Okanagan Wine Country vineyards produce fine wines, which are celebrated each year at this exciting summer festival.
This year’s 11th annual Summer Okanagan Wine Festival, which runs from July 6 through 15, 2012, is heating up, so now is the time to plan your tour of the Okanagan Wine Country vineyards and sample the world class wines from this scenic region of British Columbia.
Over 100 wineries in the region participate in this festival, which combines their distinct wines & locations (along with other venues) with a variety of events, which include:
- Tastings
- Pairings (everything from cheese & tapas to BBQ & elegant dinners)
- Eclectic Music Performances and Art Displays
- Mixology Competition
- Seminars
- and much more!
The Okanagan Valley is BC’s oldest and most prolific producer of wine grapes. Since 2001, it has also been home to this festival, a worthy celebration of the best wines of British Columbia.
Summer Okanagan Wine Festival Events Offer Something for Everyone
Wineries, restaurants and other venues all across the Okanagan Valley will host over 40 separate events (some recurring across several days). To help you plan your itinerary, this calendar of highlights has been organized by the Okanagan sub-regions:
Southern Okanagan Wine Festival Event Highlights
The southern Okanagan Wine Country wineries invite you to fill your glass during the summer wine festival.
DAILY
- 2:00 PM – Rose Revolution wine pairing at Okanagan Crush Pad Winery
- 3:00 PM – Summer Barbecue at Hillside Estate Winery
- 3:30 PM – “Signature Experience Collection” wine pairings at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
JULY 8, 2012
Valley First GranFondo Wine Tasting (6:30 PM – Gyro Park – Penticton)
Over 300 wines are available for pairing with cheeses, tapas and artisanal breads as you enjoy music and dancing at the beach.
JULY 13, 2012
All You Need Is Cheese & Wine – The Beach Party (7:00 PM – Watermark Beach Resort – Osoyoos)
The finest in Canadian cheeses and Okanagan wines combine with a variety of music and the beach to create a perfect summer party in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
View South Okanagan Bed and Breakfast B&Bs
Central Okanagan Wine Festival Event Highlights
The winemakers of Kelowna & Central Okanagan Valley invite you to savour their wines.
Valley First Pops the Cork (6:30 PM – Rotary Centre for the Arts – Kelowna)
Kelowna & Central Okanagan Valley wines, represented by over 30 wineries, are paired with artisanal cheeses, light tapas and live music.
JULY 12, 2012
Winetender Mixology Face-off (7:00 PM – BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop – Kelowna)
This wine cocktail competition is a highlight of the festival events as bartenders present signature drinks made with Okanagan valley wines to compete for the title of Winetender Mixology champion. The excitement (and samples) are not to be missed.
View Central Okanagan Bed and Breakfast B&Bs
View North Okanagan Bed and Breakfast B&Bs
For more information about this event and how to purchase tickets, please visit the Okanagan Wine Festivals website.
Choose Okanagan Lodging as Tasteful & Elegant as the Local Wines
Our Okanagan bed and breakfast inns offer a personalized lodging experience as you enjoy the Summer Okanagan Wine Festival and all the activities and attractions the Thompson Okanagan region has to offer. Take advantage of the BC Wine Tasting Getaway Specials of our membership.
Enjoy a wide array of breakfast choices, cozy and comfortable guest rooms, and the personalized service and local knowledge of the innkeepers at locations all across British Columbia’s Okanagan region.
What’s Your Okanagan Wine Festival Expectation or Experience?
The Okanagan Wine Festival has been celebrated in the Wine Country of the Okanagan Valley for over 10 years and has grown to become one of the premier wine events of Canada.
Please share your plans for this 2012 event and memories of past Okanagan Wine Festivals.