They represent 27 per cent of the 65 gold medals awarded among 904 entrants.

The gold medallists now move on to the next stage where the trophy winners and the 2020 NSW Wine of the Year, will be announced on October 23 in Sydney.

Cooks Lot and Philip Shaw Wines were each awarded two gold medals.

Other Orange region wineries to receive gold included Angullong Wines, Colmar Estate, JS Wine, Printhie Wines, Rowlee Wines and See Saw Wines. Mudgee-based Gilbert Wines won three gold medals using fruit from Orange.

Philip Shaw Wines managing director Damian Shaw said it was a great result considering the difficulties of drought, smoke taint and COVID-19 thrown at vignerons in the past year.

Two reds from the winery scored gold medals, the 2018 No89 Shiraz and the 2019 No8 Pinot Noir.

He said it was the second gold medal for the No8 Pinot Noir following success last year. "It's more rewarding with the same wine and different vintages," he said.

Judges particularly praised the quality of shiraz in the awards. Mr Shaw said it was pleasing their shiraz was considered among the best. "It did do well in the cooler and warmer areas," he said.

Mr Shaw said the coronavirus had given regional winemakers a testing time but business had picked up substantially since mid-year.

"From the June long weekend we have been inundated in the region with people from Sydney and Canberra."

GOLD MEDALS