Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in a former winery or cellar door? Find out at the luxury boutique farm stay, Shawwood Estate.
If you’re not in town for the wine, chances are you’ve sought out a peaceful farm stay in or around Mudgee’s undulating countryside. At Shawwood Estate, a former winery turned luxury boutique accommodation, you’ll find both of the region’s top offerings melded together.
Set on 85 acres of working farmland, Shawwood Estate sits only a five-minute drive from Mudgee’s town centre, but look around and you’ll see nothing but rolling hills, vineyards, orchards and forest.
For wine lovers, there’s plenty to sip and savour, with a handful of the region’s top vineyards within walking distance. Prefer some downtime among nature? Pack a picnic and head to the farm’s hilltop firepit for panoramic views and a spectacular sunset, or wander the paddocks where you’ll meet grazing alpacas, sheep, and cattle. The resident horses will gladly say hello too, (especially if you’ve got a carrot!) and the wagging tails of the farm’s dogs will warm your heart.
“We hope you enjoy your stay here as much as we love living here”
Shawwood Estate has an intriguing past. Originally a bare patch of land in 1993, it was transformed into a winery by Charles Tym and his brother-in-law, Craig Bishop. The wine flowed, the family grew, and by 2005, the Tyms fell so hard for Mudgee that they never looked back.
“We came for one year after travelling around Australia, but we stayed because I couldn’t imagine life back in a Sydney suburb after spending a year with space and fresh air, looking out at our view with horses. It just felt like the right place to raise our girls,” Melissa Tym reflects.
Fast forward to 2022, and the former winery buildings have been lovingly reimagined into Shawwood’s five luxury farm-stay accommodations. Just like they’ve always done, Melissa and Charles have poured their hearts into creating an experience that delivers a five-star experience. “We hope you enjoy your stay here as much as we love living here”, they note.
Each accommodation – including the Shawwood Cottage, Cellar Door, Bottling Room, Winery and Barrel Room – has been refurbished with luxury finishings (hello, underfloor heating, oversized showers and plush bedding), while maintaining the buildings’ spacious soaring ceilings. Looking at the chic details, it’s hard to believe that these buildings used to house wine production.
Amenities include private parking, air conditioning, walk-in showers, fully equipped kitchens, and outdoor dining areas with private BBQs. When you’re ready to take a digital detox, you’ll find a stock of books and board games in the living room.
And then there’s the hospitality. On arrival, you’ll find locally made (and loved) Pebbly Path rocky road waiting for you, as well as a bottle of local wine to kick off your stay. And when you’re ready to explore the region, Melissa’s personalised list of recommendations makes your stay that extra bit easy. Put down your phone and soak up your getaway. After all, how many people can say they’ve slept in a former winery in the heart of a wine region?
