As the weather warms up, the spontaneous afternoon tipples, Sunday wine sessions, and boozy alfresco lunches start to make a welcome comeback. And if your wine rack is ready for a refresh, we’ve got just the thing. This spring, the beloved Orange Wine Festival returns to Australia’s cool-climate gem, the Orange Wine Region. It’s your chance to discover new favourites, meet the makers, and soak up the sunny weather – one glass at a time.
With nearly 40 unique events hosted by the region’s passionate vignerons and winemakers, the festival promises a flavour-packed journey through one of Australia’s most exciting wine destinations. Whether you're strolling through sun-dappled gardens, tasting straight from the barrel, or indulging in curated menus paired with local wines, there’s something for every palate.
The festivities begin with the Orange Wine Festival Night Market, a twilight event where guests can sip and stroll beneath the stars, sampling local drops and gourmet bites. Then, on October 24, the second weekend brings the highly anticipated Sip & Savour, hailed as the ultimate wine tasting experience. Think speed dating, but with wine, and minus the awkward small talk. Instead, ticket holders are “matched” with over 300 award-winning wines from the 2025 Orange Wine Show. By the end of the night, you’re bound to have found the perfect wine to add to your rack.
If you’re craving something even more intimate, take a private guided winery garden walk or dine with the winemakers at the Vintners Table Series, where each course is paired with their finest cool-climate wines. There are also wine picnics, where you can nibble on cheese and charcuterie against the stunning backdrop of Orange’s rolling hills.
More than 30 cellar doors across the Orange Wine Region will be open, of course, right throughout the festival with many hosting additional special events to celebrate the spoils of this year's vintage. For something intimate, the Vintners Table Series invites guests to dine direct with the winemakers where each course is matched with its very own signature cool-climate wines.
The program brims with variety – from the scenic Boree Lane Ramble and Ross Hill’s dreamy (and full on) long lunch to Macquariedale’s Spring Budburst celebration. Wine connoisseurs can get the inside scoop during a two-hour session at Mortimer’s Wine School or take a wander through the quaint streets of Millthorpe for the Millthorpe Mouthful – a 12-wine and canapé tasting experience that matches the products of three wineries with the providores and restaurants of the village.
New to the 2025 program are additions like a hop-on hop-off bus along the Cargo Road Wine Trail, and international wine and food pairings inspired by the gorgeous French and Italian regions.
And to top it all off, the final weekend of the Orange Wine Festival coincides with Zest Fest. The vibrant music event brings major live acts to the region, headlined by none other than San Cisco, one of Australia’s favourite indie-pop bands. With ‘Awkward’ playing in the background and wine in hand, we can’t think of a better way to toast to the end of the festival.
The Orange Wine Festival will run from October 17 to November 2. For the full program and to book tickets, visit the Orange360 website.