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Thistle Hill is an intimate family-owned vineyard and winery where the grapes are grown organically and the wines are elegant and full-bodied. The vineyard has been certified organic by NASAA since 1993. At Thistle Hill, which recently merged with Erudgere Vineyard,  we offer wine tasting, local and organic food from our gourmet pantry, accommodation in a self-contained cottage, vineyard tours and music afternoons in the vineyard .

Organic Wine

If you have ever suffered a ‘hangover’, woken up feeling ‘fluey’ after drinking wine or suspected that you are intolerant to wine, you may find that the culprit is not the wine itself but the residual chemicals they contain. Imagine award winning wines that are a joy to drink without being laden with pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. An exciting thought.

Thistle Hill Wines

Thistle Hill Vineyard has long been an icon in Australian organic winemaking as in the mid 1970’s it pioneered sustainable practices that were well ahead of their time. Over more than three decades their wines have received a formidable collection of awards, with their hand crafted wines being recognised nationally and internationally as some of the finest.

Highly acclaimed Winemaker Michael Slater has taken out the coveted Best Organic Wine at the NSW Wine Awards 2009, along with his Riesling winning the trophy for the Best Wine of Show and Best White Wine of Show at the 2009 Australia/New Zealand Organic Wine Show. He is no stranger to organic winemaking and the benefits of not subjecting the vines (or the body) to a toxic cocktail of chemicals as he spent much of his childhood in his father’s organic vineyard.

A variety of grape varieties are grown on the estate including Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet and Muscat.  Today Australia is increasingly setting the standard in sustainable winemaking with consumers questioning the need for producing wines that contain high levels of residual chemicals. It’s little wonder that with award winning alternatives wine connoisseurs are flocking to indulge in Thistle Hill’s finest.

Organic Pantry

Owners Rob and Mary Loughan and their team share a vision which encompasses more than organic wine. They have recently introduced an ‘Organic Pantry’ that showcases organic and local hand crafted produce which promises to seduce even the most refined tastebuds. It’s no wonder visitors often find themselves on the deck as they while away the afternoon supping a platter and bottle of wine… with no intention of going or being anywhere else.

Tours and Events

Long weekends and the Mudgee Festival in September are always popular and Thistle Hill offers a twist to the normal Cellar Door experience by featuring For the Love of Music afternoons and The Essentials of Organics vineyard tours (bookings essential). If you are looking for a great vibe, fabulous wine and a setting straight from your coffee table magazine then this is it!

Cellar Door Hours:  Open 10am - 4.30pm Mon to Fri and 10am - 4pm Sunday and Public Holidays

Cottage Accommodation

Thistle Hill has a fully self-contained 3 bedroom cottage nestled in the vineyard and overlooking the picturesque Erudgere Valley. Perfect for those dreaming of an idyllic getaway among the vines, nights snuggled in front of a crackling fire with a riot of stars twinkling overhead and wines that will have you berating yourself for not squeezing just one more case into the boot before returning home.