Visit the vineyards: three wineries to drop by when travelling around the Orange wine region

As Australia’s penchant for cool-climate wines continues to grow, so has an appreciation of wines from Orange – the only Australian wine region defined by altitude.

With over 1075 hectares of vineyards planted from 600 metres up to 1150 metres at the highest sites, the Orange wine region (located about 250 kilometres west of Sydney) has become a hub for the serious production of grapes that excel in cooler conditions – think chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and shiraz.

Highland Heritage

Highland Heritage Vineyard is one of Orange’s most historic and celebrated wineries – the winery just won Cellar Door of the Year 2025–2026 at the Orange Wine Show. Established in 1985 and owned by the D’Aquino family since 1991, the vineyard carries on a winemaking tradition that began in Orange in 1946 – making the family the region’s first winemakers. Today, third-generation family member and winemaker Rex D’Aquino draws on decades of experience to craft wines that capture the best of this cool-climate region.

Set on 125 hectares just three kilometres east of Orange, Highland Heritage sits 890 metres above sea level – one of the highest-altitude vineyards in the region. This elevation helps create the perfect conditions for elegant, well-structured whites and refined, complex reds. The vineyard is planted with a wide array of varieties, including chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, riesling, merlot, shiraz, prosecco and cabernet franc.

All of these wines are on the tasting menu at the Highland Heritage cellar door, plus sweeping vineyard views, fresh country air and abundant local wildlife – from kangaroos and cockatoos to the resident alpacas. Tastings include current releases, cellar releases and back vintages, with private and personalised sessions available for those wanting a deeper dive into the wines. Guests can also pre-order cheese platters to enjoy alongside their tasting, making it easy to linger and soak up the atmosphere.

Throughout the year, folks can also drop by for events like the much-loved Nonna’s Long Lunch – held twice a year during Food Week and Wine Week. Hosted by second-generation Zina D’Aquino, now in her 90s, these lunches showcase treasured family recipes and a true sense of Italian heritage. If you’re visiting Orange when these are running, be sure to book a spot well in advance.

4968 Mitchell Highway, Orange | Monday–Sunday 10am–5pm | highlandheritage.com.au

---

Printhie Wines

Five Red Star winery Printhie Wines is a sight to behold – with vineyards covering the slopes of Gaanha Bula (Mt Canobolas) – 1000 metres above sea level. The ancient volcanic soils, crisp mountain air and snowy winters create the perfect conditions for elegant méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine and award-winning still wines. It’s also an incredible spot to visit in person.

At Printhie’s Cellar Door & Printhie Dining, guests can enjoy guided tastings of the full Printhie portfolio, including the highly rated Swift Sparkling wines which have all received scores of 95 or above by Halliday taster Shanteh Wale. This includes the Swift Vintage 2016, which just won the trophy for Best Sparkling, Best Single Vineyard Wine and Best Wine of Show at this year's Orange Wine Show.

For those keen to go beyond the cellar door, Printhie also offers a series of must-try immersive experiences that connect wine, food and landscape – from picnics, fly fishing and sparkling masterclasses to the exclusive Chef’s Table, where guests dine in the kitchen alongside the culinary team.

At the hatted Printhie Dining, the team creates refined seasonal degustation menus designed around produce from their kitchen garden – best enjoyed out on the deck during a sunny afternoon. Dishes are crafted to effortlessly pair with Printhie’s estate-grown wines, offering a remarkable sense of place in every course.

208 Nancarrow Lane, Nashdale NSW | Friday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday–Thursday 11am–4pm | printhiewines.com.au

---

Ross Hill Wines

The family-owned Ross Hill Wines is known for its highly scored wines, which capture the character of their high-altitude vineyards while simultaneously setting the benchmark for sustainable practices – they were Australia’s first certified carbon neutral winery. The team produces top-tier riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, which are all available at their cellar door.

Sitting at the foothills of Mount Canobolas, guests can drop by this sleek space to sample the wines during a seated tasting – hearing the story behind each wine as well as the pioneering sustainability practices that earned Ross Hill the International Cool Climate Wine Shows Excellence in Sustainability award in 2025.

But Ross Hill offers a whole lot more than mere wine tastings. Local and guest chefs host lively classes at the on-site Barrel & Larder Cooking School, pairing the region’s seasonal produce with Ross Hill wines. Moreover, a calendar of special events – from masterclasses and wine dinners to live music and seasonal celebrations – also ensures there is always something new to discover at this 5 Red Star Winery. You can even spend the night here, staying in the Loco Accommodation, which sits within a restored Red Rattler train carriage and boasts sweeping views across the vineyard.

Lastly, Ross Hill is kid- and dog-friendly, meaning everyone is welcome to explore the winery – immersing themselves in the flavours, stories and community spirit that make the Orange wine region special.

134 Wallace Lane, Orange | Monday–Sunday 10:30am–4:30pm | rosshillwines.com.au