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Spring Okanagan Wine Festival celebrates 21 years

Okanagan Spring Wine Festival celebrates the 'bud break' from April 30 to May 10.
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Popular 10 day festival heralds rite of spring in the Okanagan Valley’s vineyards and farms from April 30 to May 10.

Celebrating 21 years of spring festivities, the popular Okanagan Spring Wine Festival will have the largest amount of local wineries participating ever.

The spring Okanagan “bud break” festival offers a savoury atmosphere for soaking up the record-breaking warm valley weather at over 120 member wineries, who are inviting visitors and locals to indulge in more than 90 culinary and wine activities from Osoyoos to Oyama from April 30 to May 10.

As the heady aromas of spring blossoms burst forth and the valley’s vinters eagerly await the annual rite of bud burst in the vineyards, the celebratory kickoff to the season commences.

One of the new highlights this year include an Iron Sommelier B.C. wine and food-pairing competition, sensory wine and viticulture workshops at Okanagan College and live music and record spinning DJs in the valley’s numerous new architecturally striking wineries, breweries and fruit distilleries.

“The Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is a fabulous springboard to kick off our new season as we celebrate our new releases with new and old friends, and of course incredible food,” said Don Triggs, co-proprietor of Culmina Family Estate Winery.

Meet the artisan winemakers, craft brewers, fruit distillers and celebrate chefs of the Okanagan, one of the world’s top 10 regions for wine touring.

“We are thrilled to once again welcome visitors from around the country and around the globe to join in celebrating some of the best wines produced in the worlds,” said Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. “The spring festival is one of the favourites for our guests providing them opportunities to not only be the first to sample many new releases, to also come face-to-face with our region’s leading winemakers and growers.”

The 10 days of intimate and interactive experiences include scenic cycling tours, vineyard hikes and alfresco picnics, sumptuous wintery dinners, master chef culinary classes and hands-on winemaking seminars.

One of the society’s signature events starts the entire week with the Best of Varietal Wine Awards on April 30, judged by 15 sommeliers and wine experts. The valley’s award-winning winemakers are in attendance along with their winning wines.

The weekend then rocks with iconic WestJet Wine Tastings on May 1 and 2, offering live music and a party atmosphere with wineries from across the entire valley all under one historic roof.

The festivities wrap up Mother’s Day with numerous winery brunches. Visit www.thewinefestivals.com for more information on events.