Orange, NSW -- or -- Wines and Truffles and Nuns (oh my!)

Around this time last year, cheese blogger Claire at You're So Blue Vein came back from Orange with a tale of truffles and wine and food. Jealousy reigned. This year? This year it was my turn.

Disclaimer: Detective Chow paid for everything out of his own pocket. But, gosh, he'd be pleased to be invited somewhere on a press junket. So if you own a country town, regional centre, capital city, tropical island etc he's just an email away...

Note: Boogying lady in white dress and cow-pattern is Flick.

Not pictured: long drive home. Don't worry, Molly, I stopped every two hours to recharge.

Borrodell on the Mount vineyard and trufflerie does an annual Black Tie and Gumboot truffle hunt and dinner. Cost in 2012 was $190pp including hunt, wine, food, entertainment and courtesy bus to Orange CBD. (The accommodation at Borrodell was booked out many months in advance, but De Russie Suites in town were a great alternative.)

Ross Hill Wines is worth a visit. Lovely range of reds and whites to choose from, and lovely folks at the cellar door.

The Old Convent is a B&B and cafe, but the cafe is only open on Sundays. Set menu.

One place I didn't get to, but wish I had, is Small Acres Cyder. They apparently brew their cider using similar methods as wine-making. Blogger Littlest Anchovy visited last year.

Overall: a fun weekend and an awesome experience.

Oh, and, Molly. I know this report is late. I have a good excuse, though. 

Detective Goldstein ate my homework.