Move over Hunter Valley

If you’ve never been to Orange, now is a good time put it on your list. This cold-climate region in Central West NSW is a food basket—and one of Australia’s more exciting new wine regions.

Stone fruit, berries, apples, vegetables and nuts thrive in the rich soil and high altitude, while a tree change community of chefs, winemakers and ethical growers is behind its vibrant paddock-to-table food and award-winning wine scene. 

All aboard the Vino Express!

October signals the Orange Wine Festival. The annual event celebrates the region’s best cold-climate winegrowers and kicks off on 13 October with foodie favourite, the Festival Night Market. There are 90 events across 10 days, including the Orange Wine Tasting and ever-popular Wine in the Vines, a tasting tour of a handful of cellar doors and a chance to meet the growers. For those who like to auto-pilot their short breaks, the Vino Express is a three-day hosted weekend with exclusive access to premium events and behind the scenes wine tastings. This year’s train departs from Sydney Central Station on 20 October. For tickets and more info see: orangewinefestival.com.au.

Borrodell Vineyard. Image: Destination NSW

Country with a city shine

Orange wows with a growing barista scene (there are 37 cafés), hip restaurants and bars. Hatted restaurant Lolli Redini is a consistent crowd-pleaser. Nearby, Union Bank wine bar and restaurant is the place to go for share plates and charcuterie boards and a sustainable paddock-to-table vibe (look out for ‘UB’ on the menu for produce from the restaurant’s UB Farms).

By day, Byng Street Local Store is a café with good Allpress coffee. At night, the restaurant with the red door turns into a chic bistro with modern Australian cuisine and classic cocktails. Further afield, The Agrestic Grocer has veggie bowls, burgers and a ploughman’s breakfast. It’s also the cellar door for Badlands Brewery and the Small Mouse Cheese Company and runs tastings of both. 

For Asian cuisine in funky surrounds, Mr Lim delivers with cook-your-own Korean barbeque and a delicious five-course a la carte menu of reimagined Asian classics. On weekends, there’s also karaoke.

Orange Wine Festival. Image: Orange Region Vignerons Association

Cellar doors galore

There are over 38 cellar doors that make up the Orange Wine District. Established labels like Canobolas-Smith, Philip Shaw and Bloodwood Wines are here, along with a handful of good small-batch craft winemakers.

High on the volcanic slopes of Mt Canobolas is De Salis Wines. Named Best Cellar Door in 2017 by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, it’s a sunny spot to sip on a Pinot Noir or Fume Blanc, while learning about wild yeasts and French barriques from winemaker Charlie Svenson.

On the western slopes is Borrodell Vineyards. The small vineyard has sweeping views of the Towac Valley and stunning pet-friendly accommodation. It’s also home to Australia’s largest collection of heritage apples and pears. Owner Borry encourages visitors to walk the orchards after a tasting to sample the different fruit.

Down the mountain, award-winning Heifer Station has a cellar door straight from the pages of Country Living and a cute petting zoo to keep the little ones entertained. There are rustic cheese and charcuterie boards available. Try the Cool Climate Rosé and the gold medal-winning 2014 Shiraz.

In town, Ferment the Orange Wine Centre stocks an extensive selection of small-batch fine wines from Orange and Central NSW and will curate a tasting to your liking. More wine bar than cellar door, they’re open until 8pm most nights.

Rustic fare at the Agrestic Grocer. Image: Belinda Luksic

Food festivals and Farm markets

Autumn is when Orange puts on a star turn. It’s then that its wide tree-lined boulevards, parks and fields become suffused in a fiery palette of orange, gold and red. It’s also when Orange F.O.O.D. Week takes place. The annual event is the oldest food festival in Australia with classes in foraging and fermenting, farm gate tours, cellar door dinners and the much-loved 100 Mile Dinner held under the stars in Molong, with all produce sourced from the Orange district. See: orangefoodweek.com.au

On the second Saturday of every month, the Orange Showground is transformed into a regional farmers’ market. On display are over 40 food and wine producers from the Orange district, including craft beers from 1859 Central Ranges Brewing Co., Saltbird’s flavoured salts, artisan cheeses from Small Mouse Cheese Company, Lavendilli-Blue natural body creams and wines from Strawhouse Wines. See: orangefarmersmarket.org.au 

Local perspective

The Orange Regional Museum opened its doors this year and it’s a fascinating look into the area’s past. The award-winning building houses a permanent collection as well as hosting visiting shows. Journeys, the current exhibition, explores the connection to country, as told by the Wiradjuri people. See: orangemuseum.com.au

More information:

brandorange.com.au

Getting there

Orange is a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney and Canberra, or a 5-hour train ride from Sydney. Rex Airlines have direct flights up to four times daily from Sydney. Fly Corporate regional airlines have daily flights from Brisbane.