WestJet and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced this week an innovative partnership to showcase the impressive wines of the famed British Columbia Okanagan Valley on flights operated by WestJet Encore this summer.
“As we launch WestJet Encore, we looked for a special way to promote our new destinations and routes,” said Marshall Wilmot, WestJet vice-president, product and distribution. “Having worked with the wineries of British Columbia through the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society for more than 10 years, we know that the wines of British Columbia are extremely well respected and the region is recognized as one of the premium wine regions in the world. Never before on a scheduled airline in Canada have the wines of British Columbia been featured in this manner, and we are proud to do so.”
A promotional bottle pour on board the new WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft will be offered so every guest will have a choice of two wines to sample for the summer months.
“This pouring allows thousands of customers to be introduced to our wines, our wine region and our Okanagan Wine Festivals which draw tens of thousands of wine tourists to our region annually,” said Eric von Krosigk, chair of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and winemaker at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna.
The promotional pouring will feature wines from wineries that are members of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. In the month of July they are: Gray Monk Estate Winery, Lang Vineyards, Oliver Twist, Perseus Winery, Blasted Church Vineyards, SunnyBrae Vineyards in Tappen, The View Winery, Therapy Vineyards, St, Hubertus Winery, and Wayne Gretzky Okanagan. Next month the participating wineries include: Road 13 Vineyards, the Vibrant Vine, Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery, and Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate.
The promotion applies only to WestJet flights operated by WestJet Encore during the months of July, August and September.
“The Okanagan is blessed with some of the best wineries in the world. With wine tourism continuing to grow, it only makes sense for visitors to sample some of Okanagan’s finest on the way here. The pouring will be a good preview of what awaits them, and another reason to plan their next trip here,” said Premier Christy Clark.