Peter and Ann Wormald first visited the Mudgee region in the early 80's. They fell in love with the area and dreamed of owning their own vineyard, an impossible dream back then but one that would not go away. Over the years they visited Mudgee two or three times a year with friends and many a happy hour was spent in the few cellar doors that were open at the time. Always when they visited, they drove down Eurunderee Lane on their way from Huntington to Miramar. It was a dirt road then and not always in the best condition. But it had this fabulous old house on one of the properties. It intrigued us and we always commented about what you could do with that house!

Well dreams sometimes do come true and in 1995 when we decided to either buy or develop a vineyard, there was a property for sale in Eurunderee Lane that had soil well suited for vines, it was close to town and other wineries and it had that 'intriguing' house on it! Willow Lane Vineyard, the dream was all of a sudden a reality!

The dream might now have become a reality but the hard work was only just beginning. Peter spent 6 years doing a degree in Viticulture whilst working full-time and Ann went back into pharmacy after many years in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Chardonnay vines were planted in 1996 (11 acres) and the Shiraz (9 acres) in 1997. Then the Shiraz vines were re-planted in 1998, nobody said that dreams always run smoothly!! And our first vintage was in 2000. We left Sydney in early 2002 to move to Mudgee permanently. By the end of 2002, the 'intriguing house', which was built in the 1870s had a new extension and is now very loved and cared for. It's a great house to live in.

The cellar door was opened at Easter in 2004. We had saved and then recycled as much material from the old extension on the house as we could, including the galvanised iron from the roof and the old Bullnose verandah, which adds to the rustic charm of the cellar door. We have the most wonderful view over the vineyard looking back to Pipeclay Creek and the hills. Sometimes there are even kangaroos in the back paddock.

The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the wines are great.

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