ed13-venues - Your Hunter Valley Wedding Planner

VENUE FEATURE
At a glance
VENUE FEATURE
Property Features
Breathtaking views
Endless photo
opportunities await!
Breathtaking Views
Nirvana Vista Estate ...endless possibilities
Sleeps 20 guests
Have your guests all
stay in the one venue.
“Nirvana Vista Estate is all about providing a venue for guests to share precious
times, and precious memories, with family and friends. When you are enjoying
an occasion at Nirvana Vista, the views and beautiful gardens make you feel
like you are at a special place, enjoying a special moment.”
© Thierry Boudan Photography
Chefs kitchen
The kitchen is spacious,
with a work-table
on wheels, and well
stocked with utensils.
Numerous ceremony
locations
Whether it be in the
rotunda, on the lawn or
on the deck taking in
the stunning views.
Entertainment
Sparkling inground
pool, 6 person spa plus
a pool table.
Entertaining deck
Perfect for champagne
and canapés or even a
dance floor.
Dennis Stewart shares a little history and the amazing features that make
Nirvana Vista Estate such a unique Hunter Valley wedding venue...
Photograph by Renee Moore
Marquee
Permanent marquee
onsite - all weather
options covered.
Around ten years ago, my wife Hee Sook Jeong and I discovered the Hunter
“Wine Country” region, and fell in love with the beautiful rolling hills,
gorgeous wineries, and boutique accommodation venues. We dreamed
of one day jumping in to a property in Wine Country, but suspected that it
would be beyond our financial resources. However, in September of 2003,
we received a phone call from a Cessnock Real Estate agent, who told
us they had just listed “an amazing property” in the Sweetwater Valley at
Rothbury, and it was “just what you’re looking for”.
We were in the Snowy Mountains when we received the call, and
immediately arranged to meet the agent at the property at 9pm that
evening. When we arrived, it was dark, so we could not see the views or
much of the 54 acres. However, when we entered the house, it was love
at first sight! The house had been only been built to lock-up stage, so had
bare concrete floors and walls only painted with undercoat, but the vastness
of the living areas, the first class building quality, and the intangible magical
feel of the place, was extravagant and captivating. I told the agent on the
spot, “it’s sold”!
The next day, Hee Sook and I again travelled from the Central Coast to
inspect the property, which was then called “Westwind”. This time, I was
able to take in the panoramic views of the full expanse of Wine Country,
out to Maitland, around to Singleton, right along the line of the Brokenback
Ranges. The property even looked out to a three story stone castle on the
opposite hill, which had been built to the exact dimensions of a real French
Chateau, complete with fully imported stone from Europe. I could not
believe that such a view could be taken in from a property in Australia. I had
seen such views in Italy and France, but 15 minutes from Cessnock!
Three months later, after the property settlement, my wife Hee Sook Jeong, myself, and
our two children, Peter who was 3 years old, and Sophia who was one year old, packed
up and moved to “Westwind”. Our goal was to transform the property into a unique
accommodation and wedding venue. For 12 months, my wife managed and directed
an extensive interior decoration, and I managed and directed the landscaping of the
gardens. During the twelve months we resided at the property, I travelled to Sydney
each working day in my day job as a criminal defence lawyer. During those twelve
months, we poured all our time and resources into transforming the property. It was an
intensive and expensive project, but was also a labour of love.
During that year, we agonised over what to call the property once it commenced
business as an accommodation and wedding venue. For months we tossed around
numerous ideas, but nothing seemed to do justice to the property. >
Original artworks
Array of original
artworks by Hee Sook
Jeong adorn the
homestead.
Photographs by
Thierry Boudan
Photography
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VENUE FEATURE
VENUE FEATURE
Photography by Thierry Boudan Photography
One day I was contemplating the “heavenly views” from the backyard, and
the word “Nirvana” came to mind, a word I associated with the Buddhist
concept of heaven. So after living there for twelve months, the perfect name
“Nirvana Vista” or “Heavenly Views” was created, not just as a name, but a
description of the property and the experience for guests who would visit.
Nirvana Vista Estate is a 54 acre property with panoramic views from the
homestead at the top of the hill. There are 7 bedrooms, the Bridal Suite
with its own ensuite, with a circular spa and private dressing area. The other
6 bedrooms are double rooms, each with a queen and single bed, and
built-in robes. The living areas include a formal lounge area with fireplace,
a TV lounge area, dining area that can seat up to 20, a sunroom area, and
pool room. The kitchen is spacious, with a work-table on wheels, and well
stocked with most kitchen utensils.
One of the unique features of the homestead, is the array of original
artworks that adorn all the living areas and bedrooms. Hee Sook is a brilliant
portrait artist, and guests are able to wander the house with a glass of red
and enjoy the artwork at their leisure. There is also cable TV, a pool table,
a six burner BBQ, a small library and toy room, two spa baths, and some
sports equipment on site for the use and entertainment of guests.
The homestead can comfortably accommodate groups of between 12 and
20, with the bedrooms in two wings at opposite ends of the house, and the
living areas in between. Wrap around verandahs at the front, side and rear
of the homestead provide large surrounding covered areas.
In the grounds, there are extensive landscaped gardens, featuring a huge
deck facing out to the mountains and Wine Country, a large wedding
pergola, and terraced rose gardens. In the 10 years since Nirvana Vista
commenced, we have focused on creating a special experience for couples
dreaming of a garden and marquee wedding. We have sought to create
numerous places where guests are able to wander around the gardens, and
where they can sit and take in the gorgeous views.
One long term project at Nirvana Vista is the construction of a boutique 9
hole golf course a short walk from the house. While we have a long way to
go with this project, even in these early days, guests can now enjoy being
able to walk only a short stroll from the house for a hit around with friends
and family. Guests at Nirvana Vista have exclusive use of the entire property,
and total privacy from the outside world on its 54 acres.
Although there are several beautiful locations in the grounds for wedding
ceremonies, the wedding pergola has been especially built for ceremonies,
in a spot from which guests can enjoy almost 360 degree views out to the
mountains, valleys, and “Wine Country”. Up to 120 guests can gather on
and around the Wedding Pergola, in an expansive garden area surrounded
by a traditional white picket fence.
The huge wedding marquee is permanently erected in close proximity to
the doorway to the kitchen. It is 12 meters by 9 metres, with a dance floor,
silk linings, and fairy lights. The marquee can comfortably accommodate up
© Thierry Boudan Photography
“The huge wedding marquee can
comfortably accommodate up to 120 guests
for a sit down function”.
to 120 guests for a sit down function. Chairs, tables, and table cloths are
available on site. Nirvana Vista has a list of preferred caterers, all of which
have catered at Nirvana Vista, and have been highly recommended by
previous wedding guests.
What excites us as owners and managers of Nirvana Vista, is the feedback
from our regular guests, which guides and inspires us in the work and
improvements we do to the property. We have many groups of guests
that come every year, and often several times a year. Nirvana Vista is so
comfortable and guest friendly, it is like a home away from home. Regular
guests have appreciated the evolution of the property from year to year,
and are invariably delighted with improvements completed between visits.
At Nirvana Vista, we enjoy the partnership we have with nature, where if we
do the hard work and planning in the design of our gardens, nature rewards
us with a result that is ultimately enjoyed by our guests.
Nirvana Vista Estate is all about providing a venue for guests to share
precious times, and precious memories, with family and friends. When you
are enjoying an occasion at Nirvana Vista, the views and beautiful gardens
make you feel like you are at a special place, enjoying a special moment.
Brides and Bridegrooms of course are not only thrilled with Nirvana Vista on
the day of their wedding. Their memories are preserved in their invariably
gorgeous photos enhanced by the exceptional gardens and views.
You may book a weekend or midweek stay at Nirvana Vista for either
just accommodation, or an accommodation and wedding ceremony and
reception package. It will usually be necessary to book six months or more
ahead in order to secure your preferred date. We can also assist you with
contact details of caterers, wine tours, golf course availability, and other
Wine Country features.
DENNIS STEWART AND HEE SOOk JEONG - NIRVANA VISTA ESTATE
© Thierry Boudan Photography
Nirvana Vista Estate
Heavenly Views... Endless Possibilities
Experience Nirvana Vista Estate. The luxury, self contained, seven bedroom home with the most
spectacular views of the Brokenback Range in the Hunter Valley. Nirvana Vista Estate is a 54 acre property
in the ‘Sweetwater District’ of Hunter Valley Wine Country.
The property rises up from Sweetwater Road to the magnificent seven bedroom residence boasting
panoramic views of the Brokenback Range. Up to 20 guests may be accommodated.
It is ideal for weddings, conferences, reunions, anniversary parties or any function.
3 Sweetwater Road,Pokolbin NSW 2325 • Email: mail@nirvanavista.com.au • Phone: 0409 461 711
www.nirvanavista.com.au
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