Mudgee, a charming town in central west NSW, is a haven for those who enjoy good food and wine. Surrounded by beautiful and award-winning wineries, it is the perfect place to spend a weekend with the family, or with a few girlfriends/fellow mums. My sister and I had such an opportunity recently (without kids and husbands) and we did not waste a minute of our time away together, writes NSM Josy Adames.
Arriving on a Friday night after a brief afternoon tea stop at the Apple Bar in Bilpin (which serves an upside down apple cake you really must try), the Perry Street Hotel was a welcoming sight. This boutique accommodation is beautifully styled and has thoughtful extras and subtle luxuries – the robes are gorgeous kimonos, snacks are supplied and the minibar is stocked with local wines at reasonable prices. The staff are friendly and accommodating, too, and it is centrally located in Mudgee, meaning just a short stroll to the main street, or the local markets which are held once a month.
The pretty main street of Mudgee, with its well-maintained buildings and a selection of eateries, is truly inviting – you’ll will have a hard time choosing between all the gourmet offerings. However, for our first evening in Mudgee we chose to dine at foodie haven The Zin House, which is just outside the township and overlooks Lowe’s Zinfandel vineyard and the Tinja farmlands of Mudgee. A taxi can take you there for under $25 and it is money well spent when you see the wine list! We chose to order by the glass so we could sample a selection.
Owner/chef Kim Currie warmly invites diners with her beaming smile and the smell of freshly baked bread. Her organic kitchen garden provides much of the restaurant’s produce while neighbours also provide ingredients – the Wagyu prosciutto had my sister and I deciding we could never be vegetarians.
On Saturday morning we had to face the decision of where to eat breakfast, a short stroll had us walking past Market Street Cafe and The Quick Brown Fox. We chose Market Street and the eggs (Benedict and scrambled) didn’t disappoint.
After a leisurely walk (read, no kids!) around the shops we headed out to Logan. There are two things you need to know about Logan. Firstly, the wine is great. And secondly, the most amazing carrot cake (moist, delicious icing) I have ever tasted is served in the tasting room. Owner and winemaker Peter Logan was in the tasting room while we were there and he was happy to talk about the wines. He was preparing for a degustation event that evening we were going to attend whereby chefs from Papi Chulo (Manly, Sydney) were partnering their food with Peter’s wines.
Enjoying the delicious carrot cake at Logan.
After a night of indulgence, a good breakfast is necessary before the long trip home. Pipeclay Pumphouse at Robert Stein Winery & Vineyard was our chosen venue. With a menu that ticks all the boxes, we decided to sample several dishes including the Caramelised onion tart, Potato and dill pancake with smoked salmon, and the Bacon and egg gnocchi. The menu is not for those looking for something light or for those on a detox! It seemed very family-friendly, with sliding doors opening onto a fenced-in deck. Although, you would need to keep an eye on climbing kids that could get up onto the table and dive into the dam. We were lucky to get a table, so it’s worth booking ahead.
Picturesque Robert Stein Winery & Vineyard.
Our weekend in Mudgee was full of excellent food and wine – my ‘magic moments’ would have to be the following.
- The Zin House – go for the fireplace tapas and cross your fingers that they will still be serving the Wagyu prosciutto.
- Market Street Cafe – the eggs are superb, but service can be a bit slow.
- Logan – try the Ridge of Tears Shiraz, Moscato, Riesling and … the carrot cake. Hannah and Pete have created a wonderful place at Apple Tree Flat – picturesque and serene.
- Pipeclay Pumphouse – for its unique setting and Onion tart.
- Perry Street Hotel – if boutique luxury accommodation is your thing.
On my list for next time…
- Skimstone Wines
- Lowe Mudgee vineyard, for the Zinfandel and woody Chardonnay
- Bunnamagoo Estate Wines, for the bubbly!
- The Mudgee Farmers Markets, on the third Saturday of each month
- Trelawney Farm
- Butcher Shop Cafe, for breakfast
- High Valley Wine & Cheese Co, for mouth-watering cheese
- di Lusso Estate, for the Woodfire pizzas and antipasti
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