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Okanagan Fall Wine Festival tastier than ever

Festival celebrating 38 years
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Celebrating 38 years, The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society (OWFS) promises a tastier-than-ever 2018 Fall Okanagan Wine Festival, with new and reinvigorated events. OWFS Signature Events are token free, so all tastings are included in the ticket price.

Several events — including the first-annual British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards & Reception — took place in late September, but there’s still lots to come the first week of October. In addition to the events below, numerous activities are being held at various winery and restaurant settings throughout the Okanagan. See thewinefestivals.com for a comprehensive list.

Young chefs compete plate to plate

Don’t miss the Young Chefs event on October 4, where apprentice chefs compete to create a unique small plate that pairs perfectly with their partner winery. Presented by the Kelowna International Airport, it will be held in the atrium of the Centre for Learning at Okanagan College. Taste creative bites prepared by young, talented chefs in this beautiful setting. Bring your smartphone and vote for People’s Choice Best Food & Wine Pairing while professional judges choose the Top Young Chef. For this RE/MAX Kelowna Safe Ride Home event, tickets are $79 (plus tax and fees).

Cropped expanded

The grand finale, Cropped, is Oct. 5 and 6, located at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. It is presented by Valley First and is BC’s largest wine tasting and farmers market. It’s a sensory and visual experience that perfectly encapsulates the Okanagan in its full autumn splendour.

Join nearly 1,000 guests each night to explore the 80 (or so) wineries featured — that’s roughly 250 wines available to taste. Tickets are $69 plus tax and fees for one night, or $110 plus tax and fees for both nights. This BC Liquor Stores Safe Ride Home event now offers, for an additional fee, shuttles to and from Kelowna.

While sipping on local wine at Cropped, feel free to browse and shop at artisan vendors. There’s also a food stage where local chefs compete and offer cooking demonstrations. Enjoy live music and delicious food from local restaurants and caterers. Favourite wines of the evening can be purchased to take home Thursday at the on-site wine store, provided by Public Liquor. Accommodation packages are available at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Ramada Penticton Hotel & Suites.


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