If you’ve ever seen a glass of wine with a golden amber hue and wondered what it was, you may have stumbled upon orange wine. No, it's not made from oranges — but it might just be one of the most intriguing wines you’ve never tried.

What Is Orange Wine?

Orange wine is essentially a white wine made like a red. Instead of quickly pressing the juice from white grapes and discarding the skins — as is typical for white wine — the grape skins are left in contact with the juice for days, weeks, or even months during fermentation. This skin contact gives the wine its signature color, a striking spectrum ranging from golden yellow to deep copper-orange, as well as a tannic structure more commonly found in reds.

The result? A wine with complexity, texture, and bold personality. Expect flavors of dried fruit, nuts, herbs, tea, and even a slight funk, depending on the style.

A Wine with Ancient Roots

Although orange wine feels trendy, its roots go back thousands of years. The technique originated in the Caucasus region (modern-day Georgia), where wines have been traditionally fermented in clay vessels called qvevri. This ancestral method has found its way into modern natural wine movements and is gaining popularity among adventurous winemakers and wine drinkers alike.

How Is Orange Wine Made?

The process begins with white grapes, such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. In cold cliamtes, these may be Frontenac Blanc, Louise Swanson, etc. Instead of immediately separating the juice from the skins, winemakers allow the grapes to ferment with their skins and seeds — just like in red wine production. This method introduces:

  • Color: from pigments in the skins.
  • Tannins: which add structure and a dry mouthfeel.
  • Oxidative notes: since many orange wines are made with minimal intervention.

Often associated with natural winemaking, orange wines tend to be low in sulfites, unfiltered, and expressive of their terroir.

Orange Wine in Quebec

Quebec’s wine scene has come a long way — and orange wine is one of the newest additions to the province’s evolving portfolio. While not yet widespread, a small but growing number of Quebec vineyards are experimenting with skin-contact whites. Encouraged by the natural wine movement and an appetite for innovation, these winemakers are proving that Quebec’s cool-climate grapes can produce compelling orange wines.

Want to Try Orange Wine? Join Us on Tour!

Tasting orange wine is a unique sensory experience — and what better way to try it than directly from the source? On our Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour and Petite Nation Wine & Cider Tour, you’ll visit carefully selected wineries and cideries in the heart of western Quebec with transportation from Ottawa & Gatineau. 

While availability may vary depending on the season and production, a few of the wineries we visit occasionally feature orange wines, often in limited batches. When they do, guests have the chance to sample these rare gems as part of their tasting flight.

Both tours include:

  • Round-trip transportation from Ottawa and Gatineau
  • Visits to 3 unique wine and cider producers
  • Tastings of 11+ wines and ciders
  • Full lunch prepared by the wineries
  • Behind-the-scenes tours and exclusive experiences

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just curious about new tastes, orange wine offers a fresh perspective on what wine can be — and our tours are the perfect way to explore it.