Just a 40-minute plane ride from Sydney, the New South Wales wine region of Orange is home to close to 60 wineries. As well as making vibrant wines, Orange is a mecca for fine food, produce and events.
These six cellar doors offer private wine tastings, vineyard tours, and a behind the scenes look at making wine, and are must-visits when in the region. Add these wineries to your list.
Philip Shaw Wines
The Philip Shaw cellar door is set in a 130-year-old bluestone barn, overlooking a project block of shiraz and the lush gardens. Take part in a curated, seated tasting to experience the expression of Philip Shaw Wines and the Orange wine region, or gain a deeper understanding of the winemaking process through a winery tour and barrel tasting.Winemaker Daniel Shaw says: The Koomooloo vineyard was planted in 1988 and runs off the slopes of Mount Canobolas. Planting at Koomooloo was a very deliberate decision. "Philip spent many years transversing Australia to find a cool-climate site to make wines of elegance and purity. The Orange region delivered this criteria in spades. Deriving the coolness from the elevation, which is unique. Even though there was little know about Orange. The journey was about making great wines.
Daniel's must-try wine: Chardonnay and pinot noir are the backbone of our vineyard – try the 2021 Philip Shaw No8 Pinot Noir. We've also just released our 2022 Small Batch Arneis.
Local favourite spot: Byng St Cafe for a breakfast roll, Charred for a great local wine list, Mr Lim's duck pancakes and snapper with XO, Fiorini's for Italian, and the Federal Falls walk.
Find out more | 100 Shiralee Road, Orange | 02 6362 0710
Ross Hill Wines
The Ross Hill cellar door and winery are located at the Wallace Lane Vineyard – where the pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris are grown. Previously an apple packing shed and an apple and cherry orchard, the winery and vineyard site were purchased in 2008, before the modern cellar door extension was added. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting overlooking the vineyard, and take part in a behind the scenes tour of the winery each morning at 10am.Ross Hill has two vineyards – Griffin Road vineyard at 750 metres and Wallace Lane vineyard at 1020 metres above sea level – which deliver beautiful sparkling wines and aromatic whites, along with intense red wines from the lower site. They are proudly the first Climate Active certified Carbon Neutral winery in Australia.
Winemaker Luke Steele says: The wines of Ross Hill offer a generous interpretation of the terroir of the hillsides of Orange. We make wines that are delicious and make you want to come back for more. The wines benefit from the natural acidity of our cool-climate and sourcing fruit from different elevations allows us to create wines ranging from sparkling white through to full-bodied wines from the cabernet family.
Luke's must-try wine: The perfect introduction to Ross Hill Wines would be our Family Series: the Tom Cabernet Sauvignon, Jack Shiraz and Maya Chardonnay. For something special our single vineyard 2021 Pinnacle Cabernet Franc is our esoteric red wine.
Local favourite spot: Charred for a seasonal menu and extensive wine list, Birdie for a casual lunch or dinner, and the Gladstone Hotel for a local pub atmosphere and exceptional Thai food.
Find out more | 134 Wallace Lane, Orange | 02 6365 3223
Highland Heritage
Highland Heritage is home to one of the oldest vineyards in Orange. Taste award-winning wines during your personal wine tasting, including cellar releases and back vintages only available at the cellar door. The vineyard offers 360 degree views of the Orange countryside, and is complete with indoor and outdoor tasting spaces.The wines are true examples of premium, cool-climate wines and each showcases the characteristics of the varieties grown on site. Located on 125ha, and just three kilometres east of the city, the vineyard is planted to chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, merlot, riesling, shiraz, prosecco and cabernet franc.
Winemaker Rex D'Aquino says: Highland Heritage is a cool-climate vineyard, sitting 890 metres above sea level. It's one of only four vineyards established on the eastern side of the town of Orange. The D'Aquino family purchased the vineyard in 1991, but have been making wine in Orange since 1946.
Rex's must-try wine: Our Highland Heritage Mt Canobolas Dry Riesling 2019 – a perfect drop to start your riesling journey.
Local favourite spot: Sunday morning breakfast at Ocean Project. For lunch or dinner try the newly opened Pellegrini's Italian Restaurant which is making its mark on the Orange food scene with delicious pasta dishes and tasty wood fired pizzas.
Find out more | 4968 Mitchell Hwy, Orange | 02 6363 5602
HOOSEGG by Philip Shaw
The Hoosegg Wines cellar door is just a 10-minute drive from Orange. Located on Koomooloo Vineyard Borenore – a magnificent vineyard planted in 1988 and the sole source of Hoosegg Wines. Take in the picturesque landscape as you enter the vineyard. Make your way to the cellar door to enjoy an intimate wine tasting experience alongside winemaker Philip Shaw. Taste the full (and limited) range of Hoosegg Wines, while overlooking extraordinary views of Mount Canobolas.The cellar door is located at Philip Shaw’s residence – a unique contemporary building, featuring floor to ceiling windows sourced from the demolished Chalwin Castle (Balmoral Beach) – and is surrounded by gardens, green space and rolling hills at the pinnacle of Koomooloo Vineyard.
Winemaker Philip Shaw says: Hoosegg wines have great depth, with a vibrancy and intensity. My aim is always to make wines that have great length and ageability, and represent world standards for chosen varieties – wines that represent and highlight my 60+ years of experience at the top level.
Philip's must-try wine: Each one of our newly released 2018 Egg range of wines are set out to achieve varietal excellence.
Local favourite spot: The top of Mount Canobolas overlooking the city, Federal Falls walk, Ferment Wine Bar, Charred, Oriana Peacock Room Restaurant and Raku Restaurant.
Find out more | 45 Caldwell Lane, Borenore | 0448 983 033
Printhie Wines
Guests of Printhie will be treated to an amazing line up of wines from Orange including the award-winning Swift sparkling. Swift sparkling is made in the traditional method and aged an average of seven years. Once you've completed the tasting, enjoy a five-course degustation at Printhie Dining, where local produce, native botanicals and flavours are the focus.If you're looking for something lighter book a picnic and stroll the grounds, or indulge in a sparkling masterclass complete with a tour of the vineyards, private tasting, followed by lunch at Printhie Dining. For those seeking adventure, take a helicopter tour, or book a fly fishing experience.
Owner Emily Swift says: Our wines focus on fresh, bright, fruit flavours that are naturally high in acidity and have a lovely depth of flavour. We named our range of still wines Topography because we know and respect the importance of the relationship between the grower and the land.
Emily's must-try wine: Our NV Swift Cuvee is the perfect introduction to Printhie Wines. It showcases the relationship between winemaker and grower, altitude and outlook, and (after six years in the bottle) the benefits of patience and high-quality fruit.
Local favourite spot: We're biased, but our favourite local spot is Printhie Dining – led by head chef Jack Brown. Printhie Dining is complete with an innovative oyster tank (the only one in an Australian restaurant), so oysters can be shucked to order.
Find out more | 208 Nancarrow Lane, Orange | 0409 645 075
Colmar Estate
Colmar Estate sits on one of the most picturesque parts of the Orange region. Visitors to the cellar door have a view of the entire vineyard. Enjoy a glass of Block 5 Riesling as you overlook the vineyard where the fruit was grown. The Colmar team will even pour wines from different blocks, tasting them side-by-side to discuss the differences in the glass.Owner Bill Shrapnel says: All our wines come from fruit grown on Colmar Estate’s 6ha vineyard, which sits at an elevation of 980 metres above sea level in the foothills of Mount Canobolas. The cool, continental climate is ideal for white varieties and pinot noir producing fruit with bell clear flavours and crisp natural acidity.
Each wine is made from hand-picked, estate-grown fruit from grape varieties well suited to the site. There are no compromises, no short cuts, just a laser-like focus on producing beautiful wine. If you love fine wine you will love Colmar Estate.
Bill's must-try wine: Take a sip of our 2017 Colmar Estate Vintage Brut and you’ll see just why the Orange region is gaining a reputation for fine sparkling wines.
Local favourite spot: A recent dinner at the Schoolhouse restaurant was superb. If we really want to push the boat out we go to Charred – brilliant, innovative food and the wine service is second to none. Lovers of Asian cuisine should head to Sweet Sour Salt, Raku or Mr Lim.
Find out more | 790 Pinnacle Rd, Orange | 0419 977 270
