Orange Wine Week - Part 2

The Burgundian lunch at the Old Convent was our highlight of Orange Wine Week.

The Old Convent Building

The Old Convent is one of our favourite places to eat, because the setting is so beautiful, Josie Chapman’s food is always amazing and we knew we would be drinking the outstanding DeSalis chardonnays and pinot noirs.

The long shared tables, meant that we were surrounded with new and interesting people, Josie did very well with her guest placement and we left with many phone numbers and new dog owner friends!

The Burgundian menu included:

Freshly made bread

Terrine with micro herb salad

Pea soup with white fish

Beef bourguignon with roasted vegetables & potatoes

Camembert with bread

Poached pears and crème anglaise

The De Salis wines matched perfectly and we were able to try some of winemaker Charlie Svenson’s older wines as well as his current releases. With approximately 40 guests in the room, the lunch went well as it was an intimate gathering where strangers quickly became friends.

The quirky lighting

We left feeling extremely full yet happy having enjoyed a couple of hours of superb Burgundian food and wine in excellent company. The Burgundian lunch offered exceptional value you for money and we will definitely be coming back for Josie’s next event.

Pea soup - gone in a flash

Orange Wine Week - Part 1

We have quite possibly just finished one of the best Orange Wine Weeks ever created, Mr L'Orange and I are actually feeling a bit sad it is all over! I have so much to fill you in on that I am going to have to do it over several posts.

Orange Wine Week - Part 1

We have had four wine loving friends come to visit, a new puppy and a packed house but still managed to squeeze in the following:

Wine & music on the lawn at Philip Shaw's. This is an excellent concept as the cellar door offers views, lawn and plenty of space plus delicious pork rolls and a fantastic range of Philip Shaw wine. Only criticism would be the music which only the DJ was dancing to (never a good sign), a live guitarist would have been ideal. There was a good turn out of people and the lovely sunshine got everyone in the mood.

Swift Sparkling Launch. Held at the Byng St Store around the corner from our house and totally free. This was a chance for people to try the two new Swift sparklings (cuvee and vintage) accompanied by the uber delicious Byng St Store canapés.

Byng St Store - Swift Cellar Door

I was very impressed with the Swift Cuvee which was extremely drinkable and totally hit the spot in its balance between sweet and dry, hoping to see this on wine lists all over Orange as currently the local sparkling offering is very limited. If anyone is needing a caterer in Orange, speak to Jeremy Norris at Byng St Store his mini delights are utterly divine.

Gorgeous art deco promotional material

Boozy BBQ at our place. We finished off the night with some extremely good wines from the Fesq & Company portfolio (thanks Andy), accompanied by an array of bbq meats and then watched the rugby and passed out.

Susan & Xanthie trying Swift sparkling

Waffles with the Winemaker at Patina Wines. A quirky way to start a Sunday, great option when friends are staying. To read in full click here.

Just when we thought we couldn't manage any more wine or socialising we had to head off for our Burgundian Lunch booking at the Old Convent. Full story on this decadent day tomorrow....

Breakfast in Orange

Fab garden

When we first arrived in Orange there was almost nowhere open for a good breakfast on a Sunday, thankfully that niche in the market has been filled expertly with the likes of Factory Espresso, Byng St Store and The Old Convent. Last weekend we decided to sample something new in the breakfast department, we booked in for Waffles with the Winemaker at Patina Wines as part of Wine Week.

Waffley goodness

For $25 we got to have waffles, fresh fruit, wine tasting and a good chat with winemaker Gerald Naef whilst admiring the stunning views across the vineyard and warming ourselves against the open fire. Patina events are always fun with a capital ‘F’and this one didn't disappoint!

Our friends enjoying the open fire

The waffles were light yet crispy, the setting was uber comfortable and gave us all garden envy and the coffees were excellent. As always, I walked away with several bottles of Patina Rose, as in the warm weather I never seem to be able to get enough of the stuff!

Delicious coffee

If you get the chance to do waffles at Patina, I highly recommend it as the perfect start to a Sunday morning.

Orange Wine Week 2012

Mr L'Orange and I got our hands on the new Orange Wine Week 2012 brochure yesterday and are very excited about the programme for late October. This year's festival is jam packed with good stuff, the tough job will be selecting just a few events to attend.

The bar has definitely been raised and there is now an excellent range of wine related events throughout the week with a good mix of casual and formal. If you were thinking of making a visit, then leave your children behind and come to Orange for Wine Week which takes place from 20-28 October 2012. 

This year there are guest chef appearances from Tony Bilson, Kate Bracks the Masterchef winner and Peter Kuravita. These events have a matching guest chef price tag so be prepared to spend big, perfectly fine if you can spare the cash or want to do something unique for a special occasion. As DIY consumes almost all of our savings, we are going for the more ‘value for money’ options and my top picks for Orange Wine Week 2012 include:

Burgundian Lunch at the Old Convent with De Salis Wines

Josie Chapman is one of our favourite chefs in Orange and the Old Convent is one of the most lovely venues in the area. So the fact that they are doing a lunch accompanied by De Salis wines (another of our favourites) for the very reasonable price of $50 is a no brainer. Who else wants to join us? On both weekends during Wine Week.

Live DJ and Vietnamese pork rolls at Philip Shaw Wines

Relaxing in the sunshine whilst sipping wine, listening to music and munching on Vietnamese culinary delights sounds like the perfect Sunday to me. At $8 per person, this option is great for groups of friends/family and is pretty casual which in my view is what wine drinking is all about. Taking place both weekends during Wine Week.

Printhie Sparkling Launch at the Byng St Store

As this event is free and just around the corner from our house it immediately caught my eye. We will definitely be popping along to sample the new Printhie sparkling, meet Drew Tuckwell the wine maker and get to see the Byng St Store with its exciting wine bar set up.

BUG Bicycle Ride – 50km around the region 

I think I need to go into training to be able to complete this one, however it is a great way to get more people involved in cycling and to see the region from a new perspective. I would personally recommend using a mountain bike as the roads in Orange are shocking for bumps and potholes. Free event - meeting at the Byng St Store at 10.00am on 28th October.

Night Markets at Robertson’s Park 

Always a good opportunity to try lots of wines in a short space of time without the trouble of driving. Arrive early to avoid disappointment as food runs out and queues get long otherwise. Free event you simply buy what you wish to eat and drink. Taking place from 5.30pm on Friday 26 October.

Hopefully some of these suggestions have tempted you to book in a visit to Orange or get your friends and family up for the weekend for some Orange Wine Week action. 

To see the full brochure of Orange Wine Week events click here. If you are needing accommodation, there is always the Dalton St Studio for the perfect home away from home mini break!

Orange Wine Week - Night Markets

Here are a few pictures from this event that took place on the last Friday in Wine Week.

  

Top tips for anyone attending the next one: 

Pack an appetite

Bring your own glass

Bring lots of change

Arrive early

Orange Wine Week Is Almost Upon Us

Orange Wine Week is just 1 week away, if you were thinking of visiting Orange then get yourself organised, book some accommodation and come up here! It is only 3 hours from Sydney with no stops or traffic through the mountains.

The Night Markets are being held on Friday 28th October from 5.30pm in Robertson’s Park and are always a highlight. Definitely call in for a tasting at De Salis Wines, where you are encouraged to bring your own picnic and then enjoy the views either in the vineyard or on the deck.

Whether a local or visitor, why not grab a group of friends and enjoy a perfect lazy day on one of the many wine and grazing trails taking place all over the region during Wine Week. If you are wondering where to eat during your stay, take a look at these previous blog post reviews, bookings recommended:
Rocking Horse Lounge
The Old Convent
Sweet Sour Salt