13-22 April, 2012
The ‘Food Basket’ of NSW
One of Australia’s longest running regional food and wine festivals, Orange F.O.O.D Week will offer over 70 dinners, and many will be hosted by regional wineries and restaurants. F.O.O.D Week is now regarded as one of the best Australian gourmet experiences; it is a 10 day celebration of the region’s food with a focus on local growers, producers and chefs.
“Once again food experiences in the Orange region have been recognised as some of the best in this country,” says Kim Currie, Executive Officer of Taste Orange, “Orange is consistently seen as a food and wine destination and we are continuing to see an increase in visitors coming to our region for these gourmet experiences.”
View our Central NSW Restaurant, Accommodation & Travel Guide to plan out your visit.
During F.O.O.D week, the shires of Orange, Cabonne and Blayney showcase enterprising and reputable establishments in the food and wine business. Visitors relish the opportunity to meet and greet extraordinary industry visionaries. Since the delicious options are endless so we turned to David Cumming of Define Wine for an example of the passion and creativity that business owners are putting into their F.O.O.D week events.
Cumming referred to Patina Wines and their promotional “Fiesta in the Courtyard”.
Fiesta that’s All Part of the Fun
Patina Wines is a family-owned estate nestled on the slopes of Mt Canobolas near Orange, offering their vineyard rich volcanic slopes and unique soil properties. Winery owner Gerald Naef and his wife Angie are originally from California and settled on the mineral rich land over 30 years ago, an adventurous move on their part – they have never looked back.
Their contribution to F.O.O.D Week, Fiesta in the Courtyard, is an event that has nearly sold out by word of mouth alone, though after the dinner tickets are all claimed there is still ample room in the gardens for those who wish to partake in wine sampling from Patina Wines Cellar Door.
This year Patina Wines owner and winemaker Gerald Naef is promising a “Mexican Fiesta with spicy wood fired flavours and a roving mariachi band.” He’s also bringing in acclaimed solo harpist Victor Valdes, who is at the forefront of Latina American music. This soundtrack will complement their remarkable setting characterized by the gorgeous garden, vast waterfall and large outdoor fire area that will be decorated with the Mexican theme in mind.
Live music in the gardens, local food and fantastic wine all combined will be there to welcome guests to Patina Wines during Orange F.O.O.D week. Angie is sharing her masterful Mexican cuisine, sharing old-time recipes she acquired during annual vacations in Mexico throughout her childhood: Fajitas with grilled onions, green peppers, and chicken or beef; salsa verde and tomato chilli salsa; chips, salsa and guacamole plus three unique desserts featuring creamy caramel, shortbread and chewy cinnamon biscuits – plus a large pot of chocolate as well.
Gerald is opening his impressive cellar door options to diners, so the glass of wine that comes with their meal is based on a generous selection of varietals. Riesling is his main passion – they offer 3 varieties – while Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also well represented. There will also be rose and six different aged reds, the youngest from 2006.
The dedication and style that Gerald and Angie Naef of Patina Wines are presenting in honour of Orange F.O.O.D Week is just one example of the many exemplary events and unique hosting styles that will exhibit throughout the shire over the 10 day period.
