Rockley Winery & Whiskey Wander by Bathurst Clubs

26 Apr 2023

Bathurst Combined Probus Club and Probus Club of Bathurst Plains collaborated to travel around the Bathurst region to familiarise their members with the wonderful food, wine, gin, and whiskey offerings.

Members from both clubs climbed aboard a 25-seater bus driven by Brian, Vice President of Probus Club of Bathurst Plains. Members from the two clubs mingled and chatted on the way to Vale Creek Wines cellar door – first stop on the trip.

Vale Creek Wines, renowned for their Italian wines, is situated 15km south of Bathurst on a rural property fronting the Queen Charlotte’s Vale Creek. With the first plantings in 2002, the vineyard and winery were set up to produce ultra-premium wines from cool climate Italian grape varieties. Vigneron Gerard Woods explained the grape varieties used to make their wines and the original Italian regions the grapevines came from.

Gerard addressing Probus Club members while they enjoyed tasting platters of cheeses and fruits.

In the Cellar with Gerard Woods explaining the wine making process.

Next, members boarded the bus to travel to Rockley for a personal account of the quaint village where (Club VP) Brian lived with his family as a young lad. It was followed by a hearty country pub lunch with trimmings at The Rockley Pub.

Members from Bathurst Combined Probus Club and Probus Club of Bathurst Plains in Rockley.                               

The Rockley Pub was originally built in 1872 and bought in 2021 by renowned Sydney chef, Matt Moran who has spent his childhood on his family’s farm in Rockley.

A celebrated chef of over 30 years, with a handful of best-selling cookbooks and a plethora of awards to his name, Matt Moran seeks to reinvent the Rockley Pub to producing and using local produce from paddock to plate. His love for quality, seasonal and locally sourced produce is what drives him to keep creating exceptional food experiences.

Stories about the Rockley Pub and its clientele with Brian, before taking Lunch.       

Some of Probus members enjoying each other’s company and lunch.

The last venue on the itinerary was The Grange, an historic homestead that also hosts a distillery producing a variety of floral and herb infused gins and world-class whiskey.

Welcome address by Susie and Toby Jones at The Grange Distillery.

The gathering was split into two groups taking turns at an historic tour of the homestead and property, and the distillery tour prior to gathering for the tasting session.

A history talk by Susie Jones about the original owners and subsequent Jones family connections to the historic property, gardens, and surrounding acres shared some interesting facts about the property. Such as a visit by Charles Darwin in 1836.

In the distillery room, Toby Jones, owner distiller of The Grange explains processes to make gin and whiskey.

The Grange was the last stop on the Tour, with those attending most interested in trying out the various gins and whiskeys offered for tasting.

Bathurst Combined Probus Club wishes to acknowledge the wonderful involvement by Brian, Vice President of Probus Club of Bathurst Plains for his contribution, not only as a driver, but also for his insights into the life in Rockley some decades ago.

Collaborating on this event with the Bathurst Plains Club has made it possible to conduct this tour.