The Region


Our unique vineyard dual appellation results from the complexities of the Australian Geographical Indication system (GI). Located in the "Central Ranges" zone of New South Wales, Orange is actually defined as "that contiguous area that is above 600 metres elevation within the City of Orange and the Shires of Cabonne and Blayney."


Wine Region Maps

The township of Orange lies at the foot of Mount Canobolas, approximately 250km west of Sydney. Nested in the centre of pristine agricultural lands, it has a rich local history in all things produce and hosts a thriving and hosts a thriving restaurant culture and a vibrant wine and food scene.

Now home to some of the country's most innovative chefs and winemakers, attracted by Australia's highest altitude vineyards and top-quality regional produce food, Orange now creates food and wine exciting enough to bring several thousand visitors to the region during Orange F.O.O.D Week in April and Wine Week in October.

For our favourite places to visit in Orange click here

For more information on Orange and regional events visit- www.tasteorange.com.au

For more information on the wine regions of Orange - http://www.winesoforange.com.au

 

Orange

"The hugely varying altitudes of vineyard sites within this region, dominated by Mount Canobolas, allow the production of many different styles of wine. You won't find any big, full-throttle styles here, but you will find fine, spicy shirazes, juicy cabernet sauvignons, complex tight chardonnays and fragrant aromatics"
Tim White, Australian Financial Review, May 2007

 

Orange Geographical Indicator (GI) Map

Orange Wine Region, NSW
Elevation: above 600m, Latitude: 33'15'S, Longitude: 149'07'E

The Orange Geographical Indication (GI) wine region is uniquely classified by both geographical and altitudinal boundaries. Rising from an elevation of 600m with vines planted 1,100 metres the region experiences mild to warm summers, offset by cool to very cool nights during the growing season. With an average annual 705mm of winter and spring-dominant rainfall, the three driest months of February, March and April offer ideal fruit-ripening conditions.

Central Ranges

Central Ranges Wine Region, NSW
Elevation: up to 600m, Latitude: 33'15'S, Longitude: 149'07'E

The Central Ranges is a near circular viticultural area that falls under the 600m appellation of Orange. Our vineyard dips between these two regions with almost a 50% split between them.

Central Ranges GI map
High Altitude

So why does altitude matter?


While our wines all have personalities of their own, one characteristic they share is wonderfully bright, vibrant fruit. The vineyards' altitude (all over 2,000 feet above sea level) plays a huge part in this, for a few reasons:

  • The higher you get, the cooler it gets. The lower temperatures mean that the grapes take a bit longer to ripen, giving us time to get the evenness right across the bunches. This enables us to avoid the jammy, overripe characters you sometimes see in warmer climate wines, as well as giving us a chance to get a wonderful consistency in the wine.
  • The higher you are, the greater the intensity of sunlight. While the temperature is not as high as other parts of Australia, the UV readings certainly are. This helps us get fruit with great intensity of flavour.