Rainy day to celebrate 70 years in Mudgee wine country : June 19 2026
Not the best of nights. Was awake a lot. Listened to the rain a lot. Pity as I was hoping for a dry day to ride my bike. Scrapped that idea. We took the car to get coffee
Photo of a grey day church. Tried to find a simple way to get rid of the car aerial. First gi with ChatGPT did nothing. Gave up. We had coffee in the bakery opposite. A busy spot - lots of mums with their kids.
Then we did a cycle of chores for the weekend. Service NSW to get a new parking ticket holder. Butcher to get meat for tomorrow's walk in bbq. Pork ribs and brisket plus a few things for tonight's dinner. Got a discount for my 70th birthday. Then we headed up the road with no agenda
First stop at Blue Wren farm. Was an up and coming winery when I lived up this way. Some signs of change - grapes still on the vines. Man tells us the cellar door has been closed 6 years. Now just a restaurant and wedding venue. Drove firtjer up the riad and stopped at next winery. Sign on the road said Thumbprint Wines was open. Nope. Try the next McIntosh Wines - not heard of this one
Name looks Scottish. The logo is a bit like the Eureka stockade flag. One car in car park and movement in the cellar door
Pink galahs feeding - weather is bleak indeed.
We were greeted at the front door by the dog. Super friendly but not wanting to step in the rain.
We were greeted by Curt - the owner - he has an American accent. We were introduced to the dog formally. He has a wine related name - Cooper.
We learned the derivation of the vineyard name - named after Curt's home town in Northern Minnesota not far from the Canadian border.
We shared stories about accidental entries to the wine industry. Curt and Janet wanted to retire here in Mudgee. A series of quirks had them owning the vineyard and a set of lease deals for the vineyards that fell over. What do you do? A viticulture course, make wine, build a cellar door. Starting in 2019 with known quality vines they got two gold medals in 2023. Amazing. The wines were standards in each of their varieties. The stories went all around the world - wine, South Africa, motorcycling, hot cars, cycling, crossing America and Australia, IT, insurance, common people. We spent two hours. Bought some wine - joined the wine club. My sort of wine people. Passionate about the land and their craft.
Perfect way to while away a rainy birthday celebration
Headed back to the villa. Had some lunch a day wandered up to wine bar for a happy hour drink.
A chance to photograph the old houses across the street - Federation style to start
Another Federation style. The chimneys caught my eye
The terraces next door - look like a modern copy with fake Victorian trim. Maybe the real thing - who knows
Had one drink in the wine bar. My wife's wine was not good - maybe tbe way it was made or maybe the last glass in a bottle opened the day before. No refund offered when she switched to another wine - one not made by Grapes of Roth. Disappointing visit compared to Three Tails brewery the day before. Will not go there again.
Headed back to villa for a bbq dinner a day wine we had quality control over.
Staged photo of the dinner and the wine that came with the 70th card. A new wine from Henschke in Eden Valley. Will be saving a few for my 80th. First test will be in 2031.
Despite the rain it was a great day
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Height183 cm | Weight90 kg | Body Fat% | |||
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