the Hunter Valley’s Small Producers
An 8-hour, Saturday departure from Newcastle that pairs behind-the-scenes winery and distillery access with optional craft-beer or chocolate pairings — this guide explains what to expect on Dave’s intimate Hunter Valley tour.
Grains & Grapes: A Day from Newcastle Into the Hunter Valley’s Small Producers.
Embark on a full-day adventure into the Hunter Valley that visits two craft breweries and two award‑winning wineries, pairs tastings with local cheeses (and optional chocolates), and takes you behind the scenes to meet the makers. Dave’s Travel Group focuses on small, family-run producers and includes vineyard or winery production tours alongside curated tastings and a shared lunch, all packaged into an eight-hour outing from Newcastle.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Australia’s oldest wine region, up close
The route takes you into the Hunter Valley’s landscape and working estates, with vineyard and winery production tours that reveal how the region’s wines are made and why small producers remain central to its identity.
Direct tastings and maker access
Dave’s prioritises visits to small, family‑run wineries and local distilleries so guests sample products straight from the producer and hear the stories and processes behind them.
Wine, beer or chocolate — pick your path
The itinerary offers flexibility: wine tastings and a cheese pairing are standard, with options at the final stop to swap a wine–chocolate pairing for a paddle of locally made craft beers.
What the day feels like
How the day unfolds
Expect a deliberately paced day: a morning pickup from Newcastle, a guided vineyard or production tour with your ‘Dave for the day’, tastings threaded between two winery visits, a relaxed lunch (often at a winery), a post‑lunch distillery cellar‑door stop, a curated wine-and-cheese tasting, and a final choice of chocolate pairing or craft‑beer paddle before the return drive.
THE REGION
Australia’s oldest wine region, up close
The route takes you into the Hunter Valley’s landscape and working estates, with vineyard and winery production tours that reveal how the region’s wines are made and why small producers remain central to its identity.
THE PRODUCERS
Direct tastings and maker access
Dave’s prioritises visits to small, family‑run wineries and local distilleries so guests sample products straight from the producer and hear the stories and processes behind them.
THE CHOICES
Wine, beer or chocolate — pick your path
The itinerary offers flexibility: wine tastings and a cheese pairing are standard, with options at the final stop to swap a wine–chocolate pairing for a paddle of locally made craft beers.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this day suits — and who it doesn’t
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Walking shoes, phone battery/charger, a reusable water bottle, appetite, and a sense of humour. You may also want playlist options for the bus.
The tour is an eight‑hour outing with pickup in Newcastle; guests are typically collected from the Ampol at Cameron Park around 9:45am for the transfer into the Hunter Valley.
Visits involve seated tastings and short walks around cellar doors and vineyards; venues are often small and family‑run.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where can I find answers to common booking and policy questions?
Refer to Dave’s official FAQ page at https://daves.com.au/faqs/ for full details about bookings, changes and general policies.
Where and when does the tour depart?
Pickup is from the Ampol at Cameron Park (119 Stenhouse Drive, Cameron Park) for departures from Newcastle; see the operator’s FAQ page for confirmation and any updates.
How long is the Grains & Grapes tour?
The tour runs for approximately eight hours; consult Dave’s FAQs for start times and exact scheduling on your chosen date.
Can I opt out of beer or spirits tastings?
Yes—beer is optional at lunch and at one winery stop, and guests may choose their tasting preferences; check Dave’s FAQs or contact the operator for details.
Is this tour suitable for under‑18s?
This experience is intended for adults; please consult the operator’s FAQ page for age and participation rules.
How do I get more detail about the specific venues visited?
Because the itinerary can vary and the operator focuses on small, family‑run producers, refer to Dave’s FAQs or contact Dave’s Travel Group directly for the latest venue details.