June 24, 2019
7 mins Read
If you’re looking to escape the city, Mudgee is the quintessential country town you’ve been dreaming of. Think wide tree-lined streets, sunny days, cool nights and friendly locals pouring wine. What more could you want?
Not familiar with Mudgee wines? Many of the region’s boutique producers don’t distribute widely to bottle shops or restaurants, so your best way to experience and taste these gems is at the cellar door.
Mudgee, in NSW’s Central West, is closer than you think: just an easy 3.5-hour drive from Sydney or Newcastle. Leave the city behind and escape to the country for the ultimate wine weekend.
Logan Wines is set on one of the most picturesque vineyards in Mudgee. Photo: Rebecca Xu
If you’re driving from Sydney, make Logan Wines the first stop on your wine weekend. Set on one of the most picturesque vineyards you ever did see, its modern cellar door has a wide expansive deck to soak up the sunshine and views for days from. Sit back and devour a local produce platter for a blissful start to the weekend.
Address: 1320 Castlereagh Highway, Apple Tree Flat
Logan Wines cellar door offers tastings for guests.
Devour a local produce platter on the deck at Logan Wines. Photo: Rebecca Xu
You’ll be hard pressed to meet a more passionate winemaker and Mudgee ambassador than David Lowe. Lowe produces small-batch wines at his organic Lowe Wines winery that you won’t find anywhere else. These storytelling wines weave their magic from the creative tales on the label through to the superb contents. Seek out the Gentleman’s Daughter, a sparkling wine of distinction, after seven years on lees it’s beautifully complex. Onsite restaurant Zin House is set to reopen after a short hiatus. Chef-owner Kim Currie is reinvigorated and the new menu will continue to focus on produce from the garden and local region.
Address: Tinja Lane, Mudgee
Lowe Wines is Mudgee’s picturesque organic winery. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Stop in for dinner at Lowe Wines’ onsite restaurant Zin House. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Talented third-generation winemaker Jacob Stein produces some sensational wines such as the Half Dry Riesling at his picturesque winery. Sample the award-winning wines at the cellar door or at the onsite Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant. There’s even a motorcycle museum if you’re a lover of vintage rides.
Address: Pipeclay Lane, Mudgee
Robert Stein Winery and Vineyard offers award-winning wines to sample. Photo: Rebecca Xu
You’ll also find a motorcycle museum right next door to the Robert Stein Winery & Vineyard. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Detour 40 minutes from Mudgee to the picturesque town of Rylstone and seek out De Beaurepaire Wines, a family-owned, single-estate producer of cool-climate, French-style wines only available at the cellar door or found in Australia’s best restaurants, premium hotels and iconic bars. While you’re in town head to 29Nine99, a yum cha restaurant and tea house with a cult following.
Address: 182 Cudgegong Road, Rylstone
De Beaurepaire Wines are wines only available at the cellar door or found in Australia’s best restaurants. Photo: Rebecca Xu
De Beaurepaire Wines is a family-owned, single-estate producer of cool-climate, French-style wines. Photo: Rebecca Xu
De Beaurepaire Wines is located in the picturesque town of Rylstone. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Stop in at Rylstone’s yum cha restaurant 29Nine99.
A delightful coffee house and wine bar set down an alleyway off Market Street in a stunning vine-covered courtyard. Inside, the circa-1873 stone terrace is packed with character and charm, friendly staff and a delicious menu inspired by local fare –making it an excellent brunch spot.
Address: Unit 4–7, 61 Market Street, Mudgee
Alby & Esthers is a coffee house and wine bar off Market Street in Mudgee.
Mudgee is oozing with history and architectural charm at every turn including here at Eltons, housed in the original 1896 Eltons Pharmacy building. The space has been transformed into a modern eatery with a share-plate menu of small bites, tacos and sides perfectly portioned for enjoying after a day of wining and dining.
Address: 81 Market Street, Mudgee
The old pharmacy building that houses Eltons Eating + Drinking restaurant.
If you’ve missed a winery or two, you can always sample a local drop at Roth’s Wine Bar, which offers a range of over 100 premium local and regional wines to drink in or take away. A wine bar since 1923, Roth’s also serve craft beers, pizzas, tapas, cheese & charcuterie boards for a casual night out.
Address: 30 Market Street, Mudgee
You’ll find Pipeclay Pumphouse at Robert Stein Vineyard and Winery. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Located at Robert Stein Vineyard and Winery, Pipeclay Pumphouse is open for breakfast (Saturday and Sunday), lunch (Thursday to Sunday) and dinner (Thursday to Saturday). Chef Andy Crestani offers a seasonal menu dictated by the kitchen garden to form his spectacular fine-dining menu; try his signature produce platter of salami, pork rillette, duck liver parfait and pork terrine, with pork sourced from the free-range pigs that graze happily in the pastures surrounding the property. A true paddock-to-plate experience!
Address: Pipeclay Lane, Mudgee
The views from the terrace of Pipeclay Pumphouse. Photo Rebecca Xu
This platter is the perfect start to a meal at Pipeclay Pumphouse.
Mudgee’s newest long-lunch experience, takes you on a culinary journey tasting the best local produce in a casual cooking class. Roll up your sleeves and dive in, learning new techniques, sharing ideas and ultimately enjoying the fruits of your labour in a three-course country feast.
Address: 6 Henry Lawson Drive, Mudgee
You’ll find Mudgee’s newest long-lunch experience at The Little Cooking School.
Each year Rosby Wines throws open its doors and hosts ‘Sculptures in the Garden’, the region’s largest sculpture exhibition showcasing the best local, regional and interstate artists, held in October and attracting over 3500 visitors each year. Year round you can drop by Rosby Wines and visit the rustic cellar door and sip wine in the sunshine surrounded by the permanent sculpture garden.
Address: 122 Strikes Lane, Eurunderee Mudgee
Boutique luxury accommodation located right in town; book fast to snare one of Perry Street’s 13 stunning suites, styled with a distinctly modern, urban flair.
Address: 40 Perry St, Mudgee NSW 2850
An inside looks at the Newport living room of Peppertree Hill. Photo: Rebecca Xu
If you prefer peace, tranquillity and vineyard views, choose Peppertree Hill’s modern cottages located on a working farm just 10 minutes from the town centre. Recharge in its idyllic country setting.
Address: 967 Henry Lawson Drive, Eurunderee
Peppertree Hill’s modern cottages located on a working farm. Photo: Rebecca Xu
The gorgeous views from the back terrace of the cottages of Peppertree Hill. Photo: Rebecca Xu
Adjacent to the cooking school, this four-bedroom holiday house is ideal for group getaways and with neighbours like the Small Winemakers Centre and High Valley Cheese Co. you won’t want to leave.
Address: 6 Henry Lawson Drive, Mudgee
Inside the rooms at The Little Cooking School & Accommodation.
The writer was a guest of Mudgee Region
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I own air bnb Marie’s Cottage and September and October are great months to visit Mudgee