Nine cellar doors proudly flew Italian flags at the weekend with visitors travelling from Sydney, the Central Coast, Port Stephens and the Hunter to experience the food, the wine, the music, the olives and the fun.

Visitor numbers to the area were up. Some came just because they love Broke and the cellar doors and others knew A Little Bit of Italy was on and couldn’t wait to breathe in the atmoshphere.

Bus loads made the trip from Port Stephens and there was certainly a strong influence of Sydney visitors.

Speaking to The Singleton Argus, many making their first trip to Broke were surprised by what they found.

Even a couple from Maitland said they didn’t know so many cellar doors existed beyond Pokolbin.

Wendy Lawson from Catherine Vale Vineyard said it was their best festival yet.

“We had loads of visitors, it was very good for us but we did put a lot of effort in,” Mrs Lawson told The Singleton Argus yesterday.

The vineyard sold twice as many bottles of wine as it did at the event last year but said that wasn’t really a measure of success.

“Success for me is seeing people come back not only for A Little Bit of Italy but just to visit,” Mrs Lawson said.

And it seems that is exactly what they are starting to do.

A family from Crows Nest are regulars at Margan Family Wines restaurant.

“We love the food and we love the atmosphere,” Belinda Keegan said.