Top wineries to visit on a Mudgee weekend

Did someone say #winetime?

Just a 3.5 hour drive from Sydney is one of Australia’s best kept secrets: the Mudgee wine region.

With around 40 cellar doors in the area, you could literally spend days hopping from winery to winery. However if like me, you’re on a weekend getaway, these are the ‘must do’ cellar doors to visit.

Logan Wines

About 15 minutes out of town, just off the main road from Sydney is Logan Wines. Located in the valley of the Apple Tree Flat, its relaxing feel immediately transforms you, making it the perfect pit stop to celebrate the start of your weekend of wine.

After taste-testing the range of Logan wines on offer, I highly recommend popping yourself out on the deck with your favourite glass (or bottle) and a delicious cheese platter – consisting of local cheeses, walnuts, prunes and honeycomb. The Blue Stefan cheese, mixed with a dab of honeycomb and a Logan Wines Chardonnay is a personal fave.

Skimstone

Just down the road from Logan Wines is Skimstone Wines, a family owned winery with a very unassuming little cellar door. Driving down the driveway we were quite surprised to find the cellar door was actually a shed, full of character and delicious drops.

Rustic charm at Skimstone Wines

With incredible views over the vineyards, hills and the river of the Cudgegong Valley, Skimstone is not just about the scenery. The wine is equally as amazing.

Specialising in the Italian varieties, you really must taste them ALL. However in particular the 2013 Sangiovese is worth a try.

Lowe Wines

Picturesque Lowe Wines, overlooking the Tinja farmlands is a must-do. With organic and unirrigated vineyards, the Lowe family settled on the site way back in 1829.

Feeling peckish? I highly recommend combining your wine tasting with a long paddock to plate style lunch at their award winning on-site restaurant, Zin House – which you can read more about in my foodies guide to Mudgee .

After lunch, drop by the cellar door and sit outside for a taste-test. Personal favourites include the 2013 Nullo Mountain Late Harvest Riesling, which had a distinct honeysuckle flavour and matched brilliantly with dessert, plus the crisp 2013 Organic Headstone Rose, which tastes great alongside delicacies such as olives, fresh meats, fig and cheeses.

Short Sheep

Last but not least, pay a visit to Short Sheep. This cute little micro-winery is named after a rare breed of miniature Babydoll Southdown Sheep that graze around the vines throughout the year.

This winery focuses on sustainable practices, delivering premium wines from handpicked fruit. Owners Tony and Sue really take the time to talk you through the tastings, as well as asking about your experience with the flavours in the wines.

Plus, if you’re lucky like me and attend during vintage (February to April) you may even be able to go out the back and experience the pressing of the grapes!

This doesn’t stain, right?

Short Sheep also hosts popular evening events throughout the year, from twilight tastings to camp fire tastings and winemaker dinners.

 How to get around:

Lets be honest, a day of wine tasting is pretty boring if you happen to luck out as the designated driver. So another ‘Mudgee must do’ is to book in with Mudgee Trike Tours. This Volkswagen powered trike is such a fun way to get around, with both three hour and full day rates available, owner Phil will take you anywhere you want, for as long as you want; and will also give you suggestions on where to go if needed.

Where to stay:

Check out my recent review of the Mudgee Homestead Guesthouse

See all hotels in Mudgee .  

Have you been to Mudgee? Share your foodie tips in the comments.