Despite the rain at Friday night’s Night Markets, Orange Wine Festival chairwoman Michelle Stivens said it still drew more than 5,500 people.

“People didn’t seem to think so because we had a bigger footprint, but we had counters on the gates with clickers and it was well over 5,500 people,” she said.

“We had a record number of people from Sydney - it was a shame a lot of people left after the rain, which was only a small shower and it was fine after that.”

Overall, the festival attracted 12,000 visitors and Ms Stivens said the Orange Wine Show itself had a bumper year, with 290 entries.

“The judges had their nose to the glass,” she said.

“I believe this record number of entries reflects the confidence the winemakers have in their vintages.”

With judges complaining about faulty and forward sparkling wines, a lack of character in the sauvignon blancs, bland pinot gris and confusing tannins in the pinot noirs, Ms Stivens said there was no constructive feedback for winemakers.

“The vignerons were disappointed there was very little feedback - the judges said there was room for improvement, but how to improve was not passed on,” she said.

But Ms Stivens was surprised by how quickly events sold out this year, including the private events.

“At Heifer Station, our long lunch was booked out with two months to go before the festival - we had to get a bigger marquee and we still couldn’t accommodate everyone,” she said.

“That happened with a lot of events - Ross Hill’s event with Lolli Redini also booked out.”

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au