Cherry Picking - Orange 2014

After all the fun of last year, we headed back to Cargo Road Wines at the very start of the cherry picking season in Orange so we could stock up before any more climatic issues could hit the region and potentially ruin the crop.

Due to all the hot weather we have been having, the season was a good couple of weeks ahead of last years, and the cherry trees were bearing up well despite the really heavy rains that came through during the week.

Fingers crossed we can still get cherries at Christmas! We had sort of planned to take all the visiting family members cherry picking over the festive period so we might need to re-think that one.

The cherries at Cargo Road Wines are huge and delicious, we had great fun picking with a few friends.

If you have never picked before, don't worry as it is very easy and James Sweetapple, the owner is happy to give you a lesson before you start. The most important thing is not letting any cherries fall on the ground, you want them in the bag or mouth only!

The darker the cherries - the sweeter the fruit, the trees are covered in cherries so you don't have to look very hard to quickly fill your bag.

Mr L'Orange did not feel my quality control was particularly good in comparison with his superior picking abilities.

Boxed and ready to eat

Friendly cherry dog on hand to help

The cherries cost a very reasonable $7 per kilo for extremely good fruit, plus you get to eat a few whilst you work so all in all a great deal.

You can now also buy fresh honey at Cargo Road Wines who have their own honey bee hives so you can see exactly where your honey is coming from.

After cherry picking we headed to the cellar door for a nice coffee and hot chocolate with friends. Definitely a lovely start to a Sunday and looking forward to more picking before Christmas!

Winter Has Arrived - Wine Events

It is officially cold in Orange.There has been nothing slow or gradual about it, we just woke up one night and it was totally freezing. However, given this is now our third winter in chilly old Orange, we now know exactly what to do to stay warm.

Dog A L'Orange Keeping Cosy

Winter is the typical time of total hibernation in the Central West, so Mr L'Orange & I do our best to buck the trend and get out and about as much as possible.

The hottest event in our calendar is the Cargo Road Wines shindig on July 6th. Combining art, food, wine & entertainment all for the rather amazing price of $20. We are heading along with a big group of friends and hope you might be able to join us.

To book your spot simply contact James Sweetapple  from Cargo Road Wines before it sells out.

We are also planning a Christmas in July dinner party to get everyone in the festive spirit. I always look at the 'Country Style' & 'Home & Garden' Christmas editions with total envy especially as we are never home for Chrissy.

So perhaps this year, I can channel my inner Christmas Goddess. This is what I imagine the house might look like during Christmas in July...

The garden would embody country rustic with a dash of festive at the same time, something along these lines, just image Dog A L'Orange replacing the lamb....

And finally the fabulous Christmas dinner table (setting it is my favourite bit of Christmas) would look a little like this...

Any Christmas in July suggestions for me lovely readers? All hints and tips, gratefully welcomed.