I first fell in love with Mudgee back in 1968 when Bob Roberts, a family friend and founder of Huntington Estate, invited us to come over the hill and see what all this new wine business fuss was about. In those days it was a 5 ¼ hour drive through the Blue Mountains and with three young children in the back – no i-pods, transportable DVD players, or DS – it was an endurance test.

Still the first weekend was idllyic – balmy weather, little traffic polite friendly people and being introduced to the joys of working on the land. After 12 hour days in the office to be outside with the sun on your back and the kids larking about was wonderful.

We’ve been coming back ever since. The early days were spent in the caravan at the back of the property as each weekend was marked by staking trellises, trailing vines up to the wire and weeding, always weeding – and all by hand. Still Jen and the children must have enjoyed it. Were still happily married and the children have all made Mudgee home.

Today Mudgee is a little bigger and more sophisticated – you can get a first rate coffee at the Butcher Shop Cafe  and Roth’s wine bar has all the smarts of a Sydney Wine Bar but without the attitude -  and of course  the people are still friendly and polite.  So come over the hill and say hello; your welcome anytime.

Rick Turner