Leigh Oliver
Leigh’s Story of Wine, Community & Slower Days
I moved up from Melbourne in 2016, needing a break from city life. I had a few connections in the Central West—plus I went to primary school in Bathurst—so it felt like a natural place to start again. There was always a plan to open a wine bar and Orange just seemed like fertile ground. It’s full of growers, makers and people who genuinely engage with each other and the land. That’s what community looks like to me.
What Orange Means to Me
It’s given me the space to slow down. I love walking into town, seeing familiar faces and feeling part of something. There’s a rhythm here that suits me—less rush, more real.
My Flavour: Dreaded Friend Grenache
I’ve always loved the Dreaded Friend Grenache. It’s perfumed, wild, joyful—and for as long as we get to see it, I’ll keep pouring it. Chill it down for a spring afternoon glass and let it do its thing.
Soundtrack pairing: “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean.
My Rhythm
There are days on and days off, obviously. Workdays are full of setup, prep and the behind-the-scenes hustle before we open the doors at Hey Rosey to pour wine and play records. Days off move at Ziggy’s pace—our three-year-old daughter. We spend time in charity shops, feed the ducks at Cook Park and walk around the lake with Verity and Ziggy. That’s one of our favourite things to do.
My Community
Dom and Sarah at Union Bank have been amazing to know. Verity and I had our wedding lunch there and I worked part-time with them while building Hey Rosey. They’re genuine, generous people who embrace the Orange community fully. And of course, the team at Hey Rosey—what a crew. They’re a network of support, collaboration and good energy.
My Orange Moment
Six months ago, we moved into a house on Kite Street. It’s got a beautiful deck and a yard that’s perfect for entertaining. On Father’s Day this year, we hosted an afternoon BBQ—good wine, good people, kids running around and conversations about not much at all. It set the tone for the kind of spring and summer I want to keep having.