When planning what cellar doors to visit with kids, it is no easy feat when there are over fifty in the Orange region. Here you’ll find a trusted guide of cellar doors that are both family-friendly and provide a lovely tasting experience too.
Michelle & Phillip Stivens have set up an ambient, family-friendly cellar door featuring a petting zoo with alpacas, highland cattle, and ‘Funny Farm’ adjacent to the tasting room where kids can be kept occupied with feeding the Bantams and Polish hens or visiting Tom and Jaz the resident goats, leaving me to relax and enjoy the Rose 2020 Vintage or the Merlot 2019 Vintage! Tilly, the Shetland pony usually steals the show with many a paparazzi moment taking place. The 100-year old shearing shed oozes warmth and the outside area is very conducive to a fun and social tasting experience. You can also book a private picnic or enjoy drinking a range of local beers, cyders and soft drinks if wine is not your drop of choice.
Here at Stockman’s Ridge wines it is a very relaxing wine tasting experience and the whole family is welcome. With multiple outdoor firepits (marshmallows thrown in!), lawn games and a huge amount of space for the kids to run, play and even find a tree or two to climb, there is plenty to keep the kids busy while parents enjoy tasting some wine. Dogs are welcome too although they must be kept on a leash. You can book a tasting outdoors or in the cellar door.
The Campfire Semillon 2013 is lovely with a cheese board and the Handcrafted Pinot Noir 2015 is a please-all Pinot in my opinion.
Whilst not having any child specific facilities, Brangayne of Orange welcomes children to it’s cellar door and vineyard. Children are welcome to play in the great outdoors around the cellar door. They can even sit on the 1947 Ferguson Tractor in the cellar door annex. For one week each Spring, the 80-year old Rhododendron garden is open for guests to explore – it is truly a child’s paradise but please ensure children are respectful of the garden beds.
I am a romantic at heart and I am consistently drawn to the delectable 2018 ‘Isolde’ Reserve Chardonnay or the 2016 ‘Tristan’ – Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot.
The Philip Shaw Wines Cellar Door is built of a 130-year old bluestone, with a large garden spanning the property. Soccer goals are pitched on one of the many tiered lawns and there is a seasonal garden with fruit trees, perfect for the kids to explore while you enjoy a wine tasting or glass of wine. If you are not visiting for a tasting, you can wander with a glass into the gardens and sit at the tables or on the lawns. Keep an eye out for family friendly events via the website and socials.
There is so much charm here, that I have enjoyed gazing out at the beautiful gardens many times during the afternoon drinking a glass of the Pink Billy Saignee or Edinburgh Sparkling NV.
Approximately 15 minutes by car from town is Macquariedale Organic Wines in Canobolas you arrive at the highest cellar door in the region with stunning view looking out onto the Towac Valley. There is a level lawn area directly outside the cellar door which is ideal for children to enjoy while the adults watch on. Here’s a tip when booking; request a grazing platter as these are delicious and very generous. Dogs are welcome too (Dogs are not generally allowed to roam inside or out of the cellar door out of respect for other guests and safety). Soak up the sun and the view and bliss out.
Enjoy tasting the Blanc de Blanc bubbles on arrival which complements the vibe perfectly for me. I really love a large number of the organic of whites and reds though the Cool Rosé and Riesling are a lovely match for the grazing platter.
A: 1034 The Escort Way, Borenore, NSW
E: james@heiferstation.com
P: 02 6365 2275
Open 7 days from 11am – 5pm.
For more details click here.
A: 21 Boree Lane, Lidster, NSW
P: 02 6365 6212
e: enquiry@stockmansridge.com.au
Open Thursday to Monday, 11am – 5pm (Saturday open late till 8pm)
For more details click here.
A: 837 Pinnacle Road Orange, NSW
P: 02 6365 3229
E: admin@brangayne.com
Open Sunday – Friday, 11am – 4pm and Saturday 11am – 5pm
For more details click here.
A: 100 Shiralee Road, Orange, NSW
P: 02 6362 0710
e: cellardoor@philipshaw.com.au
Open daily, Sunday to Thursday, 11am – 4pm and Friday and Saturday, 11am – 5pm
For more details click here.
A: 1335 Pinnacle Road, Canobolas, NSW
P: 0429 892 812
Open 7 days a week from 11am to 5pm
For more details click here.
Important notes:
It is essential to account for each child you are bringing along as well for the purposes of being accounted for around the spacing requirements.
Remember also to bring your own entertainment kits; games like cards like Uno or colouring in pencils are always a winner!
