Dining and Wining  

Summer Okanagan Wine Fest

The 2012 Summer Okanagan Wine Festival surely will bring out the hot weather in July as it kicks off from July 7 through July 15 throughout the Okanagan showcasing our wine and food culture at the height of summer’s allure. The Summer Okanagan Wine Festival offers outdoor and indoor events designed to showcase the wineries in the beauty of the Okanagan summer and it is another reason that the Okanagan is a wine destination for tourists from around the world. 

“The beauty of the Summer Okanagan Wine Festival is that it not only provides a reason to visit wineries, it’s Signature Events have been built around alliances with fabulous sports and cultural events” points out Jessie Campbell, CEO for Penticton & Wine Country Tourism. “ A great example is the Granfondo Wine Tasting on Sunday July 8 at Penticton’s Gyro Park. There will be over 2,500 riders this year in the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan and the outdoor wine tasting planned for Gyro park is a perfect complement for the riders and for tourists wanting to celebrate.” The Granfondo Wine Tasting will see Gyro Park come alive Sunday evening July 8 with over 35 wineries pouring, fantastic light tapas and a great live cover band with dancing available for all.

The Summer Okanagan Wine Festival offers innovative events designed to capture the summer tourist’s attention throughout the Okanagan. A full colour events guide is free for downloading at www.thewinefestivals.com. “There are four Signature Events amongst the 30 plus events that are designed to showcase our beautiful wine region. They have been carefully planned to be fun and allow guests to learn about wine in a fun friendly manner,” states Eric Von Krosigk, Chair of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. “These four Signature Events should be on everyone’s summer party agenda. They provide a wonderful, fun informal wine experience and they all come with a Safe Ride Home to your place of residence.”

The Signature Events include:

Pop Goes the Cork Presented by Valley First and Tourism Kelowna in Kelowna on Saturday July 7 from 6:30pm-9pm. Tour the Okanagan’s wineries under a majestic Olympic tent set up at the Rotary Arts Common. Pop Goes the Cork unveils summer in downtown Kelowna with over 30 wineries pouring along with sublime Canadian cheeses provided by Dairy Farmers of Canada. Top this off  with a live local band and the atmosphere will be downright inviting if you are out on a date or just want to socialize with friends. It also takes place on the weekend when Kelowna’s new music and arts Festival –Keloha– occurs so downtown Kelowna will truly take main stage that evening. Tickets are only $59 at www.selectyourtickets.com or by phone at 250-717-5304.

The Granfondo Wine Tasting on Sunday July 8 at Penticton’s Gyro Park from 6:30pm-9pm.   Celebrate a hot summer evening with people from around the world who have come to the Okanagan to participate in the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan cycling event. Over 300 wines, a great dance band and you have the ingredient for a great outdoor party. Tickets are only $59 through www.valleyfirsttix.com or by phone 877-763-2849

The Winetenders CockTail Shakeoff Presented by Okanagan Spirits held in Kelowna at the Laurel Packinghouse on Thursday July 12 from 7pm-9pm. Who said wine doesn’t mix? Nine fabulous bartenders will convince you otherwise as they create their own signature bar drink with a British Columbia wine as an ingredient and a special BC liqueur from Okanagan Spirits. Everyone has a chance to watch the drinks being made and then tasting them to see who should be crowned Winetender Champion. Last year was such a success with a decidedly high energy crowd, it has been expanded to a larger venue and more bartenders. Tickets are only $50 at www.selectyourtickets.com or by phone at 250-717-5304.

All You Need is Cheese & Wine – The Beach Party held in Osoyoos at the Watermark Beach Resort on Friday July 13 from 7pm-9pm. Did you say beach party? In Osoyoos? With wine and cheese? Enjoy a fun evening with live music by the lake as Dairy Farmers of Canada present an amazing array of cheeses paired with wine. Sample pizza made from fresh Canadian mozzarella and inhale the views! Tickets are only $59 and available at www.selectyourtickets.com or by phone at 250-717-5304.

The line-up is all set for the Summer Okanagan Wine Festival. Come and join the wineries of the Okanagan celebrate the best of summer.

 



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