Winter winefest a hit

Photo: Castanet Staff

The Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival kicked off Friday with the most successful advance ticket sales in its 17-year history.

More than half of the 20 events were sold out by Thursday. The festival continues until Jan. 25, and was recently dubbed one of the best winter parties in Canada by MSN.

“This continues to outgrow the confines of an ordinary wine festival,” says Christopher Nicolson, president of Tourism Sun Peaks. “What began as a weekend icewine event has evolved into a 10-day experience, celebrating the inspired combination of the best in B.C. wines and B.C. Interior’s famous champagne powder.”

In addition to strong overall ticket sales, over 600 tickets were snatched up in record time for the flagship progressive tasting event, which sold out more than two weeks in advance, earlier than ever before. Two new events, Vertical Goes Vino and Explorer Series, were among some the first events to sell out. 

“We're thrilled to see another successful start to the Winter Wine Festival,” said Blair Baldwin, General Manager of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. “Indicative of the festival’s popularity, tickets are 90 per cent sold out. As we kick off our 17th year, our visitors can look forward to a fantastic time on the slopes of Canada's second-largest ski area followed by an intimate après ski environment with the tastemakers behind our award winning B.C. wine and food."

A complete list of festival events can be found at www.SunPeaksResort.com/Wine-Festival and tickets can be purchased through Tourism Sun Peaks’ Central Reservations at 1-877-212-7107.