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The 35th annual Fall Okanagan Wine Festival kicked off today, Oct. 1, and runs until Oct. 11.
The annual celebration put on by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors to enjoy more than 125 events throughout the Valley.
The festivities kick off with the annual British Columbia Wine Awards Reception in Kelowna Oct. 1 - the oldest and largest British Columbia wine competition in the province.
A lucky few will be attending the sold out Fall WestJet Wine Tastings event Friday and Saturday night.
The 10-day festival then wraps up Thanksgiving weekend with two new events – The Valley First “Cropped” – Canada’s largest public tasting of B.C. wines and authentic farmer’s market in Penticton, and a farm-to-table Sparkling Brunch in Osoyoos at Watermark Beach Resort.
“The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival over the years has been a strong component of the growing economy in the Okanagan Valley. We have an incredible choice of cellar door experiences and range of wine styles, varietals as well as price points with increasingly outstanding experiences and product offerings in the Okanagan Valley,” says Ingrid Jarrett, president of the BC Hotel Association, and general manager of Watermark Beach Resort.
Organizers are especially excited about this year's event as wineries up and down the Valley are finishing their harvest of a potentially banner crop.
“With an early start to the spring season in B.C., the 2015 growing year was remarkable for its warmth and dry conditions - ideal for ripening both whites and reds,” says Val Tait, general manager and winemaker at Bench 1775 winery.
“Moderate temperatures in the fall slowed fruit development yielding balanced acids and sugars. Wines have the potential to be exceptional where fruit was not picked too early.”
On top of their flagship events, restaurants and wineries around the Okanagan jump on board with special events, set course menus and wine galore.
You can get full details about the entire festival here.
