Orange is one of the highest and coolest wine growing regions in Australia, with vineyards at 600m all the way up to 1150m. Every 100m climbed reduces the temperature further, causing different effects on the grapes. The result is a wine style unique to each winery, even for the same varietal of grapes, that gives wines from Orange such an attractive appeal. Besides the climate, what makes Orange wine special is the land that is grown on – an extinct volcano named Mount Canobolas. Not only as a dramatic backdrop, but its fertile volcanic soil provides the land with a rich variety of minerals. From basalt soils overlaying limestones to patches of terra rossa, there is a complex character to the land that allows the grapes to flourish and be infused by the richness of the area. The minerals and nutrients in the soil impact the fruit characteristics and wine styles with subtle differences. Owing to features exclusive to the Orange region – climate, temperature, and land, the Orange region produces wine that are distinct in flavour and colour.

Printhie Wines is the quest of two brothers, Ed & Dave Swift, to showcase cool climate craftmanship and champion wine made with altitude. An award-winning boutique winery, its Swift sparkling range is handcrafted & is now considered one of Australia’s best, having won numerous medals at major wine shows. In particular, the Swift Cuvée & the Swift Rosé were awarded the Best Sparkling Trophy at the 2018 & 2019 NSW Wine Awards respectively! Printhie Wines are truly “champion wines with altitude”. Established in 1996, Printhie has since expanded to 4 vineyard sites, with each location carefully selected to encapsulate the terroir of the cool climate region in Orange. The Printhie vineyard & Phalaris vineyard have ancient limestone-derived soils, making it perfect for the red varieties of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Pinot Gris. The Wattleview vineyard is the highest vineyard in the Orange region at 1068 metres above sea level, and is known for producing super premium fruit used in Chardonnays. Millwood vineyard is the newest, located approximately 980m above sea level and planted with premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, & Pinot Meunier for use in the Swift Sparkling range. These vineyards produce the highly flavoured fruits that allow Printhie to make high-quality wines.

Philip Shaw Wines are pioneers of an unconventional tradition. They are also one of the pioneers of Orange, with the first planting in 1988. Located close to the highest peak at an altitude of 900m, the majority of their Koomooloo vineyard is 12 million year old olivine basalt, overlaying deep limestone. 400 million year old Fairbridge basalt border the property adding to the complex character of the vineyard. This allows Philip Shaw Wines to produce distinctive, elegant fruit-driven wines, which reflect the cool climate of Orange.  Philip Shaw, the founder of Philip Shaw Wines, is one of the world’s leading winemakers. He was awarded Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 1986 and 2000, as well as being recognised as Australian Winemaker of the Year by Qantas Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine in 1999. Now run by brothers Daniel and Damian Shaw, faith in their instincts, combined with calculated risk, have led to some beautiful moments of inspiration, and this is best expressed through their wines. The Character Series is a fun and approachable collection developed to express light-hearted reflections of the wines and the winemakers. The Misfits Series combines tradition with imagination, producing unconventional flavours that forges its own path. The Number Series represents the best vines and released only in great years. By being persistent, hardworking, and sometimes a little bit stubborn, Philip Shaw Wines deliver world-class wines enjoyed by people around the world.