Skimstone Wines is an award winning winery, found in the picturesque landscape skirting the country town of Mudgee, NSW. Home to both French and Italian grape varieties, the wine menu boasts a taste of both styles, authentically created by French wine maker Jean-François Esnault. Hailing from Bordeaux France, Jean expertly uses his wine making roots to curate fresh, classic and elegant characters found within each wine on offer.
If you’re shortlisting wineries and cellar doors to visit on your next trip to Mudgee, then Skimstone Wines is lesser known it should absolutely be one of your top contenders.
The winery
Skimstone winery is the perfect spot to escape the concrete jungle, or in my case the town and indulge in the relaxing surrounds of the idyllic setting. Much like their wine-making philosophy, the sensitively designed cellar door with rustic agricultural materials balance the undulating views and friendly, salt of the earth staff, it’s a soothing spot to sit back and enjoy the experience with wine in hand.
The wooden decking overlooks a beautiful dam that plays host to a small brood of geese and ducks. This delightful spot caters for couples, friends and family alike by offering activities for all including an oversized chess board, sand pit and swings as well as board games and the optional choice of a locally sourced grazing platter.
Despite all this, the outstanding qualities of Skimstone has to be the staff. Whilst extremely informative about the wines origins, notes and processes, they are lovely people who make you feel at ease with their friendly service and “can’t do enough” attitude. This has easily been my favourite service in Mudgee due to its organic country hospitality as opposed to the snobbish and overly pretentious service other wineries have.
The wines & tastings
Wine maker and manager, Jean-François Esnault creates incredible, award winning wines from both French and Italian wine grape varieties. From the gold award, full-bodied Barberra that has notes of cherries and nutmeg, to the regions’ best Sangiovese rose (my personal favourite) which parades a beautiful blend of raspberries, rhubarb and fairy floss, there is something for all wine lovers to enjoy. Skimstone Wines works with rather than against mother nature, focusing on the quality and pureness within the practice of viticulture. This starts right from the soil quality in order to achieve the highest possible standard of wine.
Skimstone Wines offers tastings of both the French and Italian wine menu for only $10 a person. With six wines on each menu, you are able to swap wines out for the other menu according to what appeals to you the most. The friendly staff will speak you through the process and give recommendations based on your palette and preferences. After our tasting, we ended up staying back for hours, enjoying our time with multiple bottles to try – and I must say the stand outs for me was the French Chardonnay and the Italian sparkling Sangiovese Rose. However, there wasn’t any that I didn’t like, making this one of the best tasting menus the best i’ve tried within the region.
Whilst the winery doesn’t serve meals regularly , you’re able to enjoy your wine with a grazing board completed with dips, crackers and some local artisan cheese (made by my mum), which went down an absolute treat. There are occasions throughout the year that Skimtstone does play host to guest Chefs, so definitely watch out for upcoming events.
Wander Mak 
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