News

Penticton hosting competition to determine BC Top 50 wines

The start of the 45th Annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival is coming up in Penticton, with some format change-ups this year. On Friday, June 7, the event will kick off with the British Columbia Wine Awards – BC Top 50, revealing results from a panel of esteemed professional wine judges tasting the entries. For the first time, in place of the traditional medal system, the wines with...

Countdown to the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival

It’s still a month away but spring feels like it’s been whipping by, so why not start planning now for the spring version of the Okanagan Wine Festival? Starting June 2, which will be here before we know it, and running throughout the Okanagan Valley for three weeks, the festival will include many events and experiences to choose from before the busy summer season begins. This...

'Taste and Sip' your way through spring with Okanagan Wine Festivals

Several events are planned throughout the Okanagan between June 2-23. Okanagan Spring Wine Festivals are back. The festival pops the cork on three weeks of celebration at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday, June 7. It is preceded by the British Columbia Wine Awards private reception, where the 2024 BC Top 50 and the Wine of the Year will be...

TASTE and SIPS BC Wine Country at the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival

(KELOWNA, BC) The Okanagan Wine Festivals returns this June with three weeks in wine country you don’t want to miss. There is no better time to visit BC Wine Country than in June. Just before the summer season kicks into high gear, you can explore all your favourite wineries and discover hidden treasures. The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival will focus on a TASTE and SIPS series of events...

The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival Embraces Winter in Wine Country

(OKANAGAN VALLEY, BC) – As we turn the page on an exciting year of Okanagan Wine Festivals events, we look to kick off the new year with another incredible line up of Wine Festival programming. Starting with the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival. Launched in 2023, the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival returns with two weekends of Winter in Wine Country experiences. This year, the Spring and...

Anthony Gismondi: A reimagined Okanagan Fall Wine Festival

The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is reimagining itself, moving to a post-crush time-slot and offering elevated experiences throughout the Okanagan Valley from Oct. 27 through Nov. 5. Winemakers and growers will be preparing to barrel-down the fruit of the 2023 harvest and be more prepared to share in the festivities. Friday, Oct. 27, Valley First presents Après Crush — South Okanagan...

Welcome Back to the Okanagan during the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival

(KELOWNA, BC) – September 22, 2023: As we say goodbye to summer and usher in the fall in the Okanagan Valley, we  welcome back the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. Traditionally held at the beginning of October, the reimagined  Okanagan Fall Wine Festival will shift its focus to a post crush series of elevated experiences throughout the Okanagan  Valley during October 27th through November...

Wildfires scared away summer tourists; how to get them back in fall

This article has been contributed by INFOnews.ca Read the original article here or below Original Article The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association say now is a crucial time to rethink tourist strategies if small businesses are going to survive wildfire season. As the last few weeks of the tourist season roll to a close, business owners are left reeling from a lack of visitors...

Announcing the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine of the Year

(KELOWNA, BC) – The 44th Annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival presented by Valley First wrapped up last weekend with the much-anticipated British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards reception.   Held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday evening over 100 of the BC wine industry gathered to honour the award winning 2023 BC wines.   The...

The Results are in for the 2023 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards

(KELOWNA, BC) – April 17, 2023: On April 3 through 5, 2023, fifteen esteemed professional wine judges from Western Canada gathered in Penticton to participate on a blind tasting panel for the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards competition to choose the best wines in our province. The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards was established in 2018 in...

The Winter Winefest is coming to Canada's first "Wine Village!"

Attention wine lovers! The Winter Winefest is coming to Canada's first wine village, District Wine Village, and it's sure to be an unforgettable event. With a variety of delicious wines to taste and a beautiful setting, you won't want to miss out. Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the article on Trendsmag.ca for more information on what to...

The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival: Creating memorable January experiences in Wine Country

(KELOWNA, BC) – After a short pause in Summer and Fall this year, the Okanagan Wine  Festivals is ready to launch the The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival’s inaugural series of  programming! Join us at Big White Ski Resort on December 9 and 10 for the kick off!   The Okanagan Wine Festivals new strategic direction is focused on partnerships with key  destination stakeholders like Big...

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society appoints new General Manager

The Board of Directors of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is pleased to share with the BC Wine & Growers community the new appointment of General Manager Kimberly Hundertmark. Experienced and highly respected, Hundertmark is one of Canada’s leaders in Wine, Culinary and Destination Tourism. Leveraging her decades of experience and award-winning Festival leadership, we as a Board look...

Celebrate the Coming Season! The Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is Back

(KELOWNA, BC) March 9, 2022 – After two challenging years, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and Presenting Sponsor Valley First are thrilled to announce the welcoming back of guests to the 26th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival that will run from May 5th – 15th throughout the Okanagan Valley. The Festival brings wine lovers...

BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes the Best in BC Wines, Honours Tim Pawsey

(KELOWNA, BC) October 8, 2021 - The 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. In 2018, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced a new partnership to celebrate BC wines with the creation of the BC...

BC's Largest and Most Prestigious Wine Competition Returns to Kelowna

(KELOWNA) August 26, 2021 – On September 8-11, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society will once again hold the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards at Manteo Resort in Kelowna.  As the premier wine judging competition in BC, this event provides the opportunity for all licensed BC...

Wine Events Return to the Okanagan Valley!

For immediate release. (KELOWNA, BC) July 20, 2021 - The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announces the return to in-person consumer tastings with the BC Wine & Food Truck Feast on August 7 in Kelowna at the Okanagan Mission Community Hall.  Back by popular demand, this outdoor event sold out early in 2019, and tickets are selling quickly for this year’s relaunch.  Guests will enjoy...

British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes Record-Breaking Number of Wines, Honours Rafe Mair

For immediate release   (KELOWNA, BC) October 16, 2020 - The third annual 2020 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. In 2018, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced a new...

BC’s Largest and Most Prestigious Wine Competition Coming to Kelowna

For Immediate Release Okanagan Wine Festivals Society to host an A-list of wine judges (KELOWNA, BC) August 12, 2020 – On September 23-25, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society will once again hold the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards at Manteo Resort in Kelowna.  As the oldest, largest and most prestigious wine judging competition in BC, this event provides the opportunity for...

Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner Challenge

Immediate Release Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner Challenge! (April 8, 2020, Kelowna, BC) April is BC Wine month, so let's share the love for BC Wine! All you have to do is host a Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner with friends & family that includes BC Wines, snap a picture of your group, share it on social media and you’ll be entered to WIN one of two Fall Wine Country Weekend...