De Salis
Nestled on the northern slopes of Gaanha Bula-Mount Canobolas in Orange, NSW, at an elevation of 1050 meters, the De Salis family’s winery is led by Head Winemaker Mitch Svenson. The estate’s Lofty Vineyard and Forest Edge Vineyard are celebrated for their dry-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, crafted with a minimalist approach that reflects a deep respect for nature’s rhythms. This philosophy is driven by a desire to capture the unique interplay between the vines and their microclimate, producing wines that honour traditional Old World techniques.
De Salis Wines are crafted with wild yeast fermentation, undergo full malolactic conversion, and are made with no additives beyond a trace of sulphur, allowing the purity of the fruit and terroir to shine through.
Learn more about our wine and our history.
Join us and embark on a Unique Winery Experience at De Salis in Orange
Step into the heart of De Salis Wines and discover the fascinating world of winemaking like never before. Our winery offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the passion and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or a curious newcomer, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Booking is simple—secure your visit online or call us at 0477 298 984.
We can’t wait to share our story with you!
Top Wineries of Australia 2024
Honoured to be Ranked 32nd in the Sydney Morning Herald’s 2024 Top 100 Australian Wineries!
Current Releases
2021 Vintage Report
Vintage 2021 was the first of the latest La Niña and followed on from the devastating bush fires of 2018 and 2020, as a result it was lovely to have fruit in the winery. The 2021 season was late getting started with budburst in mid-October.
Spring was cool and long following on from some substantial snow in the winter of 2020. Summer temperatures were constantly in the early to mid 20s with rain and thunderstorms keeping everyone busy and brining challenging growing conditions.
Fortunately, as veraison commenced the inclement weather abated, resulting in a cool but exciting year. Overall, excellent year for sparkling, still whites and elegant Pinot Noir. Late warmth enabled the merlot and Cabernet Franc reach maturity making the ‘F’ and ‘M’ elegant and floral blends that will cellar well into the next decade.
From the humble beginning…
De Salis was established in 1999 as a ‘garageister’ winery located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches by research scientist Charlie Svenson. Known as ‘The Francateers’, Charlie, Martin Ostrowski and Andrew Collins produced award-wining wine from premium Cabernet Franc sourced from famed artisan wine maker Murray Smith of Canobolas-Smith. Whilst researching the production of renewable fuel ethanol at the University of New South Wales, Charlie spent many vintages learning the dark art of minimalist wine crafting from the eclectic Murray Smith. During this time, an eight-year search resulted in Charlie and wife Loretta, acquiring one of Australia’s most ideally located, stunningly beautiful and highest wine grape growing locations, Lofty Vineyard.
De Salis is named in honour of Charlie’s original Australian ancestor and great, great grandfather, Leopold Fabius Count Fane De Salis, an Englishman, born in Florence in the early 1800’s who emigrated to Australia and established a colonial home in the Cotter District, close to what is now Canberra in the mid 1800’s. The blocks of Lofty Vineyard bear the matriarchal names of the De Salis family. Learn more about our history.
Visit De Salis
Open 7 Days – 11am to 5pm – Bookings Preferred
Located in Orange NSW, Australia. Travel West from Orange on Cargo Road for 8 Km, turn left into Nancarrow Lane. At the T-intersection turn right onto Mount Lofty Road, follow the tar road, then over the cattle grate, after 600m turn right onto our driveway.
Top Wineries of Australia 2024
Ranked 32nd Winery in Australia by Real Review & Huon Hooke
Awarded by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, ‘Top 50 wine experiences in the world’ 2019
Australia’s Best Cellar Door Awards by Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine.
Best Large Cellar Door 2022
Best tasting experience 2021 & 2018
Star Cellar Door in Orange for 2020
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