An apres-ski celebration

Photo: Contributed - Sun Peaks

Those with an affinity for fine wine and good times will flock to the mountains of Sun Peaks, just outside of Kamloops, for the 18th Winter Okanagan Wine Festival this weekend.

This year the festival will span 10 days from Jan. 14 - 24 and will feature 48 B.C. wineries. The festival has become so popular over the years that seven of the 20 events are already sold out.

Christopher Nicolson, president of Tourism Sun Peaks, said there are six new events this year that have been added to the schedule. 

The six new events are:

• The Sun Peaks Wine Crawl
• Coureur Des Bois Repas
• Welcome to the Kamloops Wine Trail
• Dessert Wines and Aromatic Cheeses
• The Breadth of British Columbia Riesling
• The Spirited Après

“The abundance of snow this year provides the perfect wintery backdrop for wine festival guests in our unique ski-through village,” said Nicolson.

Along with the new events many of the old favourites have returned, such as the Comforts of Grilled Cheese and Wine and the Starbucks Sparkling Brunch.

“The Festival is a testament to the phenomenal regional wine culture in the province, which has now surpassed $1 billion in wine sales annually, with B.C. wine comprising the largest market share of any region’s wines sold in the province,” said Blair Baldwin, General Manager, The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.

Erik Fisher the General Manager of the recently opened Monte Creek Ranch said he couldn’t be more excited to have the festival right in their backyard.

"The Okanagan Wine Festivals and Tourism Sun Peaks do a remarkable job each year to ensure the festival has lots of fun to offer everyone. As part of the new emerging wine region in Kamloops, we look forward to working with so many wonderful BC producers and making this festival the best one yet.”

Tickets range from $39 to $90, with packages including accommodation starting at $259 per person for the weekend. For complete event listings click here.