Can you explain the history of Chardonnay in Mudgee?

The history of Chardonnay in Mudgee is a story of pioneering foresight that dates back over a century. In 1918, Craigmoor Wines planted vine cuttings that originated from James Busby’s original vine collection.

Although it took decades for these specific vines to be officially identified as Chardonnay, they eventually made Australian wine history. In 1971, winemaker Pieter van Gent used the grapes from these historic vines to craft what is widely regarded as Australia’s very first Chardonnay.

While the Hunter Valley also shares a claim to producing the country's first Chardonnay, Mudgee's deeply rooted history with these early vine plantings gives the region a unique and foundational role in the story of Australian Chardonnay.