Ben Ean: Where History Meets Hospitality
- Liane Morris
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
If the Hunter Valley had a single location that captured its spirit, its sense of family, flavour, and generous hospitality, it would be Ben Ean.
This beautifully restored Pokolbin estate is steeped in history yet alive with energy, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates everything the Hunter does best. From wine tastings and long lunches to cellar door indulgences and relaxed afternoons in the sun, Ben Ean is a destination that truly has it all. If you’ve ever wished you could sample the very best of the Hunter Valley without driving from one end to the other, Ben Ean has your dream mapped out for you.
Few names in the Hunter carry the weight of Ben Ean. The site has been a working vineyard since the 1800s and was long synonymous with Lindeman’s, one of Australia’s most iconic wine labels. In 2017, two of the region’s most respected winemaking families - the Petersons and the McGuigans - joined forces to purchase and revitalise the estate, restoring its historic charm and re-establishing it as a living, breathing symbol of Hunter Valley excellence.
With a philosophy of “from our wine families to yours,” the estate features the wines of the extraordinarily talented winemakers of the Petersons and the McGuigans, including Savannah Estate, Lisa McGuigan Wines, Weerona, Petersons Wines, Gunpowder, and The Still House Wines. In addition, Ben Ean is the only place in NSW where visitors to the cellar door can book a tasting of Penfolds Grange and other premium Penfolds wines.
According to Cellar Door Manager, Michael Partridge, everything the estate does is an attempt to pay homage to the past, whilst embracing the future and pushing boundaries. Nowhere is this philosophy more evident than in the conversion of the tin shed that once housed John McDonald’s distillery in 1907 into one of the most surprising, luxurious and exclusive hospitality spaces in the Hunter – The Still House.
“It’s an incredible space,” said Michael.
“And one that we’re very proud of. It’s become the most soughtafter destination for VIPs, corporate team meetings and those wanting to enjoy private dining and tasting experiences.”
Still House Experiences range from tailor made tasting sessions from just $50pp to tastings paired with three, five or seven courses, a Meet the Maker session with three courses, right up to the Penfolds Ultimate Degustation, a true celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and indulgence that includes six courses paired with a selection of current and back-vintage Penfolds releases including a Grange tasting.
With so many of the legendary families’ premium wine labels represented at the Cellar Door, with tastings at just $20pp (bookings recommended), wine lovers are spoilt for choice, but don’t go home without tasting the estate-grown Still House wines.
“We’re very excited at the moment to share our new Rosé,” said Michael. “We’ve wanted to make one for years, to replicate a southern French style, and we’re very happy with the result. It’s made from an old Shiraz block, but it’s light in colour with less tannins and bitterness. It’s fresh, beautifully floral, with the intensity of red fruits such as strawberry and cherry. The mid-palate is savoury and earthy as a true Hunter wine should be, and the back palate is fresh, crisp and dry. It’s gone straight to the ‘top of the pops’ in terms of popularity and sales. Of course, you can only purchase it here at our cellar door.
“Another new release that I’m hoping we can launch before Christmas is The Alchemist – a brand new fortified. Our Petersons Winemaker along with General Manager Savannah Peterson, created it – they scoped out a whole lot of base material of past fortifieds – port, madeira, muscat and Pedro Ximenez in the winery and used them to specially blend little parcels that blew their minds."
"No one else is doing this in the Hunter."
“We’re bottling it in a retro 1980s recycled squat bottle, and it’ll make a great Christmas gift. I love how it tells a different kind of story – it links us to the past: Lindemans produced great fortifieds back in the day, and The Still House points to the brandy base used to fortify. It’s a wild multi-fortified blend.”
When hunger strikes, Baumé Restaurant awaits, a relaxed yet refined dining space that strikes the perfect balance between approachable dining and elevated experience. Embracing the richness of Mediterranean-inspired flavours, Baumé’s menu draws inspiration from the region’s rustic elegance, with gourmet pizzas, pastas and expertly crafted mains taking centre stage. Guests can linger over long lunches on the sunlit terrace, savouring excellent dishes, good company, and even better wine.
Sundays are extra special with the Baumé Sunday’s Small Bites Menu from 3pm til late on the deck. Visitors can enjoy $12 cocktail specials, including a new ‘spritz’ cocktail menu with flavours such as Lychee, Limoncello and Aperol Spritz. The menu includes a large selection of pizzas and a range of snacks from calamari and oysters to chicken wings and arancini.
If lighter, more casual fare or delicious, sweet treats and pastries are more your flavour, you can’t go past the Ben Ean Patisserie or the Deli at Ben Ean situated together on the terrace and open seven days. The Ben Ean Patisserie is the estate’s sweetest secret, with the scent of freshly baked pastries drifting across the deck each morning as the display fills with croissants, danishes, tarts and decadent slices. Barista-made coffee, served alongside seasonal treats and signature desserts (Christmas pudding, anyone?), makes it the perfect stop before a day of wine tasting—or a delicious excuse to linger a little longer. It’s also enjoying a growing reputation for the finest pies and sausage rolls in the Hunter.
“The Patisserie has really taken on a life of its own,” said Kurt Nilon, Ben Ean’s Sales and Marketing Manager. “It’s become a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. People drop in for coffee and cake for morning or afternoon tea, or before they tour the vineyards or pick up a pie for lunch. It’s relaxed and welcoming - very much in keeping with the spirit of Ben Ean.”
Inspired by New York’s iconic delis, The Deli at Ben Ean serves up the ultimate gourmet fix from artisanal cheeses and premium cured meats to fresh sandwiches on house-baked focaccia or panini. Don’t miss The Meatballer (meatballs, tomato sugo, mozzarella and rocket) or the Big Cluck (smoked chicken, sundried tomato, spinach, baconaise, mozzarella). For sharing, the Tagliere di Salumi e Formaggi — a charcuterie board of cured meats, cheeses, bread, and antipasti — is a crowd favourite. Everything can be enjoyed onsite or packed to go, perfect for picnics, local grazers, or a cosy night in the Valley.
“The Deli has been a real game changer for us,” Kurt added. “It allows people to experience Ben Ean in their own way - maybe they don’t have time for a long lunch, or they want to grab something simple. There truly is something for everyone and every budget.”
Between Baumé, The Deli, and The Patisserie, Ben Ean has truly become a destination that caters to every appetite—from indulgent dining to simple pleasures shared in the sunshine. Whether you come for the coffee, the wine, the food, the experiences or the company, it’s impossible not to leave with a taste of the Hunter’s heart.
