AS tourists increasingly seek out wine tours to experience what the region has to offer, one operator has started targeting smaller groups.
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Lauren Rushton started Winery Experiences Orange two months ago, taking singles and couples on personalised wine tours depending on their taste and what they wanted to try, usually taking in about four wineries in a day.
"I also run a B'n'B and I had people asking me all the time," she said.
"I saw a gap in the market in terms of tours just for couples who don't to sit in a bus with six or eight other couples."
Moving to Orange 18 months ago, she said she had a strong background in hospitality and had most recently been working at Philip Shaw Wines.
Fresh look
BLIND Pig Bar and Cafe reopened after renovations on the weekend and is set to move into finer dining.
Owner John Vandenberg said a new chef, Krystle Lommis, would start this week, adding lobster and other fresh seafood to an upgraded menu.
"We're taking it up four or five notches," he said.
He said the cafe would continue to open for breakfast and lunch with fine dining on Friday and Saturday nights and live entertainment every Friday, but the price point would not change.
On charge
ORANGE has gained another electric car charging point, with Dragonfly Cottages adding the feature.
Owners Andrew Saunders and Helen Chegwidden added the features to the couples' retreat about a month ago.
"It was a logical way forward particularly with technology changing and distances improving," Mr Saunders said.
"Now Orange is an accessible destination for that type of car."
A second cottage will be added to the Borenore property in December.
Finishing touch
ORANGE Central Newsagency celebrated its recent renovations on Monday with member for Orange Phil Donato cutting the ribbon.
The renovations to Gary and Jennifer Allen's store were completed four weeks ago, but Mr Allen said it was exciting to open it officially.
"It's modern and more inviting and people have been giving a lot of great feedback," he said.
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