Orange region wines are the top drop at the new $1.5 billion International Convention Centre [ICC].
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The ICC has bought $200,000 worth of wine from 11 wine producers in the region in the first nine months since it opened at Darling Harbour.
A spokeswoman said Orange wines accounted for 27 per cent of all wine purchased for sale and service at the ICC which opened last December.
It has had more than one million visitors already and expected to sell about 100,000 bottles of wine a year.
“This is helping to build the brands of local wine makers and helps to market them to visiting interstate and international delegates during the networking events during conferences and other banquets at ICC Sydney,” she said.
The venue was also working with Brand Orange to encourage people to visit Orange before or after their convention.
ICC wine expert, beverage operations and cellar manager, William Wilson is in Orange this week to judge at the Orange Wine Show.
Orange wineries will have their chance on Friday to push their case to be included on the ICC’s wine list.
Mr Wilson and ICC chief executive officer Geoff Donaghy will visit four operations, Swinging Bridge, Philip Shaw, Small Acres Cyder and Printhie Wines and also attend the wine show tasting event at the Hotel Canobolas to meet local vignerons and taste new products.
Mr Wilson said Orange wines were selected for the ICC at a blind tasting of about 1000 bottles from about 300 wineries.
“The Orange region has produced some stellar cold climate varietals that have been recognised internationally,” he said.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to connect with suppliers and sample new wines.
“We see a world of opportunity to work with the best of the best and look forward to growing our partnerships in the region.”
Mr Donaghy said the Sydney-based ICC was supporting regional NSW.
He said encouraging visitors to regional NSW was “actively driving tourist dollars to destinations like Orange.”