Milk and biscuits. Beer and burgers, a cup of tea and a cake - some drinks are great with your perfect mates. And if you're into wine, we recommend Hunter Valley Tours from Sydney, NSW's finest wine region brimming with top-notch chocolates and cheeses from the Hunter Valley, either made right here or sourced from some of Europe's finest producers.
We've handpicked the most delicious chocolate and cheese tastingsin the area for you.
Hunter Valley Choccy Company
You can't go to the Hunter Valley without trying the local choccy, and these blokes have been whipping up the smooth stuff for over 20 years.
The Hunter Valley Choccy Company is all about the best Belgian ingredients mixed with Aussie fruit and nuts which people can't get enough of. They've even got a boutique factory and choccy-making joint called Twenty-3-Twenty, where you can watch Peter the chocolatier work his magic and munch on his treats in a cosy cafe.
For the classic experience, head to Peterson's Champagne House for a shop full of chocolate art. From blocks to bars to brittles, they've got it all.
Top picks include choccy-coated pretzels, coffee beans, and rainbow 'Speckles' bags, but there's something for every taste. How about milk choccy ginger?
Address: The original spot is at Petersons Champagne House, corner of Broke and Branxton Roads, Pokolbin, and the other is a showroom off their new factory at 2320 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
Cocoa Nib
What started as a passion project for pastry chef Aymee Slaviero at Newcastle's Olive Tree Markets turned into her own shopfront in 2012.
Now selling her amazing handmade treats from a flagship store on Keith Tulloch Wine in the heart of wine country, Cocoa Nib's founder has made a name for herself, crafting some of the state's best sweets.
The Hunter Valley choccy brand uses fancy French couverture to make Cocoa Nib's popular melt-in-your-mouth artisan bonbons splashed Jackson Polloch-style with bright colours and loads of beautiful bites.
Tarts, desserts, endless barks, bags of coconut rough, peanut brittle, honeycomb, and heaps more classics are just heavenly.
Address: Keith Tulloch Wine, 989 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin.
Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop
A feast of the world's best cheeses, Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop is a must-visit in wine country. It's the only fromagerie in the region and has a way bigger range than any other Hunter Valley cheese shop. It opened in Pokolbin Village in 2004 and quickly started drawing loyal crowds.
Pop in to load up your charcuterie with goodies like blue cheese (don't miss the strong and sharp yet melty Saint Agur), cheddar, and hard and soft varieties like the standout Fromager d'Affinois Le Fromager with its plump, buttery goodness.
You'll also find top-notch cured meats, olives, pastes, tapenades, pates, and other delish platter extras. The team's selection is so famous that they've opened a second shop within Roche Estate down the road.
Address: 2144 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
Pokolbin Choccy Company
After you've sorted your savoury, pop next door for your sweets. The Pokolbin Choccy Company has a cracking collection of Hunter Valley Choccy, and it's right next door to the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop.
With over 21 years of putting smiles on dials, these choccy lovers sell a beautiful range of hand-painted Belgian choccies, gooey fudge, jams and chutneys, choccy-dipped fruits and nuts, classics like rocky road and truffles, and a few unusual products like choccy pasta. They've also got a range of sweet teas.
Address:2188 Broke Road, Pokolbin.
Sabor Dessert Bar
After winning hearts with their original Hunter Valley Dessert Bar in Lovedale, the team's Sabor Dessert Bar on Broke Road's Lambloch Estate has sealed their rep as a local sweet pastry and confectionary legend.
They've grown their inventive menu of Hunter Valley choccy and desserts to a list of 50+ creations, and they're famous for the award-winning Sabor Portuguese chocolate mousse and other Instagram-worthy showstoppers.
Don't miss the shiny Green Apple Royale or the Flaming Choc Caramel Brownie, which you can enjoy on-site in the Bar's big seating area or take away for a treat at home.
They even offer a tasting plate of their faves and a kids' menu for the little ones. Large groups and parties (including hen's dos) are welcome as set menus and packages are available to order with seven days' notice.
Address: Lambloch Estate, 2342 Broke Road, Pokolbin
Hunter Valley Cheese Company
The Melbourne-born Curtis family is behind the beloved Hunter Valley Cheese Company.
Located at McGuigan Wines on McDonald's Road and started by the late Peter Curtis and his wife Rose Lambert in 1995, it churns out its own seasonal handcrafted ranges including the award-winning Hunter Gold Washed Rind, cheddar, gorgonzola, brie, goat's cheese, and more.
Leaving the busy city life for something new, the team honed their skills in their own factory and now draws visitors from all over the world for their standout Aussie cheese made from local cow and goat milk.
You can stop by for a tasting of five wines paired with olives and preserve your experience by reserving a two-person lunch tasting of their seasonal offerings with additional delicious extras.
Address: McGuigan Wines, 447 McDonald Road, Pokolbin.
Binnorie Dairy
Binnorie Dairy offers delicious labia and marinated feta, making it a great stop before heading home with your wine purchases.
The Hunter Valley cheese pit-stop was created by cheesemaker Simon Gough in 2003, following his experience in making cheese in Europe and the Yarra Valley.
His beautiful abode in the Hunter Valley is a treasure trove of indulgences, boasting a delightful array of superstar wines, artisan goat's cheeses, delectable washed rinds, heavenly triple cream brie, and a tempting selection of homemade sweet treats.
Drop in to see the team hard at work through a viewing window or grab a table on the deck to soak up the peaceful scenery before heading off.
Address: 25 Lodge Road, Lovedale.
Hunter Belle Cheese Room
Prepare to be blown away by the expertise and passion of Geoff and Tania Chesworth, the dynamic duo behind the incredible Hunter Belle Cheese Room.
The next wave of the Chesworth family, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Annie and Jason, is carving out their legacy in the region.
Geoff and Tania operate a deli, bar, and cafe near De Luliis Wines on Broke Road. Annie and Jason manufacture the dairy products for Hunter Belle Dairy Company in a factory in Scone.
The Hunter Belle Cheese Room offers a variety of house-made cheeses and dairy products, as well as different experiences such as picnic packs, wine and cheese tastings, beer and cheese tastings, a themed "High Cheese" event, and casual meals in their licensed cafe.
There's plenty of lush grass to chill on if you go for the picnic option, and you're right next to the vines, so every view is quintessentially Hunter Valley.
Address: 1616 Broke Road, Pokolbin
D'Vine Treats and Fat Cow Cheese
Head upstairs at Ben Ean Winery and stumble into a boutique Hunter Valley choccy shop that offers tastings and a separate section for cheese.
D'Vine Treats, which has grown with the addition of Fat Cow Cheese, is packed with handcrafted choccy, including liqueur varieties, using the hard stuff from Petersons Family Wines and Savannah Estate.
Explore the tantalizing delights at The Fat Cow Cheese section, boasting the finest cheeses, cured meats, olives, oils, and sauces from the region. And don't miss the charming sweets corner, offering delicious fudge, candies, gelato, and much more. This wine country pit stop truly has something for everyone!
Address: Ben Ean Winery, Shop 1, 119 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin
Choccy Escape Room at Sutton Estate
Step into a world of pure magic at Sutton Estate's Choccy Escape Room, inspired by the iconic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film. Get ready for a chocolate-tasting experience like no other!
Locked in a room within Sutton Estate winery in Rothbury, you and your group of no more than six people must crack a series of puzzles in 60 minutes to find your way out, and some of those puzzles include tasting choccy.
Sound weird? It is, and we're all for it. A 'love of choccy' is needed to unlock clues, and five tastings are included in each session, costing $60 per person.
With axe throwing, a smash room inviting you to smash stuff literally, and electric bike rentals elsewhere on the property, these guys offer a unique take on the whole Hunter Valley experience.
Address: Sutton Estate Hunter Valley, 381F Deasys Road, Rothbury.