With one of the warmest, driest and longest growing seasons on record in the Okanagan, excitement is starting to build around the 35th Fall Wine Festival.
Held Oct. 1 to 10, the festivities follow the earliest-ever Okanagan wine grape harvest and commence with the annual B.C. Wine Awards reception in Kelowna, wrapping up Thanksgiving weekend with two new signature events, Cropped, at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, and a Sparkling Brunch in Osoyoos.
Authentic, original, and inspired by the terroir of the Okanagan. Cropped is a sensory and visual experience featuring the largest tasting of British Columbia wines anywhere and a Thanksgiving farmers market.
Featuring over 80 wineries and a real farmers’ market, your taste buds will be tested, your eyes will be blessed with rich colours and your ears will be filled with the sounds of the harvest season in the Okanagan.
Wander amidst the wineries and farmers to experience a unique combination that truly makes the Okanagan Valley famous.
Come and be educated at the Pinot Bar with different styles of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, all provided by the new Sensory Lab at Okanagan College. Dairy Farmers of Canada will tantalize with two wonderful free onsite seminars introducing dairy cheeses. And don’t forget the two live bands to keep the vibe flowing and a full onsite wine store brought to you by BC Liquor stores.
This is a Get Home Safe event, sponsored by BC Liquor Stores.
Tickets are $65 plus applicable ticketing charges or attend both nights for $110 plus applicable ticketing charges. Tickets are available at valleyfirsttix.com, or 1-877-763-2849.
The Thanksgiving Sparkling Brunch at Watermark Resort takes place on Oct. 11.
After a busy wine touring weekend, join chef Adair along with a handpicked selection of wines from some of the Okanagan’s finest sparkling wine producers.
From farm to table ,the foods and wines are a way to indulge. The brunch will feature Okanagan sockeye salmon caught in Osoyoos Lake and smoked naturally, an organic omelette station, a chef’s carving station, artisan local cheeses and chef’s housemade charcuterie.
Tickets are available at watermarkbeachresort.com or by phone at 1-888-755-3480. The price is $35 plus tax and gratuity per adult or $249 for a one night stay in a one-bedroom suite and includes the Sparkling Brunch for two.