Start with grape picking and a vineyard tour. Enjoy a vintage lunch with the team, then spend the afternoon doing punch downs and sampling wines. End the day with a refreshing beer or a glass of Skinny with the winemakers.
Seasonal Update
The vineyard and winery have been bustling with activity these past few months. In the winery, we have prepared and bottled a selection of our 2024 wines, including the exciting debut of our ChaLou Pinot Gris.
Meanwhile, in the vineyard, we’ve been diligently crop thinning grape bunches, leaf plucking, and trimming. This practice involves removing some grape clusters from the vine before they reach maturity. This may seem counterintuitive, cutting and discarding fruit, but the benefits are crucial for quality wines. It ensures that the remaining bunches receive adequate sunlight, nutrients, and water, which leads to better grape quality and overall vine health.
With most varieties undergoing veraison (color change marking the beginning of ripening), vintage is fast approaching. Our next task is netting to protect the grapes from birds.
The season is progressing wonderfully, and we expect to begin harvest at the end of February.
Events
We are thrilled to be hosting The What If Society at our picturesque ChaLou Wines in Orange for two events in May. Join us as we bring our commitment to sustainability and community to life. This special weekend will be filled with education, delicious food, and meaningful conversations, all set against the stunning backdrop of our winery.
There are a couple of tickets left for Work with the Winemaker – pack your boots and be ready to pick.
Recipes from Our Table
Once a month, our team gathers for a special lunch at our Cellar Door, enjoying seasonal recipes made with fresh, local produce. Join us in cooking these delicious dishes! Click here to see our recipes.
Wines to Suit the Season
We’ve put together special wine bundles perfect for the current season and upcoming celebrations! Check them out here – scroll down the page.
Venues/events we want to try/attend
Chamber Music Festival: This festival takes place 6-9th March. It highlights and celebrates the unique features of the Orange Region by combining classical music with carefully curated cultural experiences in partnership with local businesses, organisations and individuals. Take a look at the program.
Il Passagio: If only we lived closer to the ocean… At this local restaurant you’ll experience the taste of Italy with the team simply, seasonal menu. They showcase local produce. Yum.
Venues We’re Loving
Norma Joan’s – we recently collaborated with the guys here for a wine dinner and we loved it. The food, service and atmosphere was fantastic. Drop in for a meal.
The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre – the prawn toast is out of this world.
ChaLou Wines to pour right now…
2023 Sauvignon Blanc: This drop is still NEW to us! We’re excited about this launch and for the unique ChaLou spin we’ve taken to create this wine. You’ll get aromatic notes of grapefruit and lime, baking spice, and cashew. On the palate, it has generous lychee and yellow grapefruit with delicious driving mineral acidity and fine texture.
2024 Pinot Gris: This drop is here as a teaser—keep an eye out for this wine to become available any minute now…
2022 Syrah: Our 2022 Syrah has started to hold its own. It’s a bold wine but still holds the lighter notes typical of a cool-climate style, making it the perfect drop for a summer evening once the sun has set.
Favourite moments from Summer
January team lunch with Belle and Georgia.
Pinot Noir Veraison
Bottling the first ChaLou Wines Estate Pinot Gris.
December team lunch featuring Nadja's Salmon.
Two busy days were spent bottling 2024 wines.
Summery view looking over Henry Lane.