News

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 

 

It’s that time of year again, sunsets ease into the valley a little bit earlier, the wind stirs orange and yellow leaves into the brisk air, and most importantly – the Fall Okanagan Wine Festivals roll into town. The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is pleased to announce its 36th annual Fall Okanagan Wine Festivals this coming September 29 – October 9. To kick off this year’s festivities, the British Columbia Wine Awards Reception will take place at the historical Laurel Heritage Packinghouse, where the best vintages of the Okanagan are celebrated. The celebrations continue with six more signature events, like the iconic Fall WestJet Wine Tastings and Cropped…Presented by Valley First, British Columbia’s largest wine tasting and famers market, just to name a few.  

 

With the early start to summer this year, breaking a 116-year temperature record in April, it is no surprise that the grape harvest has crept up early for another year, producing from it another fantastic year of Okanagan vintages.

 

“Even though we had a cool mid-season, the days were long and still relatively warm. It’s hard to slow down a plant that has a full leaf wall in the beginning of June. The early Spring has been a driving force of the season, causing another early September harvest which we are now seeing.” explained Roger Wong, winemaker at Gray Monk Estate Winery. “The last of our sparkling wine grapes were harvested September 1st and we’re already seeing Pinot Gris on the loading dock from some of our Oliver growers.”

 

Over the course of ten days, events will be taking place all over the Okanagan to celebrate the fruits of this year’s labor. For more than 30 years, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society has partnered with organizations to break the mould and produce tasting events which showcase wine and elevate the social and cultural landscape of our Valley.  

 

Now in it’s 36th year, the festivals continue to sell-out with events like Cropped…Presented by Valley First, the largest wine tasting and farmers market in British Columbia. This sensory and visual experience brings Okanagan wineries and farmers together to create a unique experience where guests may sip and sample wines from over 80 wineries, and feast on an array of cheeses, breads and charcuterie items. Over the course of two evenings, guests will also have a chance to be educated at the famous Pinot Bar, to sample different styles of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, all under the guidance of the new Okanagan College Sensory Lab. This Get Home Safe event promises to be as authentic, original and inspired as the terroir of the Okanagan itself.  

 

Ease into an early fall with one of the iconic Okanagan Wine Festivals events, and savour the products produced from our bounty-filled region. Event and ticket information for the Fall Okanagan Wine Festivals is available at www.thewinefestivals.com. 

 

[Suggested tweet: 36th Annual Fall @OKWineFests taste the fruits of the #BCWine harvest. Get tix to 160+ events thruout #Okanagan **new web url] 

 

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 including Mile High Wine & Music at Silver Star and two annual wine judging competitions including the British Columbia Wine Awards. www.thewinefestivals.com 

 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Katia Plotnikoff, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Okanagan Wine Festivals Society 

[email protected] / 250.861.6664