Now in its 18^th year, the show attracts the best cool climate wines from some of the country’s most well-known wine producing areas.

And, this year is no different with 760 entries received from vignerons in Bathurst as well as winemakers in Orange, Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley and southern parts of Western Australia.

Wine show chair Mark Renzaglia said while entries entries might be a little down on last year, there is a range of new producers who have submitted wine for judging.

“We have a surprisingly large number of wines from wineries that haven’t entered before,” he said.

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

And one of the most popular events on the wine show’s calendar is the public tasting night at Bathurst Showground.

This year, it will be held on Friday, October 28 from 6-9pm and tickets are now on sale.

Last year’s public tasting event attracted a record-breaking crowd of 320 people, and Mr Renzaglia expects next week’s event to be just as well attended.

“There’s all these wines and you have the opportunity to try them,” he said. “It’s still one of Bathurst’s best kept secrets.”

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.

Bathurst winemaker Ruth Anderson from 3 Views Wines has entered her 2015 and 2016 Rieslings in the show, and after significant wins at last year’s show, she is hopeful of another successful year.

“I would like to think that we’ve maintained the quality of the fruit,” she said.