News

Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is About to Blossom!

New Culinary Events, Tastings and Wine Seminars at 21^st Annual Celebration

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – APRIL 29, 2015:  The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is thrilled to commence it’s 21^st year of festivities this week from April 30-May 10, 2015, with a record 123 local wineries participating in the annual Spring Okanagan “Bud Break” Wine Festival.  The wine culture of the Okanagan offers a savoury experience for everyone from the foodie to the oenophile to the budding enthusiast. For the more than 15,000 visitors it is a unique way to celebrate the arrival of spring in the Okanagan.

"Spring Festival is the kick off to wine touring season in the BC interior.  As wineries, it is an opportunity to welcome back our guests and show everyone what we have to offer.  It's an exciting time of year and the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival provides us with a fun way to share it with visitors,” said Brooke Munday, Road 13 Vineyards.

“A record number of wineries opening their doors, beautiful spring weather, new wine releases, new restaurants and new events designed for those who love wine and food. If that sounds like a marvelous party, it is! With over 90 events up and down the Okanagan, the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival welcomes you to the fabulous wine region that in the last year alone was voted the #2 wine tourism region in the world by USA Today” states Blair Baldwin, General Manager, The Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Amongst the over 90 events scheduled some popular annual festivities along with new activities are on tap for this year.  The weekend starts early on April 29 with an invite only Trade Tasting for staff of restaurants, hotels, bars and all licensees responsible for the sale of British Columbia Wines. For consumers, the first Festival Signature Event on Thursday April 30 is the Best of Varietal Wine Awards Reception, with a record 30% increase in entries this year and the Valley’s award-winning winemakers in attendance, along with their award winning wines, it’s sure to be a palate pleaser.  The iconic WestJet Wine Tastings follow May 1-2^nd with a party atmosphere and wineries from across the entire Valley.  Delicious new offerings include an “Iron Sommelier” BC wine and food pairing competition at Okanagan College, as well as numerous sensory wine, viticulture and winemaking workshops throughout the Valley. With grand openings of many architecturally impressive tasting rooms, a wide variety of outstanding Okanagan wines available, plentiful live local music, and “get home safe” offers at the Signature Events, a delectably fun and incredibly social time is in store.  Visit www.thewinefestivals.com for additional information.

Suggested tweet: 21st “budbreak” festival @OkWineFests Blossoms this Spring #Okanagan #BCWine Fest April 30-May 10, 2015, get tix @ http://tinyurl.com/pww3anh

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About Okanagan Wine Festivals Society

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is responsible for the development of the wine tourism sector in the interior of British Columbia. It is well known for producing two annual Okanagan Wine Festivals in spring to celebrate the bud break and in fall to celebrate the grape harvest. Its Winter Okanagan Wine Festival is run in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops. It is also responsible for Signature Wine Events and two annual wine judging competitions. www.thewinefestivals.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lori Pike-Raffan, Public Relations Director,                   

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society                                

[email protected] / 604.808.6655