Award-winning wines, tender Wagyu and champion thoroughbred racing studs. Gooree Park, just ten minutes from the heart of Mudgee, isn’t your average vineyard.
Hover your finger over a Mudgee Region map and you’ll find Gooree Park almost bang in the middle of the historic Gulgong – a former gold rush town – and the heart of Mudgee. Gooree Park spans over 500 hectares and encompasses vibrant green pastures peppered with prestigious racehorses, the largest vineyard in the region, four generously sized, modern farm stays and a cellar door that overlooks it all.
Gooree may lure you in for its rich reds, or strapping horses that gallop around the paddock with grace. But more often than not, there will be a surprise waiting for you. Here’s how to enjoy one of Mudgee’s most historic properties.
Savour Gooree’s wines at their cellar door
Of course, a trip to Mudgee often revolves around wine and the good news is, there are plenty of opportunities to taste Gooree’s delicate drops.
Gooree’s Cellar Door sits amid Mudgee’s undulating landscape on the property’s Stud Park. Here, rows of stately trees meet the iconic white posts that keep some of the finest thoroughbred horses in the country. Pull up a chair in the undercover courtyard or outdoor picnic area and enjoy a collection of wines, many of which are named after former champion racehorses.
Go behind the scenes on a Stud Tour
While Gooree’s cellar door offers sweeping views of the property, there’s no better way to experience the property than on a Stud Tour and Wine Tasting experience.
Since Filipino Eduardo Cojuangco Jnr purchased the property in 1979, Gooree Park has received enough accolades to decorate at least one mantelpiece. Mr Cojuangco set out to create a world-class horse breeding ground in Mudgee and that’s exactly what he did.
Cojuangco named the property Gooree after the Aboriginal phrase “Hunting for Game”. Soon after, it became well known for having top racehorse winners, including the 1987 US Turf Horse of the Year. Perhaps the most impressive prize was Cojuangco’s induction into the 2015 Racing Hall Of Fame.
Gooree Park’s breeding program has continued to flourish. These days, you can go behind the scenes to see majestic stud horses in action on a wine-tasting experience with a twist. After 1.5 hours, you can quench your appetite and thirst at the cellar door, where High Valley Cheese Platters and wine tastings are served.
Discover Gooree’s glorious Wagyu
But there’s more to Gooree’s cellar doors than just wine, cheese and horses. Alongside its horse breeding and wine-making endeavours, Gooree Park is internationally celebrated for its production of F1 Wagyu and Angus meats, which have been recognised for their tenderness and healthier nutrients. You’ll find Gooree’s Wagyu at both cellar doors, with an extra surprise at the Gooree Cellar + Pantry, in the form of succulent Wagyu pies.
Experience a home away from home
A quintessential Mudgee weekend isn’t complete without a laid-back farm stay. Nestled within the Stud Farm’s meadows are three newly renovated light and luxurious three-bedroom cottages; and they’re all pet-friendly. Each house is complete with home comforts galore, from a fully equipped kitchen to a cosy fireplace and family entertainment. Wake up to bird songs, admire horses from the comfort of your cottage, and meander across the property to sip wines at the cellar door.
Larger groups of up to 10 guests can retreat to the secluded Grazier’s Cottage. Located across the river on Gooree’s cattle farm, just a fifteen-minute drive from Mudgee’s town centre, it’s perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of the region in peace. The cottage boasts a beautiful outdoor fireplace – often surrounded by lazily grazing cows – where after a long day of wine tasting, you can toast to a day in the countryside.
Attend the Great Gooree Roast
In between horses, wines and farm stays, Gooree Park is frequented for its events. In previous years, Gooree has hosted everything from Bubbly Breakfast at the Track to High Tea at the Stables and the inaugural Great Gooree Roast. The latter returns on Saturday, 9 September during Mudgee’s Wine and Food Month. On arrival, guests will be served a glass of bubbles before indulging in a three-course buffet marrying Gooree’s home-grown Wagyu and lamb with slow-smoked meats and moreish desserts. And to top it all off, live music by local Gulgong musician Nick Wall.
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