“I think you’re just getting started and it is a pity we don’t have more space to take more back home,” he said. 

Mr Heede hailed from America and was one of 20 visitors, including 17 from the United States, one from Nigeria and two from Queensland, who toured the region over the weekend to sample some of the finest wine. 

He tasted wines from around the world and thought it would not be long before Orange was one of the premier destinations for a good drop. 

“New Zealand wines are very fruity and Californian wines are more mellow... this has good fruit and lots of layered flavours,” he said. 

“The shirazes are absolutely wonderful.

The group visited the region after the International Rotary Conference in Sydney during the week and stopped off at De Salis Wines, Ross Hill Wines, Cargo Road Wines, Heifer Station Wines, Phillip Shaw Winery and Charles Sturt University Winery.

The general consensus was Orange makes some “damn good” chardonnay. 

Nan Greenwood from New York state said she was not a fan of shiraz until she tasted Orange’s shiraz and she quickly changed her mind. 

The group previously visited Portugal where Betty Heede said they tasted mostly port but here in Orange Sauvignon Blanc was her pick. 

Australian wine is so refreshing and full-bodied, it’s not strong,” she said.