For the first time since the launch of the Oliver Festival of the Grape in 1997, there will be dedicated tents featuring wine and food pairings from Okanagan wineries that have associated restaurants or that provide a unique food offering at the winery.
“We are thrilled to offer a new wine and food tasting experience for FOG goers that will feature Okanagan wineries from Kelowna to Osoyoos,” said Luke Whittall, chair of FOG’s wine committee. “Each of these wineries will be pairing a selection of their best wines with bite-sized food samples assembled on site by expert food vendors and chefs.”
More than 50 Okanagan wineries participate in the one-day celebration that includes food from local chefs.
“In the weeks leading up to the Oct. 5 festival we’ll be sharing a few of the featured wine and Okanagan cuisine combos that FOG goers can expect to experience. This is a must attend event for wine lovers looking to experience multiple Okanagan food and wine pairings in one location.”
The festival includes something for everyone to make it a family affair. There is live music, the grape-stomp competition, a separate Kid Zone play area that has activities and farm animals and an arts and crafts trade show.
Organizers said everyone who comes works up an appetite during the event.
“That’s why we’ll have 15 food trucks (outside of the wine and food pairing tents) to provide our hungry event goers with a wide selection of food that ranges from Thai to Tacos and ice cream to doughnuts and everything in between. We have something to satisfy almost every palate,” said Bonnie Dancey, CEO of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce that organizes the Festival of the Grape.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased on line through PayPal www.sochamber.ca/oliver-festival-of-the-grape.html, prices are $23 in advance or $25 at the gate.
Tickets can be purchased at the following Okanagan venues; Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce in Oliver, the B.C. Wine Info Center in Penticton and at Shopper’s Drug Mart in Oliver.