So when the wine industry begins to struggle from oversupply, producing the best quality to accommodate the popular beverage is on top of the list for the High Valley Wine and Cheese Company of Mudgee.

With 40 years mixed farming experience, High Valley Wine and Cheese Company owners Grosvenor and Rosemary Francis are accustomed to the hardwork involved in producing crops.

The reason for starting the vineyard in 1995 Mr Francis said was because of a trip to Mudgee where a friend had a vineyard.

"They were harvesting and I said to Ro 'this is something I could do' because I love intensive agriculture," he said.

Only two years later in 1997 they harvested their first grape crop.

"It was once we made some wine, and we thought it was pretty good and we could market this, we started a little cellar door in our garage (at Dunedoo)," Mr Francis said.

However, since opening their cafe and factory in Mudgee, they have found a large market for quality, local cheese.

"I am the cheesemaker but I like that because it's the production part of it," he said.

The Francis' produce a wide variety of cheeses including Brie, Stefan Blue, a cheddar and marinated fettas which compliment the premium wines for which they have won numerous awards.

Cheesemaking is an ancient art originating in the Middle East about 5000 years ago. Until recently it was the only way to preserve the protein and cream in milk and was originally only made with sheep and goat's milk.

Mr Francis and his wife use cow's milk for their cheese although they did produce goat's milk cheese until their supplier sold their stock. Mr Francis said he would still love to produce quality goat's cheese as it offers vastly different flavours.

High Valley Wine and Cheese Company products are available in more than 80 towns throughout NSW from Balmain to Bathurst, Manly to Mudgee and many others.

Mr and Mrs Francis are currently considering selling their Dunedoo property and focusing on cheesemaking and their new cafe, High Valley French Fork Cafe which boasts fine coffee, sweets and a delicious lunch menu.

"If I was 50, I'd keep it and hope the grapes would come good," Mr Francis said. "I think the grape industry is just going through a re-adjustment phase and I think it will re-adjust to just having enough fruit to supply each region and the winemakers in that region."