(April 23, 2012: Kelowna, BC) From May 3 through May 13, the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival presented byValley First provides a great reason to visit the wineries of the Okanagan and taste new releases. With the economy rebounding and new wineries opening, expectations are high for a successful Festival.
Eric Von Krosigk, Chair of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society comments “There are a record 112 wineries set to greet tourists with their personal service and creative events that make up the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. They present an amazing array of wines and cultures here in the Okanagan. And when you add in our sunny disposition – be it our people or the weather – the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is a great deal of fun.”
This is the 18th year for the celebration of bud break. With events in the Similkameen, Osoyoos, the Golden Mile, Oliver, Okanagan Falls, Naramata Bench, Penticton, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive, the Westside Wine Trail, the Kelowna Wine Trail, Lake Country and Salmon Arm, the choice of events is vast and caters to a wide audience of wine and food enthusiasts.
The 2012 Spring Okanagan Wine Festival events guide is a free 48 page colour guide that is available online atwww.thewinefestivals.com or www.kelownadailycourier.ca. Copies can also be picked up at 112 Okanagan wineries, Valley First branches, Starbucks, Nesters, Tourism Information Centres or BC Liquor Stores in the Okanagan.
The Signature Event of the opening weekend of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is the WestJet Wine Tastings held in Kelowna at the Rotary Centre for the Arts Friday May 4 and Saturday May 5. Over 50 wineries will be pouring new releases and with live music and a Safe Ride Home, the evening offers a tour of the Okanagan Valley in one funky location. Tickets to the WestJet Wine Tastings are $65 all inclusive and available online at www.selectyourtickets.comor by calling 250-717-5304. In addition this year, guests are encouraged to support the “Feed The Valley” program aimed at supporting Food Banks in the Okanagan. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the WestJet Wine Tastings where receptacles will be available. Angela Brown, Assistant Vice-President, Marketing for Valley First states “Our Feed The Valley partnership with the region’s Food Banks has become a very successful local movement. It is a sign of community leadership from the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society that it is willing to assist with the delivery of this important social program that is helping to eliminate hunger in the Okanagan. ”
For more information on the 18th Okanagan Spring Wine Festival presented by Valley First, visitwww.TheWineFestivals.com or call 250-861-6654.
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