Orange, NSW

“Orange is one of the funkiest small towns in NSW...grapes have been grown in the district since it was first settled in the mid - 1800's following a gold rush and today Orange is home to several of the best regional restaurants in the state.”
Winsor Dobbin, Canberra Times | Read more

Cumulus Chardonnay 2010 ~ 93 Points Huon Hooke

“Medium to light yellow colour. Nicely balanced toasty barrel and almond meal aromas. Tight and fine in the mouth with some nutty complexities and subtle, yet intense flavour. Rich, tense, nutty and savoury flavours of good intensity and harmony. Integrated and long. Very smart wine. ”
© HuonHooke.com April 2012, HuonHooke.com | Read more

Climbing Merlot 2010 ~ 92 Points Huon Hooke

“Deep, dark red/purple colour: Impressive for a merlot. This is a concentrated wine, powerful and deep, ripe and loaded with extract. The tannins are a trifle firm, but it's a young wine yet and will surely soften further. Surprisingly big and dark for an Aussie Merlot. It's development will be interesting to follow.”
© HuonHooke.com April 2012, HuonHooke.com | Read more

Climbing Chardonnay 2011 ~ 91 Points Huon Hooke

“Restrained, delicate, fresh, straw like and subtle stone fruit aromas, with lightness and great drinkability. Fine and tight with seamless acidity and superb balance.”
©HuonHooke.com April 2012, HuonHooke.com | Read more

A High Altitude Crowd Pleaser

“Cumulus is fast becoming one of the icons of the Orange region...The labels are quirky, the wines are fun, good quality and enjoyable. Generous juicy pear, apple, with a touch of floral honeysuckle... A good food wine that is easy to drink - a bit of a high altitude crowd pleaser. ”
Wine Muse, 24 April 2012 | Read more

Rolling Chardonnay 2011

“Made from delicious cool-climate Chardonnay...packed with tropical fruit and citrus and has a perfectly textured mouth feel and balanced acidity.”
WineDiva, 1 May 2012 | Read more

Climbing Merlot 2010

“Merlot is a sometimes over-looked red grape variety but it holds amazing potential when grown in the right region and handled carefully by a talented winemaker. ...Full of red berry and plum fruits that good Merlot possesses and with a delicious leafy herbaceous edge.”
WineDiva, 1 May 2012 | Read more

Jeff's Pick

“Grown on high elevation, volcanic soils of Mount Canobolas, Orange, blending bright, juicy fruit with smoky oak to create a tight, well structured palate...in 2008 yielded among the world's top 10 Shirazes. ”
Jeff Collerson, Daily Telegraph 21 April 2012

Cool Climate Chardonnay

“Top example of a cool climate Chardonnay from the Orange region.”
John Fordham, Sunday Telegraph, 29 April 2012

Shiraz from Clouds of Mt Canobolas

“Cumulus Estate Wines has released a really grand 2009 Shiraz...Cumulus produces Shiraz of such excellence that it's 2008 made it into the Worlds Top 10 at the 2011 Syrah Du Monde. Good buying at $30.”
David Ellis, Daily News Tweed Heads 14 April 2012

Decades of highlights

“The milestone of 10 years of the markets in the life of a community is astonishing and a credit to all involved. These ten years have seen good years and tough years - here are some of my highlights from the decade. ...2009 produced elegant subtle wines, excellent chardonnay...the newly-released 2009 Cumulus shiraz is rated as one of the best under the top label.”
Justin Byrne, Central Western Daily, Orange NSW 12 April 2012

A wine to impress at the table

“Cumulus Estate Wines has released a really grand 2009 Shiraz made from fruit from it's interesting vineyards high on the slopes of Mount Canobolas outside Orange in the NSW Central West. Dark chocolate, cherry, plum and warm exotic spices on the palate, and with the finish lingering and spicy. Good buying at $30 if you want to impress at the table.”
David Ellis, 9 April, 2012 | Read more

Environmentally friendly wine

“Vintage? Grape? Region? Sustainability? A wine's green credentials are becoming increasingly highlighted by many Australian producers as they adopt more environmentally friendly practices. NSW producer, Cumulus Wines, will produce all of it's Rolling and Climbing wines in the Lean+Green bottles this year. First off the rank is the 2011 Chardonnay. ”
Christine Salins, 5 April, 2012 | Read more

A wine of quality and interest

“Lovely aroma, quite composed and balanced. There's some great fruit in here. On entry, slick red fruit and prickly spice ride atop an immensely slick mouthfeel. Sometimes I wish a wine were less perfect, and this is one of those times.”
, 4 April 2012 | Read more

Two Rip Snorters from Orange

“Cumulus Wines of Orange, NSW has produced two rip snorters, a 2009 Shiraz and a 2010 Chardonnay both of which sell at $30, and both of which are worth every cent. The Shiraz in 2008 was named one of the top ten shiraz in the world at the Syrah de Monde and the 2009 followed suit. The 2010 Cumulus Chardonnay again creates intriguing mineral characteristics in the fruit. It's a gob smacking wine full of stone and berry fruit flavours, nicely oaked (French and Hungarian).”
Michael Southern, Pittwater Life, April 2012

2009 Cumulus Shiraz

“...A rather minty cool climate Shiraz, this has more than a few St Josephs pangs about it with lead pencils, gherkins & black currant on the nose, interlaced with rather fine vanillan oak. ...Palate wise it's refined, just medium bodied & very silken, with a smooth milk chocolate richness that makes it all just that little bit more lithe & slippery."”
Andrew Graham, 28 March 2012, Australian Wine Review | Read more

Cumulus 2010 Chardonnay

“...Sometimes it's good to chug a wine back without thinking too much. If the said wine makes you stop and think, then it's worth writing about. Its the kind of Chardonnay that defines the modern, cool-climate Oz style. ”
Wining Pom, 6 March, 2012 | Read more

2011 Rolling Chardonnay

“...A bag of character on the nose, amidst citrus and peach with a suggestion of baked bread, almond meal, cashew and a touch of savoury complexity adding interest. The palate is creamy and quite neutral.”
Wining Pom, 5 February 2012 | Read more

Rolling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011

“...Cumulus is fast becoming one of the icons of the Orange Region. Debbie Lauritz has been creating some excellent wines under each label and this is one!”
Wine Muse, November, 2011 | Read more

Cool-Climate Wines are Cool

“...After spending time in limbo, NSW Wine is now on a roll, with several years of rising sales. ...Research on restaurant wine lists by Wine Business Solutions shows a 22% increase for NSW and ACT wines between 2010 and 2011. ...The growth is being driven by cool-climate, especially from the Orange and Canberra regions.”
Huon Hook, February 29, 2012 | Read more

The finest Rose' that has crossed my path

“A wine that will take pride of place on my shelf is the Luna Rosa 2010 Rosado. This Rose' has all the tributes of a great wine; flavour, scent, delicateness of fruits and the highly important palate effect. I regard this as the finest of Rose' that has crossed my path... ”
ramblingrelish, November 2012 | Read more

2011 Climbing Pinot Gris 90 Points

“...Clean texture and a well controlled richness perform the palate's greatest tricks, unleashing flavours of ripe, juicy nashi pears and apples cleanly checked by a soft acidity that reveals a hint of tang at the finish. 90 Points.”
Chris Plummer, Australian Wine Journal, 12 Oct 2011 | Read more

High Note

“...A common thread running though Orange wines is the absense of obtrusively high alcohol and the purity of the fruit flavours. 2008 Cumulus Shiraz...A juicy yet elegant wine with warm and spicy flavours.”
Toni Paterson, Australian House And Garden, Nov 2011

Wine of the Week Climbing Pinot Gris 2011

“...Cumulus Wines harvested this scrumptious, bronze-tinted drop. Winemaker Debbie Lauritz really captures the character of this often-lacklustre variety - fresh and intense, with pear like flavour and rich, slightly viscous texture.”
Canberra Times (Food & Wine p 23), 5 October, 2011

Will Pinot Gris be the new Sauvignon Blanc?

“...A slight bronze colour the wine shows pear, candied fruit, it's gently honeyed with enticing fruit intensity... "an unctuous palate weight before delivering a fresh fruit driven line with appealing length and clean acid finish. A good contender for pork belly with apple or spiced pears. ”
Wining Pom, 2 October, 2011 | Read more

Cumulus Orange Chardonnay 5 Stars

“A wine to keep coming back to complexity and getting finer each year the fleshy palate with soft acidity, is under continual refinement. Silky textures and bright stone fruit with the perfume of Orange.”
Rob Geddes, 2012 Gold Book

Climbing Merlot 5 Stars

“An affordable good example of a hard to get right variety. Blueberry, Mulberry, Raspberry aromas with a splash of spice herald a fleshy true to varietal body with fresh ripe fruit, silky tannins and medium bodied length that finishes with a red berry fruit and subtle oak. ”
Rob Geddes, 2012 Gold Book

Cumulus 2008 Shiraz

“...With rich and intense fruit flavours of red berries, blueberries, cherries and cream with a refined cool climate Shiraz backbone. It's not wonder this wine was just voted one of the best Shiraz in the world.”
Wine Diva, 7 July 2011 | Read more

2010 Luna Rosa Rosado

“...Portuguese and Aussie winemakers worked together to create a gorgeously delicate, lightly textural, subtly sweet and irresistibly moreish rose. Score 90/100”
Tyson Stelzer, WMB Magazine July 2011 p 71

2010 Rolling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

“...Another Orange example, this wine exhibits gooseberry/limey aromas with a flavoursome palate and lively acidity. Simple, fresh drinking.”
Lester Jesberg, Wine Wise 1 July 2011 | Read more

2009 Rolling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

“...Full, rich aromas showing development; soft, flavoursome palate with tropical notes and some acid freshness but ready to drink now.”
Lester Jesberg, WineWise 1 July 2011 | Read more

2009 Climbing Merlot

“...Intense cherry and plum flavours dominate with some herbaceous notes in the background. Elegant and well structured.”
The Australian Doctor Peter Hay, Wine Of The Week, July 2011

One for Lunch

“..."A Gold medal and top ten winner at this years France Syrah du Monde Awards. Loaded with dark cherry, red berry, licorice and spice flavours, its good value at $30 to share with sweet and spicy BBQ pork spare ribs or think about the cellar: this one's got a good 15 years in it."”
David Ellis, Melbourne Observer Wines & Liqueurs 27 July 2011

Next time you're feeling international on a picnic bench...

“Cumulus Luna Rosa Rosado 2010 "This Portuguese - inspired rose' crashed into my world on a picnic bench in the middle of a vineyard in Orange. Next time you're feeling international on a picnic bench, here's your companion! Gorgeous delicacy of strawberries and cream, lightly textural, subtly sweet; a multitalented crowd - thriller! Drink 2011 90 Points." ”
Tyson Stelzer, May 2011 | Read more

SKY HIGH AWARD FOR CUMULUS

“"...The results of the international Syrah du Monde Awards were released, with Australia's very own Cumulus Shiraz 2008 collecting a gold medal (one of only 34 awarded) and an impressive position in the competition's Top 10 syrah/shiraz from around the world." ”
, Get Wineries | Read more

Cumulus Shiraz shines on International stage

“..."The Cumulus 2008 Shiraz was named one of the top ten syrah/shiraz's in the world at the Syrah du Monde Awards, held at Ampuis Castle in France..."”
Tracy Prisk, Central Western Daily | Read more

2009 Climbing Cabernet Sauvignon

“"...This variety excels at cool-climate Orange and this flavoured explosion shows why..."”
John Fordham, The Daily Telegraph | Read more

Cumulus Estate 2009 Climbing Cabernet Sauvignon

“"...the high - altitude Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is market by cooler spicy notes and a fine palate line. This simple yet authentic wine is sure to please the tastes of all wine buffs..."”
The Advertiser (Mortgage Business), May 2011, pg 70

Climbing Cabernet 2009

“"...This 09 Cabernet though looks to be the best one yet..." A great review by Andrew Graham, check out the link. ”
Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review | Read more

Rolling Pink 2010

“...the winner by a country mile was the 2010 Rolling Pink. From NSW in Australia, we all loved its fantastic label and smart presentation. A gutsy dry rose with a good depth of raspberry fruit flavour...with just a hint of sweetness and lots of vivid red plum flavours. It is relatively full-bodied and has an attractive dried herb character that gives a savoury bite. It would be perfect with all sorts of foods, but especially those with a Mediterranean flavour.”
Jane Skilton, MW & Reader Panel, Feb/Mar 2011, The Foodtown Magazine (NZ)

Drink Me! Luna Rosa Rosado 2010

“Winemaker Francisco Antunes from Portugal - land of renowned roses - joined Debbie Lauritz from Cumulus in Orange, NSW to make this wine. It's crisp, fresh and at 10.5 percent it's a little lower in alcohol, with a touch of residual sugar remaining. All up, it's a delicious drop.”
Michelle Reedy, WHO Weekly, 01/02/11

Luna Rosa Rosado 2010

“A shiny-pink young cabernet-grenache-mourvedre-chardonnay rose from the NSW Central Ranges, made by Portugese winemaker Francisco Antunes in partnership with local Debbie Lauritz. It's an appealing drop, a tad sweeter than fashionable drier styles but fresh and vibrant. Reminiscent of ripe berries, it's balanced, clean and tasty. ”
Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age (Epicure), 14/12/10

Think Pink! Luna Rosa 2010

“The list of serious Australian roses is quite long, but here are a few that have given me a thrill recently... The 2010 Cumulus Luna Rosa is something of a nod to the Portugese Berardo family, who are part-owners of Cumulus. The wine is a collaborative effort between Debbie Lauritz (Australia) and Francisco Antunes (Portugal). At only 10.5% alcohol, it's super light and fresh, and its 13g of residual sugar is nicely tucked into the crisp acidity. It's quite a singular wine and absolutely delicious... drink Pink this summer.”
Tony Harper, Brisbane News, 1/12/2010

Wine of the Week - Rolling Shiraz 2008

“From the Central Ranges, near Orange, this tasty shiraz is great value. It's very aromatic with exotic spices and a hint of pepper on the nose and lush plummy fruit underneath. A smooth, supple mouthful of velvety texture and deep flavour follows, backed by soft, fine-grained tannins and a very long, fragrant finish. A shiraz with the welcome combination of real class and a reasonable price tag.”
Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age (Epicure), 14/09/10

Cumulus Estate Wines rated 5 Stars!

“James Halliday has awarded Cumulus Estate Wines an overall 5 star rating in his 2011 Australian Wine Companion. Wines featured in this edition:

Cumulus Chardonnay 2008 - 95 points

Cumulus Chardonnay 2009 - 90 points

Cumulus Shiraz 2007 - 92 points

Cumulus Shiraz 2008 - 94 points

Rolling Shiraz 2008 - 90 points

Climbing Shiraz 2008 - 89 points

Keenly anticipated by winemakers, faithful collectors and wine lovers alike, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion is the No.1 Best-Selling guide on wineries and wine in Australia.”
James Halliday, James Halliday Wine Companion 2011 | Read more

Rolling Sparkling..Bubbly that beats Champagne

“'Definitely as good as Champagne' was just one of many positive remarks ....”
www.channel4.com/food UK, | Read more

Climbing Labels

“"benchmark examples of Australian ingenuity."”
Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/11

Climbing Shiraz

“89 points "an entirely good wine... Never mind the bollocks, just drink the thing. It satisfies."”
Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2010/2011

Rolling Pink

“ripe, juicy arome of perfumed red berries, really fresh and lively. ”
Nick Stock, Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010

Big Impact Taste at Great Heights

“From a first vintage in 2004 this winery has gone from strength to strength. ”
Steve Hogan, Coolum & North Shore News