Established in 1985 by Jim and Kay Mobbs, Bago Vineyards nestles at the foot of landmark Broken Bago Mountain, in the lush Greater Port Macquarie hinterland.

The Mobbs family initially bought their extensive grain-farming property in the late 1970s; their experience with soya beans, maize and other small crops offered the ideal opportunity to perfect their horticultural skills in the local climate before dedicating all their efforts to cultivating grapes for premium wine production. The first vines selected for planting on the rich alluvial flats were chardonnay, joined over succeeding decades by more than 12 hectares of other grape varieties: sauvignon blanc, verdelho, viognier, pinot noir, merlot, and chambourcin among them.

The Mobbs family already had a long history of grape-growing in the region, dating back to the first plantings of muscatel and isabella varieties in the late 1800s. Before settling at Bago, Jim studied at Australia’s leading agrarian institution, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and subsequently worked as a soil conservationist – ideal qualifications for coaxing the very best from the fruitful Hastings Valley earth.

Boutique Bago also boasts a passionate team of experts behind every step of the winemaking process. Chief winemaker, Greg Hayward, truly began at the fundamental level of the industry – first working as an apprentice cooper, or barrel maker, then moving on up through a cellar hand apprenticeship, to dedicating years of study gaining experience in the Hunter Valley … ultimately honing his winemaking skills to their peak.

Under Greg’s direction, Bago Vineyards now processes all its own grapes on site, as well as producing wines for several smaller vineyards across Australia. His great love of wine means he is never too busy to discuss and appreciate Bago’s latest vintages with visitors to the winery.

Assistant winemaker, Gemma Porter, joined the Bago team four years ago, bringing to the role a degree in food technology from the University of Western Sydney and skills secured elsewhere in the wine industry; including experience garnered in the renowned wine districts of Western Australia. Gemma, too, is only too keen to talk food and wine with our daily visitors.

Ian Adams has almost three decades of experience in the industry, stemming from his earliest work supporting wine exporters in the Griffith and Hunter regions. His subsequent experience working for nearby Cassegrain Winery was keenly appreciated when he joined Bago Vineyards for the opening of the cellar door more than 10 years ago.

Ian widened the ambit of his involvement by taking on a marketing and promotions role, and many events held at the vineyards, including the popular regular jazz concerts (now in their ninth year) are his brainchild. Currently, he concentrates his skills on serving Bago’s wholesale and corporate customers.

Personal customers come in for a warm welcome at the hands of the cellar door sales expert, Bev Newton. Formerly with Rosemount Wines at Denham in the Upper Hunter for 35 years, Bev joined the crew at Bago Vineyards in 2002 when her experience in the bottling and packaging aspects of the production process proved invaluable.

But her role in offering a friendly greeting to visitors at the cellar door makes her one of Bago’s best ambassadors.

Bago Vineyards is open for wine tasting and sales from 9.30 am to 5 pm daily. Deliveries can be arranged throughout Australia, and overseas. Jazz in the Vineyards is held on second Sundays of the month; Cinema in the Vines is held seasonally in the evenings.

The district is renowned for its beautiful weather and scenery and visitors are invited to take advantage of the vineyards’ free picnic and barbecue facilities.

A unique cellar door open daily from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm can also be found at Timbertown, Wauchope’s heritage village, and tastings are offered at the Hastings Farmers’ Markets, on the fourth Saturday of the month at Wauchope Showground, and on fifth Saturdays at Lake Cathie.

Bago Vineyard, Milligans Road off Bago Road, Wauchope.
Tel: (02) 6585 7099
www.bagovineyards.com.au