3-day-itinerary-in-mudgee-for-food-and-wine-lovers

3-day-itinerary-in-mudgee-for-food-and-wine-lovers

EveningThe Drip is a stunning sandstone building that drips crystal-clear water. Fuel up at Market Street Cafe with coffee and breakfast before you head there. The Drip and its surrounding walking track are just 35 minutes from Mudgee.Jump into the Goulburn River if it is a hot day to cool down. Hands-on Rock is a site of Aboriginal rock art that’s worth a visit.AfternoonA late lunch is in order after a long and energetic excursion. Take a turn about 8km away from Mudgee to the Pipeclay Pumphouse, located in the charmingly named area of Budgee Budgee. The rustic, low-slung, low-slung restaurant is part of Robert Stein’s portfolio. It’s perched on top of a dam, among the reeds, and exudes a relaxing bucolic charm.

The comforting surroundings belie the excellent food coming out of the Pipeclay Kitchen. The degustation menu changes seasonally and could include dark chocolate pannacotta, charcuterie made in-house, or truffle tuna tartare. Stein’s museum-release aged Riesling or Reserve Shiraz is a great pairing.You can spend an hour in the Pieter Van Gent Winery amongst ex-Penfolds barrels dating back to 1850. Viifera offers a wide range of organically produced Spanish varietals. These include the dark graciano and the inky tempranillo. Take a few homes to enjoy.

EveningOri Kitchen, located at the Oriental Hotel, is a great place to relax in a country pub atmosphere. Book in advance, as the Oriental is a local landmark that’s always packed with regulars and visitors. This is the ideal place to indulge in some comfort food after your high-end lunch. Slow-cooked lamb is a great choice with the local Bunnamagoo Lily blend of cab sauv/merlot.Roth’s Wine Bar, while billed as an after-dinner wine bar, is the place to be for a dance party, and if your stamina allows, you can also enjoy some delicious wood-fired pies. The local negroni is made using gin from Mudgee’s Baker Williams Distillery. Enjoy the evening with this version.

Day Two: Explore the Food HubsDAY TWO: KEY FACTSLowe Wines can be found at:
  • Tinja Ln. Mudgee NSW 2850Mudgee is a 15-minute drive away
  • EveningAlby & Esther will help you start the day with a caffeine boost. This courtyard cafe, tucked into a beautiful stone building from the late 19th century, is a wonderful place to start your day. Esther’s Jaffle is made with local free-range eggs and smoked ham.

    Visit Brett Niven Ceramics before you hit the wine trail.Continue to Logan Wines, one of Mudgee’s most popular wineries, located 15 minutes outside of the town. Logan Wines, a modern winery that shares a sister location in Orange with a stunning valley of vines and rolling hills, is a perfect Instagram-worthy spot. Try their delicious Apple Tree Flat Roses, skinny Clementine pinot noir, or the Ridge of Tears Shiraz.

    AfternoonIt’s worth stopping by Martins Hill Organic Wines or Broombee Organic Orchard & Vineyard for organic wines. The boutique wineries are both great ways to experience a truly authentic wine experience.Di Lusso is a charming place with an alfresco restaurant that will take you back to an Italian trattoria. They serve a wide range of Italian varietals. Sit back with an Arneis or fiano and a heaped plate of pear, rocket, and parmesan salad or the beef cheeks with a more robust cabernet/barbera/Sangiovese.

    EveningAs twilight descends, Lowe Wines rises. You can arrive early and enjoy the sundown while sipping a sparkling wine. You’ll not only be able to enjoy the views of the lush landscape but also the dedication and time that the head winemaker, David Lowe, put into his property. This includes the permaculture gardens and the market gardens, which are the engine rooms of the kitchen.

    You can relax in your seat, knowing that your table will be yours until the end of the night, at Lowe’s fine dining restaurant, The Zin House. Lowe’s policy of a long dinner makes the five-course seasonal degustation sourced from the farm, surrounding area, and the region a stress-free event. You can pair the food and wine to create a delicious meal. For example, you could enjoy a roast chicken with garden vegetables and the Lowe Zinfandel. Or a tarte-tatin with Craigmoor sticky.

    TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE HOMEDAY THREE: KEY FACTSLochiel House is located at:
  • 1259 Bells Line of Road Kurrajong NSW 2758You can drive to Mudgee in 2.5 hours
  • EveningGrab a coffee and a bacon-and-egg roll at Butcher’s Shop Cafe before you take the long route home via Hill End’s historic village.This route has a few wineries along the way. One of them, Burnbrae, serves pizzas every Sunday for lunch. After you reach the former gold-mining town of Hill End, an hour away, take a photo tour to see the colonial architecture and the old wealth of the area.

    Afternoon

    Consider taking the Bells Line of Road instead of the Great Western Highway when you are returning home. Stop at Lochiel’s house in Kurrajong for a fine lunch in beautiful surroundings. The slight detour is more than compensated by the stunning scenery of the bush and the occasional vistas.

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