Tucked away on Old Canobolas Road, Habitat Vineyard is surrounded by vines, veggie patches, and views that feel like they belong in a permaculture handbook. This hidden gem is a standout for those who value sustainability, organic practices, and a hands-on approach to the land. Owners Marko and Clare have created a little eco-haven here, complete with a vineyard, cellar door, winery, veggie garden, chooks, sheep, and even a small orchard. Their wines are certified organic and biodynamic, produced using a lunar calendar guided by astrological principles. Beyond the wines, you’ll find sourdough and fermentation workshops, seasonal produce, and guided tours that offer a real glimpse into the care and intention behind every part of their beautiful oasis. 

We caught up with Marko from Habitat Vineyard to chat about their biodynamic approach and the experiences they've created beyond the cellar door.

Habitat Vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic, and follows permaculture principles across the winery. Can you tell us more about what biodynamic winemaking means in practice at Habitat, and why you’ve chosen to adopt permaculture principles across the vineyard? What makes this approach so important?

"For us sustainability is about closing the loop within our system. The more we can do without bringing in external inputs the more sustainable we are. Permaculture is our overall framework, managing wastes through composting as well as maximising our utilisation of solar energy and natural water flows.

Biodynamics considers the whole farm as an organism, which includes our chickens, sheep, trees, vegetables and grapevines as well as the all important soil life which drives the system. Biodynamics also recognises the natural cycles, moon phase and subtle energies which drive all natural systems. We aim to keep our vineyard, market gardens and winemaking in tune with these natural rhythms.

Organic systems follow the precautionary principles of no new chemicals and minimising use of plastics and non-natural substances. Along with compost, this powers our soil life which is the key to everything at Habitat.

Nothing we do compromises the all important soil life which powers the plants, producing healthy animals, plants and fruit. The fantastic organic grapes are fed into a minimalistic winemaking program where natural yeasts are free to express the qualities of the fruit and the season. We are fully committed to organic systems and the life they brings, we choose to be certified organic."

From sourdough workshops to permaculture site tours, Habitat offers more than wine. What inspired you to create these experiences, and what do you hope people take away from them?

"We really hope that after a visit to Habitat people are inspired.  Inspired to enjoy as well as inspired to create.  We hope to show that we are part of nature and that we can all work gently with nature and still achieve all our goals.

Abundance is a state of mind as well as a natural phenomena, all driven by a healthy environment. Healthy soils provide healthy food for plants, animals and people. Like the soil our gut health is driven by diversity of microorganisms. This follows through to fermented foods such as sourdoughs, pickles and kimchi.  All these use a diversity of microorganisms as is our preference for wild and natural ferment wines.

Habitat started the fine wine journey with a narrow focus on a premium vineyard producing premium wines. I don’t quite remember the exact moment we thought there could be much more. With our hands in the soil we knew we could have a better connection with the vitality of nature. It is a quest we love to share."

Printhie Wines proves that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on style. Scoring 92% on the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia scorecard, their practices are grounded in globally recognised ecotourism standards.

It’s the thoughtful touches that stand out - like rainwater captured, filtered and bottled on-site using recycled wine bottles and lids. If you order a cheese platter, expect to receive it on a wooden board made from the original wooden posts of the old orchard on the property. Owners Ed and Emily approach everything with the same question: Can we make it ourselves? Can we source it locally?

This mindset shapes every part of the experience, tying it closely to the land and local producers. Pair it with a cool-climate Shiraz and sweeping vineyard views, and you’ve got something pretty special.

Perched at 1,100 metres above sea level, Macquariedale Wines is one of the highest vineyards in Australia, and one of the most grounded in natural principles. Certified organic and biodynamic, their wines are made without synthetic chemicals, preservatives or additives, allowing the fruit to express the land it’s grown on.
Owners Derice and Ross bring a hands-on, small scale approach to natural winemaking, carefully converting small parcels of grapes into wines that are low-preservative, vegan-friendly, and full of character. Originally based in the Hunter Valley, where they became the first vineyard to receive full organic/biodynamic certification, their commitment to working with nature has only deepened since relocating to Orange. You can visit their cellar door just off Pinnacle Road, a scenic 15 minute drive from Orange, and taste the results of their natural approach firsthand.

At See Saw Wines, sustainability shapes everything. Every decision, from vineyard to bottle, is guided by a long term view of caring for the land. Their wines are certified organic, and their approach to viticulture is low impact, thoughtful, and constantly evolving.
Their work goes beyond the vineyard rows and their delicious range of organic wines - they’ve planted more than 1,000 native trees, introduced solar power across their properties, and increased soil carbon through compost and cover crops. Sheep graze between the vines to keep weeds down without machinery and improve soil health.
In a true full-circle moment for the community, the region’s green waste is transformed into compost by JR Richards and spread across the vineyard. This process returns nutrients to the soil and supports the growth of consistently full-flavoured grape crops. It’s a model of regenerative agriculture that supports healthy vines, strong community partnerships, and a landscape that can thrive for generations to come.

Since taking over in 2022, the team at Canobolas Wines has been focused on building a resilient vineyard from the ground up. Their approach is grounded in care of the land -  using poussard pruning to protect vine structure, growing diverse cover crops to attract beneficial insects, and farming without synthetic chemicals. Tractor use is minimised through smart timing and smaller equipment to reduce fuel and soil compaction. The vineyard is dry grown, so mulch is spread under the vines to help retain moisture, suppress weeds and build up organic matter - a simple, effective way to drought-proof their older plantings.
And just as much thought has gone into the experience. Their new cellar door overlooks the vineyard and offers a setting that feels like a slice of the Italian countryside, the perfect spot to settle in for a premium tasting.

Ross Hill Wines is Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery, with sustainability embedded in everything from their energy-efficient buildings to their winemaking process. Their commitment goes beyond the vineyard, with cooking schools and education programs that connect people to place. The cellar door on Wallace Lane is open daily - warm, welcoming, and shaped around what you’re curious to learn, taste or explore.

Tamburlaine Organic Wines has expanded its eco-forward philosophy into the Orange region, adding to its long-established base in the Hunter Valley. A third of its vineyards now grow here, using certified organic and biodynamic methods focused on soil health and long term vitality. Their wines are organic, vegan-friendly, and made without pesticides, synthetic fertilisers or added sulphur. Tamburlaine also follows an environmental management system covering everything from composting grape waste to efficient water and energy use. You can visit their cellar door in the historic village of Millthorpe, just 20 minutes from Orange, and taste these thoughtfully crafted wines for yourself.