Orange Region

Location
 Zone - Central Ranges
State - New South Wales

Map Reference
 Latitude 33 degrees and 19 minutes South
Longitude 149 degrees and 03 minutes East

Elevation
 600 - 1100 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 Orange region located on the slopes of Mount Canobolas has long been an important garden producing apples, pears and cherries. Commercially, the first vines were planted in 1980 at Bloodwood Estate. Today there are now over 25 vineyards in the area. A major development in the region has dramatically increased its profile and its importance as a wine producer - Cabonne Limited now known as Reynolds established three vineyards, one of them a 900-hectare vineyard called Little Boomey plus a winery was erected at Quandong to process the grapes.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 120 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 60 ha
Marsanne 50 ha
Verdelho 45 ha
Semillon 45 ha
Riesling 20 ha
Total White 340 ha
Red
 Shiraz 475 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 425 ha
Merlot 140 ha
Pinot Noir 10 ha
Other 30 ha
Total Red 1080 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Sauvignon Blanc
Intense tropical fruit flavours develop when grown above 750 metres. The more vigorous soils also produce grapes with an herbaceous character that complements the strong fruit flavours.

Riesling
Small quantities of late picked Riesling are made from time to time.

Chardonnay
As in most newly developed regions, by far the most significant white wine. The style is a tidy balance between the fleshy, rich, quick-developing warm-climate wine and the fine, citrus and cashew style, slow developing of cool climates. Melon, nectarine and fig flavours are in a wine of medium weight and pleasantly crisp acidity, balanced well with subtle use of oak and malolactic fermentation.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Usually blended, but sometimes produced as single varietal wines, these are of medium body and have fine tannins, quite European in their structure.

Shiraz
Top variety, showing true varietal flavours and exceptional colour. The first wine made showed a near-perfect balance between red cherry fruit and more spicy notes, promising much for the future.