Blickling Estate 2006 Pinot Noir was matched with David Push’s food dishes, during the Armidale Wool Expo on 9-11 May. David is renowned Brisbane restauranter of ‘Two’ and ‘Bistro 3’. All or other wines were also received exceptionally well at this event.

In a PR event to promote New England food and wine produce, Sydney’s leading restaurants, media and the retail industry attended a foodie event at Parliament House on 12 May. Blickling Estate gold medal wines, 2006 Wooded Chardonnay and 2006 Riesling were very popular among the guests.

Blickling Estate wines will be one of the successful New England wineries to be promoted at the 28 June Wedding Expo, to be held at the University of New England, Armidale.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts FREE live music…….. Buddy Knox, Darren Clarke & Fiona Peters will be playing at Banalasta at a trio for the first time, on Sunday 6th July, 12-3pm. 

Buddy Knox is a Tamworth local and his passion is playing the guitar. He has spent a good portion of his time on globe trotting touring adventures around Australia, Canada, London and Nashville. As a result of the amazing tours he was a part of, he has enjoyed enviable traveling and playing experiences, which very few musicians get to have!! This was in his famous father’s band, Roger Knox, “Euraba”.

He also played for the “Warumpi Band” at Festivals and at the Capital City ‘Big Day Out’ tours, as well as backing many other talented artists. For the past 12 months, Buddy has headed up his own rhythm and blues band, which he is really enjoying.

This is a very seasoned array of musos. He has a 14 track CD which is extremely attractive musically, and also in its’ layout. His CD gained worldwide exposure through Extreme Sports as some of his music was used to back a documentary of crazy sporting endeavous, produced by a Melbourne based company. The CD is very popular with his audiences when he plays and he is looking forward to performing at the ‘2008 Dreaming Festival’s at Woodford.

Darren Clarke, a Tamworth based singer/songwriter has worked consistently around rural NSW, gaining a great reputation as a solo artist. He has a deep respect and passion for “old country music”. He has always had a passion for music and played in many other Bands on the NSW coast, as well as being influenced by a musical family. He always performs acoustically, (no backing tracks/files). Darren plays country, jazz and blues, seeking unique sounds with his musical presentations.

Darren writes great songs and has a dedication to arranging timeless and popular classics in his own style! He plays guitar, dobro, drums, bass, and harmonica, and loves singing and playing in front of his own band.

Fiona has been a closet musician for many years, most comfortable on the piano, which she plays in an all girls jazz band. She is also the busy promoter of both artists in respect of their musical aspirations.

In this line up, Buddy will play guitar, Darren the bass and Fiona will play bass/accordion. This will be a truly sensational trio to come and listen to. For more information call Banalasta Visitor Centre: (02) 6769 6786.