YEATES

In ’10, Sandy and Victoria Yeates purchased one of the oldest and best-known vineyards in Mudgee. Planted in ’68 to shiraz and later cabernet by local farmer John Roth, the vineyard was eventually acquired by Rosemount and, between ’94 and ’06, was renowned as the source of its commercially successful single-vineyard Mountain Blue range. Drawing on his extensive agricultural experience, Sandy has worked to restore the vineyard since taking ownership, including converting to organics in ’13 and, more recently, planting a biodiversity corridor to attract beneficial insects. In ’18, the Yeateses planted riesling and albariño alongside the existing shiraz and cabernet, bringing the total area under vine to 6.8ha. Jacob Stein and Lisa Bray have made Yeates wines since the label’s inception, and produce fresh, site-driven wines from these four estate-grown varieties. In ’20, a cellar door and two adjoining accommodation spaces opened on the property, offering wine tastings and a simple food menu to visitors from Thursday to Sunday. -ANNA WEBSTER