The 21st annual Spring Okanagan “Bud Break” Wine Festival gets underway this week from April 30-May 10 with a record 123 local wineries participating.
Wine culture of the Okanagan offers a savoury experience for everyone from the foodie to the oenophile to the budding enthusiast. For the more than 15,000 Festival visitors it is a unique way to celebrate the arrival of spring in the Okanagan.
“Spring Festival is the kick off to wine touring season in the BC interior. As wineries, it is an opportunity to welcome back our guests and show everyone what we have to offer. It’s an exciting time of year and the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival provides us with a fun way to share it with visitors,” said Brooke Munday, Road 13 Vineyards.
“A record number of wineries opening their doors, beautiful spring weather, new wine releases, new restaurants and new events designed for those who love wine and food. If that sounds like a marvelous party, it is! With over 90 events up and down the Okanagan, the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival welcomes you to the fabulous wine region that in the last year alone was voted the #2 wine tourism region in the world by USA Today,” states Blair Baldwin, General Manager, The Okanagan Wine Festivals.
Amongst the over 90 events scheduled some popular annual festivities along with new activities are on tap for this year.
The weekend starts early on April 29 with an invite only Trade Tasting for staff of restaurants, hotels, bars and all licensees responsible for the sale of British Columbia Wines. For consumers, the first Festival Signature Event on Thursday April 30 is the Best of Varietal Wine Awards Reception, with a record 30 per cent increase in entries this year and the Valley’s celebrated winemakers in attendance, along with their award winning wines, it’s sure to be a palate pleaser.
The iconic WestJet Wine Tastings follow May 1-2nd with a party atmosphere and wineries from across the entire Valley. Delicious new offerings include an “Iron Sommelier” BC wine and food pairing competition at Okanagan College, as well as numerous sensory wine, viticulture and winemaking workshops throughout the Valley.
With grand openings of many architecturally impressive tasting rooms, a wide variety of outstanding Okanagan wines available, plentiful live local music, and “get home safe” offers at the Signature Events, a delectably fun and incredibly social time is in store. Visit www.thewinefestivals.com for additional information.
