Introduction to Orange Wine Day 2025
Every year on October 6, wine lovers around the world mark Orange Wine Day. This lesser-known wine holiday celebrates one of the oldest yet most misunderstood wine styles: orange wine. Despite the name, orange wine is not made from oranges. Instead, it is a white wine made with ancient techniques that give it a deep amber hue, complex flavors, and remarkable character. Orange Wine Day is a chance to learn about this historic style, explore new bottles, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind every glass.
The Ancient Origins of Orange Wine
Orange wine is not a new trend. Its roots go back over 6,000 years to the Caucasus region (modern-day Georgia). Archaeological evidence shows that people were fermenting white grapes with their skins and seeds in large clay vessels called qvevri as early as 4000 BCE. This skin-contact method was the standard way to make white wine before modern winemaking evolved.
The tradition nearly disappeared in the 20th century as stainless steel tanks and controlled fermentation became the norm. However, small producers in Georgia, Italy, and Slovenia kept the craft alive. In the early 2000s, orange wines began gaining attention in Western Europe and North America, driven by the natural wine movement and a growing interest in artisanal, low-intervention wines.
Today, orange wines are produced across the world, from traditional Georgian qvevri to experimental vineyards in California, Australia, and beyond.
What Is Orange Wine?
Orange wine is a white wine made like a red wine. The defining feature is extended skin contact.
- White grapes are crushed and fermented with their skins and seeds.
- The skins stay in contact for days, weeks, or even months, imparting color, tannin, texture, and flavor.
- The result is a wine ranging in color from golden amber to deep orange.
This skin-contact method is what differentiates orange wine from standard white wines, which are typically pressed immediately after harvest to separate juice from skins.
Characteristics of Orange Wine
Orange wines are distinct from both white and red wines. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Color and Appearance
The color can range from pale gold to burnt orange or deep amber, depending on the grape variety and length of skin contact.
- Aromas and Flavors
Orange wines often show intense, layered flavors:
- Dried fruit: apricot, orange peel, fig
- Nuts and spices: almond, clove, tea
- Earthy tones: honey, herbs, dried flowers
They are generally more oxidative and textured than typical white wines.
- Tannin and Structure
Because of skin and seed contact, orange wines have tannins, a trait unusual for white wines. This gives them more structure and a mouthfeel closer to red wines.
- Serving Temperature
Serve orange wine slightly cooler than red but warmer than white: around 12-14°C (54-57°F). This temperature perfectly highlights its aromas and texture.
How Orange Wine Differs from Rosé
Orange wine is often confused with rosé, but they are entirely different. Orange wine and rosé are often confused because of their unusual colors, but they are fundamentally different styles. Orange wine is made from white grapes, which are fermented with their skins and seeds, a technique that imparts tannin, texture, and a deep amber to orange color. Rosé, on the other hand, is made from red grapes that spend only a short time in contact with their skins, resulting in a pale pink to light red hue and very little tannin.
While orange wines tend to have more structure and complexity due to extended skin contact, rosés are typically lighter, fresher, and more delicate in texture and flavor.
Why Orange Wine Is Gaining Popularity
Several trends have fueled orange wine’s rise:
- Natural and low-intervention winemaking: Many orange wines are made with minimal additives, native yeasts, and no filtration.
- Food versatility: Their structure and complexity pair well with a wide range of cuisines.
- Curiosity and uniqueness: Wine lovers seek new experiences beyond traditional styles.
- Revival of heritage methods: Ancient techniques appeal to those interested in authenticity and tradition.
How to Celebrate Orange Wine Day
Taste Different Orange Wines
The best way to celebrate is by tasting. Explore orange wines from:
- Georgia - traditional qvevri wines with intense tannins and earthy flavors.
- Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) - elegant, structured styles from Ribolla Gialla.
- Slovenia - rich, aromatic orange wines with vibrant acidity.
- Australia and the U.S. - modern, experimental expressions using various grapes.
Host an Orange Wine Tasting Party
Invite friends and organize a tasting. Include bottles from different regions and note how grape variety, climate, and technique influence the result. Use neutral snacks like bread and water between tastings to reset the palate.
Pair Orange Wines with Food
Their bold flavors and tannins make orange wines excellent food partners. Ideal pairings include:
- Cheeses - aged gouda, pecorino, or washed-rind cheeses
- Charcuterie - cured meats, pâté, and terrines
- Spiced dishes - Moroccan tagines, Indian curries, Korean stews
- Seafood - grilled octopus, anchovies, or fish stews
You may experiment with contrasting and complementary flavors to see how the wine interacts with food.
Visit a Winery or Attend a Tasting Event
Many wineries and wine bars host Orange Wine Day events on or around October 6. Look for guided tastings, workshops on skin-contact winemaking, or pairing dinners.
Tips for Buying and Storing Orange Wine
- Look for reputable producers known for skin-contact wines.
- Read the label carefully - not all amber-colored wines are true orange wines.
- Check vintage variation - longer maceration often means more tannin and intensity.
- Store like white wine - cool, dark place at around 10–12°C (50–54°F).
- Consume within 2-5 years, though some age beautifully for a decade or more.
Sustainability and Minimal Intervention Winemaking
Many orange wines are produced by small, sustainable wineries. Because the style aligns with low-intervention practices, producers often use:
- Organic or biodynamic farming
- Native yeast fermentation
- Minimal or no added sulfites
- Amphorae or neutral vessels for aging
Choosing orange wine can support artisanal producers committed to sustainable agriculture and traditional craftsmanship.
Notable Orange Wine Producers and Regions
Here are a few respected names and regions to look for:
- Georgia: Pheasant’s Tears, Alaverdi Monastery Cellar
- Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): Gravner, Radikon
- Slovenia: Movia, Klinec
- Austria: Gut Oggau
- United States: Donkey & Goat (California), Channing Daughters (New York)
- Australia: BK Wines (Adelaide Hills), Jauma Wines
Exploring these producers will give you a great sense of the diversity and depth within orange wine styles.
Recommended Reading
Simon J. Woolf’s Amber Revolution: How the World Learned to Love Orange Wine explores the ancient origins, decline, and modern revival of orange wine, white wines made with extended skin contact that give them a distinctive amber hue. The book traces this style back over 6,000 years to Georgia’s traditional qvevri winemaking, follows its near disappearance through wars and industrial winemaking, and highlights the dedicated producers who kept the tradition alive.
Woolf profiles pioneers like Joško Gravner and Stanko Radikon in Friuli and Slovenia, showing how their work helped spark a global renaissance of orange wine.
Part history, part travelogue, and part practical guide, the book blends storytelling with useful tips on tasting, buying, and pairing orange wines. It also debunks myths and clarifies misconceptions about the style, while exploring themes of cultural heritage and identity in winemaking. Enhanced by photography and maps, Amber Revolution is both an engaging narrative and an authoritative resource on one of the world’s oldest and most intriguing wine traditions.
Orange Wine Day 2025 Experiences with Winera
Experience the flavors, traditions, and heritage of orange wine with curated tastings and guided tours in some of Europe’s most renowned wine regions. From the coastal vineyards of Istria, Croatia, to the historic terroirs of Tokaj, Hungary, and the scenic hills of Slovenia and Serbia, these experiences offer intimate cellar tours, expertly led tastings, and local food pairings.
Whether you prefer small family-owned estates or award-winning organic wineries, each visit provides a unique way to honor Orange Wine Day, explore diverse grape varieties, and enjoy in centuries of winemaking tradition.
Rostomaant Marani (Kakheti, Georgia)
Wine Types: Red, Orange, Fortified, Spirits
Grape Varieties: Rkatsiteli, Saperavi
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 at Rostomaant Marani in Georgia, a winery renowned for traditional Qvevri wines with intense tannins and earthy flavors. Nestled among rolling vineyards and hills, the Rostomashvili family estate offers a journey into centuries of Georgian winemaking heritage.
Established in 1770, Rostomaant Marani has been run through six generations of the Rostomashvili family. Wines are fermented in ancient Qvevri vessels, some over 200 years old, preserving the unique character of the terroir in every bottle.
Enjoy locally made cheeses and jams, participate in a hands-on barbecue session, or join a Khinkali-making master class paired with wine. Each experience highlights the rich flavors and traditions of the region. Experience Georgia’s ancient winemaking traditions, bold flavors, and warm hospitality at Rostomaant Marani, where every sip tells a story of history and terroir.
Azienda Cantarutti Alfieri - Vini E Sapori - Wines & Flavours (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy)
Location: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Duration: 2 h 30 min
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with the Cantarutti Alfieri “Vini e Sapori” Experience in the heart of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, a captivating journey through one of Italy’s most celebrated winemaking regions. Perched on a panoramic hilltop surrounded by rolling vineyards, Azienda Cantarutti Alfieri invites you to enjoy in the art and heritage of winemaking.
Your visit begins with a guided stroll through the estate’s picturesque vineyards, followed by an in-depth cellar tour where expert winemakers share the secrets behind their craft. The highlight of the experience is a tasting of four carefully selected wines, from white and red to orange, rosé, sparkling, and international and local grape varieties, expertly paired with quality local delicacies.
Price: Adults €56 | Children €14
Cattunar Terroir Experience (Istria, Croatia)
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with the Cattunar Terroir Experience in Istria, Croatia, a memorable journey into the region’s winemaking heritage. Located in Nova Vas near Brtonigla, just 5 km from the sea, Cattunar Winery welcomes guests for a 1 hour 15 minute experience that includes a guided cellar tour and a tasting of five wines, from orange and red to sparkling and dessert, led by expert sommeliers and winemakers. The tasting is paired with homemade Istrian cheese, cured meats, extra virgin olive oil, bread, and water, showcasing local flavors.
Book in advance (€30 adults, €10 children), and enjoy an authentic taste of Istria’s terroir while raising a glass to the ancient tradition of orange wine.
Ščurek - Guided Wine Tasting with Cellar Tour (Goriška Brda, Slovenia)
Experience the spirit of Orange Wine Day 2025 with an authentic wine experience at Ščurek Winery in Goriška Brda, Slovenia, one of the country’s most celebrated wine regions. This 2-hour guided tour, led by a member of the Ščurek family, takes you through the winery’s cellar and includes a tasting of seven wines, from orange and organic to red, rosé, sparkling, and white, showcasing both local and international grape varieties. The tasting is paired with a platter of cold cuts, highlighting regional flavors.
Priced at €40 per adult, this intimate tasting offers a perfect way to honor Orange Wine Day, enjoying in the traditions, craftsmanship, and great flavors of Goriška Brda’s winemaking culture.
M-enostavno dobra vina - Extreme Wine Tasting Experience & Winery Tour (Štajerska, Slovenia)
Enjoy Orange Wine Day 2025 with a cool wine journey at M-enostavno dobra vina, a hidden gem tucked into the pristine slopes of Pohorje Mountain in Slovenia’s Štajerska region. This 2-hour private tour invites you to explore the unique character of wines born from ecological farming and the rich, unspoiled terroir of the region. Guided by an expert winemaker, you’ll taste eight exceptional wines, from elegant whites and vibrant sparkling wines to bold reds, distinctive orange wines, and expressive organic varieties, each glass reflecting the purity and authenticity of Štajerska’s landscape.
Priced at €50 per adult, this guided tasting offers a memorable way to honor Orange Wine Day, connecting you deeply to the land, skill, and vibrant flavors that define Slovenia’s winemaking heritage.
Sveti Martin - Panoramic Wine Tasting (Vipava Valley, Slovenia)
Location: Vipava Valley, Slovenia
Duration: 2 hours
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with the Sveti Martin Panoramic Wine Tasting in the enchanting Vipava Valley, Slovenia, where tradition, terroir, and breathtaking views come together for a great experience. Nestled amid rolling vineyards and dramatic landscapes, Sveti Martin Winery invites you to a 2-hour private tasting journey that celebrates the essence of the region’s winemaking heritage.
Your visit begins with a guided tour of both the historic and modern cellars, followed by a tasting of eight distinctive wines, from orange and red to sparkling, dessert, organic, and spirits, made from local and international grape varieties. Each glass tells a story, reflecting the unique character of the Vipava Valley and the generations of passion behind every bottle.
The experience unfolds in a spectacular panoramic tasting room, where fine wines are paired with tasty local snacks, and the views are as memorable as the flavors. Children are welcome, making it a perfect celebration for families and wine lovers alike.
Price: Adults €40 | Children €20
Posestvo Brič - Wine Degustation & Winery Tour (Slovenian Istria, Slovenia)
Location: Slovenian Istria, Slovenia
Duration: 2 hours
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with the Posestvo Brič Wine Degustation & Winery Tour in the heart of Slovenian Istria, where breathtaking landscapes and artisanal winemaking come together for a memorable experience. Perched above the serene Dragonja Valley, with sweeping views of the sea and the Italian Dolomites, Posestvo Brič invites you on a journey into the soul of Istrian wine culture.
Your experience begins with a guided tour of the estate, including a leisurely walk around the vineyards and a behind-the-scenes look at the production areas, storage facilities, and the atmospheric barrique cellar. Next, savor a tasting of six carefully selected wines, from orange and red to sparkling, dessert, and organic varieties, each expressing the unique character and terroir of Brič.
The tasting is accompanied by a platter of homemade local delicacies, perfectly made to complement the wines, and served on the terrace or in the tasting room with panoramic views.
Price: Adults €35
Pelle Pince - Wine Tasting Tokaj - Mád (Tokaj, Hungary)
Discover the essence of Orange Wine Day 2025 with a remarkable tasting experience at Pelle Pince in the historic Tokaj wine region of Hungary. Set in the village of Mád, this 2-hour guided tasting and cellar tour offers a curated selection of seven wines, including sparkling, dry, sweet, white, organic, and orange - personally presented by the winery’s owner and team of experts. As you taste, you’ll journey through over 400 years of Tokaj’s winemaking tradition, exploring its historical, cultural, and religious heritage while discovering how the region’s unique volcanic soil shapes the character of its wines.
Priced at just €25 per adult, this engaging tasting is a great way to honor Orange Wine Day while experiencing the depth, history, and terroir of one of the world’s top wine regions.
Winery Despotika - Šumadija Menu (Šumadija, Serbia)
Location: Šumadija, Serbia
Duration: 3 hours
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with the Šumadija Menu Experience at Winery Despotika in the heart of Šumadija, Serbia, a perfect blend of history, flavor, and panoramic beauty. Over the course of 3 hours, enjoy a guided journey through the Wine Museum, explore the fermentation hall, barrique cellar, and historic archive, and take in breathtaking vineyard views from the terrace.
The experience includes a tasting of five exquisite wines, from orange and red to sparkling and dessert, served in one of several charming tasting spaces, and is completed with a delicious ‘Šumadija Menu’ lunch specially paired to complement the wines.
Price: Adults €43 | Children €21 (min. age 7)
Plavinci Organic Winery - Taste Six Serbian Wines in Downtown Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia)
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 with an intimate tasting experience at Plavinci Organic Winery, located in the heart of Belgrade. Over 1 hour and 30 minutes, you’ll taste six natural, award-winning wines made from Serbian indigenous grapes, including whites from Panonia, Neoplanta, and Sila, orange wines from Morava and Tamjanika, and reds from Vranac. Each tasting is paired with a cheese board and homemade preserves, and guided by Nina or Branislav, founders of Serbia’s first certified organic natural winery.
Priced at €60 per adult, this urban wine journey is a perfect way to honor Orange Wine Day, exploring the flavors, traditions, and biodiversity of Serbia’s indigenous grape varieties right in downtown Belgrade.
Kovačević Winery (Fruška Gora, Serbia)
Celebrate Orange Wine Day 2025 at Kovačević Winery, a family-owned estate in Irig, Serbia, where centuries-old traditions meet modern winemaking. Founded in 2001 by Miroslav Kovačević, the third-generation winemaker, the winery preserves the legacy of old winegrowing families while exploring techniques such as long grape macerations and wine production in amphorae. Committed to organic and biodynamic viticulture, Kovačević Winery produces a wide range of wines, including orange, red, white, sparkling, rosé, dessert, fortified wines, and spirits from local and international grape varieties.
Visitors can explore the historic 1930 cellar, featuring Barik halls, amphorae, and wine archives that reflect the heritage of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The winery offers tastings, panoramic vineyard views, walking trails, and family-friendly facilities, including accommodation, a restaurant, and accessible spaces. This experience combines history, culture, and the flavors of Serbia’s diverse grape varieties, making it a perfect way to honor Orange Wine Day while experiencing the skill and tradition of Kovačević Winery.
FAQs About Orange Wine
Is orange wine sweet?
Most orange wines are dry, though their fruit intensity and oxidative notes can give an impression of richness.
Does orange wine age well?
Yes. The tannins and phenolics from skin contact allow many orange wines to develop beautifully over time, gaining complexity.
Is orange wine always ‘natural’?
Not always. While many are made with minimal intervention, some producers use modern techniques. Always check the producer’s philosophy if natural winemaking matters to you.
Why is Orange Wine Day on October 6?
It was founded by wine writer Marilisa Allegrini in 2018 to celebrate the ancient tradition of skin-contact white wines and raise awareness of this often-overlooked style.
Conclusion: Rediscovering an Ancient Wine Tradition
Orange Wine Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s an invitation to explore a 6,000-year-old winemaking tradition that is both ancient and rich in character. These wines bridge the gap between white and red, offering intense flavors, unique textures, and unmatched versatility at the table.
Whether you’re attending a tasting, pairing orange wine with spiced dishes, or opening a bottle with friends, October 6 is the perfect time to raise a glass to this historic and revitalized wine style. With Winera, wine enthusiasts can now book a winery tour or guided tasting in just a few clicks, making it easier than ever to experience the skill, tradition, and stories behind these amber-hued wines.
Orange wine is not a fad; it’s a return to the roots of winemaking. Orange Wine Day is your chance to celebrate that legacy, one glass at a time, conveniently planned with Winera.
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