Unforgettable Mudgee Wine Weekend with Friends

Our weekend getaway to Mudgee was nothing short of unforgettable. A dozen of us—mostly English and Irish expats—gathered to celebrate Miriam’s 30th, her engagement, and to share a few final laughs before she and her partner Dave moved back to Ireland. With a seven-bedroom house, a fireplace, and an unexpected dungeon, the setting was perfect for a weekend of wine, laughter, and a touch of chaos.

The highlight of our trip was the wine tour, run by the absolutely brilliant (and possibly clinically insane) crew at Mudgee Explorer Tours. Their knowledge, humor, and ability to keep our lively group on track made the experience truly exceptional. They took us to some of Mudgee’s finest vineyards, with Robert Stein and Huntington Estate standing out as the clear favorites. Robert Stein wowed us with its bold reds and scenic vineyard views, while Huntington Estate impressed with its rich, full-bodied wines and charming cellar door experience. Both offered a true taste of Mudgee’s incredible winemaking craft, and we made sure to take home a few bottles to remember the trip by.

The wine (and perhaps a few sneaky pre-tour drinks) had us in fine form, and it wasn’t long before the Mudgee Explorer Tours van turned into our personal karaoke booth. With full voices and heads bopping up and down, we belted out classics, barely pausing between songs as the whole van erupted in a chorus of laughter. Our tour guides—probably questioning their life choices—embraced the madness and kept the energy rolling between stops.

Back at our Airbnb, the wine kept flowing as we gathered around the wood fire, sharing cheese, crackers, and endless laughter. At the 30th and Engagement dinner, someone managed to pick up a few splinters, plenty of stories and laughs were shared and , later into the night, one of our compatriots even went missing —thankfully turning up unharmed the next day. Anyone from Ireland or the UK could probably relate. Between watching Ireland v Australia at the local Irish pub, late-night antics, and fireside storytelling, the weekend was as eventful as it was enjoyable.

Mudgee proved to be the perfect backdrop for both celebration and farewell. Whether it was the top-tier wineries, the warm hospitality of the locals, or the sheer madness of our group, the memories will last a lifetime. If you’re planning a trip to this stunning wine region, Mudgee Explorer Tours is the way to go—they’ll show you the best of what Mudgee has to offer, all while ensuring you have an absolute blast along the way.