The Okanagan Summer Wine Festival is pulling out the stops for it’s 11th year.
For nine years of its existence, the event was centralized at Silver Star mountain resort near Vernon. Last year, organizers took baby steps to expand and brought it down from the mount.
The year 2012 promises to be a breakout one in terms of attendees. Signature events will take place in Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos and the festival has also partnered with the GranFondo Kelowna, where some 3,000 cyclists are ready to party after the gruelling race. The Okanagan Summer Wine Festival runs from July 7 to 15 and The GranFondo is on July 8.
“They’re here for the cycling and many are from around the world and not that familiar with the Okanagan but they sure will be,” says Blair Bald-win, project manager for The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.
After the GranFondo race, the thun-der-thighed cyclists can celebrate at a beer garden-style wine tasting in Penticton’s Gyro Park. “We’ll host 400 people at the park for wine tasting, there’s a rock band and we’re targeting an energetic audience,” says Baldwin.
The target audience for the Summer Wine Festivals is more tourist than wine aficionado, he says. “It captures the spirit and essence of what the Okanagan is about in the summer. It’s the hot, sultry weather when people are thinking of the outdoors and lake fronts, beaches, parks and strolls as well as various sporting and cultural events. Our positioning is not necessarily wine primary. What we want to do is while they’re here, give them a full introduction and indoctrination into wine culture.”
It also happens to be the peak of the growing season, perfect for the food offerings that go with the wine events. Some 113 wineries will participate, with special dinners, events and entertainment at the winery sites.
“There’ll be summer kickoff parties, sexy summer sipping, artists on site, dinners in vineyards,” says Baldwin.
The festival kicks off with a wine, cheese and music event (Valley First Pops The Cork) on July 7 at the Arts Common by the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna. Some 30 wineries will be pouring. Other signature events include the GranFondo Wine Tasting at Gyro Park, Penticton on July 8; a mixology competition (Wine-tender Mixology Face-off) in Kelowna where bartenders create a signature bar drink using a B.C. wine on July 12; and a cheese and wine beach party (All You Need Is Cheese and Wine) at Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos on July 13.
“We ran the first nine festivals at Silver Star on a weekend in August. The 113 member wineries were saying they needed something bigger,” says Baldwin.
“We know that the success of the Okanagan as a hot summer brand will allow us to cross promote our natural beauty and weather with a wonderful way to experience Okanagan Wine Country in the summer peak.”
Events will be listed online as they are confirmed.
For tickets and information go to www.thewinefestival.com.
mstainsby@vancouversun.com
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