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

250 kilometres west of Sydney, our Cumulus Estate vineyard covers 508 hectares and 2 geographical indicators (GIs), or appellations. Unique in Australia, the Orange GI is defined by altitude as well as by map coordinates.


Orange

"If ever an Australian wine region is destined to produce wines to frighten makers in Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, it's Orange."
Lester Jesberg, Winewise

Marked by altitude, Orange is classified as the highest wine region in Australia, with vineyards planted up to 1100 metres. Coupled with its continentality, Orange produces a level of elegance and consistency exemplified in the Climbing Wines.

Orange is classified as the highest wine region in Australia, with vineyards planted up to 1100 metres. The altitude and vineyard aspect combine to provide the vines cool conditions and intense sunlight; this allows Orange to produce a level of elegance and consistency exemplified in the Climbing Wines.

Orange Geographical Indicator (GI) Map
Central Ranges

The Central Ranges region falls below the 600m appellation of Orange. The unusual intensity of the high-land sunshine gives the Rolling Wines incredible colour and powerful fruit flavour, while continual cool temperatures create a smooth supple finish.

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.