Best known as one of New South Wales’ finest hubs for food and wine, the city of Orange will once again be channeled into a two-day festival as Taste Orange takes over Sydney’s Martin Place in September. After a record-breaking 2015 (over 14,000 guests), the annual event will be going all out for its fifth year, showcasing 19 premium local wineries, food, and tourism stallholders from Orange to reiterate the unique produce that comes with the regional city’s renowned cool climate.
Taste Orange has confirmed Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd September as the dates for this year’s event, running two sessions (11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-8pm) each day, during which attendees will be able to explore in-depth the many reasons why making that scenic 3.5 hour trip over the Blue Mountains is worth it for lovers of good food and even better wine.
“The Orange region is fast becoming known as one of the most aspirational gourmet distinations in the state, with high-profile annual events such as the Orange Wine Festival in October and Orange F.O.O.D Week in April contributing to elevating the region’s profile nationally”, said Cr Jeff Whitton, who is the Economic Development Community Committee Chair for the Orange City Council, citing the event as key to Orange’s ongoing tourism efforts.
Some of the most well known producers in the Orange region are set to make a return to Martin Place, including Highland Heritage Estate, Philip Shaw Wines, and Logan Wines. Local cellar door entrants will also include Colmar Estate, Rowlee Wines, Small Acres Cyder, and Heifer Station.
While drops of wines and cider will flow freely throughout the event, food to help soak it all up will be provided by the likes of fresh-focused The Agrestic Grocer, the popular Chateau du Chocolate, Franklin Road Preserves, Manildra Group, and the always welcome Sound Mouse Cheese Company. Sydney’s The Stinking Bishops will also have a store there, working in collaboration with the region to showcase their famous cheese boards and cured meat platters, all which feature produce sourced from the area; to take things further, they’ll also be showcasing Orange produce throughout September at their Newtown restaurant.
After drinking and eating your way through the showcasing event, its worth pulling up to the Visit Orange stand, which will have all the info on activities and places to stay in the Orange region should all that produce tempt you into putting together an itinerary. It’s also where one can grab a copy of the 2016 Orange Wine Festival Program, a nice preview of the massive event which runs from 14th to 30th October; bookings will be available for festival signature events (like the popular Wine in the Vines experience).
Pre-purchase tasting packs are being sold now over at Eventbrite for $40 (+GST) each. Each pack includes a free branded wine glass and 10 tasting tokens. Tokens can be redeemed for either 5 full glasses of wine (120ml pour) or 10 half glasses of wine (60ml pour). Wine tastings will also be available at the event – you buy a branded wine glass for $5 and then choose between $8 per full glass of wine (120ml) or $4 per half glass of wine (60ml).
Taste Orange 2016
Where: Martin Place
When: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd September
Image Supplied and used with permission.
———-
