Despite a chilly start to the long weekend, local wineries reported brisk trade on Saturday, which continued on Sunday as warmer weather brought visitors out to enjoy the wine, food and entertainment. 

A steady stream of visitors arriving by buses, bicycles, and horse-drawn coaches, as well as private vehicles, kept staff at local venues busy throughout  the weekend. 

Mudgee Wine Association president Ted Cox said early feedback indicated most Mudgee Wine and Food participants were pleased with attendance at the festival, now in its 38^th year. 

“Everyone is fairly happy with the way the festival has panned out”. 

Overcast skies for most of the festival month did not deter weekend visitors from making the trip to Mudgee, although mid-week numbers appeared to be lower. 

Events such as Go Grazing, Go Tasting and Flavours of Mudgee once again attracted capacity crowds.  

Nathan Williams of Baker Williams Distillery said visitors appeared to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival.

“A lot of people feel like it’s slightly more low-key than the Hunter, and it’s easier to relax and meet the people who make the region’s produce,” he said. 

This year’s festival brought a mix of local residents,  regular visitors to the region and first-time customers. 

di Lusso Estate owner Rob Fairall estimated that numbers at this year’s festival were comparable with the previous year. 

“A lot of local people are bringing their families, which is terrific.” 

Mr Fairall said di Lusso Estate had sold a lot of food as well as wine, with demand for pizza boosted by the school holidays and sporting carnivals at Glen Willow. 

First time visitor Deborah Apriani from Sydney said she usually visits the Hunter Valley two or three times a year, but decided to visit Mudgee after seeing the region’s annual promotion at Balmoral. 

After visiting Short Sheep, di Lusso Estate, Farmer’s Daughter and Pieter Van Gent winery, she was ready to include the Mudgee region in her annual itinerary.