Celebrate the Harvest at Sun Peaks – October 8-10, 2010
A showcase of fine food, wine and beer, Autumn Bounty at Sun Peaks Resort celebrates the best in the Thompson-Okanagan Valley. Enjoy breakfast at a local ranch, watch an Iron Chef competition at the indoor Farmers’ Market, or experience a multi-course Gala dinner highlighting top producers from the region. The celebration of fare allows guests to sample some incredible cuisine prepared from the fantastic product available right here in our region, paired with phenomenal wines. From the Okanagan Springs House Party with beer samples and complementary appetizers, to the perennial sell out The Winemaker and The Farmer, a lunch featuring exclusively organic products, the events all highlight the importance of supporting local and regional farmers and producers.
www.sunpeaksresort.com
Similkameen Wine Tasting at the Grist Mill in Keremeos
One of the most popular events for the Okanagan-Similkameen last year was the Similkameen Wine tasting at the beautiful Grist Mill in Keremeos. This historic site with its ample sunshine, fresh air, relaxing gardens of flowers and the reliable early September weather is the perfect location to taste wines and enjoy some of the great locally grown food that the Similkameen is famous for.
The event runs on Sunday September 12th from 1-4pm in the gardens of the 1800’s Grist Mill. The wineries will gather on the grounds by the newly restored Mill to share good wine, food and fun for the whole family. Tickets are just $30 and include a lunch of locally grown and prepared food (proceeds supporting the Grist Mill), two wine tasting tickets, a Similkameen Wineries Association wine glass (to take home), live music from the Darylectones and children’s activities. Extra tickets for food and wine can be purchased for $2.50 for wine tasting and $6 for food.
The Similkameen is getting increasing attention for the quality of its fruit and grape wines. The stunning mountains and landscapes of the Similkameen valley, the complex soils, hot summers and invigorating wind all make for special growing conditions and special wines. These events are a great chance to see what all the fuss is about.
ABOUT THE SIMILKAMEEN WINERIES ASSOCIATION:
The Similkameen Wineries Association has formed due to the rapid growth of vineyards and wineries in the Similkameen Valley. Eight wineries have joined together to help educate wine drinkers about what makes the terroir of the Similkameen Valley special and to promote agri-tourism in the region.
The Similkameen Valley is growing rapidly as a wine region. Acreage of vineyards has increased from 207 acres in 2004 to over 600 acres in 2010. This rapid growth reflects the re-discovery of the potential for this wine region. Until recently, many of the grapes grown in the Similkameen had been sold to wineries in the Okanagan contributing to their awards lists. Now the Similkameen region has 11 wineries, is bona-fide wine country itself and is starting to show the quality of wine this great and diverse terroir can produce.
More information on the Similkameen Wineries Association can be found at www.similkameenwine.com, by email at info@similkameenwine.com or by phoning Rhys Pender at 250.317.8796.
Grapes of Wrath to Play at Hester Creek’s New Outdoor Amphitheatre
Nothing compares to the relaxing atmosphere found at Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver, and this midsummer event invites wine lovers to chill under the twilit sky and hear the music of one of Canada’s most famous bands, reunited.
Grapes of Wrath will play at Hester Creek’s open-air amphitheatre on Friday, July 30, at 7pm. Tickets are $35 for the lawn (no chairs) or $50 for Patio Table Seating. Call the winery at 250-498-4435 to reserve. No Minors. Hester Creek wines are available for purchase. No other alcohol permitted by law. Learn more at www.hestercreek.com
The Grapes of Wrath was formed in 1983 by Chris Hooper, Tom Hooper and Kevin Kane. After the release of five albums they became one of Canada’s most successful pop bands before disbanding in 1992. In 2000, Kane and Hooper began working together again, with drummer Matt Brain. In the years since, they have realized that fans continue to follow their music, and they now play to packed festivals throughout the province.
About Hester Creek Estate Winery
Hester Creek Estate Winery, situated within 95-acres on the bountiful Golden Mile Bench, has a long and interesting history in the Okanagan Valley. Under the direction of current owner Curt Garland, the experience found there today is completely new. The Mediterranean-influenced grounds, winery, and guest villa evokes an old-world sense of tranquility that take you back to a more simple, unhurried era. Discover winemaker Rob Summers’ fresh, lively wines that convey the extraordinary place where they were grown. Join in a cooking class, relax on the patio among the vines, or browse in the new wine shop for giftware to accompany visitors’ wine purchases. Visit one of the world’s most recent and exciting wine discoveries. The South Okanagan Valley’s “Golden Mile Bench” and Hester Creek await guests’ arrival. www.hestercreek.com
Feast of Fields Okanagan
FEAST OF FIELDS OKANAGAN IS THE ULTIMATE 25-COURSE WANDERING, WINE-PAIRED TASTING MENU – AND A STEAL FOR $85!
Starting Today Get Your Tickets for the August 22 Culinary Showcase
FarmFolkCityFolk is pleased to announce the location and date for the Okanagan’s second annual Feast of Fields event. On Sunday, August 22, Brock Farm in Okanagan Falls will play host to the celebration of farmers, vintners, chefs, food, artisans and producers of all kinds.
A 25-course, wine-paired, wandering tasting menu for just $85? That’s what guests of the second annual Okanagan Feast of Fields will be treated to. Twenty-five of the top chefs of the Okanagan-Similkameen have paired with local farmers, wineries and breweries to create this celebration of local food.
On arrival, guests are handed a linen napkin and a wine glass and head off to roam and discover the great food and beverages of the region. Set in the beautiful fields of Brock Farm in Okanagan Falls, surrounded by stunning mountains and vineyards, guests will have the arduous task of tasting and sampling through more than 25 menu items.
“This event is great value,” says Feast of Fields coordinator Rhys Pender, “where else can you enjoy the creations of 25 restaurants in one place at one time? And each one paired with wine or beer? It is a dream come true for food lovers who want to experience the best of the Okanagan culinary scene and meet the producers and chefs that create it together.” Tickets are available online at www.feastoffields.com and at Choices Market in Kelowna. Tickets are $85 for adults and $15 for children aged 7 – 12 and free for those under 6.
Feast of Fields showcases the strong connections between farmer and chef and highlights producers of Okanagan wine, beer and artisanal food products. The area’s food and agricultural communities unite to present a fantastic culinary showcase while raising awareness of the importance and enjoyment of eating locally. Stay tuned to see who is participating!
The event is a fundraiser for FarmFolkCityFolk and their work with both farm and city to help create a sustainable food system for British Columbia. The Okanagan-Similkameen region is a hotbed of food production with the fruits and vegetables of the region highly sought after by chefs throughout British Columbia. Not only will guests have a great culinary experience but know that all proceeds are going to help create great experiences into the future.
Feast of Fields provides the public with an up-close-and-personal opportunity to sample and swirl local products while supporting a not-for-profit organization that has been committed to food security projects in British Columbia since 1993. Proceeds from Feast of Fields benefit the provincial work of FarmFolkCityFolk. Last year FarmFolkCityFolk earmarked $5000 of the proceeds to go to the BC Seeds Project.
Keep up with all the Feast of Fields happenings – click here to visit our blog and check us out on Facebook .
Midsummer Magic Music and Wine Gala Celebration at Mission Hill Family Estate
50th Anniversary of the Okanagan Symphony is Golden
The Okanagan Symphony is celebrating their 50th year with a gala benefit this weekend, July 17, at Mission Hill Family Estate winery. The most substantial fundraising activity for the OSO of the year, the evening regularly raises about $80,000 annually of their $800,000 budget. The largest performing arts organization in BC’s interior, the funding helps support the approximately 50 musicians, a conductor, and guest artists.
Originally founded as a community orchestra, the OSO began as a fledgling group of 24 musicians who paid for the privilege of performing under the auspices of a night school class at Penticton High School in the autumn of 1959. With no live symphonic music available at that time between Vancouver and Calgary, a small group of amateur musicians would come together from the surrounding region with the resolute support of locals Hugh and Eva Cleland of Penticton and Wilbur and Mabel Hill of Westbank. Conductor William Bertsch would drive from Vancouver is his 1949 Austin camping along the way with his young wife for the weekend practices, with locals pitching in to help feed and house them all. The Orchestra’s first concert performance included Gershwin’s popular Rhapsody in Blue, along with selections from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Bach, which were performed in March 1960 in Kelowna, Penticton, Revelstoke and Vernon with a budget that year of only $1625.
The upcoming OSO benefit is the first of an exciting season of cultural festivities at Mission Hill with the introduction of their Reserve Concert Series, which feature noted jazz artists and highly acclaimed Canadian operatic and symphony performers. The concerts afford a unique opportunity to enjoy a live performance in an unrivalled natural setting. The outdoor Greek style amphitheatre provides a stunning view of the Monashee Mountains and Lake Okanagan, sure to enchant audiences on a fine summer evening.
The Gala is one of the most sought after events of the season in the Valley, and this year, to celebrate the Okanagan Symphony’s 50th anniversary, the theme of the evening is The Glitter of Gold. In the spirit of the celebration, guests are encouraged to wear gold and a unique ‘Glitter of Gold Reverse Draw’ will offer a myriad of prizes, including a coveted 5 oz. gold bar.
“These challenging fiscal times have placed tremendous stress on the arts and we as a community need to support artistic organizations such as the OSO, which are an integral part of the cultural backbone of our society,” says Anthony von Mandl, Proprietor, Mission Hill Family Estate. “Like great wine, great musicians are nurtured, valued and appreciated. The Okanagan Symphony’s half-century of musical magic presents a historic event for the Valley that has been enriched by the talents, vision and cultural calling of those associated with this impressive company.”
“With the recent deep cuts in government funding we are grateful to Mission Hill who supports this region and its arts with world-class flair and unflagging devotion,” says Tim Watson, Acting General Manager, Okanagan Symphony. “We’ve come a long way since 1960 and this year’s gala pays fitting tribute to our 50th Anniversary in a truly magical setting. We encourage music enthusiasts from around the Pacific Northwest to join us this weekend in helping lay the foundation for another successful half century.”
Kick-off the festivities with a champagne toast, followed by a lovely reception on the winery’s piazza. Winery Chef Matthew Batey will create golden gastronomy with his inspired cuisine du terroir paired with Mission Hill’s award-winning wines. Dine alfresco, soaking up the beautiful Okanagan scenery while enjoying live musical interlude performances by Okanagan Symphony musicians. This year featuring brass and percussion – the Brass-tastics, along with special guest artists – jazz singer, Anna Jacyszyn and world renowned Alphornist, Jim Hopson.
Highlights include a live and silent auction of collector wines donated by Okanagan wineries and private cellars as well as a selection of luxurious travel packages, tantalizing food and Okanagan wine experiences, and dazzling works of art. The evening will be hosted by Rosemary Thomson, Music Director and Conductor of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and Terry David Mulligan, Television, Radio and Broadcast personality.
Of note, other concerts this summer at the winery include Grammy nominated musician Wil Campa and his 13 piece orchestra direct from Cuba, who will perform their unique blend of Afro-Cuban jazz music on August 7. Highly acclaimed by the New York Times, Wil has performed with Cuban legends Omara Portuondo and Ibrahim Ferrer (of Buena Vista Social Club) and with North American stars like Wynton Marsalis and Natalie Cole. On September 3, Juno award winning jazz guitarist Jesse Cook will look to repeat his previous 2008 sold out show at the winery on Labour Day Weekend. The finale to the season is a benefit concert on September 18 by the Canadian Tenors with their eclectic mix of classical and contemporary pop, in support of a Vancouver-based charity doing work in Africa. Special pre-concert dinner packages to celebrate the cultural festivities are available at the Terrace Restaurant, which offers guests breathtaking vistas of the vineyards and lake. Gourmet fare and Mission Hill’s award winning wines will also be available. Visit missionhillwinery.com/reserveconcertseries for more information.
About the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) is the third largest professional Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, and has entertained residents of the Okanagan Valley and visitors from around the globe with symphonic music since 1960. The OSO is dedicated to bringing the passion of symphonic music to life throughout the Okanagan, while educating, entertaining, and reaching out to all generations. Last year over 85% of the OSO’s three-quarters of a million dollars budget was reinvested directly back into the community to the musicians, and spin-offs to Okanagan based businesses, restaurants, hotels and theatres. Visit okanagansymphony.com for more information.
About Mission Hill Family Estate
Mission Hill Family Estate is world renowned for its award-winning wines, stunning setting and architecture, and its Cuisine du Terroir-based Terrace Restaurant. The winery’s vineyards are located in five distinct growing regions of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Reflective of the origin and unique character of the Valley and of the careful ‘pruning to bottle’ program, Oculus, our signature Bordeaux-inspired wine, represents the pinnacle in premium winemaking. Proprietor Anthony von Mandl and winemaker John Simes produce elegant internationally acclaimed wines with New World flavours and Old World refinement from this incomparable lakeside mountaintop winery. Visit missionhillwinery.com for more information.
