Up to 17 of the Orange region wineries and two food stalls will descend onto Hyde Park this weekend to promote the region’s reputation and sell Orange to Sydney-siders.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge says there is a reason there is such high demand for Orange Region wines.

“Excuse the pun, but cool climate wines are cool,” he said.

“Consumers are loving the styles coming from Orange at the moment. Having one of the highest winery elevations in Australia and being such a cool climate, Orange offers something fairly unique. We have styles that really show off the vibrancy of our fruit and they certainly are in vogue at present.”

Ideally about 79,000 people will come across the Orange lounge area at the three day festival and tantalise their tastebuds with some of Orange’s best producers and decide the region is the place to visit, says Brand Orange executive officer Rhonda Sear. 

“Orange is going there very strong with [17] wineries which is equal to other regions such as the Hunter Valley,” she said. 

Ms Sear said the event was targeted at potential tourists but called on the Orange business community to promote the region’s presence in Sydney as best they can to clients and contacts in the city. 

“That might encourage people to come along and visit us while we’re there,” she said.

Orange City Council’s Employment and Economic Development Community Committee chairman Cr Jeff Whitton said council supported the event because the flow-on from the cellar door event could mean a big boon the Orange economy. 

“It’s definitely worthwhile for Orange business to promote the Sydney cellar door event,” Cr Whitton said.

“While the focus of the event is to highlight the attractiveness of our wineries, some wine-lovers will want to take the next step and make a personal visit to Orange.

“The Hyde Park venue draws from a key niche market and these are a group who would enjoy a weekend in Orange.”