Tuesday, 23 September 2014 New South Wales’ Wine Regions Showcased to the World New South Wales Wine Country, a new 128-page informative coffee table book which promotes the State’s wonderful and varied wine regions has been launched today. The guide produced by the Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with the NSW Wine Industry Association, gives an overview of the State’s 14 wine regions, including the wine terroir, local produce, food festivals and events, attractions, maps and information on how to get there. “I am delighted to launch the New South Wales Wine Country book which will encourage people from around Australia and the world to visit the many wonderful wine regions we have on offer in our great State,” Mr Stoner said. “The NSW wine industry is the oldest in Australia from the iconic Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Orange and the Riverina to lesser known gems such as the Shoalhaven Coast to the New England and the Hastings River, a smaller developing wine region with 150 hectares cultivated on the North Coast. “Annually NSW wine tourism contributes an estimated $1.6 billion into the economy and wine sales generates over $1 billion and accounts for more than a quarter of Australia’s production to key export markets, such as, the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands and New Zealand, with growth to Asian markets, including China and Singapore. “The production of this book proves the NSW Government is dedicated to supporting this important industry and has a focus on growing wine tourism, so I encourage you all to visit our cellar doors, dine in Regional NSW restaurants, shop at local farmers’ markets and ask for NSW wine next time you dine out or visit your local bottle shop,” he said. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase said promoting NSW wine tourism is a key deliverable of the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan, which aims to double overnight visitation by 2020. “The New South Wales Wine Country book will be distributed to stakeholders, such as wineries and tourism operators, around the country and overseas to raise the awareness of the many wonderful regions around the State and to encourage people to come and discover them,” Ms Chipchase said. “The book covers each region’s district wine, local produce and the key things to do and see.” The beautifully presented book was designed in house by Destination NSW and was proudly manufactured in New South Wales using paper from the Shoalhaven Paper Mill. Media contact: Holly Hearne 0400 378 271 (Destination NSW) Page 1/1 .