Regional Hero ~ Sauvignon Blanc

Orange just keeps on thriving. The first vines were planted in 1980 and since then the region has earned the tag of “one Australia’s most exciting new wine regions” boasting over 30 cellar doors including Bloodwood, Ross Hill, Belgravia, Brangayne and Philip Shaw. The cool-climate wines produced from the region’s high altitude represent a fresh new offering to NSW Wine.

Indeed, it would appear many see an exciting future for Orange as Philip Shaw (twice International Winemaker of Year) has decided to concentrate solely on developing wines from the region. Phillip Shaw and Ross Hill are both opening major new wineries in 2009.

Orange is one of the highest wine regions in Australia. Sauvignon Blanc thrives of the region’s continental weather conditions, diversity of soil types and high altitude to produce Sauvignon Blanc of distinct varietal character and mouth watering acidity generally being riper, more floral in style bridging the divide between New Zealand and French styles. Last year Orange experienced immense success against their New Zealand counter-parts with Logan collecting the 2008 Wine State Sauvignon Blanc of the Year and Brangayne collecting Best Australian Sauvignon Blanc at the 2008 New Zealand International Wine Show. Leading the way in developing Sauvignon Blanc in the region, this year the Orange Wine Show will feature a Sauvignon Blanc Master Class and Symposium on 1 October 2009.

Hand-in-hand with its booming wine industry, Orange boasts one of the most dynamic regional food movements in the country. Orange sees the promotion of its wine as inseparable from its food, produce and quality restaurants resulting in its dynamic Brand Orange project with the following 4 major events: Orange Slow Summer Week 6-15 February 2009, Orange Food Week 17 -26 April 2009, Orange Frost Fest Week 1-9 August 2009 and Orange Wine Week 16-25 October 2009.