Wineries in Orange, NSW
ChaLou Wines: A Love Story in Riesling and Dahlias
Sometimes you set off expecting just another regional wine tasting, and you end up stumbling into something far more fabulous, like a rom-com set in the vineyards with lashings of syrah and a side of florals. That’s exactly what happened when we drove out from Orange to ChaLou Wines.
Emu Swamp wineries
It starts gently enough, a pretty little drive through Emu Swamp (which sounds like it should be full of biting insects, but is actually very scenic) and then past vineyards that are so photogenic you’ll start mentally composing your Instagram captions. There’s a glint of water, a swoop of hills, and eventually you find yourself at ChaLou: a delightfully unpretentious shed perched on the top of a hill, surrounded by blooms straight out of a romantic period drama. There are dahlias, actual DAHLIAS, like the kind you see on posh tablecloths and in the gardens of people who know how to mulch.
Then Barnacle, the black Labrador, lollops over to greet you like an old friend. He’s very much the CEO of Welcoming Committees and will happily supervise your wine tasting from beneath your chair. Meanwhile, Steve and Nadja’s two daughters, Wilhelmenia and Genevieve, could you be more vineyard chic?, add to the wholesome tableau like perfectly cast extras from a French film about organic farming and finding yourself.
Now, brace yourself. There is one traumatic element to this pastoral idyll: Steve used to have dreadlocks. They were removed at Christmas. The event is still referred to, half-seriously, as The Great Shearing. He’s since recovered, as has the community.
Vegan wines in Orange
Let’s talk wine. Because ChaLou isn’t just pretty, it’s properly brilliant. Nadja honed her winemaking chops all around the globe including the Northern Rhone, so the woman knows her way around a syrah. The wines are vegan (hallelujah!) and the tasting is $20 per person, which is a steal considering the views alone are worth at least a tenner. There’s a “Bud to Bottle” vibe that isn’t just a cute phrase, it’s how they roll. They grow the grapes, make the wine, then pour it into your glass while Barnacle snoozes underfoot. It’s divine.
Work with the winemaker day in Orange
If you want to really get your hands dirty (literally), they run a “Work With the Winemaker” day in April, $175 gets you a day of grape-picking, grape-squishing, and a proper vineyard lunch. And probably a few laughs about how badly you handle a bucket.
ChaLou Riesling
Our standout favourite? The 2024 ChaLou Riesling at $35 a bottle. It’s zesty, bright, and basically tastes like summer holidays and clean laundry. A close second was The Dreaded Friend Grenache, which sounds like a band Steve was in at uni but is, in fact, a delightfully smooth drop.
ChaLou is, at heart, a love story. Nadja and Steve met at Charles Sturt University in 2008 studying winemaking, basically the Bachelor of Viticulture, but with fewer roses and more fermentation tanks. After travelling the world separately (Nadja in California, Bordeaux and South Africa; Steve in Germany, NZ, and everywhere wine grows), they both landed in Orange in 2014, looked at each other and thought: “Right then, let’s do this.”
And they did. They bought a vineyard in 2020, launched ChaLou, and now craft small-batch wines with soul, style, and a commitment to sustainability. They’ve both grown up on vineyards, Nadja in Canowindra, Steve in Wauchope, so it’s not just a job, it’s in their bones. You can taste it.
ChaLou wines win awards
These days, their wines are winning serious accolades. Like, proper grown-up wine awards. At 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, all six of their recent releases scored over 91, four scored 95+, and the riesling was described by respected taster Shanteh Wale as “a scintillating wine, utterly delectable and impossible to put down.” (Honestly, same.)
But here’s what makes ChaLou really special: it’s not just about the wine; it’s about place. It’s about two people doing what they love in a way that feels real, generous, and grounded. Nadja said it best: “There’s this wonderful energy that surrounds Orange, and we’re really keen to be a part of that.” And you know what? They already are.
So if you’re after a tasting experience that comes with a view, a dog, and possibly a spontaneous existential revelation about quitting your job to start a vineyard, ChaLou is your place. Bring a sunhat, wear something floral, and prepare to leave with a boot full of wine and a heart full of admiration.
