03 October 2024
16 mins Read
Stretched out over the mineral-rich contours of the extinct volcano Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas), Orange has wineries popping up quicker than winemakers can harvest their grapes. The Orange wine region is Australia’s highest-altitude wine region and these conditions create world-class cool-climate wines including pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.
An independent and artisanal spirit underpins the often family-run operations here, which – when teamed with abundant local produce and idyllic country settings – makes for a winery experience like no other. Here’s our pick of Orange wineries not to miss.
Set a lofty 1000 metres above sea level on the slopes of extinct volcano Gaanha bula, Borrodell Estate is one of the most picturesque spots to sip on a sauvignon blanc, pinot noir or heritage apple cider.
Borrodell Estate boasts world-class wines produced from grapes grown at the scenic vineyard. (Image: Destination NSW)
It’s home to a vineyard, SkyBar cellar door, restaurant, and onsite accommodation, as well as a cherry, plum and heritage apple orchard and trufferie. Don’t miss lunch on the balcony at award-winning Sister’s Rock Restaurant, one of Orange’s best restaurants, where you can dine on delicious fare paired with the wines grown metres from your table.
Dine on delicious fare next to the picturesque vines.
Address: 298 Lake Canobolas Rd, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: 9am–5pm every day. Bookings preferred.
A few minutes drive from Borrodell, Rowlee Wines is a single vineyard winemaker with its roots in the Dalmatian wine country. Today, its wine combines European heritage with new-world practices and is showcased in a contemporary cellar door.
Visit Rowlee Wines’ boutique winery and cellar door.
Enjoy a wine-tasting experience, dine at the newly opened Rowlee Dining and Bar and explore the property’s grounds in the verdant foothills of Gaanha bula. You can also opt to have a two-night ‘Ultimate Wine Escape’ in Rowlee’s vineyard estate.
Stroll past the lush and picturesque vineyard in Rowlee Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 19 Lake Canobolas Rd, Nashdale
Cellar door opening hours: 11am–5pm every day. Bookings preferred.
A 10-minute drive out of town in the fruit-growing hub of Nashdale, you’ll find Nashdale Lane Wines: a boutique winery and cellar door with onsite glamping. The cellar door is based in an old apple-packing shed and, through the preservation of corrugated iron and well-worn concrete floors, the history of the region shines through. Warmed with eclectic rugs and furnishings, it’s rustic yet strikes a contemporary tone in harmony with the vibrant collection of award-winning, single-vineyard wines.
Let the afternoon unravel at Nashdale Lane Wines.
Sample the whole colour wheel from the crisp and delicate 2017 colour series chardonnay to the 2019 legacy tempranillo with earthy tannins and notes of dark cherry and plum.
Step inside the cellar door for a wine-tasting session.
Address: 125 Nashdale Ln, Nashdale
Cellar door opening hours: Thu to Mon; 11am–5pm, Tues and Wed; 12pm–3pm. Bookings preferred.
Pull up a pew at De Salis Wines for one of the best tasting experiences in the region. This family-operated winery is located at an altitude of 1050 metres on the northern slope of Gaanha bula, on the appropriately named Lofty Vineyard.
De Salis Wines is nestled on the northern slope of Mt Canobolas. (Image: Destination NSW)
Its cellar door has stunning views over the valley and its tasting room in a galvanised tin shed is dressed to eclectic effect with stage scenery. Head to this authentic, down-to-earth and downright funky spot to get a unique insight into its maker’s wines and minimalist philosophy.
Soak up stunning views over the valley at De Salis Wines.
Address: 125 Mount Lofty Rd, Nashdale
Cellar door opening hours: 11am–5pm every day. Bookings preferred.
Located in a spot conducive to producing excellent chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot gris, merlot and shiraz, Heifer Station Wines has been operating its cellar door, inside a 100-year-old woolshed, since 2016.
Head to Heifer Station Wines for a wine tasting. (Image: Destination NSW)
A proud family business, Heifer Station is family-friendly by design and even includes a ‘funny farm’ that’s home to a small herd of alpacas, highland cattle, goats, chickens and Tilly the mini-Shetland pony. And if simply visiting for a wine tasting doesn’t suffice, Heifer Station Wines also has a range of experiences to be booked, from private picnics and walking tours to helicopter flights around the winery.
Tour the vineyard and the funny farm at Heifer Station Wines.
Address: 1034 The Escort Way, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: 11am–5pm every day. Bookings essential.
Orange’s version of ‘the Swift effect’, this award-winning wine dynasty is owned and operated by the Swift family. Known for its handcrafted SWIFT sparkling range that was crowned best Australian sparkling in 2022 and best NSW sparkling for the last six years at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in London, Printhie Wines is the entire package.
Printhie Wines sits on 50 acres of picturesque land.
Settle into Printhie’s state-of-the-art cellar door that overlooks vineyards and rolling hills, as you sample its range of cool climate wines. Freshly shucked oysters can also be sampled, as peculiarly, Printhie Wines is the only restaurant and cellar door to have an oyster tank onsite. It’s quite the feat when one acknowledges Orange’s distance from the coast. Enjoy the oysters with Printhie’s signature vinaigrette.
Slurp on freshly shucked oysters.
And if you plan to visit from Thursday to Sunday, treat your senses and book into the onsite, one-hatted restaurant Printhie Dining to indulge in an innovative four-course degustation. As a member of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia group, you can also partake in premium ‘beyond the cellar door’ experiences including vineyard picnics, fly fishing, a sparkling masterclass and a luxury helicopter winery tour.
Grab a handcrafted SWIFT sparkling bottle from the riddling rack.
Address: 208 Nancarrow Ln, Nashdale
Cellar door opening hours: Sun to Thu; 11am–4pm, Fri and Sat; 10am–5pm. Bookings essential.
Another Orange original, Philip Shaw Wines set the benchmark for the region’s unconventional traditions when it planted its vineyard Koomooloo, one of Australia’s highest and coolest, in 1988-89.
Venture down the verdant vineyard at Philip Shaw Wines.
Located just outside Orange, the winery and cellar door are within an old bluestone barn with contemporary architectural additions and landscaped gardens. Today you can tour the winery and vineyard, taste at the cellar door and go a step beyond with a wine and food tasting experience.
Sample wines at the Philip Shaw Wines’ cellar door.
The Koomooloo Wine Tasting combines a selection of Philip Shaw wines – which represents the best wines from the vineyard and the best years – with carefully matched morsels; meanwhile the Koomooloo Taste and Plate combines a selection of Philip Shaw wines with a grazing plate featuring locally made cheese and accompaniments.
Well-landscaped gardens are spread across the winery.
Address: 100 Shiralee Rd, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: Sun to Thu; 11am–4pm, Fri and Sat; 11am–5pm. Bookings essential.
A six-minute drive from Philip Shaw Wines, is Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery, Ross Hill Wines – a sustainable family-run operation that’s been in business since 1994.
Ross Hill Wines prides itself as Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery. (Image: Destination NSW)
Set off for this idyllic spot where an expanded cellar door, with its modern take on country style, offers tasting experiences matched with a local tasting plate of olives, hazelnuts, cheese and cured meats. The cellar door also houses the Barrel and Larder School of Wine and Food – which runs cooking classes of all persuasion: book ahead to participate in a range of different masterclasses.
Be surrounded by lush grape vines at Ross Hill Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 134 Wallace Ln, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: 10.30am–4.30pm every day. Bookings essential.
A canopy of flowers adorns the wooden beams above the entrance to the Swinging Bridge Wines petite cellar door. The family-owned estate is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down at the end of the day as you enjoy a selection of Orange’s finest light- to medium-bodied wines. Passionate viticulturist and winemaker Tom Ward produces a small but exceptional range of handcrafted cool-climate wines that showcase the premium pinot noir and chardonnay grapes grown on his vineyard.
Watch the sun slip below the valley at the Swinging Bridge Wines.
Standouts in the Winemaker Series (each named after members of the founding Ward/Payten family) include the 2022 William J shiraz and the 2021 G&A blanc de blancs, while the 2022 #006 tempinot from the Hashtag Series blends tempranillo and pinot noir grapes into a beautifully balanced drop that showcases the innovation behind the brand. And for a special occasion, purchase the 2019 Hill Park Block 7 chardonnay from the Single Vineyard Series.
Pinot noir and chardonnay grapes grow abundantly in the verdant vineyard.
Address: 701 The Escort Way, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: 10am–4pm every day. Bookings preferred.
See Saw Wine might’ve been a certified organic vineyard since its first vintage in 2007, but it only opened its rustic, pet-friendly cellar door in 2023 to showcase its delightful organic wine selection. Choose between the signature wine tasting or the seasonal tasting experience that comes with paired seasonal produce.
See Saw Wine is set in a rustic yet relaxed setting in the wine region. (Image: Monique Lovick Photography)
Opt to sit outside with a grazing board to take in picturesque views or book the firepit for a three-hour session, inclusive of a glass of Invergo range wine, a grazing board with locally sourced cheese, meats, dips, olives and bread, and wood to keep the fire stoked.
Join a wine-tasting session. (Image: Monique Lovick Photography)
Address: 42 Lake Canobolas Rd, Nashdale
Cellar door opening hours: Mon to Fri; 11am–4pm, Sat and Sun; 11am–5pm. Bookings preferred.
This six-hectare vineyard sits 980 metres above sea level, with a cool, continental climate similar to the classic French wine regions Burgundy and Alsace that inspired them.
Colmar Estate is set in a scenic six-hectare vineyard.
Colmar Estate produces six grape varieties in its vineyard – chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris, Gewürztraminer, pinot noir and shiraz. At its cellar door, book either the estate wine tasting for a sample of six wines or the premium wine tasting for up to eight.
Spread across the vineyard are six grape varieties.
Address: 790 Pinnacle Rd, Canobolas
Cellar door opening hours: Mon to Fri; 11am–4pm, Sat and Sun; 10am–5pm. Bookings essential.
As you arrive at Stockman’s Ridge Wines, you’ll pass down the elm tree-lined driveway before reaching an intimate cellar door surrounded by impeccable gardens. Warm up by a bonfire and BBQ, sample the unique wine collection and soak in the atmosphere that all led to Stockman’s Ridge Wines’ inclusion in Australia’s top 10 winery experiences at the 2023 Halliday People’s Choice Awards.
There’s live music every Saturday and a range of experiences to be had at the winery, from a pinot noir experience and a free vineyard walk to high tea and a wine and chocolate tasting.
Stockman’s Ridge Wines cultivates premium winegrape vines and pear orchards.
Address: 21 Boree Ln, Lidster
Cellar door opening hours: Sun to Fri; 11am–5pm, Sat; 11am–8pm. Bookings preferred.
Orange Mountain Estate Wines is a small winery, owned by Terry and Julie Dolle, that fits just 12 people inside at any given time. And with wine so carefully handcrafted using traditional methods, visiting this quaint winery is a must.
When you arrive for a wine tasting, you’ll be taken on a tour around the vineyard and winery before sampling the basket-pressed wines. Plus, if you love to shop local, Terry and Julie’s teenage son Joshua makes and sells his own raw honey too.
Address: 10 Radnedge Ln, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: Sat and Sun; 9am–5pm. Bookings essential.
Taking its name from the strawbale house next to the vineyard, Strawhouse Wines is a family-run winery and tasting room that sits on the northern slopes of Gaanha bula.
Step into the family-run Strawhouse Wines on the northern slopes of Gaanhabula.
Open from Friday to Sunday each week, tastings are done in hour-long time slots, so make sure you book in to reserve your spot. With a sun-drenched deck and a firepit, you’ll keep warm regardless of the weather. And if you want to enjoy the Orange winery even further, you can book Strawhouse’s boutique accommodation for the night.
Head inside the strawbale house and sample wines next to the vineyard.
Address: 116 Boree Ln, Lidster
Cellar door opening hours: Fri to Sun; 12pm–5pm. Bookings essential.
Following a successful professional rugby league career in the ’70s and ’80s, Peter Mortimer and his wife Julie began Mortimer’s Wines in the 1990s.
The Mortimer’s Wines vineyard is set in stunningly beautiful scenery.
Visit the unique cellar door housed within an old, converted schoolhouse and sample the winery’s delicious selection, from the shiraz with notes of blackberry, vanilla and spice to the citrusy chardonnay. Book a night at Mortimer’s onsite accommodation and settle in with a bottle (or two) of Mortimer’s if you’d like to stay on the vines and really immerse yourself.
Linger a little longer and spend the night surrounded by vines.
Address: 780 Burrendong Way, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: Thu; 12pm–4pm, Fri to Sun; 10am–5pm. Bookings essential.
Surrounded by a hectare of manicured gardens, Patina Wines’ cellar door is the perfect location to taste your way through the wine list. Sit in the courtyard beside the calming waterfall or bring a picnic and rug to enjoy a bottle of the nutty and delicate 2021 Patina Reserve chardonnay or the 2021 Patina rosé in the garden.
Settle in for a bottle of Patina Reserve chardonnay.
Patina Wines owner and winemaker Gerald Naef blends science and technology with traditional winemaking methods to create complexity and elegance in his wines. At the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Patina submitted six wines, each receiving 95+ points, which the awards said made Patina “worthy of Winemaker of the Year considerations.”
Patina Wines is surrounded by a hectare of manicured gardens.
Address: 109 Summer Hill Ln, Lucknow
Cellar door opening hours: Sat and Sun; 11am–5pm. Bookings preferred.
One of Orange’s first wineries, the vineyard at Bloodwood Wines was planted over four decades ago in 1983. Today, Bloodwood has a focus on sustainability, organic farming practices and simplicity, with the winemaker’s hand-pruning, handpicking and handmaking each wine.
Head out to Bloodwood’s cellar door (make sure you book an appointment) and indulge in their exquisite wine collection. All of which have been created to be paired with food.
Address: 231 Griffin Rd, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: Open by appointment only.
Another of Orange’s oldest wineries, Cargo Road Wines was also established in 1983. The vineyard is run holistically, with the intention of leaving the land better than it was found.
You’ll find a flock of sheep wandering around the vineyard. (Image: Destination NSW)
Head to the cellar door for an hour-long wine-tasting experience that will see you trying a wide variety of exceptional wines, from Nebbiolo, zinfandel and lagrein to Gewürztraminer and riesling. Book your tasting in advance and save $5 each.
Cargo Road Wines produces wines aged in old barrels. (Image: Destination NSW)
Address: 1064 Cargo Rd, Lidster
Cellar door opening hours: 11am–5pm every day. Bookings preferred.
This quaint winery is the brainchild of a familiar name in the Orange wine scene. Philip Shaw transferred ownership of his eponymous winery to his sons in 2015 and opened HOOSEGG, a small-scale operation utilising his six-decade experience and fruit from the Koomooloo vineyard he established 30 years ago, to create small parcels of wine that can stand amongst the finest wines from anywhere.
Take in picturesque views from the vineyard.
HOOSEGG’s cellar door is open by appointment, with all the wines available for tasting. And while the tasting fee is $50 per person, if you buy six bottles or more, 50 per cent of the tasting fee will be refunded. That’s a win-win in our books.
Pull up a chair at HOOSEGG and enjoy a memorable wine-tasting experience.
Address: 45 Caldwell Ln, Borenore
Cellar door opening hours: Open by appointment only.
Known for its award-winning Mudgee winery, the Orange outpost of Logan Wines provides the same quality wines from a gorgeous new cellar door that reflects winemaker and owner Peter Logan’s passion for architecture.
Logan Wines in Orange is equally enchanting as its award-winning Mudgee location. (Image: Monique Lovick Photography)
Enjoy a tasting that includes the Ridge of Tears, Clementine and Logan labels, and pair it with a delicious charcuterie board for the whole experience. If a tasting isn’t what you’re looking for, buy a bottle and set yourself up outside to take it all in.
Order a delicious charcuterie board.
Address: 1320 Castlereagh Hwy, Apple Tree Flat
Cellar door opening hours: Fri to Sun; 10am–5pm. Bookings preferred.
Word of Mouth Wines is a small, family-owned vineyard sitting 1000 metres above sea level (one of the highest Orange wineries). With a focus on traditional and alternative grape varieties such as pinot gris, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, gruner veltliner, Mencia, petit manseng and Gewürztraminer, Word of Mouth is the one-stop-shop for single-origin, organic wines.
Book a grazing board, bring your furry friends along (the cellar door is dog-friendly) and indulge in Word of Mouth’s delightful vegan wines.
Address: 42 Wallace Ln, Canobolas
Cellar door opening hours: Fri to Mon; 10am–5pm. Bookings essential.
While not technically a winery, Ferment the Orange Wine Centre is the official cellar door for 19 Orange wineries including Cargo Cult Wines, Cumulus Wines and Tallwood Wines.
Partake in a long table wine-tasting session at Ferment the Orange Wine Centre.
A bright and characterful wine bar in a central Orange heritage building, Ferment acts as a great introduction to the cool-climate wines of the NSW Central Ranges and beyond.
Settle in for a wine tasting or a glass or two, but if you arrive out of wine-tasting hours, Ferment has state-of-the-art Enomatic wine dispensers that let you try before you buy!
Ferment the Orange Wine Centre is actually a cellar door for 19 Orange wineries.
Address: 87 Hill St, Orange
Cellar door opening hours: Mon to Sat; 11am–5pm (for wine tastings), 11am–9pm (for wine sales), 5pm–9pm (for wine bar and Enomatic wine tastings).
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