{"title":"ChaLou Wines","description":"\u003cp\u003eChaLou Wines is the heartfelt project of Nadja Wallington and Steve Mobbs, who share a strong connection to the land in Orange, on Wiradjuri Country. After first meeting at Charles Sturt University, their winemaking journeys took them across the globe, but they were drawn back to Orange in 2014, where they found both each other and a shared passion for the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2021, they turned this passion into reality by founding ChaLou Wines, purchasing the former “Sassy Wines” vineyard, which sits at 900 metres above sea level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis vineyard, known for its cool-climate varietals like chardonnay, pinot noir, and riesling, reflects Nadja and Steve's dedication to sustainable farming and their commitment to crafting wines that embody the unique character of the region. Their work has quickly earned acclaim, with ChaLou Wines being named the 2025 Halliday Dark Horse Winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNadja and Steve's focus at ChaLou is on creating wines that truly reflect the land and their own journey, blending their extensive global experience with a deep love for the Orange region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Shanteh Wale, our taster for Orange, described this year’s riesling release as ‘a scintillating wine, utterly delectable and impossible to put down’. You could say similar things about all ChaLou’s wines this year.\"\u003cbr\u003e– Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Dark Horse Winery 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2024-chalou-pinot-noir","title":"2024 ChaLou Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"169\" data-end=\"443\"\u003eFrom their high-altitude vineyards in Orange, ChaLou are proving they’ve got the touch with Pinot Noir. The 2024 is all about bright, juicy red fruits - think cherry and cranberry - with a savoury thread of spice and dried herbs that gives it extra interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"445\" data-end=\"730\"\u003eThe fruit was hand-picked and wild-fermented, with a portion of whole bunches bringing perfume and lift. It then spent some time in French oak, mostly older barrels, which rounds out the palate without clouding the fruit. The tannins are fine and gentle, the finish clean and lively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"963\"\u003eWhat makes this stand out is how much detail and drinkability you get for the price. It’s Pinot that feels unforced, delicious, and properly satisfying - great value for anyone chasing a smart cool-climate red without spending big.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A push of violet and lavender spice that works well with its treat bag of spices... This has muscle as well as finesse.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"ChaLou","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42134665592875,"sku":"2024 ChaLou Pinot Noir","price":42.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/2023ChaLouPinotNoir_cbb9816f-773f-4f19-b737-93c780d6c74e.png?v=1757310320"},{"product_id":"2025-chalou-riesling","title":"2025 ChaLou Riesling","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"121\" data-end=\"418\"\u003eChaLou has quickly become one of the most exciting names out of Orange, and Riesling is right at the heart of what they do well. Nadja Wallington and Steve Mobbs have nailed the high-altitude Riesling style, and while most Aussie examples are bone-dry, their off-dry signature is one of the most reliable in the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2025 season delivered excellent ripeness and power. It’s wild-fermented and stopped early to leave a touch of residual sugar, which isn't about sweetness so much as texture - it perfectly buffers the region’s naturally racy acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s highly aromatic, jumping with mandarin, orange blossom, and jasmine. The palate is vibrant and plush, transitioning into a clean, dry finish. This is exactly what you want with spicy Thai or a lime-heavy larb. It's drinking beautifully now but has the bones to go for a decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Lotus flowers, lime skin and pineapple guava. There is a quartz and pumice-stone edge and a quivering tension between fruit nectar and vibrating acidity... Outstanding value; if there is any left, scoop it up.\"\u003cbr\u003e- Shanteh Wale (Halliday Wine Companion)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"ChaLou","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43903429247019,"sku":"2025 ChaLou Riesling","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/files\/ChaLouRiesling_e9b646a1-6d25-406d-9d8b-fd96d3048fe2.png?v=1757310371"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2572\/9722\/collections\/ChaLou_Header.webp?v=1724051293","url":"https:\/\/www.differentdrop.com\/collections\/chalou-wines-1.oembed","provider":"Different Drop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}