There’s a moment on the drive from Sydney to Orange when the landscape begins to shift. The sprawl of the city gives way to the Blue Mountains; winding roads soon straighten into wide, open highways. As you climb higher, the air cools. By the time you reach Orange – just over three and a half hours from the city – the crispness of the climate feels almost European, and the volcanic soils beneath your feet whisper of wines that are as distinctive as they are elegant.
This is cool-climate country at its finest. Chardonnay with a beautiful strike of butter. Pinot noir that’s delicate yet complex. Sparkling wines that rival the best from across the globe. But Orange is more than what’s in the glass – it’s the experience of visiting cellar doors that combine history, architecture, and that signature country hospitality which makes you want to linger long after your last sip.
Here are nine cellar doors that should be on every visitor’s tasting map.
Philip Shaw Wines: A story in every bottle
On the outskirts of town sits Philip Shaw, a winery that is as playful as it is serious about its wine. The cellar door is housed in a beautifully restored 1870s bluestone barn, the kind of building that makes you stop and run your hand across the stone just to feel its history. Inside, however, the atmosphere is intimate – almost mischievous. Wines here come with whimsical names and quirky labels, a reminder that wine should be fun as well as refined.
Perched 900 metres above sea level, Philip Shaw embraces the advantage of the region’s altitude. Order a tasting flight, settle in with local cheese and lavosh, and take your time. The No06 Chardonnay, in particular, captures that rare balance of power and elegance. Bookings are essential as tastings are kept deliberately small, and there’s always a buzz around seasonal dinners and special events that draw locals and travellers alike.
Ross Hill Wines: Sustainability in a glass
Ross Hill feels different the moment you arrive. Maybe it’s the way the terrace looks out over vines that seem carefully, lovingly tended. Or perhaps it’s the fact that Ross Hill was the first winery in the country to be certified carbon neutral – a six-year journey that shows a deep commitment to sustainability. Whatever it is, the wine here carries both mindfulness and mastery.
The Eastern View Chardonnay is a standout, but to fully understand Ross Hill, you need to book one of its Pairing tasting plates, seven dishes carefully matched to its wines. Better yet, join one of the behind-the-scenes tours or a food and wine course at the Barrel & Larder culinary school. If you want to turn the experience into a stay, you can bed down in Loco – a converted train carriage that once served as the original cellar door. Rustic, cosy, and utterly charming.
De Salis Wines: Honest and unfiltered
If you like your wine philosophy with a side of minimalism, De Salis will speak to you. Owned and operated by the McGuigan family, this boutique winery sits high on the northern slope of Mount Canobolas with sweeping views across rolling vineyards. Here it’s all about purity and technique. The tasting fee is modest, but what you take away is an education in the art of letting nature do the heavy lifting.
Seated around barrel-top tables, you’ll discover handcrafted wines made with minimal intervention. There’s no food menu, no distractions – it’s just you, your glass, and the winemaker’s vision. Be sure to try the fumé blanc, which has developed a loyal following among those who love whites with character.
Rowlee Wines: Romance among the vines
Rowlee is the kind of place you come to linger, not rush. Just a few minutes from Orange, this winery offers more than just tastings – it offers experiences. The Sensory Wine Tasting takes you on a guided journey that engages all five senses, while the Varietal Tasting gives you a great entry point into its Single Vineyard wines.
Stay for lunch or dinner at the onsite dining and bar, which showcases local produce alongside fine wines. And if you’re planning a romantic getaway, the Ultimate Wine Escape package promises luxury in spades — a private guesthouse, a vineyard picnic, a Sensory Tasting, and a case of wine to ensure the memories linger long after you return home.
Printhie Wines: Elevating bubbles
Printhie, established in 2004, has quickly carved out a reputation as one of the region’s finest producers, especially for sparkling wine. Its Swift range has won national and international acclaim, and at the ultra-modern, charcoal-hued cellar door you can go beyond tasting by signing up for a Sparkling Masterclass. Here, méthode traditionelle is demystified, and every pop of a cork feels like a small celebration.
For those wanting more, the four-course degustation with matched wines is a must. And if you want to arrive in true style, Printhie offers heli-transfers – a helicopter flight direct to the cellar door. It’s an experience designed to impress, complete with a private tasting and leisurely lunch overlooking the valley.
Borrodell Estate: Sky-high indulgence
Perched high up on Mount Canobolas, Borrodell offers cellar door views that will stop you in your tracks. Its SkyBar is equal parts wine bar and lookout, offering panoramas over the Towac Valley. Order a charcuterie platter, pair it with an estate wine, and breathe in the mountain air.
The Museum Series is a highlight, particularly the 2014 Pinot Noir, which shows just how well Orange wines can age. Sisters Rock Restaurant provides another reason to stay – its long lunches are legendary. And for true indulgence, book a night in the Cider Suite with its spa bath and romantic vineyard outlook.
Strawhouse Wines: Where architecture meets agriculture
Strawhouse is a boutique, family-run winery that understands the connection between land, craft, and design. Its cellar door – straw-bale and architecturally striking – sets the tone for the wines you’ll taste: small-batch, carefully made, and deeply connected to the terroir.
Book in advance to secure a private tasting, then let time slow down in the adjoining Vineyard Apartment, ideal for couples looking for a rustic yet refined escape. Pick up a bottle of the unfiltered Edith Rouge blend, and order a local picnic hamper to enjoy beneath the gum trees.
Swinging Bridge: Innovation in every pour
Swinging Bridge feels both grounded in tradition and hungry for innovation. The Hill Park vineyard provides the backdrop here, and the wines – particularly the chardonnay from Block 7 – show the precision possible in Orange’s cool climate.
The cellar door offers curated tasting flights led by knowledgeable sommeliers, but to truly immerse, book an Explore or Indulge package. These include vineyard tours, degustation lunches, and guided tastings. For the full treatment, the Immerse experience pairs a private tour of the Orange wine region with a seven-course lunch. It’s the kind of day that blurs from education into pure indulgence.
Heifer Station: Wine and play combined
Finally, for those travelling with family, Heifer Station hits the sweet spot between sophistication and fun. While adults sip estate-grown pinot noir, children can wander into the Funny Farm, a petting zoo where shaggy Highland cattle, llamas, alpacas, and a miniature Shetland pony named Tilly steal the show.
Inside, the cellar door serves cheese boards, children’s platters, and a warm welcome. For those wanting to extend their stay, the Loft House accommodation boasts two bedrooms, open fireplaces, and hillside views across the estate’s vines. It feels like home, only with better wine.
The taste of Orange
What sets Orange apart isn’t just its wines – it’s the way tasting them becomes an experience. From grand helicopter arrivals to cosy vineyard apartments built of straw, from minimalist wine philosophies to decadent degustation lunches, no two cellar doors are the same.
Here, the high altitude and volcanic soils give each bottle its character. But it’s the people – the winemakers, the families, the visionaries who’ve put Orange on the map – who give the region its heart.
So pack your bags, head west, and prepare to sip, swirl and savour. Because Orange isn’t just a wine region – it’s a way of slowing down, of connecting with land, and of finding joy in every glass.