News

Okanagan Spring Wine Festival Blossoms Into It’s 22nd Season

A Taste of Spring in the Valley Offers A Feast for the Eyes and Senses

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MARCH 21, 2016:  The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is thrilled to announce it’s 22^nd year of spring festivities from April 28 to May 8, 2016.  With spring’s arrival, the popular annual “bud break” festival heralds the start of the season for the region’s local farmers and vintners. With over 125 wineries, in just 100 miles, the Festival offers a unique and intimate Okanagan sampling experience of the Valley’s wine and culinary excellence.

From Canada’s desert country in the south through the entire length of the Okanagan Valley north to Kamloops, the region’s diverse microclimates enable Valley tastemakers to craft a tremendous variety of premium wines and inspired cuisine. Some intriguingly delectable new festivities for this year’s Festival include: Pilates and Pinot in the lakeside vineyard of Evolve Cellars; Start Your Own Dynasty at the Hatch Winery, Asian Street Food with wine and cider pairings at the View Winery; Pinosity tasting and seminar at Stag’s Hollow Winery; Hops, Grapes and Grub with Miradoro’s chef; and the finale on Mother’s Day with a Rosé Brunch at Watermark Beach Resort; to name a few of the fun and delicious highlights.  

One of the Society’s Signature Events starts the entire Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, the Best of Varietal Wine Awards on Thursday April 28, with a record number of entries expected, the wines are judged by 15 sommeliers and wine experts and showcase a tasting of the winners.  This is followed by the iconic WestJet Wine Tastings on April 29 and 30^th, which offers live music and a lively atmosphere with wineries from across the entire Valley all under one roof.  Later in the week on May 7, a foodie favourite, Iron Sommelier BC is a palate pleasing opportunity to taste and then vote for the best sommelier pairing of gourmet fare with BC wine. 

“We as a winery look forward to the Spring Festival as it starts our season off with a bang,” said Larry Gerelus, co-owner Stag’s Hollow Winery.  “We’ve been a winery member for almost 20 years, and a consumer before that.  The Wine Festival is an excellent opportunity for wine lovers to be the first to try new vintages, take in a number of fun events and enjoy the Okanagan vineyards as they come to life.”

"The annual Spring Wine Festival, now in its 22nd year provides a major economic boost to the spring economy for our region. This 10 day event truly marks the start of the early summer season bringing guests from around the country as well as internationally,” said Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region.  “We applaud the wine industry for their efforts in creating such dynamic programming that directly assists in our goal to increase regional visitation outside the peak 6 week summer period."

Taste your way through a wine country experience like no other.  From farm-to-table winemaker dinners, barbeques and picnics in wildly beautiful settings, to tasty hands on wine seminars and cooking classes, Valley visitors can meet the eclectic and passionate vintners and chefs behind our bounty filled region.  With something for everyone from the foodie to the oenophile to the budding enthusiast, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society invites you to visit this spring and create your own wine story. Find out more and order tickets at www.thewinefestivals.com.

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Suggested Tweet: A Feast for the Eyes and Senses 22^nd #Okanagan Spring #BCWine Festival tix now available http://ow.ly/ZzugX

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 seasonally inspired Wine Festivals and Signature Events throughout the year with 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:

Lori Pike-Raffan, Public Relations | [email protected] / 604.808.6655                    

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society

High resolution images available upon request.