Popping corks and sipping is taken to a whole new level at the Naramata Bench Wineries Association tailgate party.
The event, which takes place Sept. 8, features the 21 wineries on the Bench, live music, dancing and a Salmon Showdown with some of the Okanagan’s best chefs who will square off for a panel of celebrity judges.
“It is meant to be a party, a fall celebration of wine making on the Bench,” said Tina Baird, of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association. “The Naramata Bench, I think, has become well known for being accessible, warm, open and inviting. We really see the value of all the people behind the wine really being able to connect with the consumers. Also, this group of wineries really likes to have fun.”
It is why the tagline for the association is a story in every bottle, a perk Baird says visitors get when they visit wineries first-hand and listen to the stories of the winery, winemakers and about the region.
“Selling wine is about not just only having good wine, but also about the stories of the people who are making the wine,” said Baird.
Which there will be plenty of time to learn about those stories at the tailgate party, or, if attendees purchase a supergate ticket to the after-party. This is a brand new event this year that gives the opportunity to 100 ticket-holders to stay after the party and meet the chefs and have more one-on-one time with the winemakers and winery owners. The after party will also include an oyster bar, more food, exclusive wine tastings and live music. Music for both events is being provided by Shane Philip, who is touted as a one-man band. Philip juggles instruments, borrowing from folk, reggae, blues and world music.
Baird said all the winery owners and wine makers are excited to share their experiences.
“There are now 21 wineries and some are very large to very small. They are all distinctive in their own way, which I think is the beauty of the Naramata Bench. What they all have in common is a sense of place and they are all very proud of the Naramata Bench and proud of the wines they are producing off the Bench,” said Baird. “The association really is all about Naramata, so having our event in the heart of Naramata, this time at Manitou beach, is part of the whole thing of being very much about this sense of place.”
The chef challenge is part of the expansion the event has taken on this year, with chefs from Lakeside Resort, various wineries, the El Dorado Hotel and Waterfront Bistro in Kelowna all taking part. They will square off trying to make the best pairing of salmon and Naramata Bench wine as judged by TV news personalities, editors and writers from various newspapers and magazines and tailgate revellers. The salmon dinner will be rounded out with signature fixings from The Bench Artisan Food market. Master of Ceremonies for the tailgate party will be Terry David Mulligan, creator and host of Tasting Room Radio.
Tickets to the main event which runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m., are $89. For supergate tickets, which include access to the main event, they are $155 and the after-party will run until 10 p.m. Shuttles to and from Penticton will be available all evening, with pickup at the Penticton Wine Information Centre, are sponsored by Westland Insurance. For more info and tickets visit www.naramatabench.com or call 1-800-663-1900.
