Orange

The Orange wine district, which includes not only the City of Orange but also Bathurst and its wine regions, is quickly developing a reputation for producing premium cool-climate wines; best known for Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The City of Orange itself is located in the Central Tablelands of NSW and is 260 km (or a 3.5 hour drive) north-west of Sydney and only 3 hrs from Canberra, with the major town of Bathurst close by. The extinct volcano, Mount Canobolas (1,396m) dominates the region and the climate of Orange.

Despite the fact that oranges are grown around Orange, the area is reputedly named after Prince William of Orange, who the then Surveyor-General of New South Wales, Thomas Mitchell, had met during the Napoleonic Wars. Previously the area, established in 1822 as a convict settlement, had been known as Blackman's Swamp Creek, so the region undoubtedly owes a debt to the people of Holland whose king this prince later became. Orange was proclaimed a village in 1846 but the big boost to the area’s development came, as for much of NSW, in 1851 when gold was discovered at Ophir and soon after at Lucknow. Nevertheless, it was the fertile land that gave the district its long-term prosperity, particularly in growing wheat and barley, and by the 1860s the Orange area was considered the granary of the west with several flourmills in operation.

The Orange region is centred on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, and has long been an important orchard area producing apples, pears and cherries. An experimental viticultural station was established at Molong in the 1940’s, but vines were first planted commercially only in 1980. Due to restrictions on water for irrigation, major vineyard development has slowed since 2000, but the region happily boasts many small winemaking operations.

Orange district is the only GI (Geographic Indication) defined by altitude, the lowest boundary starts at 600 metres above sea level and rises up to 1,400 metres at its highest, the peak of Mt Canobolas, with the uppermost vineyards planted at around 1,100 metres. Naturally the climate of the Orange area is strongly influenced by its elevation. Its mild to warm summer temperatures, rarely rising above 32°C, are contrasted by its cool to very cool nights during the growing season. Winter and spring rainfall predominates and the dry months of February, March and April, make irrigation desirable. Spring frosts and even the occasional snow in December, are a threat but one that can be reduced by the right aspect, in this case a north-east exposure from which the prevailing winds can protect the vines.

With over 30 cellar doors in the region there is plenty to choose from. One such is the Angullong Vineyard, a family run affair located in the foothills of Mt Canobolas. Originally a sheep and cattle station, part of the property was planted as a vineyard in the 1990s. Another is the Highland Heritage Estate, located 3kms east of the city on 40 acres of grapes where their award winning wines can be tasted at a cellar door located in a converted railway carriage and good food enjoyed in their la carte restaurant. But these are only two, and such wineries as Belubela Valley Vineyards, Cumulus Wines, Golden Gully Wines, Nashdale Vineyard, Prince of Orange Wines, Templer’s Mill and many more await your visit.

Food and wine events of the region include the Orange Winefest, a week-long, festival; F.O.O.D. Week, in April, and Wine Week Orange, in October. In addition, local foods such as beef, lamb and venison, apples, stone fruit, figs, berries, nuts, dairy, olives and olive oil can be found in abundance. Bathurst has a Farmers’ market on the fourth Saturday of the month and local attractions include Mount Panorama Racing Circuit, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Abercrombie House, the Orange Botanic Gardens, Golden Memories Museum, the Orange Regional Art Gallery, and Duntryleague historic home.

Orange is also known as the birthplace of two famous Australian poets, Banjo Paterson and Kenneth Slessor, the first being born there in 1864 and the second in 1901.

But regardless of their respective merits as poets, for the man who wrote 'Waltzing Matilda', a monument and statue are located at the site of his birthplace, Banjo Paterson Park, on the Ophir Road. Another site worth a visit is the magnificent Mt Canobolas, an ancient volcano that gives spectacular 360° views of the surrounding countryside. In winter the peak of Mt Canobolas is often covered in snow.

The cool climate, basalt soils & long growing season all combine to create a magical formula for the wines of this region. As with many new wine regions, Chardonnay is the most important wine, with a good balance between the rich, quick developing warm climate wine and the fine, slow developing, style of very cool climates. The best quality Chardonnay produced in the Orange region has a good palate while the Merlot of the region is a dark red with a distinctive bouquet. In addition, cold-climate varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are suited to slopes up to 1050m. Also, above 600m there is a range of microclimates suitable for such varieties as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.