8 About 20 years ago, Karen Williams decided to try her hand at winemaking. She got her qualifications, then purchased a property called Roseglen at Denman and supplied grapes to Rosemount and Arrowfield, while keeping a small parcel of grapes for her first label, ‘JUUL’. In 2005, the Williams family purchased Hollydene vineyard, then bought Wybong and sold Roseglen. From there, both the Wybong and Hollydene vineyards were run under the banner and brand Hollydene. Hollydene supplied Arrowfield Estate Wines (known as Hollydene Estate now) with grapes until it closed in 2010. That’s when Karen purchased the Arrowfield winery and then the renovations began to bring Hollydene Estate to life. The renovations completely transformed the old winery. There was plenty of history incorporated in the renovations, including timber from the original Bowman’s Crossing Bridge that once crossed the Hunter River and from the wharf at Goat Island in Sydney. 10 years on, Vines Restaurant continues to blossom and Hollydene now has 17 varieties of wine. Hollydene is well known for its Semillon, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Shiraz which are all produced from three of the oldest vineyards in the Upper Hunter Valley being Arrowfield, Hollydene and Wybong. Hollydene Business Manager Emma Williams came on board in 2013 and helped set the business up. “Since then it has grown from a small family business to a flourishing business with a focus on good food and wine. “We have the venue and the quality, and everyone is welcome through the door. “Being on the Golden Highway is a bonus for us. A lot of travellers stop in and make this their regular stop. It’s also a good central point for family or friends to meet between Sydney and out west.” Amanda Parker, the Venue and Events Manager said there is something for everyone. “We have the cellar door that offers a range of vintages. Our wine list changes a couple of times a year using our whole warehouse of vintages. You can do tastings for $5, have a cheeseboard, coffee, and cake, whatever you like. “All of our staff know the wines, so they understand how to match our wine with the food in Vines Restaurant. PADDOCK TO PLATE Situated on the Golden Highway against a backdrop of beautiful vineyards and rolling hills, Hollydene Estate and Vines Restaurant at Jerrys Plains was established in 2014 by the Williams Family and is a regular pit stop for many travelling through the Upper Hunter. Vine To Glass
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