1838 Wines

The slightly odd name of the business celebrates the year in which the town of Mudgee was gazetted; 128 years were to pass before Neil and Sue Clubb purchased a 40ha farm block, with the intention of planting olives and grapes. Between 1997 and 2000 they planted 4000 olive trees, the following year acquiring a Pieralisi olive press, and Sue quickly became a judge at the olive oil classes in the Sydney Royal Agricultural Show, their olive oil sales reaching as far away as Harvey Nichols in the UK. In '01 they turned their attention to grapes, planting merlot, shiraz and durif, the first vintage following in '06. The cellar door also sells extra-virgin and infused oils, tapenades, mayonnaise, olives and salad dressings. -JAMES HALLIDAY