Hester Creek Estate Winery, located in Oliver BC, is holding several seasonal events in December, with classes, displays and specials that offer wine lovers plenty of holiday entertaining and gift-giving ideas. For the full calendar of activities, please visit www.hestercreek.com.

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With the grapes off the vines, and the dusting of snow on the sagebrush, it‘s holiday season in Okanagan wine country. Hester Creek Estate Winery, located along Oliver’s famed Golden Mile Bench, invites the public to get into the spirit at their new winery this December at their holiday events. Saturday December 5^th and Sunday December 6^th are the winery’s annual customer appreciation events, offering visitors outstanding wines to taste, appetizing snacks and a complimentary gift with wine purchases of six bottles or more. Winemaker Rob Summers, sales and marketing manager, Robin Openshaw and hospitality manager LeeAnn Openshaw will mingle with visitors and show off the beautiful new tasting room where wine lovers can choose from a wide variety of merchandise, including limited quantities of the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which will be released from the winery library. Other gift ideas include a vertical of Reserve Merlot contained in a beautiful wooden box offered for $125.00. Gift baskets are also available: either custom order gift baskets for friends, family or clients, or enter to win a “Golden Mile” gift basket!

To add to the festivities at the Saturday December 5^th event, local photographer Merle Summerville will be at the winery to display his pieces. Somerville has been photographing landscapes for over thirty years. Passionate about landscape, his works include more than 150 British Columbia parks, and locations in the United States, Australia, Central America and the South Pacific. Summerville’s recent work features BC viticulture and the romance of the vineyard landscape, a perfect fit for the Hester Creek environment.

On Sunday, December 6^th the excitement continues. First, complementing the other festivities, the work of local artist John Salsnek will be on show at Hester Creek. Salsnek possesses the unique ability to capture on canvas those moments in nature that evoke a range of emotional response, including both humour and familiarity. Salsnek’s work will be on display from the 6^{th to} the 13^th of December.

Also on the Sunday December 6^th, Alter Ego Design, the South Okanagan’s newest Wedding/Event Planning and Floral Design Company, presents an afternoon class in which participants create and take away their own seasonal table arrangements. Under the guidance of Alter Ego’s Wendy Lane, classmates will be assisted through the process of assembling a beautiful table centerpiece for the holidays. At $35.00, classes include all supplies and will run on the 6^th and the 13^th. Limited to 30 people, pre-registration is required, either at the winery or by calling 250-498-4435.

In the spirit of learning, on Tuesday December 8^th in the winery’s beautiful new demonstration kitchen, pastry chef Melanee Peers of Kelowna’s Cabana Bar & Grille will instruct a dessert cooking class. An accomplished and highly recognized pastry chef, Melanee will demonstrate desserts suitable for the holidays with an accent on fun and learning. Tickets for the class are $32.00 and include wine pairings, recipes, tips for your kitchen as well as dessert! Class size is limited to 14 so participants are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment. Call 250-498-4435 for registration.

With a range of events which will offer wine lovers plenty of holiday entertaining and gift-giving ideas, Hester Creek Estate Winery is a must-include on the holiday list. For the full calendar of activities and details, please visit www.hestercreek.com