Cool white wines, full bodied reds, and harmonious pairings in a crisp winter setting—the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society has organized seven new, unique events to this year’s Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival.
Now in its 16th year, the nine-day festival from January 11-19, 2014, brings together 30 celebrated British Columbia wineries in an enticing combination of varietals and local flavours in a spectacular alpine setting. The festival is unique in Canada, in offering extensive wine and culinary festivities during the height of the winter ski season.
Alongside classic favourites, the new events include Snowshoe, S’mores & Mulled Wine; Starbucks Sparkling Brunch; Comforts of Grilled Cheese & Wine; Crescendo the Symphony of Taste; Wine 101; Assemblage; and A Conversation with the Chef.
Best Bets for Tickets:
In the earliest sell out to date, several events this year saw tickets snapped up shortly after going on sale, including the Port, Chocolate & Cheese: After the Après Social and the British Columbia Wine Awards Tasting. Tickets are still available for the remaining 17 events and are going quickly. Guaranteed to also sell out are the Sun Peaks Progressive Tasting presented by WestJet and the revamped locals’ favourite Taste of the Thompson, among others. Guests are encouraged to book early to avoid missing one of their favourite events.
“Skier, snowboarder, wine connoisseur or foodie, the Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival has something for everyone. It’s a quintessential Canadian experience, where you can enjoy traditional winter recreation with sunny blue skies and dry, light powder along with award-winning B.C. wines, cuisine and western hospitality,” said Blair Baldwin, General Manager of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. “We’ve been called one of the most intimate winter wine festivals in the world, which aptly depicts the experience here at Sun Peaks. Daily events provide guests an opportunity to interact with the winemakers and winery owners on a personal basis.”
“Now in its 16th year, the festival has grown tremendously since first started in 1998, from just one weekend of festivities to nine days of revelry,” said Brandi Schier, Media Specialist with Tourism Sun Peaks. “It now involves thousands of guests, many of them returning year after year. People love pairing B.C. wines with B.C.’s favourite winter recreational activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and more.”
Sun Peaks’ expansive mountain terrain and endless outdoor winter recreation opportunities are the perfect backdrop for the wineries of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and local chefs to prepare an elevated après ski experience found nowhere else. With over 100 different wines making an appearance, guests are bound to leave with more than one new favourite indulgence. Tickets range from $29.50 to $85, with packages including accommodation starting at $149 per person, per night. Early bird pricing is available until November 23, with a 10 per cent discount off two and three night packages.
For complete event listings go to: https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/wine-festival.
Photo courtesy of Sun Peaks.
SnowOnline Editor: Lori Knowles
