eEaster fundraiser for Rabbit Rescue

Township 7 Vineyards & Winery is holding their Fifth Annual Easter Egg Hunt and rabbit/small animal rescue fundraiser Sunday, April 24, 2011 at their Langley winery.  Festive Easter activities are being held throughout the day for adults and children including home-baked goodies, picnic basket accoutrements and artisanal chocolate by XOXOlat for sale; an Easter Egg hunt and birdhouse building for kids; wine seminars, new spring wine releases and specials, and live music for adults. New this year, Township 7’s winemaker Brad Cooper will hold Chardonnay seminars. Partial proceeds from the day’s festivities will be donated to the local charity, Small Animal Rescue Society (formerly BC Rabbit Rescue), which has placed over 1500 animals in homes since its inception in 2004.

Planted in more wine regions than any other grape, Chardonnay is an ideal wine for Easter meals with its incredible diversity of oaked and un-oaked styles to possible food pairings, that range from eggs benedict or grilled salmon with Easter brunch to roast ham or Turkey for Easter dinner.  Township 7’s winemaker Brad Cooper will give two short seminars exploring its different vinification styles from buttery, full malolactic richness with tropical fruit flavours common in the new world to stainless steel fermented, austere citrus characteristics common in Chablis, and it’s use in the Blanc de Blanc style of Champagne.

“We’re offering a unique afternoon of spring activities that really works, with kids having a fun time with the Easter Egg hunt, crafts table and bunnies, while the parents can relax with wine and live music in the vineyard. We encourage people to bring a picnic basket and enjoy the afternoon, while supporting a good local cause,” said Mike Raffan, proprietor, Township 7 Vineyards and Winery.  “We’re also proud to continue our support for the Small Animal Rescue Society. One of our tasting room staff is a long-time volunteer and the work they do with saving abandoned rabbits is a great community service, particularly one that is timely at Easter.”

“Although Easter should be our favourite time of year, we caution parents to refrain from buying a rabbit for their children at Easter.  Rabbits make a poor pet for a child and can be up to a ten-year commitment.  Rather than choosing a live Easter bunny, we suggest choosing a chocolate one instead…. and of course, wine for the parents,” said Lisa Hutcheon, co-founder, Small Animal Rescue Society.  “There are no retirement homes for Easter rabbits which is one of the main reasons their rescue group has so many rabbits in its care.  We look forward to this being a great opportunity for people to come to Township 7 on April 24 and meet some real ex-Easter bunnies and learn more about what makes them special.”

Winemaker Seminar 1 & 3 pm (free)

Not ABC: why Chardonnay is the world’s most versatile and popular white grape. Learn about the different vinification styles in blind tastings and the distinct qualities of Okanagan & Fraser Valley terroir

Wine & Culinary Feature

New Spring Releases Chardonnay 2009 and Unoaked Chardonnay 2009

Special Spring Rosé 2008 sale

Bring an empty basket and “Build Your Own Picnic” for brunch

For children* (noon-4)

Easter Egg Hunt

Birdhouse building

*by donation to charity, RSVP requested to gail@township7.com

ABOUT TOWNSHIP 7 VINEYARDS & WINERY

Founded in 2001, Township 7’s acclaimed handcrafted wines are produced in small lots from the best vineyards from our winery on the Naramata Bench, in the south Okanagan Valley, and from vineyards at our winery in the Fraser Valley. Our boutique winery is committed to creating exceptional wines that are complex, flavourful and well balanced. The Langley wine shop is housed in the beautiful south Langley countryside in a quaint building reminiscent of the many riding stables in the neighbourhood.  Our Okanagan wine shop is surrounded by 7 acres of vines on the picturesque Naramata Bench and offers visitors the opportunity to see the workings of the winery first hand.  Both locations are open year round.  www.township7.com

ABOUT SMALL ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETY

The Small Animal Rescue Society of BC (formerly BC Rabbit Rescue) is a registered society run by volunteers. Our primary focus is to rescue and rehome small animals in need. Neglected, injured and abandoned animals are our main priority. Small Animal Rescue works to provide a safe haven for small animals in need while promoting responsible pet guardianship through education, advocacy, and spay/neuter initiatives. www.smallanimalrescue.org