5 minute read
With international travel off the cards for a while, 2021 is the year to explore new places in your own backyard and support local makers.
Bathurst makes the ideal weekend road trip from Sydney, less than 3 hours’ drive with plenty of authentic regional experiences to be had.
One of Bathurst’s best kept secrets is the quality of its cool climate wines.
Our local vineyards are small-batch, family-run businesses where you’ll meet the makers and hear the inspiring stories of how they came to be producing the wines of Bathurst.
Here are the cellar doors where you can taste some of the region’s best drops.
Renzaglia Wines
38 Bosworth Falls Road, O’Connell
The Renzaglia family has been producing award-winning wines for 23 years on their picturesque property nestled between the villages of The Lagoon and O’Connell, around 22 minutes’ drive south of Bathurst.
Their newly refurbished cellar door is now open by appointment.
Call Mark Renzaglia on 0413 196 036 or visit www.renzagliawines.com.au
Vale Creek Wines
483 Cow Flat Road, Cow Flat
Just beyond the village of Perthville, 17 minutes drive south of Bathurst, vignerons Liz and Tony will make you feel more than welcome to try their specialty Italian varietals. Or visit the cellar door for one of their regular Jazz evenings.
Check the website for dates, www.valecreek.com.au or call to make a tasting appointment, 02 6337 2011.
Bellbrook Friends Wines
560 Hopes Road, Essington
52 minutes’ drive south of Bathurst via Oberon you’ll find vignerons Diana and George, winemakers with a love of poetry. Bellbrook uses biodynamic growing practices and the unique topography of the property to produce a truly special drop.
Visit the cellar door by appointment, contact 0414 572 294 or visit the website, www.bellbrookfriends.com
Winburndale Wines
116 Saint Anthony’s Creek Road, Glanmire
Windburndale is a family run vineyard and winery, the grapes are grown and the wine made and bottled on site. Located an easy 20-minute drive east from Bathurst.
The cellar door is open 10 am until 3 pm each Saturday by appointment.
Visit www.winburndalewines.com.au for more details.
Rock Forest Vineyard
12 Pine Ridge Road, Rock Forest
Patricia and David grow the vines and make the wines. Currently, Rock Forest produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, with plantings of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon which are apporaching maturity.
Rock Forest Vineyard is located just off Ophir Road, about 20 minutes’ drive west of Bathurst towards Orange. The cellar door is open on the first Sunday of each month from 10 am until 2 pm or by appointment.
If you miss out on a scheduled appointment with our Bathurst vignerons, you can always purchase local wines from Cobb & Co Cellars on William Street in Bathurst, or ask for local wine when you eat out at any good local restaurant or bistro.
Don’t want to worry about driving yourself there and back?
Bathurst Tours runs bus tours of the Bathurst vineyards. Call 1300 728 321 or visit www.bathurstonedaytours.com.au
