With the snow gone early and the entire valley excited about the first of the spring blossoms, it’s time to tip a glass and taste the promise of what more than 120 Okanagan wineries will be offering this summer.
The entire valley is poised to plunge into an annual rite of spring—a barrel load of wine events that pair the best in Okanagan wines with amazing plates of food, cycling tours and vineyard hikes, and even the chance to get your fingers in the dirt with viticulture workshops and winemaking seminars.
The party really gets rolling between April 30 and May 10 when special events are offered at wineries all around Kelowna. There’s so much going on we couldn’t even begin to list it all, but you can get a better sense of the lay of the land by visiting thewinefestivals.com and kelownawinetrails.com
To give you a leg up, here are some of the best tours or events to partake in this spring:
West Jet Wine Tastings – May 1-2
Looking to try something new? West Jet offers up a weekend of wine at the Rotary Arts Centre. Check it out for an evening, if you’d like a taste, or opt for a full weekend pass, if you’re a true wine aficionado.
Iron Sommelier – May 9
Are you a lover of food AND wine? This new event is the perfect pairing. In fact, it pits sommeliers against each other while they pair delicious foods and delectable wines together. You get to be the judge while enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Driven Tours – Ongoing
Enjoy wine without worrying about how you’re going to get around. There are many companies in Kelowna who provide a variety of tours (as well as special and private events) to fulfill your every Okanagan dream. Check out the Lakeshore wineries or those in West Kelowna, or if you’re feeling adventurous, a helicopter tour might be for you!
Monashee Tours – Ongoing
Mixing cycling and wine is truly an experience. Monashee Tours provides a variety of options leading you to a selection of great vineyards. Explore Kelowna’s landscape and indulge in their world-famous wines while you’re at it!
Imagine these gorgeous wineries and fun events as a backdrop to the special occasion of your spring birthday or the celebration of wedding vows now years in the past. Imagine all the new friends you’ll make giving everyone yet another reason to raise a toast.
Better yet, don’t just imagine it. Make it a reality. It’s the spring wine festival season. Come share the celebration.
