To officially launch this year’s Mudgee Wine and Food Festival, Lowe Wines’ Liam Heslop and Burnbrae Wines’ Lisa Bray engaged in a winemakers’ spitting competition at Lawson Park.

Both winemakers brought their a-game as the well-placed spittoon collected hits within two mouthfuls.

But as Mr Heslop told the media, there is much more to the annual Mudgee Wine and Food Festival than a spitting contest.

From September 13 to 29 the spotlight is on Mudgee’s quality wine and fine foods as more than 60 events are held across the three-week celebration.

Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association president, Andrew Stein, said 2013 was looking to be one of the region’s biggest festivals with an emphasis on local participation.

“It’s an opportunity for local residents to enjoy the exceptional wine region they live in,” he said.

Mudgee Region Tourism Inc CEO, Holly Manning, encouraged local residents to also invite their friends and family to the region during September as well as tie in day trips to Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos.  

The almost month-long Mudgee Wine and Food Festival is the biggest event on the region’s social calendar, attracting more visitors to the region than any other time.

At the Festival launch yesterday guests were treated to wine, chocolate and cheese tasting, showcasing the plethora of events on in September.

The Festival begins with a bang on Friday, September 13, as Mudgee’s 

Luke Spencer hosts a chocolate making workshop at High Valley Wine and Cheese from 10.30am; Burnbrae Wines will host Burnbrae Bowls with Greg Chappell from 12pm; Rosby Premium Wines will hold their spring vintage launch from 12.30pm; Roth’s Wine Bar is hosting Mudgee Passenger Terminal – a drinks trolley tasting from 6pm; and the annual Mudgee Wine Show Trophy Dinner will be at Parklands Resort from 6.30pm.

As well as annual events that have been part of the festival for years, new events and activities have been included this year such as sourdough bread making workshops and bush tucker tastings.

For the full Mudgee Wine and Food Festival timetable, log on to visitmudgeeregion.com.au