Debbie ended up falling for the cool climate, high elevation charms of the vineyards in Orange after her winemaker training turned her into a self-confessed “cool-climate junkie”.
After finishing her winemaking studies, Debbie needed some experience so boarded a plane to the wine region of Alsace, France and quickly became hooked by the vibrant yet elegant wines that can be created in cooler temperatures.
Another three years of travelling followed, with Debbie always drawn to ‘cool’ vines, such as Niagara, Canada; Marlborough, NZ and Tasmania.
When Debbie came back to Australia, she knew she wanted to settle in a cooler region...but where?
It was luck she happened upon Orange, a new wine region at the time and the only one defined by its elevation; only vineyards above 600 meters can be called Orange, and this high altitude makes them the ultimate cool-climate vines. Heaven!
Considering it’s only a 3 ½ hour drive from Sydney, this place is freezing. But the complaints about the cold don’t last long after a glass or two of Orange’s finest!!