Enjoy the wine, but beware of the ghosts

There are a couple of reasons visitors to the Union Bank building in Orange might get a tap on the shoulder – it could be from the bartender offering a premium glass of Belgravia’s premium wine, or it could be from the ghost of Australia’s first police officer killed in the line of duty.

Constable William Haviland was just two blocks from his destination – the police barracks – when his gun discharged outside Union Bank.

He was returning from Australia’s biggest gold robbery on June 15, 1862, which was committed at Eugowra where Frank Gardiner’s infamous gang stopped the Cobb and Co coach from Forbes to Orange.

The deep history of a building – which has been a bank, police barracks, home to various schools, cafes, a beautician and now wine bar – is one reason it would be unfair to call Belgravia’s cellar door “just a cellar door”. It simply doesn’t do the heritage-listed building justice.

The wines, however, do it ideal justice. The region of Orange is fast being recognised as a winegrowing region with rare growth and potential. Its cool climate conditions are ideal for grape-growing, and some of the country’s best winemakers have made their way to central New South Wales.

Wine guru James Halliday often raves about the region, and has awarded Belgravia Wines a 5-star rating. A total of six of the recent Belgravia labels scored 90 points or above.

The “cellar door” is part of a full-scale wine bar which showcases not only the owner’s own label, but many others from the Orange region. It is pleasant to sit and look down the winelist and see local success stories occupying a prominently-displayed chalk board.

“Of particular note are the Belgravia Syrah 2008 and Belgravia Gewurztraminer 2009 which both scored 92 points – an outstanding result,” marketing manager Pamela Harrison says.

In a nutshell, unique basalt soils ensure aromatic whites and fruity reds. After all, you can’t make great wines unless you have great fruit, and Belgravia has a policy to avoid sprays and chemicals where possible.

When Qantas chose Belgravia Sauvignon Blanc to take pride of place on the in-flight winelist, director Will Hattersley was rightly proud: “This is a wonderful endorsement of Orange’s Hero Variety and a true testament to the efforts of wine brands and growers across the region. It is especially gratifying to think that our wine will have a captive audience.”

SEE A FULL LIST OF BELGRAVIA WINES HERE

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