The Future is Orange – Wine Festival Orange

From October 16 – November 1, the Orange Wine Festival takes place. If you’re thinking the best wineries are in California, Italy and France, you’ve not see what the NSW area has to offer. Australian wines are renowned as one of the greats so zone in on the surrounding Sydney region: you can enjoy from 80 events over two weeks including the Orange Wine Show Dinner. There are tastings, food night markets and local restaurants pairing local vino producers, showcasing with stunning dishes.

 

The vineyards are sensational and you are invited to a gastro journey through some of the best scenic routes in the area. With the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains as the hotel of choice, they’re offering a special rate for Orange Festival attendees – luxury at its best. Click the above link to book. 

Prime selections on offer for tastings, flight tastings or just a good ole glass of wine and a banter with the sommelier include Orange’s paramount range: Chardonnay, Reisling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. Most of the wineries are open daily from around 11am – 5pm but click the program link for specific venue openings. Remember to ask them about private tastings and booking appointments, especially in groups. Then you can claim uninterripted attention by the winery team and learn a few sniff, taste and spittoon tricks of the trade.

The festival also holds an excellent itinerary of what’s going on and where including Cider Lunches, Movie Nights, Barrel Tasting, Art Exhibition, Boozy Breakfasts and (our favourite) Garden Ramble.

There’s also a Wine Show Trophy Dinner and Wine Show Tastings. Showcasing a Masterclass demonstration, experts will explain why the Orange region is so scrumptiously unique, different from other global wineries. One event we love is Wine in the Vines, explaining the process from soil, climate and grape, right up to barreling and the finale adoration of liquid in a bottle. Also keep the 30^th October free for the night market, in Robertson Park where you can taste, buy and chill out among wine lovers t the communal tables.

Even though the festival is packed day and night with activities, if you’re visiting NSW for the first time, it’s a good weekend getaway from the city to experience life as a local. It’s a 3.30 hour drive from Cremorne Point but the road to and from is a must see. When you’re full of fruit, head back to Cremorne Point Manor’s boutique hotel. Grab yourself a glass of wine you bought while you were in Orange, sit back, relax and gaze at the mind blowing Harbour skyline from our hotel. Yet another happy ending to a grape escape (sorry, we couldn’t resist).