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Must Visit Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee!
Mudgee is hands down our favourite winery region in Australia that we have visited. The close proximity of the wineries, the beautiful cellar doors and the amazing scenery all add to the charm of Mudgee as well as being one of the not-so-visited areas. There are many Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee that you Must Visit!
Here is a list of our recommendations for Must visit Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee.
1. Lowe Winery
For a chilled afternoon at a beautiful winery. The key place on our list for must visit wineries and restaurants in Mudgee.
Oh wow, Lowe’s winery is just everything you could dream of from a cellar door! We have been in both Winter and Summer and absolutely loved both experiences.
On our most recent visit (Dec ’20) was during Covid times when there were zero cases in Australia but all venues had restrictions to still follow. We had to make a booking for the wine tasting beforehand and pay for it online. However, what an experience!
This consisted of a slow casual top up of 10 different wines on the list, whilst standing outside in the sprinkler mist keeping us refreshed on this hot summers day. We were even handed a glass of sparkling when we first arrived, what a great touch!
There is the option after the wine tasting to hang around on their beautiful grounds and at this point you can purchase a glass or a bottle of wine and a cheese board for the perfect afternoon in Mudgee.
2. Craigmoor Estate Wines
For authenticity, delicious reds and Tawnys.
The oldest vineyard in Mudgee, Cragimoor is a very classic cellar door with some amazing wines. We only visited this one in winter and boy did it live up to that winter scene that we were after! The roaring fireplace and red Tawny Ports (called Rummy) were perfect cosy winter vibes.
3. Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant
For the some of the best food in Australia!! This is also the best restaurant on this list of must visit wineries and restaurants in Mudgee.
Located at the Robert Stein Vineyard & Winery Pipeclay Lane, Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant has out of this world food. We went for breakfast on the Sunday and it has to be the best breakfast we have had in Australia! The views from the restaurant were first class, and we would love to come back for a lunch or dinner.
[Note: unfortunately they are not doing breakfast since 2020, but lunch and dinner would be just as amazing!].
4. 1838 Wines
For low key olive and wine tasting.
Wine and olive tasting, this experience combines the two perfectly. It is located with a lovely olive grove on site, and you can sit outside for the tastings. We absolutely loved the Dancing Wombat Shiraz (sparkling shiraz) and we even ended up ordering some more on their website a few months after visiting because it was so good!!
5. Roth’s Wine Bar
For the the best evening atmosphere, this is definitely the best bar we found in Mudgee and we wish there was something similar in Sydney!
Located in the heart of Mudgee city centre, this is a definite must go restaurant / bar. With an extensive wine list from all of the local wineries and a pizza and snack based menu, this place really took us by surprise. The entrance feels like a little old shop and then once you have past the first room you enter this amazing outdoor setting. In winter the roaring fireplace created a magical cosy setting, and a jazz singer singing outside amongst the fairy lights made for the most memorable evenings in Mudgee.
6. Burnbrae Wine
For the small family owned boutique winery experience
During our summer visit to Mudgee, we of course go back to our favourite wineries in Mudgee, however we also wanted to try a new one! After a bit of research we decided to book into Burnbrae Wine. This cellar door is a lovely authentic, wood, characteristic winery and a beautiful setting. We visited on a summer weekend of high temperatures and sitting out on the beautiful outdoor wooden deck for the tastings – perfect! Moreover, the staff were also so friendly and very good with the Covid controls!
7. Baker Williams Distillery
Delicious liquors for a break from wine!
A small break from all of the wine in Mudgee, Baker Williams Distillery is definitely worth a visit. It is set on really cool grounds with a lovely entrance, and produces the tastiest liquors!! The distillery produces whiskey, gin, limoncello, orangecello you name it and during the tasting they leave the best till last which is the butterscotch liquor and oh wow this is like a delicious dessert!
While your at Baker Williams you should visit… –>
8. Vinifera Wines
For outdoor picnic vibes with wines and sausage rolls on a hot summers day
Vinifera wines is next door to Baker Williams, which means if you visit one you should definitely visit the other. This is especially good if you are not with a wine tour and just getting taxis between the wineries (we did this on our second trip to Mudgee). This does not mean that you should only visit here if you will visit Baker William, but it is how we discovered it!
Vinifera wines was the visit where we purchased the most wines as they were soo good! On the hot weekend that it was when we were there, the sparkling, roses and light reds could not have been enjoyed more! They have two wine tasting menus to choose from, the one we didn’t have has more heavy reds which they probably recommend more in the colder months. They also have a small menu for snacks and sausage rolls, which I highly recommend!
Example itinerary
If you are not on a guided tour, and you plan to get taxis between wineries this is an example itinerary based on if you are staying in the town centre. Each arrow is a taxi ride, note that Baker Williams distillery is next to Vinifera Wines so no transport needed. You can grab some snacks at Vinifera Wines, and then have lunch or cheese board once you get to Lowe’s. Lowe’s wine is an awesome place to then spend the rest of the afternoon on their most beautiful grounds. Mudgee taxi number is 13 10 08.
Mudgee centre –> The Olive Nest & 1838 Wines –> Baker Williams distillery — Vinifera Wines (with snacks) –> Craigmoor Wines –> Lowe’s Wine (cheese board) –> Mudgee centre
Let me know if there are any of your favourites missing from the list!!
See my page Mudgee in Winter for ideas of a winter trip to Mudgee!
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