Orange F.O.O.D Week 2013 - Programs Available

Foodies everywhere are beside themselves trying to nab as many tickets as possible to the best Orange F.O.O.D Week 2013 events - not for the faint hearted.

The official program isn't launched until Sat 9th Feb, but there was a flurry of excitement when the Forage tickets went on sale early this week with 450 tickets snapped up in record time. 

Clearly, many people had been following this fabulous little blog and read all about Forage 2012 which Mr L'Orange and I went on and loved. I can't blame you for being in awe and wanting to participate yourself, as these pictures go to show it is a rather special event.

My sources tell me, that some more Forage tickets have been kept aside for when the official program goes on sale tomorrow so fear not, you may still get some yet.

If you were planning a little meander up to Orange, then during F.O.O.D Week is an exceptional time to come. All the wineries are in the midst of vintage, the weather is good and there are plenty of delicious fresh foods in season.

Accommodation can be a bit thin on the ground, however use AirBnB and you are sure to find a bargain or one lucky couple can come and stay in our studio!

My top picks for Orange F.O.O.D Week 2013 include:

F.O.O.D Week Night Markets - Robertson's Park

April 12 from 6pm

My best advice is for you to go early, take plenty of change and order the food you want straight away.

Patina Fiesta in the Courtyard 

April 13 & 14 from 12pm - 5pm.

Victor Valdes and his Mexican band are authentic, very talented and well worth the money.

To book your tickets visit the Patina website.

Black Tie Ball at the Errowanbang Shearing Shed 

Saturday April 19

So nice to have a very cool venue for a function and it doesn't get more country than an old shearing shed. I am definitely getting a gang together to go to this one.

For more info contact Xanthie.

Visit Orange F.O.O.D Week to download the 2013 program for yourself, then get hold of your friends and head this way. 

Would love to hear what you are planning to do during Orange F.O.O.D Week - let me know!

Australia Day in Orange

We are looking forward to the Australia Day long weekend more than usual as we are having a Burn's Night Supper on the 25th and celebrating all things Scottish! I am on my way to pick up our specially ordered haggis today and then I just need to ensure it is kept chilled all the way back to Orange.

The menu is going to feature chicken stuffed with haggis and served with a whiskey sauce accompanied by a selection of fresh vegetables and roast potatoes - mmmmmm delicious. I will do a full photo update next week for you all.

Everyone coming has to add a touch of tartan to their outfit and I have put together a Scottish playlist to get everyone dancing, we might even do a ceilidh after a few wines!

On Australia Day itself (Saturday 26th January) there is the option of the Orange Picnic Races during the day if you want to frock up and enjoy a flutter. 

If you are after something more sedate, Patina Wines are hosting a pizza and wine evening in their garden courtyard between 5pm - 8pm. Gourmet wood fired pizzas, great wine, live music and good company - call 02 6362 8336 to book a table.

Hope you all have a fantastic Australia Day whatever you end up doing.

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.

Patina Wines

Our first port of call on the ‘Girls Weekend of Wine’ was Patina Wines, which is located on the Bathurst Road, a 10 minute drive from Orange.

Fellow wine tasters: Emma, Kameel & Ragan

We arrived just as the Patina team were setting up for their Mexican fiesta lunch as part of F.O.O.D Week. Patina had organised a mariachi band (complete with electric harp!), tables in the courtyard and a Mexican feast not to be frowned at. Alas this event had already sold out so we couldn’t join in, but have agreed to all go next year without fail.

The Patina cellar door has a wonderful homely feel, the walls are adorned with artwork by Angela Naef (the winemaker’s wife) and there are French doors looking out over the courtyard and gardens. Patina was recently announced as one of the top three cellar doors in the Orange region by Gourmet Traveller Wine (April-May 2012 edition) and you quickly realise why.

The vibe during the tasting is relaxed and friendly, with winemaker Gerald Naef coming out to chat with us and make sure we enjoyed ourselves. The Patina range of wines were a big hit with everyone and being priced between $22 – 30 made them perfectly affordable.

We received first class service from the Patina team who seem to have thought of everything and have even put out a cheeseboard and crackers for guests to nibble on in between sips. After our tasting we explored the Patina gardens whilst listening to the dulcet tones of the electric harp and Victor Valdes.

Mmm cheese

Visiting Patina Wines, you get the distinct impression that the Naef family like to enjoy themselves and simply want those visiting the cellar door to do the same.

The stunning Patina labels

If you haven’t been out to the Patina Wines cellar door yet, make the effort to pop along and most definitely book in for their next event before it sells out.

Ms L'Orange enjoying the Patina gardens

Australia's Top Cellar Doors

Fans of Gourmet Traveller Wine may have read in the latest edition, (March/April 2012) the article about Australia’s top cellar doors. 

The deck view at De Salis

It is a great resource for planning a wine trip as the kindly wine writers have done all the wine tasting and research for you, all you need to do is turn up.

 

De Salis Interior

De Salis Wines Cellar Door

You may be interested to learn that our wine trip to South Australia last year featured the same two cellar doors that have been recommended for McLaren Vale and one recommended for the Barossa Valley – so we are clearly not too bad at picking goodies! For more info on our South Australian wine weekend click the link. 

Patina Wines Cellar Door

The top cellar doors within Orange are Patina Wines, Philip Shaw Wines and De Salis Wines. All three of these cellar doors are fabulous and totally deserving of the this top accolade. 

The gorgeous Chanetelle at the Patina cellar door

Patina Sticky Tea Riesling

The gardens at Patina Wines

Next time you are in Orange, make sure you put these cellar doors on your hit list.

The entrance to Philip Shaw Wines

Proof I am a regular visitor