TL;DR: EXP. Restaurant has partnered with Lovedale’s iconic Dark Horse Vineyard as its sole wedding caterer under an exclusive three-year agreement. Coupling an established private vineyard and barn venue with our Two-Chef-Hat culinary approach, the collaboration delivers elevated wedding dining for 40 to 150 seated guests across single-day celebrations and complete weekend stays.
A New Chapter for Hunter Valley Weddings
Weddings in wine country have long possessed an undeniable allure, yet wedding menus frequently struggle to match the standard set by the region’s best dining rooms. Today, EXP. Restaurant marks a major milestone in redefining that landscape.
We are proud to announce our official three-year partnership as the exclusive wedding caterer at Dark Horse Vineyard. Situated along Wilderness Road in Lovedale, Dark Horse Vineyard has established itself as one of the most picturesque private estates and barn wedding venues in the Hunter Valley. Through this exclusive collaboration, couples can now pair one of the region's most beloved settings with the rigorous culinary standards of a two-hatted kitchen.
Whether planning an intimate gathering or an expansive celebration for up to 150 seated guests, this partnership ensures your wedding food is never an afterthought, but a defining memory of your day.
The Venue: Rustic Refinement on Wilderness Road
Dark Horse Vineyard captures the essence of Lovedale: sprawling vineyards, pastoral horizons, and tranquil seclusion. As a private estate, it grants couples an uncommon level of intimacy, functioning as a complete sanctuary for milestone occasions.
The estate offers a fluid canvas across every stage of the day. Couples can exchange vows beneath open skies overlooking the vines, invite friends and family to gather across manicured lawns for canapés and drinks, and then transition seamlessly into the signature barn for dinner and dancing. The barn itself strikes a delicate balance between warm, timber-hewn rustic charm and contemporary elegance, offering an ambient backdrop that pairs effortlessly with thoughtful table settings and exceptional food.
Two-Hatted Dining on a Grand Scale
Founded by owner and chef Frank Fawkner, EXP. Restaurant has spent a decade pushing the boundaries of regional dining. Recently awarded Two Chef Hats and named Regional Restaurant of the Year in the SMH Good Food Guide 2026, our kitchen operates with unwavering attention to technique, balance, and ingredient integrity.
Translating this standard from our intimate Pokolbin dining room to grander celebrations has been an intentional journey. Wedding catering with EXP. does not rely on banquet compromises or generic alternative-drop menus. Instead, Chef Frank Fawkner and the team approach every wedding with the same discipline applied to our in-house seasonal tasting menus.
Every sauce is built from scratch, our fermentation pantry informs complex glazes and seasonings, and every single dish is plated with the precision expected of an acclaimed restaurant.
Rooted in Provenance: Local Producers Take Center Stage
Hospitality at EXP. is inextricably tied to the soil, pastures, and artisans of our region. Our wedding menus are directly shaped by lasting relationships with local producers and artisans across New South Wales.
When dining at Dark Horse Vineyard, guests experience ingredients handled with deep care:
- Pasture-Raised Meats: Ethically raised poultry from Redgate Farm, premium dry-aged cuts from Hungerford Meats, and richly marbled beef from Binnie Beef.
- Heirloom Produce & Greens: Hyper-local vegetables from Nebo Farm and specialty micro-herbs hand-selected from Newcastle Greens.
- Artisanal Breads & Cultured Elements: Every meal begins with the signature EXP. wood-fired sourdough alongside house-churned cultured butter, setting a tone of grounded craftsmanship from the very first bite.
By sourcing directly from growers we know by name, our menus reflect seasonal abundance while supporting sustainable agriculture throughout the Hunter Valley and Newcastle regions.
Crafting the Complete Wedding Weekend
Because Dark Horse Vineyard allows couples to embrace destination celebrations, weddings rarely stop at the reception. To honor this slower pace, our kitchen team can look after the culinary needs of your entire stay on the estate:
- The Welcome Dinner: A relaxed, comforting shared meal or wood-fired rehearsal dinner the evening before to greet traveling family and wedding parties.
- Bridal Morning Grazing: Fresh, vibrant platters, house pastries, artisan cheeses, and light bites to sustain wedding parties while getting ready.
- The Wedding Celebration: The centerpiece reception, complete with post-ceremony canapés, custom menus, and full RSA-certified bar and table service.
- Recovery Brunch: A restorative gathering the morning after, featuring house-cured meats, fresh seasonal fruit, artisanal pastries, and artisan coffee.
Flexible Formats: Shared Feasts, Plated Courses & Cocktail Receptions
Every celebration carries its own cadence, which is why our 2026–2027 wedding packages offer distinct dining styles tailored to guest counts of 40 to 150:
- Two- or Three-Course Shared Feasts: Designed to foster conversation, this family-style feast centers around carved regional proteins, imaginative side dishes, and vibrant seasonal starters, concluding with an expansive dessert station.
- Formal Plated Courses: A classical multi-course fine dining structure delivering intricate presentation, textural contrast, and nuanced flavors directly to each seated guest.
- Elevated Cocktail Receptions: Substantial, roving savory bites, oyster and raw bars, charcuterie stations, and late-night snacks that maintain culinary sophistication within a relaxed, cocktail-forward format.
All beverage packages are curated alongside Dark Horse Vineyard’s own wines, with professional service delivered by EXP.’s front-of-house team.
Begin Planning Your Dark Horse Celebration
Your wedding day deserves dining that reflects your story: thoughtful, vibrant, and unforgettable.
Bookings for the 2026 and 2027 seasons are officially open. Explore our full suite of Dark Horse wedding packages to review menu options, inclusions, and beverage structures, or contact our events team to check estate date availability and arrange a private consultation.