Red Earth Estate — Attraction in Dubbo

We popped into Red Earth for a bit of a wine tasting as I had heard over the years that the wine here was good. When we arrived, the vines looked like they hadn’t been pruned for some time, and the undergrowth was quite dense. I am no vigneron or winemaker but to me, the vines seemed not overly cared for which was disappointing to see the vineyard like that. But we were there to taste wine, not pretend to be viticulturists 😉

We sampled three whites and reds each and they were all older vintages, 2020/2021 with nothing younger. That would explain the vineyards and I’m guessing Covid had something to do with it as well. The wines were “ok” and we bought a bottle each but to be honest, I wouldn’t run back to buy any more.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to sit down and try the dumplings but the aroma coming out of the kitchen was nice. Maybe that is what is keeping the Estate afloat as it doesn’t look like they produce any more vintages, it would cost a lot to get it back into shape too.

Anyway, it was a nice break from the city…. just don’t...

The drive in offered rows of parched vines, brittle and bare, stretching out under the sun. No grapes. No sign of harvest. Just the lingering impression of what once may have flourished. At the entrance, we were greeted not by a host, but by a sizable wasp nest—and its less-than-welcoming inhabitants. In hindsight, that should have been our cue. Still, we stayed. We tried the dumplings and spring rolls both similar to the ones that pulled from the freezer section of a western supermarket. The wine was chilled, but vintage 2019, with no newer offerings. There was, at least, a smile with the service. A kindness amidst the quiet disrepair. One table rested precariously on an upturned frozen seafood box which ironically what that table had ordered. As another guest left, he mentioned to us “Terrible place, isn’t it… but good.” oddly accurate. There’s beauty in places with a past. But this one, for all its bones and backdrop, is calling out...

I visited Red Earth Estate with high hopes but left thoroughly disappointed. The wine tasting cost $5 for five wines, none of which are actually produced at the estate—something that wasn’t made clear upfront. The staff member conducting the tasting only mentioned the type of wine, offering no background, tasting notes, or engagement.

To make matters worse, the same glass was used for all five wines without rinsing in between, which affected the flavors. The pours were so minuscule that it was difficult to even see the wine’s color, let alone properly taste it.

The venue itself felt neglected and poorly maintained, lacking the charm or atmosphere you’d expect from a wine estate. Overall, it felt like a rushed and underwhelming experience, not worth the...