Lovedale welcomes you to this unique wine tourism destination and community. A tourism region providing accommodation, restaurants, wineries, and lots of things to do. More information about the wines of the Hunter Valley and the wines for 2012 sold at Lovedale cellar doors
Lovedale Hunter Valley vignerons collaborate to raise the profile of the Lovedale Wine Region. From this collaboration has evolved the now famous Lovedale Long Lunch and what has become known as the tour de lovedale.
► one of the oldest wine growing regions of the Hunter Valley, abundant with wildlife, our roads are less travelled, and there are beautiful sunsets. Our small population of around 2000, is an eclectic mix, some born and bred in the Hunter region and some who have come for a ‘sea change’.
► located just north of Cessnock, our night skies are starrier, and we ooze class and characters.
► during your visit you will sip some delicious wines; you may meet the winemaker or the grape grower; you will taste local produce that is cooked by passionate chefs.
► Lovedale accommodation to suit your taste & budgets. Indulge in a massage, wander about a gallery, float in a hot air balloon, enjoy a game of golf, challenge or discover yourself with a sunset horse-ride.
► party with your family or friends at the Lovedale Long Lunch or at your hunter valley wedding, or the company conference, (perhaps not at the company conference).
Experience the generous community spirit that exists in Lovedale, come and join us, most of us like to talk and have a sip or two.
The history of how Lovedale got it's name began on the 18th July 1855. John Wright purchased 91 acres, from the crown, nearby what is now known as Capercaillie and Allandale Wineries. On the 26th January 1859 the property was sold to John O’ Neil and then sold on to James Love on the 18th December 1868.
James Love’s son Paul sold the property to Reginald Bancroft in 1923. A young Reginald Bancroft from the Yorkshiredales was travelling the world to seek his fortune, as one did back then. A bike accident and a failing wine industry resulted in Reg and Rupert Cousins purchasing the property together, which they then called 'Lovedale' after the Love family and the Yorkshire dales where Reg came from. The 263 acres consisted of the homestead and the winery. The winery held 80,000 gallons, and the wine was sold for four and three pence per gallon. Some wine was sold to America but prohibition in America had a bad economic effect on the Valley.