A Warm September and Strong Advance Sales Create Forecast for a  Record Fall Wine Festival

For Immediate Release:
Kelowna, British Columbia

Organizers of the annual Okanagan Fall Wine Festival presented by American Express are optimistic that the 10 day festival - which ranks amongst the Top 100 Events in North America – will once again set attendance and revenue records.
 
Gary Reynolds, President of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and owner, Lake Breeze Vineyards in Naramata states “In 2007, we attracted 188,000 visits and over $4.7 million during the 10 day 150 event Fall Wine Festival and we are aiming to beat this in 2008. We have a record number of wineries participating and so many new innovative events. Combined with the warm dry weather this fall which is forecast to continue, we expect a great harvest and an equally successful wine festival.”
 
Eric von Krosigk, winemaker at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna is pleased with the development of the grapes. “While the spring was colder than we wanted, the heat of the past month of August and this September has brought us almost on target with our harvesting. If September’s weather continues to bring us warm sunny days in the mid to high 20’s, the quality of the grapes will be excellent.”
 
Judging from advance ticket sales, expectations are high that record attendance will once again be achieved. For the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, there are over 160 events between October 2nd and October 12th throughout Okanagan Wine Country. The line-up of events at the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival offers something for every wine tourist. Consumers can enjoy wine tastings, grape stomps, seminars, music, arts all paired with the world class wines of the Okanagan.
 
The main highlight to kick off the opening weekend of the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival presented by American Express are the famously fun WestJet Wine Tastings. These take place Friday October 3 and Saturday October 4 at the heritage Laurel Packinghouse from 6:30 through 9pm. This is a fabulous event for those trying wines for the first time as well as those who want to expand their wine knowledge. There are over 35 wineries present and over 150 wines to sample. Ticket includes: souvenir wine glass, all your wine tasting, bread and cheese, a free taxi ride home and the wonderful fun culture of WestJet airlines.
 
Following the WestJet Wine Tastings, on Sunday October 5, Terasen Gas presents The Masters of Food and Wine – Cooking with Terasen Gas at the Laurel Packinghouse. This offers guests an afternoon of fine wine and fabulous cuisine. Wine and Food stations will be located within the building. Local restaurants and wineries will participate in this event that will allow you to sample some of the finest food that can be paired with the world renowned wines of the Okanagan.
 
Both events are safe ride home events, sponsored by BC Liquor Stores and the Johnston Meier Insurance Group. Tickets to both are $55 online through www.ticketmaster.ca.

For more information on the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, contact the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society for more information at info@TheWineFestivals.com or your mobile device at www.owfs.mobi or tel (250) 861-6654.

Complimentary events guides are available at wineries, chambers of commerce, Tourism BC Visitor Information Centres or BC Liquor Stores in the Okanagan. Events can also be downloaded from the website at www.TheWineFestivals.com.