Police watchdog called in
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Premier stands by pick
Canada's most-wanted list
Sask. will still get rebates
Santos ends comeback bid
Douglas C-54 plane crashes
Trump's 'eyes and ears'
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Phish fans enter the Sphere
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Iginla off to Europe
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Alleged Tupac killer in court
Lawsuit accuses Megan
Bam Margera’s tour axed
Get out your calendars, event season is coming
Sure, it’s only mid January, but some of the most popular wine, libations, and food events around the Okanagan and within a relatively short drive are already on track to sell out.
Even without much snow, that winter Okanagan cloud cover is has made its presence known. Fog alerts anyone?
To start 2019, here are a few things to get you out of the house till spring arrives.
Dine Around Thompson Okanagan kicks off this week, with nearly 50 restaurants around the region offering three-course dinners for a price fixe of $25, $35 or $45 through Feb. 3.
Try a new place or support a favourite. Suggestion? Enjoy a new dinner menu from the creative minds of Okanagan College’s Culinary and Pastry Arts students and instructors at Infusions at the Kelowna campus. Details: http://dinearound.ca/
Some of these students will be lucky enough to work alongside Canada’s best chefs at the Canadian Culinary Championships in Kelowna. Three intense competitions Feb. 1-2, culminating in a glorious grand finale with the band Chilliwack. If you binge watch food competitions, come see the real thing. Details: http://greatkitchenparty.com/ca/culinary-championships/
Combining a weekend on a ski hill with wine is a great plan, if you’re missing the snow.
The Oliver-Osoyoos Wineries Associations heads to Baldy Mountain Resort on Feb. 9 for the first Uncork! Winter Wine Festival. A dozen wineries pouring select, hard-to-find wines, presented by the winemakers themselves, with food stations including an ice wine snow cone station. Details: https://baldyresort.com/event/winter-wine-event/
And, once again, the wineries of Naramata Bench take over the legendary Gunbarrel Restaurant at Apex Mountain Resort for Vertical and Vintages on March 9. Eighteen wineries, delicious tapas, and an evening capped off by live music from the band UnCorked. Details: http://naramatabench.com/2019/01/naramata-wines-at-apex-mountain-vertical-vintages/
If you’re looking for a lower key night out, several wineries have nice options (and be sure to check your favourites for happy hours too).
Head to Summerhill Pyramid Winery for Cheese Fondue Night on Thursdays through April 25.
Quails’ Gate hosts Communal Table Dinners on Wednesdays until April 10, and Sunday Night Suppers through March 10.
Inspired to up your own cooking game? Sign up for a culinary class at Mission Hill, running until mid-March with a variety of topics, and Hester Creek will announce its cooking class schedule on Feb. 1, which always sells out quickly.
If you’re heading to the Lower Mainland soon, the Fraser Valley Distillery Festival is Feb. 2 in Chilliwack, with distillers from around the province including Okanagan producers.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival, featuring California as the theme region, is from Feb. 23 to March 9. Many Okanagan wineries attend, so there’s always a familiar pour or two at the large festival tastings.
Finally, if you missed an event last year, my advice? Get on the e-news list, Facebook page, or website for it. Book early.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
