Whistler’s 14^th annual Cornucopia is taking the social media world by storm with an initiative that will bring wines featured at CRUSH to the masses, all the while creating a buzz about the wines, the event and the players.

CRUSH features a multitude of wineries and is so popular it takes place over two nights – Friday and Saturday. With the addition of the Twitter Wine Tastings, the far-reaching popularity of CRUSH is about to broaden even more.

Tourism Whistler and event producer Watermark, are pleased to announce that a new component has been added to this year’s CRUSH events – Twitter wine tastings. The craze has hit many wineries in the U.S. and Canada, with vintners exploring social media wine tastings as a way to open up the experience to more people and increase interest in wine events.

The Twitter hash tag is #cornucopiataste. Event attendees, winemakers, media and industry representatives will be participating by tweeting about the wines they are tasting at CRUSH. So, while an influential winemaker, industry professional or media rep tastes a wine, you can be sipping the same bottle and join in the conversation with your own comments, or just take down their recommendations for the next time you want to explore a new taste.

To participate in following and contributing to the online conversation on Twitter, users simply include the hash tag in their tweets and they will automatically join the thread. Media are reminded to follow @mediaTWhistler for the latest story ideas, quirky facts and updates on what’s new in Whistler.

Cornucopia: Whistler’s Celebration of Wine and Food takes place November 11-14 offering wine seminars, luncheons and parties galore. Never a dull moment to be had– tickets are still available to a myriad of events sure to please all palates and budgets.

Slow Food Artisan Market takes place at the Westin Resort & Spa Whistler on Saturday. This free event has become a Cornucopia favourite, showcasing the bounty of the region. Bring a tote bag because you’ll want to shop for organic cheeses, vegetables, baked goods and stunning artworks. The Westin’s executive chef, Bradley Cummings, will be preparing food stations throughout the market created with ingredients from the artisans. Sample tickets are just $1 each with each food and wine station priced at 1-7 tickets.

Wine Access presents Killer Value Wines on Sunday at the Whistler Conference Centre. Discover what makes wines a great value, whether they’re in the $10 range or the $25 range. A panel of wine experts will champion the domestic and international wines they believe offer consumers the best value. A wide range of wines from around the world will be selected and served blind. Following that, the panel will introduce their picks and explain the who, what, where, when and why for each wine. All wines sampled are available in B.C. Guests will also receive a copy of Wine Access magazine featuring the results of the 2010 International Value Wine Awards. Tickets for this event are $45 per person.

Wineries in Residence at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler offers a luxurious experience featuring the new Sidecut restaurant and winemakers from some of North America’s most distinguished wineries. At this reception-style luncheon, Chef Edison Mays will showcase samples from the Sidecut menu with pairings and presentations from featured wineries including Ehlers Estate, Merryvale Winery, Pahlmeyer, Miner Family Winery, Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars. Tickets for this event are $150 per person.

Bubbles and Brunch at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers guests a spectacular epicurean event at the Wildflower Restaurant. Bubbles and Brunch highlights the best of this year’s local harvest with fresh seafood and regionally-inspired fare prepared while guests watch. The menu is paired with a selection of still and sparkling wines. Bubbles and Brunch takes place on Sunday and offers the ultimate setting for a fond farewell to this year’s Cornucopia. Tickets for this event are $65 per person.

Detailed Cornucopia information including event schedules, ticketing information, participating wineries and restaurants, and an exciting list of celebrity chefs and seminar presenters is available at www.whistlercornucopia.com.

Cornucopia accommodation packages starting at $99 per night are available at www.whistler.com/cornucopia

Cornucopia’s parties will sell out so get your tickets now to avoid disappointment! whistlercornucopia.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

In 2009 we’re kicking off the festival in true BC style and flair at the ultimate “House Party”. Wine and dine the best that BC has to offer in gourmet BBQ, microbrewery beer, locally produced wine and even home grown vodka! Cornucopia is putting the “house” back in house party and welcoming festival attendees come on over and enjoy delights offered by our “city”, our “backyard”, our “house”. Don’t be late!

Fork & Vine @ Players Chophouse
Tickets: $45
Thursday November 12th, 2009
7pm-11pm

Breaking the biodynamic barrier, one wine at a time.
Join us @ Player’s Chophouse for a canap? and wine tasting soiree focused on celebrating the Organic and biodynamic practices being adopted at vineyards around the world. Along with recognizing Canada as reputable winemaking region, with its own organic wineries to boast of, this event promotes ecologically sound wines from the world over. Sample 5 different wines, from 5 major winemaking regions, all with biodynamic or organic certification. The wines will be paired with culinary offerings produced by Executive Chef, Jon Campbell.

ARTrageous
Tickets: $30
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Dusty’s in Creekside
8pm ‘til late

ARTrageous is Whistler’s original arts party, and a one-night stand for artists, art lovers and art class renegades. This sold-out event is an eclectic fusion of locally-made creations, costume, interactive art stations, photo studio experiments, funk music, dance and wine. As part of Cornucopia, ARTrageous will satisfy you creative appetite. Tickets are $30; WAC Member price is $15.
For more information visit whistlerartscouncil.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

Cocktails @ Lakeside Lounge at Nita Lake Lodge
Tickets: $33
Friday November 13th, 2009
6:30pm-8:30pm
“Nita Lake Lodge” Lakeside Lounge & Terrace in collaboration with Victoria Sprits Brings you a “high spirited cocktail hour” Including cocktail created at this year Vic Gin Shake Down competition in Vancouver. The Cocktails will be paired with gin inspired canap?s to make it Cocktail hour fit for Whistler Royalty.

CRUSH Gala Grand Tasting
Friday, November 13th, 2009 – 8:30pm – 11:15pm
The party to be part of and Cornucopia’s flagship event – The Grand Gala Tasting. ?So popular the event is now held on two nights – take your pick! Spoil your senses and indulge at CRUSH on Friday Nov. 13th or Saturday November 14th featuring the wine delights of over 75 wineries and heralded as the most anticipated wine event of the Fall.

Burlesque III
Tickets: ?$45
Friday, November 13th, 2009
Pre Party @ Mountain Club: 8pm – 10pm
Burlesque III @ Garfinkels Night Club: 10pm – 2am
Burlesque Pre Party:
The Pre-Party is where you warm up for the sexy and exciting night to come – Mingling with the lovely Burlesque Beauties and soaking up the Lounge Beats by international DJ Andreas Morel. Tickets include appetizers and 3 beverages, to be enjoyed here or at BURLESQUE!
Burlesque III:
Featuring two very special performances from, ‘Sweet Sin’ by the Burlesque Beauties and live entertainment beginning at 10:30pm. This year’s event boasts more live entertainment than ever before! Live Sax from Buddha Sax, and a set by Bobby James, of Drummatic, plus live vocals by Christine Sing. Burlesque III has something for all senses.

TOP 25 – Celebratory Reception
Tickets: $25
Friday Nov. 13th, 2009
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Lower Level Retail Concourse
5pm-7pm
The Top 25 is an exclusive celebratory reception showcasing the “25 Best Wines of the Festival” as determined by an esteemed 12 person panel of industry experts. This exclusive casual walk around event is sure to get your weekend off to a great start with the best of the best being poured in this intimate setting, coupled with a selection of canap?s prepared by the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

And the winners are…
Jackson–Triggs Okanagan Estate Proprietors’ Reserve Shiraz
Cristalino Cava Brut
Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery Sparkling Non Vintage Tribute
Arrowleaf Cellars Special Select Late Harvest Vidal 2008
Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Merlot 2007
Rodney Strong Vineyards Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Beringer Founders’ Estate Merlot 2006
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Discovery Series Malbec 2007
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2006
Road 13 Vineyards Fifth Element 2006
Cat Amongst the Pigeons “Nine Lives” Shiraz 2007
Rodney Strong Vineyards Russian River Pinot Noir 2007
Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2007
Garnacha de Fuego Grenache 2008
Bodegas Ostatu Rioja Crianza 2006
Penfolds Barossa Valley Bin 138 GMS 2007
Altesino Rosso Di Toscana 2007
Hester Creek Estate Winery Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006
See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2007
Road 13 Vineyards Jackpot Chardonnay 2007
Pikes Winery Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2008
Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2007
Bastianich Sauvignon “B” 2008
NK’Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay 2007

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH

CRUSH Gala Grand Tasting
Saturday, November 14th, 2009 – 8:00pm – 11:30pm
The party to be part of and Cornucopia’s flagship event – The Grand Gala Tasting. ?So popular the event is now held on two nights – take your pick! Spoil your senses and indulge at CRUSH on Friday Nov. 13th or Saturday November 14th featuring the wine delights of over 75 wineries and heralded as the most anticipated wine event of the Fall.

BUBBLES + OCEANS AFTERPARTY @ Araxi
Tickets: $150, all inclusive
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
10:30 pm
After Crush complete your evening at Araxi’s BUBBLES + OCEANS, a chance to let your hair down in the heart of Whistler Village. A DJ will set the stage for an unforgettable night of sensational music, seductive seafood and luxe bubbles, from 20 of the world’s top Champagne and sparkling wine houses. Executive Chef James Walt will showcase an impressive selection of finely-crafted canap?s and his fabled seafood platters including the finest fresh shucked oysters, sushi and Tofino Dungeness crab. This not-to-be-missed party at Whistler’s premier restaurant is one of the festival’s hottest tickets!

Chopstix,Turntables n’ Lace
Tickets: $50
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Doors at 9pm – Fashion Show at 10pm
Longhorn Saloon
Asian infused canap?s and cocktails perfectly paired with a show stopping Lingerie inspired fashion show. The show will feature designs from Clothes Minded Apparel and Shea Couturiere whilst showcasing the local talents of Lara and Angela Cooney and Vancouver’s own Shea O’Connor. Sake mixology, domestic and import wines with a selection of imported Asian Beers to taste. Guest DJ to be announced.

For more information and events, please visit: whistlercornucopia.com!

Tickets and packages
Great accommodation AND Crush ticket packages!

3 Peak accommodation: from $170
4 Peak accommodation: from $201
5 Peak accommodation: from $214

Now available at www.whistlercornucopia.com alongside details of the four day event program. Make sure you get your tickets early, especially for Cornucopia’s annual sell-out events!