A visit to Cargo Road Wines offers the possibility to taste our wines, visit the gallery, wander around the vineyard and generally relax in a peaceful, scenic setting.
Directions | Cellar Door | Setting | Dog friendly | Weather
Directions
Our GPS coordinates are 33 17 690 South 148 58668 East.
From Sydney to Orange
Orange is 265k Northwest of Sydney, approximately a 3hour drive from the toll gate on the M4, take either
a/ the M2 through Windsor and then the Bells Line of Road to Lithgow or
b/ the M4 (Great Western Highway) through Parramatta and Emu Plains, over the mountains and down Victoria Pass to Lithgow.
Once out of Sydney, both are very scenic drives travelling through the Blue Mountains. The Great Western Highway is undergoing a refurbishment and being improved every month - depending in the state of work you might experience some delays whilst the improvements are being completed. On route there are a plethora of small towns offering some interesting wares and tasty snacks. The Bells Line of Road has more single carriageways but tends to be less travelled by motorists.
From Lithgow follow the signs to Bathurst and then Orange.
From Orange to Cargo Road Wines
Once in Orange, follow the main street west (Mitchell Highway/Summer Street), passing straight through two round-abouts. The second one says "Grenfell Cowra Coronation Drive". You are now on the Cargo Road. Cargo Road Winery is 10.7k from the last round-about - it takes about 12 minutes to drive.
You will pass several apple and cherry orchards and go through the small village of Nashdale with a school and a hall. You will also see Mount Canobolas on your left. After Nashdale, you will drive up Lidster Hill - don't go too fast as Cargo Road Winery is just over the other side, about 900m on the right hand side.
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From Cowra/Canowindra/Wellington and all points West and North
Head to Canowindra and follow the signs 'Orange via Cargo'. There is a sneaky right hand turn 4k out of Canowindra signed 'Orange via Cargo'
Travel straight through Cargo and the Winery is 25k on the Left hand side as you are climbing Lidster Hill. A very scenic drive comprised of farmlands, orchards and vineyards, as you traverse parts of the Great Dividing Range, in the distance you will see Mount Canobolas. This drive will take you about 15 minutes from Cargo.
For detailed travel directions from YOUR point of origin try: www.whereis.com.au
Cellar Door
Our cellar door is open for wine tasting during weekends 11-5. Join our friendly and knowledgeable staff to taste and learn about the wines produced by Cargo Road Wines.
We are also now open Friday 12 to 5 pm. A phone call would be greatly appreciated if you can.
The cellar door is open at other times by appointment. Please contact us to arrange your visit.
Groups
Groups are welcome by appointment. We can provide a wine tasting, vineyard "walk and talk" and catering by prior arrangement.
Please contact us to arrange your visit (click to enlarge the photos below).
Setting
The winery boasts wonderful setting. Sit on the cafe verandah and enjoy what is arguably the best view in Orange.
Take in the vineyard in the foreground and the gently undulating hillside in the background.
This is a great vantage point for enjoying sunsets.
Dogs Welcome
Friendly dogs are welcome to accompany you on your visit to Cargo Road Winery. We are a leash-free area.
Climate
What would we talk about it with out it!!
At our altitude of 860m above sea level, we experience a range of temperatures each day typically in summer 14 to 30 degrees. The cool overnight doesn't seem to worry the grapes as it helps to develop the colour in the skin and preserve the acid and the flavour aromas. It is almost as if they need the break from a hard day's ripening!
Generally we experience cold to chilly winters with the odd snow fall. So it is a great time to wear your good jumpers and jackets! Cool to pleasant Springs, pleasant to warm to hot Summers and mild to cold Autumns. Four real seasons that can really be enjoyed.
On the moisture side of the equation, Cargo Road Wines receives an average of 880mm of rain which tends to fall in the late Autumn, Winter and Spring periods. And generally it is dry when we need it to be in February, March and April. We are blessed with is an abundance of sunshine during the Summer months (thanks to daylight saving?!!), and at the start of Autumn when the Zinfandel vines need it the most. Basically the important factor is that we have a long, cool to warm growing season that allows our grapes to develop slowly and methodically.
Every year we get a fall of snow, much to the amusement of 'Zin' the vineyard Kelpie and resident fly catcher/bird chaser and leaning support. The vines don't seem to mind and it is all good moisture and nitrogen from the atmosphere makes sure that the vines are dormant, resting for the next season.
For your trip to Cargo Road Wines Table 1 below will give you an indication of what you can expect. Please remember we are at 860m above sea level and at this altitude we can often experience a very rapid change in climate.
Month | Overnight
Low temp | Daytime
high temp | Mm of
Rain | Rain Days
per month |
Jan | 12 | 28 | 70 | 6 |
Feb | 12 | 27 | 60 | 6 |
Mar | 10 | 25 | 60 | 6 |
Apr | 6 | 20 | 60 | 6 |
May | 3 | 15 | 70 | 9 |
Jun | 2 | 12 | 100 | 11 |
Jul | 1 | 11 | 80 | 11 |
Aug | 1 | 12 | 90 | 11 |
Sep | 3 | 16 | 70 | 9 |
Oct | 6 | 20 | 80 | 9 |
Nov | 8 | 24 | 70 | 7 |
Dec | 11 | 27 | 70 | 7 |
