Wines to Wilderness
Culinary Journeys – In good company
From wines to wilderness (and other delicious diversions); enjoy personalised introductions, behind-the-scenes experiences and privileged access whilst touring the Hunter Valley, Orange, Mudgee and Blue Mountains in style.
Travelling in small-group comfort (maximum 14 guests) and in the knowledgeable company of an expert guide, sample museum stock back vintages and enjoy pre-release barrel room guided tastings; allow a First Nations Elder to introduce you to some of their favourite native ingredients, roll up your sleeves to enjoy a hands-on cooking experience; and sit back to relax over degustation dinners served in stunning private dining locations.
Meet a collection of talented wine makers and passionate providores, growers, chefs and sommeliers that share the secrets to some of New South Wales’s most delicious treats. Wander among otherwise inaccessible vineyards and forage in kitchen gardens with the chef, travel by heli to enjoy sundowners served with spectacular views and settle in under the stars for campfire nightcaps over six delicious days and decadent evenings of exclusive culinary touring.

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Highlights
Exclusive experiences and behind-the scenes touring at a collection of Australia's most iconic wineries, boutique cellar doors and passionate providores.
Private dining experiences in spectacular settings.
Private guided touring throughout including a scenic helicopter flight.
Luxury Lodge and boutique hotel accommodation.
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Nicole Farrell, Tour Host
A passionate foodie, experienced tour host and Orange local, Nicole has successfully owned and operated her own tour companies, escorting small groups on colourful and creative journeys through Morocco, India and more recently also closer to home. A well-connected local, Nicole generously shares the region’s best-kept foodie secrets and can provide personal introductions to the talented folks behind them. Knowledgeable yet down-to-earth, Nicole is an easy conversationalist and a welcoming natural hostess. Thoughtful and always thinking one step ahead, Nicole has a natural ability to anticipate travellers needs before you’ve even realised them, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the adventure.

Itinerary
9 September – 15 September 2022
Travel to the Hunter Valley in small group comfort as you get to know your knowledgeable tour host and travelling companions. After stopping for lunch in Wiseman’s Ferry, enjoy tastings of hand-crafted Methode Traditionelle sparklings at one of the Hunter Valley’s wonderful family-owned hidden gems; and a Welcome Dinner with matched wines at the hatted Botanica restaurant.
Accommodation: Spicers Vineyard Estate (2 nights)

Tour Australia’s oldest wine region to go behind-the-scenes at iconic Australian wineries and discover some of the region’s beautiful boutique finds. Join a member of the Tyrrells team for a tour of the winery and an intimate introduction to their flagship Winemaker’s Selection: Vat 1 Semillon, Australia’s most awarded white wine; culminating in a six vintage vertical tasting accompanied by locally sourced cheeses. Continue to Charteris Wines to enjoy a Trans-Tasman tasting experience and call in to a local restaurant for lunch.
Later this afternoon, enjoy the rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Australia’s most iconic vineyards and privileged tastings of Brokenwood Semillon paired with oysters before sitting down in the private dining room to indulge in a degustation dinner accompanied by expertly-matched wines including the highly-awarded Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Round off the exclusive occasion with a barrel hall tasting of pre-released Graveyard Shiraz enjoyed with gourmet grazing boards.
Accommodation: Spicers Vineyard Estate

Today’s touring heads inland to Mudgee where lunch is a relaxed regional affair enjoyed with sweeping views of classic Mudgee hillscapes and the Lowe vineyards. Generous share plates showcase seasonal produce sourced from the surrounding kitchen garden, orchards and farmlands; and are accompanied by premium estate wines selected by David Lowe, including his own museum-stock and other regional producer’s labels.
After a lunch, a scenic helicopter flight lands on the outskirts of Orange at Borrodell Vineyard, one of Australia’s highest wineries, where sunset samplings of the estate’s cold climate wines are served with spectacular panoramic views.
This evening, roll up your sleeves to enjoy a Vietnamese cooking experience, with a legendary local at the Barrel and Larder cooking school, before enjoying the delicacies with Ross Hill cool climate wines.
Accommodation: Byng Street Hotel (2 nights)

This morning’s guided walk of Orange provides an insight into the history and people that have helped flavour this dynamic regional city. Enjoy a local Elder’s welcome to the Wiradjuri Nation before enjoying a sampling of local indigenous edible treats.
Continue the local touring by road through orchards and grazing properties to arrive at today’s picturesque lunch destination: Ed and Dave Swift’s Printhie Wines, one of Australia’s hottest wineries, showcases award-winning cool-climate craftsmanship (including Australia’s best non-vintage sparkling announced at the recent Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London). Enjoy a sparkling masterclass with the winemaker and one of the Swift brothers in their private tasting room followed by a degustation-style lunch with matched wines.
This afternoon’s scenic touring also visits a passionate local olive farmer for a tour and tasting overlooking the Towac Valley. Returning to town, round out the day with a decadent dinner paired with some of the region’s finest wines at the Schoolhouse Restaurant.
Accommodation: Byng Street Hotel

Before leaving Orange, enjoy an intimate bud to bottle tour and private tasting with the passionate winemakers at ChaLou wines. The journey continues with a stay at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley resort on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. The luxury lodge’s food philosophy, based on seasonal, regional and, where possible, organic produce, showcases exceptional Australian fare through a range of dining experiences.
After a relaxed lunch in the Country Kitchen, a Wildlife and Sundowners 4WD tour explores the pristine bushlands and sandstone escarpments of this carbon-neutral private conservation and wildlife reserve. Dinner this evening is in the Wolgan Dining room accompanied by a selection of fine wines.
Accommodation: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort (2 nights)

Spend the morning walking, riding or swimming to work off some of the recent days’ indulgences or relax and indulge further with a pampering spa treatment (additional charges apply and pre-booking is recommended). Ahead of today’s lunch, enjoy a chef-led walk in the kitchen garden that supplies much of the menu’s fresh herbs and vegetables. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure before joining the Executive Chef for a sumptuous five-course degustation dinner in an exclusive private dining venue. After dinner, take a tour of Australia’s magnificent night sky by a campfire and reflect on the adventures with new-found friends that share your passion for great food enjoyed in good company.
Accommodation: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort

After breakfast, travel over the Blue Mountains back to Sydney.
Arrangements conclude.

Important Information
Price – From $11,900 per person in a double/twin share room inclusive of experienced local guide throughout, 6 nights accommodation, all meals, exclusive private touring, activities and transfers. Minimum number for this tour to operate is 8 guests. Maximum tour capacity is 14 guests.
Inclusions:
- Services and insights of an specialist guide throughout
- 6 nights' accommodation as per itinerary above
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners; selected beverages
- Private transportation throughout in luxury air-conditioned vehicles
- Exclusive Vat 1 Semillon Tasting at Tyrrells Winery
- Brokenwood Wines VIP tour, dinner and tastings
- Zin House Long Lunch with Mudgee produce and Lowe wines
- Scenic helicopter flight Mudgee to Orange
- Vietnamese Cooking Class at Ross Hill
- Indigenous welcome to the Wiradjuri Nation and tastings
- Sparkling wine masterclass and degustation lunch at Printhie Wines
- A selection of private wine and produce tastings throughout
- Private 4WD wildlife safari at Wolgan Valley
- Chef’s Garden tour at Wolgan Valley
- Private chef’s degustation dinner at Wolgan Valley
- Private campfire and stargazing experience at Wolgan Valley
- Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST) at 10%
Exclusions:
- Flights to / from Sydney if required
- Meals and Beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Tips and Gratuities


many many many thanks!!!!!!

We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job

Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!




Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.







