🚁 Mudgee 🗺

W: Established by the Cox family in 1822, Burrundulla is one of Australia’s oldest family-run properties. It is just 2 kilometers from Mudgee on the Sydney Road. Within Burrundulla’s beautiful wine tasting room and alfresco courtyard enjoy classic, elegant-natured wines, that reflect the heritage behind the ‘history in a glass’ label. Enjoy aromatic Semillons, full-bodied Chardonnay, spicy Merlot Rose & earthy reds crafted from the vineyards of Mudgee’s earliest pioneers – the Cox family. You may opt to dine in its weekend pop up restaurant by Rachael McCarthy, a very local caterer. Enjoy homestyle hearty country cooking by the team at Mudgee Catering Co. served alongside fine Burundulla Wines.

W: As its name suggests, First Ridge is located on rolling ridges overlooking the beautiful Cudgegong River Valley. In 2003, viticulturist Colin Millott teamed up with John and Helen Nicholas to manage and develop First Ridge into one of Australia’s premium Italian varietal wine producers. You would agree that this vision is getting real with First Ridge awarded a Four Star Halliday rating in 2017.First Ridge Wines also won 5 medals in the 2016 Mudgee Wine Show: Vermentino 2016 (Bronze); Enzo Blend 2015 (Bronze); Sangiovese 2013 (Silver); Barbera 2015 (Bronze); and Sangiovese 2015 (Bronze).As you approach First Ridge’s cellar door, you’ll get awed by its unique design: the intersection of two shipping containers with an open area where wine connoisseurs like you can enjoy its award-winning wines and picture-perfect scenery over the vineyard and down the valley.ORDER THE: Berbera or Vermentino. First Ridge specialises in Italian varietals that go beyond your standard pinot grigio and sangiovese (though they do th

W: Mark Newman of Yarrabin Road Roasters makes a fantastic coffee from his coffee station set up in the front of Warbehr — a funky artspace right in the heart of town… it feels like a bit of Melbourne coffee culture in Mudgee! Mark roasts his own beans and is very passionate about his coffee.

W: This winery with eye-catching architecture perches on the side of a hill with a stunning view of Mudgee vineyard and the scenic hamlet of Apple Tree Flat.They craft their wines from grapes grown in both the Mudgee and Orange regions. These high altitude vineyards bring much to the table, creating wines of restraint and elegance akin to European styles but always with Australian fruit character.The Logans produce wines under four labels – the eponymous and premium Logan range; Weemala – the champion of rarer varietals and styles; the well-priced Apple Tree Flat range that allows a little Logan indulgence every day; and Ridge of Tears, which heroes the best shiraz from each region.At the Logan Tasting Room, you will certainly enjoy an uninterrupted view of the family’s vineyard as you taste the full range of Logan wines – should you wish to linger, you can buy a bottle order a cheese platter, sit back and wonder why you’ve never done this before!ORDER THE: Ridge of Tears shiraz – they make two versions, one in

W: Moothi Estate is a family-owned boutique vineyard and wine producer. Its cellar door sits atop the vineyard on Rocky Waterhole Road and provides fantastic views of the valley and surrounding ranges. Officially opened in September 2006, it features a large tasting area with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the vines, as well as local produce tastings and hand-made jewelry. Enjoy one of its lunch platters on the outdoor patio with a glass or bottle of your favourite Moothi Estate wine, Mudgee Brewing Co. beer or local sparkling wine. Or watch the sun go down over Mudgee from the best possible vantage point. Enjoy its award-winning wines along with plenty of gourmet canapés and live music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You may choose to taste any of the following:  White wine: 2013 Moothi Dreams ‘Block 3’ Botrytis White Blend, 2017 Pinot Grigio, 2017 Riesling, 2016 Viognier; Red wine: 2017 Rose, 2016 Merlot, and 2016 Shiraz.SNACK ON: Local cheeses from High Valley, house-made pastrami and, in the su

W: There’s more live music at Mudgee Brewery, as well as six signature beers, a range of seasonal brews and a fireplace. The food’s good, too; new chef Aaron Cole is responsible for menu additions such as the whole pork crackling entrée and the chicken schnitzel coated with spent grains from the brewing process.

W: If you’re keen to try a range of local wines without having to leave your bar stool, head into town for an evening at Roth’s Wine Bar. There are more than 100 regional drops to choose from under the roof of this historic converted terrace, which was originally a general store selling “under the counter” beverages. It’s now the oldest continually operating licensed venue in the state and hosts live music in the “shed” out the back on Friday and Saturday nights. (Gin drinkers should take the opportunity to also sample local Baker Williamsgin at the bar or, better yet, make time to visit its cellar door on Henry Lawson Drive for the full range of spirits, which includes whisky and a surprisingly delicious lemon-myrtle liqueur.)

W: Also home to the Zin House long lunch we mentioned earlier, David Lowe’s cellar door is well worth checking out. We tried to fit in one more glass here after our lunch at Zin House, but we just couldn’t do it. The atmosphere here is so magnetic though, it’s hard not to want to hang around and absorb the vibe and quaff a couple of glasses the day whiles away. ORDER THE: Low alcohol, sparkling baby pink Jodie Wilbertree. It looks like it should be sickeningly sweet – but it’s actually crisp and drinkable. Or, if you’re a red fan, the organic, sulphate free PF500 Red, which is juicy and very good value. SNACK ON: Local produce, like Leaning Oak goat’s feta in a basil pesto.

W: ORDER THE: Riesling. Winemaker Jacob Stein also makes wine for several other vineyards in the region, but the riesling he blends for the family business is a multi-award winner. SNACK ON: Farm-to-table charcuterie at on-site restaurant Pipeclay Pumphouse. The salumi and other smoked meats are raised, processed and cured on-site.

W: This place was recommended to us by pretty much every local we spoke to. Its rural yet sophisticated interior blends perfectly with its location hanging over the lake of the Robert Stein vineyard. On a food level, it doesn’t get much better than this. Hearty yet elegant cuisine paired with a service that you’ll only find here in Mudgee.

W: ORDER THE: Mudgee Pipeclay white port – it’s smooth and fruity, and in summer over ice it makes a perfect aperitif. Plus it’s organic – so basically guilt free. SNACK ON: Chocolate. From Wednesdays to Sundays, the cellar door does a chocolate and wine pairing with locally-made pralines.

W: Tucked away from the road down a dusty track, this has to be the smallest cellar door we’ve ever visited. But don’t be fooled by its rustic demeanour or by the fact the owners refer to it as their ‘tasting shack’, the wine from this little place is awesome.Just down the road from Logan Wines is Skimstone Wines, with a very unassuming little cellar door.  It is actually a tasting shed set amidst a classic landscape overlooking Cudgegong River valley.All Skimstone’s wines, made from the family vineyard at Apple Tree Flat, has a unique terroir, giving Skimstone the ability to stand out from the crowd.Skimstone specialises in vibrant friendly wines – in particular the Italian varieties – Sangiovese and Barbera. Handpicked in one parcel and basket-pressed, the 2016 Sangiovese is soft and elegant, and exhibits a superbly balanced palate with flavors of sour cherry, cinnamon, cardamom and soft tannins. You can also taste the 2015 classic Italian style Sangiovese Rosé. Left on the skins for 24 hours, it is then light

W: Another charming family-run vineyard is Rosby, a 15-minute drive north of the town centre. Stop in for a tasting of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon or rosé in Kay and Gerry Norton-Knight’s garden. While Gerry’s in charge of the vines, Kay organises an annual sculpture exhibition (held on the second weekend in October) and runs art workshops throughout the year.

W: Come daybreak, look for the curved, wrought-iron gates on Market Street to lead you to the pretty courtyard of Alby & Esthers in a sandstone terrace from 1873. Good for brunch, it has a short menu offering the likes of chilli-and-fennel-marinated local mushrooms with organic poached egg on sourdough, and the Esther’s jaffle, with smoked ham, egg, cheese and relish. The coffee is by Yarrabin Road Roasters and is arguably the best in town.

W: A modern gastro pub with an impressive menu - but you can also just get a schnitty.

W: A lovely owner-operated cafe where everything is homemade. The menu changes regularly based on seasonality and availability of local produce. You often see locals bringing in fresh produce from their gardens to be used in the kitchen. A lovely sunny courtyard and an art space add to the cafe’s charm.

W: Make time to visit its cellar door on Henry Lawson Drive for the full range of spirits, which includes whisky and a surprisingly delicious lemon-myrtle liqueur.)

W: If you’re looking for a delicious alternative to Barossa Shiraz, or appreciate food-friendly reds or want quality wine that you can afford to drink every day, head for the Mongrel Vineyard Mudgee Cellar Door along Spring Flat Road. It opens its doors for wine tasting on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am – 4 pm. It also offers simple food platters to its guests. You may choose from the following Mongrel wines: Grenache 2014, Primitivo 2012, The Blend 2013, White 2014, Sangiovese 2014 and Pinot Noir 2013.