FRIDAY, 17/11/2023
12:00pm – THE GRUMPY BAKER CAFE
Meet with the team at the parking near The Grumpy Baker cafe, 2481 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758 for a cup of coffee and nice pastry.
SATURDAY, 18/11/2023
8:00am – ALTHEA BY ZIN
Meeting at Althea by Zin, 131 Church St, Mudgee NSW 2850 for a nice breakfast.
10:00am – HUNTINGTON ESTATE
Wine tasting at Huntington Estate, 641 Ulan Rd, Buckaroo NSW 2850. A visit to the Huntington Estate Cellar Door is a must for serious wine-lovers. While the market often looks for young, fresh wines, Huntington Estate believes that there are still more than a few people who love the more crafted, Estate grown, made and bottled wine styles that stand the test of time. It’s all about what’s inside the bottle that matters; substance over style.
12:00pm – PIETER VAN GENT WINERY & VINEYARD
Wine tasting at Pieter van Gent Winery & Vineyard, 141 Black Springs Rd, Eurunderee NSW 2850. Pieter van Gent emigrated from Holland in 1959, hoping to obtain a job in the wine industry, having gained experience in the family wine firm in Holland. He was offered a job at Penfolds as a cellar hand, hosing out casks in the table wine section. He steadily rose through the ranks in Penfolds NSW operations, including a vintage at Dalwood in Hunter Valley, and in 1970 was hired by the then owners of Craigmoor, to fill the role of chief winemaker. The following year he made a 100% Chardonnay, the same year as Tyrrell’s made the first vintage of Vat 47 Chardonnay. After nine years at Craigmoor he established his own winery. It is here that son Philip van Gent has taken the lead role as winemaker, drawing on the estate plantings of muller thurgau, verdelho, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, durif, sangiovese and viognier.
1:00pm – ROBERT STEIN WINERY
Wine tasting at Robert Stein Winery, Vineyard & Farm, 62 Quarry Ln, Budgee Budgee NSW 2850. With a wine growing family lineage dating back to 1838, the vineyard, which was established in 1976, is now producing award-winning reds, whites and fortifieds. The James Halliday Wine Companion rates the Robert Stein Winery as a Red Red Five Star Winery. Experience the best of the best. All single vineyard, hand picked fruit, from almost 50 year old vines. We will take a seat with one of the best views in the house. We will have a light lunch, taste wines and learn about everything that goes into Robert Stein’s Reserve collection from a senior Cellar Door team member.
2:00pm – PIPECLAY PUMPHOUSE
Lunch at Pipeclay Pumphouse, Robert Stein Vineyard & Winery Pipeclay Lane, Mudgee NSW 2850, in an elegantly rustic restaurant with the panoramic views of the Robert Stein Vineyard. The Pipeclay Pumphouse invites guests to connect with the flavours of Mudgee region and indulge in their casual degustation menu that changes with the passing of the seasons. They use simple techniques that accentuate the freshness of our produce.
6:00pm – THE ZIN HOUSE
Dinner at The Zin House, 329 Tinja Ln, Eurunderee NSW 2850. The Zin House is a regional restaurant and food garden on the organic and biodynamic Lowe Family Wine Co property in Mudgee, NSW. Headed by Chef Kim Currie, the restaurant specialises in set menu long lunches within a modern farmhouse setting. Using mostly organic produce from their extensive kitchen gardens, orchards and farmland, the food is prepared from scratch using classic techniques. What they don’t grow themselves, they source from local producers to provide an experience of true regionality. The optional wine pairing amplifies all these qualities, with a mix of estate grown wines and other producers across the surrounding wine districts. A dining experience that allows you to truly unwind; good food and wine with those you care about, time to wander the gardens and enjoy the views, service that is warm and personable but not obtrusive, and never having a time limit on your table.
SUNDAY, 19/11/2023
8:00am – ALTHEA BY ZIN
Meeting at Althea by Zin, 131 Church St, Mudgee NSW 2850 for a nice breakfast.
10:00am – FIRST RIDGE WINES
Wine tasting at First Ridge Wines, 577 Burrundulla Rd, Mudgee NSW 2850. The Italian varietal vineyard was established by John and Helen Nicholas in 1998 under the guidance of world-renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart. Richard considered the vineyard characteristics and the Mudgee climate ideally suited to the cultivation of selected Italian grape varieties. The award-winning wines are true to their heritage, offering a vibrant and exciting varietal range that are perfect for any occasion, and like all Italian varietal wines, come alive with food. The premium range includes Barbera, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Vermentino, Fiano, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese Rose as well as highly regarded Prosecco.
