ORANGE Wine Week kicks off next month and organisers are celebrating the seventh year of the festival.
Winemakers, food producers and businesses have come together to be part of this year’s food and wine celebration, which will be held from October 19 to 28.
Wine week spokesman David Cummings said there was a substantial increase in the events planned this year.
“We are following on from a hugely successful Taste Orange @ Sydney, which saw more than 12,000 Sydneysiders gain a taste of the region,” he said.
“Orange is keeping its foot firmly on the pedal with the launch of the 2012 Wine Week program.”
The Orange Wine Show Public Tasting is a highlight of the festival, when members of the public will be able to taste the region’s best wines, including the 2012 Orange Wine Show trophy and medal-winners.
The public tasting will be held at 5.30pm in the Orange Showground Pavilion on October 19.
The popular Wine Week Night Market is also included in this year’s program and will be held at 5.30pm on Friday, October 26 in Robertson Park.
A new event for this year’s festival will be the Wine Makers Table, with a long communal table down the main street of Millthorpe on Monday, October 22.
The Union Bank has again been designated as wine central, where Orange residents and visitors can drop in for updates and information during the week.
As part of this year’s event, the Orange Region Vignerons’ Association will host the National Cool Climate Shiraz Symposium, to develop and improve viticulture and winemaking for cool climate shiraz.
Topics for the symposium will include variety and styles, selling the shiraz, growing and winemaking techniques.
It will be held at the Department of Primary Industry Training Centre on Forest Road on October 24 and 25.
People can also take the time mid-week to experience some of the cellar doors on five unique trails in the Orange region.
Each trail has developed a range of activities and offerings to showcase their wines and cellar doors.
For a full program of events, bookings and other information visit www.tasteorange.com.au or email info@winesorange.com.au.
