Future of Mudgee's Zin House in jeopardy

It has become the battle of the winemaker with his investor: and the future of one of the most popular chef's hatted restaurants west of the Blue Mountains lies in the balance.

The township of Mudgee has rallied after receivers were called in last week at Lowe Wines, which sits on a piece of land that has been co-owned by David Lowe's family since the 1830s.

Lowe's wife, Kim Currie, operates the Zin House at the property, which she tells Fairfax Media she'll leave in coming weeks if they can't find investors.

Currie took to Facebook to announce the winery's unnamed partner, with whom the relationship had "soured", had "issued a Section 11 allowing him to resume the land" while putting the winery in the hands of receivers.

"Several million dollars worth of assets will have been picked up for half their worth," she claims.

Currie, a household name in Central West food circles and an early champion of paddock-to-plate eating, says they have days to raise $2.5 million to keep the winery.

"The community has been unbelievable in its support. With help and selling a block we're down to needing about $1.5 million from investors," she says. One supporter has even set up a GoFundMe page to help.

"The winery and restaurant are both successful businesses. But I'm only going to operate the Zin House here if David is the owner. Otherwise I'll relocate and open elsewhere," Currie says.