The National Cool Climate Wine Show, which is now in its 18^th year, has attracted 760 entries across a wide number of varieties.

“We have a surprisingly large number of wines from wineries that haven’t entered before,” wine show chair Mark Renzaglia said.

“Smaller wineries are seeing they need the exposure [of being in the show].”

Regions represented in this year’s show include many Bathurst vignerons, along with entries from Orange, Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley and southern parts of Western Australia.

Bathurst winemaker Ruth Anderson from 3 Views Wines is among the vignerons who have entered this year’s show.

This year she has entered her 2015 and 2016 Rieslings.

Last year 3 View Wines 2014 Riesling was awarded Champion Local Wine of Show at the National Cool Climate Wine Show, and it was also the only local wine to score a gold in its category.

“It [her previous wins] increases your expectations, I would like to think that we’ve maintained the quality of the fruit,” Mrs Anderson said.

And while winning a medal at the show is a huge benefit for the winemakers, Mr Renzaglia said the public tasting event is what many locals look forward to.

The event gives the community the opportunity to taste all 760 wines entered in the show.

“It’s still one of Bathurst’s best kept secrets,” Mr Renzaglia said.

“There’s all these wines and you have the opportunity to try them.”

This year’s public tasting event will be held on Friday, October 28 from 6-9pm at Bathurst Showground.

Last year’s public tasting event attracted a record-breaking crowd of 320 people, with organisers hopeful this month’s event will be just as well attended.

On the night, people are encouraged to compare the flavours across the many regions that entered and assess the different techniques used by winemakers.

Free tasting tours will be conducted by winemakers on the night. There will also be complimentary nibbles and live music by local performer Phil Blatch.

Ticket are $35 and can be purchased at the door on the night, however people are encouraged to pre-book through the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre.

Meanwhile, tickets to the annual Wine Show Dinner on Saturday, October 29 are also on sale to the public.

A three course dinner will be served along with the Champion Wine of Show, trophy wines and very best of Bathurst award winning wines from the previous year.

Tickets are $130 each and can also be purchased through the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre.