Now in its eighth year, the Spirit of the Vine festival has become a signature event on the “must do” calendar offering visitors the perfect excuse to enjoy the many pleasures on hand within one of the oldest wine growing regions in Australia.

The focus of this years festival is on Wine Experience, with the chance to learn directly from many of the region’s award winning winemakers, chefs and olive oil producers and so much more.

Ask the experts and learn the art of the perfect complementary dish to suit different styles of wine. Spirit of the Vine is the perfect weekend to relax, enjoy and experience what it is that makes a really great wine and fantastic food.

Hunter Valley Shiraz has been one of the best ‘food wines’ in the country for decades - this weekend is your chance to find out why.

Locals refer to the area as “the tranquil side of the Hunter”, and with most of the wineries being owner-operated, visitors are more than likely to be greeted by the actual winemakers and vignerons who delight in discussing their craft and produce.

According to the secretary of the Broke Fordwich Wine Tourism Association, Mike Wilson, Broke can offer something that the big boys in Pokolbin can't offer any longer.

“They can offer the time to talk and to listen to you,” Mr Wilson said.

According to Margan Family Wines managing director and winemaker Andrew Margan Broke Fordwich has its own regional style.

“These wines exhibit medium bodied lower alcohol qualities that are rare in the world of wine,” he said.

“People will get to experience some exceptional red wines from the outstanding 2009 vintage.”

The Broke Fordwich area is much more than cellar door wine sales with a range of cafes, restaurants, olive groves and specialty shops that make the most of local produce to offer and give visitors an enriching experience.

Participating venues are: Mount Broke Wines; Nightingale Wines, Broke’s Promise in conjunction with Stomp Wines, Whispering Brook; Broke Estate, Catherine Vale; Margan Family Winegrowers; Glenguin Estate; Krinklewood and Somerville Wines.

To celebrate the event’s eighth year, The Singleton Argus has five fabulous passes to different events throughout Spirit of the Vine.

Each pass is for two people.

To enter, complete the form on the top of this page and send it to The Singleton Argus, PO Box 312, Singleton.

Alternatively, drop your entry into the specially marked box at The Singleton Argus, 6 to 8 Campbell Street, Singleton.

Entries close on Wednesday, October 20.