Speaking after the recent Winter Winery Wander – which attracted 280 people – producers say Bathurst can be known as more than just a race destination.

Food and wine producers paired up to provide tourists with four decadent meals and matching wine, beer or spirits during the successful Wander.

Renzaglia Wines’ Mark Renzaglia said Bathurst vignerons were just “too small” and they needed to work more with the “food people, the musicians, the artists, the accommodation providers and council” to promote themselves.

“We need somebody or some group that will pull us all together,” he said.

“Right now we’re all doing our own things. 

“I really believe we’re all keen to work together, but it’s just about figuring out how to do it. 

“We’re also flat out just trying to keep our own businesses going.”

Mr Renzaglia suggested Bathurst Regional Council could act as an “umbrella” to get them working together to promote the region.

“The other side is council is so well-placed to try and pull us all together,” he said.

Vale Creek Wines owner Tony Hatch said he believes Bathurst, where vineyards were first planted in the 1830s, is the oldest wine- growing area outside Sydney.

“We don’t have huge cellar doors like in the Hunter,” he said. 

“Here you get to meet the chef and the winemaker and you’re part of it all ... it’s more personal.”

9inety 2wo owner Brett Melhuish said he would welcome more food, wine, art and music events to the region.

“Everyone needs to get together,” he said.

Beekeeper’s Inn at Vittoria joined the Wander for the second year this year.

Owner Vicki Lockwood said the event was “fantastic” for the Bathurst region.

“We should be known as the central ranges,” she said.

“We could rival the Hunter Valley if we worked well together.”