There are few places in Australia where great wine, incredible food and spectacular scenery come together quite like Orange.
Perched on the slopes of Mount Canobolas in Central West NSW, this cool-climate wine region has built a reputation for producing some of Australia’s most exciting wines. And each spring, it throws a celebration worthy of the setting.
From 16–25 October 2026, the Orange Wine Festival returns with more than 40 events spread across ten delicious days, inviting visitors to experience the region through exceptional wines, memorable dining experiences and the passionate people behind every bottle.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine collector, a casual weekend sipper or simply looking for an excuse to escape Sydney for a few days, this is one festival worth planning around.
A wine region unlike anywhere else in Australia
Orange isn’t Australia’s highest wine region by accident.
Vineyards here begin at 600 metres above sea level and climb to more than 1,000 metres, making elevation one of the defining characteristics of every bottle produced.
The cooler temperatures allow grapes to ripen slowly, developing vibrant acidity, elegant structure and distinctive varietal character. Combined with rich volcanic soils left behind by the ancient Mount Canobolas, the result is an extraordinary diversity of wines that continue to earn national recognition.
You’ll find everything from crisp Riesling and Chardonnay to elegant Pinot Noir, cool-climate Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and an increasing number of alternative varieties including Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Tempranillo.
Unlike many Australian wine regions known for a single signature style, Orange rewards exploration.
More than 40 ways to experience Orange
The Orange Wine Festival is far more than a collection of tastings.
Across ten days, wineries, chefs, restaurants and producers open their doors to create immersive experiences that celebrate everything the region has to offer.
Visitors can expect:
- guided cellar door experiences
- vertical tastings featuring museum wines
- intimate winemaker dinners
- vineyard lunches
- brunches and long lunches
- food and wine pairings
- behind-the-scenes winery experiences
- relaxed gatherings and celebrations throughout the region
It’s an opportunity to meet the winemakers, hear the stories behind the labels and experience Orange at one of its most beautiful times of year, when vineyards are bursting back to life after winter.
Don’t miss these signature events:
Orange Wine Festival Night Market
The festival opens on Friday 16 October beneath the trees of Robertson Park.
One of the region’s most anticipated annual events, the Night Market brings together local wineries, chefs, growers and artisan producers for an evening of tasting and discovery.
Grab a glass, wander between stalls, sample award-winning cool-climate wines and enjoy dishes showcasing some of the best regional produce in New South Wales.
It’s the perfect introduction to everything Orange has to offer.
Sip & Savour: The Ultimate Wine Tasting
If there’s one evening serious wine lovers shouldn’t miss, it’s Sip & Savour on Friday 23 October.
Hosted inside the Orange Showground Agricultural Pavilion, this extraordinary tasting event brings together more than 300 wines under one roof, including medal winners from the 2026 Orange Wine Show.
It’s a rare opportunity to compare the region’s best wines side by side while discovering emerging producers and new favourites.
Dine with the people behind the wines
One of the standout additions to this year’s program is the Vintners’ Table Series.
These intimate dining experiences pair exceptional seasonal menus with Orange wines, while guests share the table with the very winemakers responsible for producing them.
Rather than simply tasting wine, visitors gain insight into the vineyards, vintages and stories that make each bottle unique.
For anyone who enjoys conversations that linger as long as the final glass, these events promise to be among the festival highlights.
Beyond the festival
While the festival provides plenty of reasons to visit, it’s worth extending your stay.
Orange is home to nearly 40 cellar doors spread across five distinct wine trails, each offering its own character and landscape.
Spend a weekend exploring boutique wineries tucked among rolling hills, enjoy long lunches overlooking vineyards, browse local farmers’ markets and discover heritage villages like nearby Millthorpe.
Many wineries also offer premium tasting experiences, vineyard accommodation and restaurant dining, making it easy to turn a festival visit into a memorable regional escape.
Planning your visit
Orange is approximately three-and-a-half hours’ drive west of Sydney, making it an ideal long weekend destination.
Given many signature events sell out each year, it’s worth planning early if you have your eye on a particular dinner, tasting or masterclass.
Orange Wine Festival 2026
Dates: 16–25 October 2026
Location: Orange Wine Region, New South Wales
Festival highlights:
- More than 40 events across ten days
- Orange Wine Festival Night Market
- Sip & Savour: The Ultimate Wine Tasting
- Vintners’ Table Series
- Cellar door experiences
- Long lunches and winemaker dinners
- Award-winning cool-climate wines
If your ideal spring escape involves crisp country mornings, vineyard views, exceptional food and a glass of cool-climate wine in hand, the Orange Wine Festival deserves a place on your calendar.
It’s a celebration of one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions—and an invitation to experience exactly what makes Orange a destination that’s truly a drop above.
