Wineries in Orange
Given the name, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Orange in New South Wales is known for its oranges. And while the region does produce fruit (it is one of Australia's leading producers of apples and cherries), the cool-climate region also boasts some of the country's highest elevation vineyard sites. The area's rich soils and high altitude make it perfect for growing grape varieties such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir and more.
Complementing its spectacular wine offering, Orange also has a thriving food scene, with top restaurants, cafes, farm-gate experiences and festivals. So if you're ready to visit Orange, we're here to help you get started on your itinerary.
Below, we spoke to five wine producers in the region: Angullong Vineyard, HOOSEGG by Philip Shaw, RIKARD Wines, Stockman's Ridge Wines and Tamburlaine Organic Wines. They told us what they love about making wine in Orange, and let us in on their favourite spots to spend their time. You can't go wrong with a bit of local knowledge.
And if you can't make the trip, each producer has put forward a wine for you to try. Read their serving suggestions and enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Cheers!
Angullong Vineyard
Winegrower Ben Crossing says: Our property in the southern foothills of the Orange region has been in the family since 1950, operating as a highly successful sheep and cattle station. In 1998, 200 hectares of wine grapes were planted and in 2003 the widely acclaimed Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese was released.
Angullong has developed three distinct ranges of wine. The Angullong Range includes classic cool-climate varieties that are fresh and fruit driven. The Angullong Fossil Hill Series showcases a range of emerging variety wines, and finally the limited release Crossing Reserve wines focus on small-batch winemaking.
H. What do you love about making wine in Orange?
BC. I love the region's high altitude, cool-climate influence. This cool influence creates wines of great fruit purity, with the natural acidity developing wine of great longevity. It is a region that has not only proven the quality of its traditional varieties, but is developing an enviable reputation for emerging varieties.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
BC. Our cellar door, which was originally built as stables in the 1800s, is in the charming historic village of Millthorpe, only a short drive from Orange. Open seven days a week, our guests can choose to immerse themselves in the cosy tasting room, by the open fire in winter or our charming leafy courtyard in the warmer months to taste our full range of wines, where you will most likely be hosted by one of the Crossing family members or our dedicated staff.
Favourite local spot: There are just so many fabulous places to visit in our region, from the quaint surrounding towns and villages to the bustling city of Orange. I would have to say one of my favourite local destinations is in the Millthorpe Village itself; I can't go past the fantastic Tonic Restaurant for delicious local food and wine.
Wine to try
2022 Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese
Lifted cherries and ripe raspberries. It is perfumed and vivacious with thyme and clove spice adding focus. Uncluttered by oak, with older barrels and larger format imparting just enough. The energy carries to the juicy and balanced palate with ripe dark cherries and raspberry coulis. There is something very pure and pristine about the fruit. It is a very modern and mature expression that celebrates vineyard and fruit rather than artifice.Best enjoyed: This wine pairs well with charcuterie plates, pizza, Italian meat dishes, pork belly and grilled vegetables. Best at room temperature or slightly chilled for summer alfresco dining.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2029 | angullong.com.au | Shop this wine
HOOSEGG by Philip Shaw
Winemaker Philip Shaw says: Achieving the best quality doesn't come easy. Site, variety and clone all play a part as do the wide range of vineyard inputs. Bud, shoot, bunch numbers and minimal irrigation are also critical factors, I personally pluck, pinch and polish the chosen grapes. I’m totally immersed in every step of the vineyard and winemaking process. It is my life and love!
H. What do you love about making wine in Orange?
PS. In 1989 I planted Koomooloo Vineyard, which lies at 900m altitude in the Orange region. The Orange GI is defined by altitude – all the vineyards are above 600 metres and they go up to over 1000 metres. It is also, incidentally, a major apple and cherry producing region, which is one of the things that sparked my interest – as it defines the coolness of the region.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
PS. It is the perfect opportunity to sample each of our amazing wines while overlooking the vineyard with views to Mount Canobolas. These are small parcels of wine that can stand amongst the finest wines from anywhere. The wines reflect my philosophy on wine making: select an exceptional site and the right varieties, marry the vineyard and the winemaking. These are wines made with the lessons learnt from the past 65 years of winemaking: elegant, vibrant, intense and complex.
Favourite local spot: My favourite local Orange spot is the back of Mount Canobolas and the surrounding forest and waterfalls where I regularly walk or run.
Wine to try
2019 HOOSEGG Jade Moon Cabernet Franc
Deep red colour. Strong linear floral scent showing great intensity and elegance. The wine has concentrated flavours, very fine and elegant with a considerable amount of soft tannins. Has great length and balance.Best enjoyed: On its own, at approximately 15–18 degrees celsius.
RRP $140 | Drink to 2045 | hoosegg.com | Shop this wine
RIKARD Wines
Owner and winemaker Will Rikard-Bell says: Our new winery was built in 2020 and sits at 1030m above sea level on the north face of Mt Canobolas, Orange NSW. We make wine in small batches from some of the coolest sites in the country, employing minimal intervention and traditional winemaking techniques. Pinot noir and chardonnay are the primary focus, plus small amounts of shiraz, riesling and sparkling wines.
H. What do you love about making wine in Orange?
WR. I love the seasonal variation in Orange and how every vintage tells such a different story through the wines. The cool, continental climate brings such elegance to the wines. I love the diversity of style and microclimate in such a small area, all based around altitude and soil type. Most of all, I love the closeness and camaraderie of the small winemaking community here. It’s a great place to live and work.
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
WR. At RIKARD, we offer visitors an intimate tasting of our wines in the actual winery itself. You’ll get an educative tasting experience, hosted by the winemaking and vineyard team in amongst the barrels and tanks, whilst over-looking one of the most beautiful views in the region. Tastings are $20 per person and we are open weekends 11–5pm or by appointment.
Favourite local spot: You can’t beat the natural, dramatic landscape of our region in and around Mt Canobolas. Our isolated little pocket of alpine flora is very unique. I love the bushwalking on the mountain – the walk to Federal Falls is especially gorgeous, as is the landscape around Fourth Crossing, near Ophir. In summer, Lake Canobolas is a great, scenic spot for a swim. There’s a lovely cafe, walking tracks and places to sit and soak up the sun. It’s the place to be at twilight during daylight savings!
Wine to try
2022 RIKARD Black Label Chardonnay
The nose begins with lemon meringue and French pastry. There’s a waft of citrus blossom over hazelnut and nougat notes. A bit of flinty reduction and buttered toast. A savoury nose with lovely intensity. The palate shows fruits like white peach and melon with some yellow citrus. There’s great intensity and persistence, a myriad of fruit and savoury notes wrapped around a lively acid core. There’s also structure and phenolic grip there, some barrel char too. A long and ever evolving, textural palate.Best enjoyed: Serve in a large glass at cellar temperature – not too cold!
RRP $65 | Drink to 2050 | rikardwines.com.au | Shop this wine
Stockman's Ridge Wines
Owner and vigneron Jonathan Hambrook says: As our vineyard was not established, I have been able to take my time and plant the entire vineyard based on best practice. This includes 100 per cent grafted vines on correct root stocks for the soil and climate, dense planting (4000 vines to the hectare), and a lower trellis with a 50/50 balance between the trunk and the canopy (allowing for excellent airflow in the vineyard and ensuring the vines can put energy into the fruit and canopy more easily). All of the above is an example of how our vineyard in unique; it has been specifically planned with the unique Orange climate and terroir in mind to create the best fruit, even if it means working conditions can be tougher.
H. What do you love about making wine in Orange?
JH. The climate and terroir makes for excellent fruit growing across a wide range of white and red varieties, allowing us to keep things interesting!
H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
JH. We offer a relaxed tasting experience or an opportunity to lounge in our gardens with a glass of wine and a grazing board while enjoying the live music every Saturday afternoon.
Favourite local spot: My favourite spot is Charred Restaurant – cozy, delicious food and an amazing wine list!
Wine to try
2022 Stockman's Ridge Signature Grüner Veltliner
A more luxurious style of grüner veltliner, this wine was hand-picked at the peak of ripeness and barrel fermented in old French Oak. On the nose it is textural and complex with a long finish and refreshing notes of cinnamon and pear. The palate is full and complex with a long finish and refreshing notes of nectarine and citrus.Best enjoyed: Pair with rich Asian flavours and a bit of spice. Similar to a chardonnay, this wine is best served chilled in a large glass to allow the aromas to shine.
RRP $40 | Drink to 2032 | stockmansridge.com.au | Shop this wine
Tamburlaine Organic Wines
Senior winemaker Andrew Higgins says: Tamburlaine started out in an old tin shed on a modest 14ha Hunter vineyard in late 1985. Tamburlaine's interest in the Orange wine region began a few years later, which proved to be a critical move for the previously ‘pure Hunter’ boutique cellar door and winery operation. Today, we are working on building on our ‘Contemporary Organics’ vision, successfully producing award-winning wines that are organic, vegan-friendly, with low and no added sulphur, and low and no alcohol. Tamburlaine currently owns and contracts in the vicinity of 700 vineyard hectares and currently produces, between Orange and the Hunter, approximately 200,000 cases annually.
H. What do you love about making wine in Orange?
AH. The beauty of the high altitude, cool-climate region is the purity of fruit, through acid retention and slower ripening conditions. At Tamburlaine, the winemaking team is spoiled for choice, with three Orange vineyards all with distinct soils, microclimates and altitude. The wine below is from a single block on the Bellview vineyard; being able to capture these individual expressions in the glass is one of the many things that is great about Orange.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
AH. Tamburlaine’s 'Contemporary Organics' vision was formed in the late 90s and continues today. Tamburlaine believes in continuously evolving our practices – not because it appears now to be trendy but because we believe it makes sense, and more and more consumers agree. We know how to successfully operate commercial quality vineyards entirely with biodegradable inputs, which will leave them in the best condition possible for following generations.
Favourite local spot: For an adrenaline rush, hit the Trail of Awesomeness MTB trail on Mt Canobolas, then head to the Gladstone Hotel. It is a unique little neighbourhood pub with a fun vibe, cold beer and great Thai food. If it’s a bit too early in the day for a frosty, Racine Bakery is unrivalled for pastries.
Wine to try
2023 Tamburlaine Members Reserve Orange Syrah
A silky and detailed medium-bodied shiraz, bursting with complex red berry fruits. A well-handled whole bunch inclusion for this vintage adds layers to its cool climate tannin profile.Best enjoyed: Pair with roast lamb shoulder and root vegetables. Then finish off with a hard cheese platter. Serve at a cool room temperature (maximum 15 degrees celsius).
RRP $48 | Drink to 2031+ | tamburlaine.com.au | Shop this wine
Top image credit: RIKARD Wines
