News

The Results are in for the 2023 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards

(KELOWNA, BC) – April 17, 2023: On April 3 through 5, 2023, fifteen esteemed professional wine judges from Western Canada gathered in Penticton to participate on a blind tasting panel for the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards competition to choose the best wines in our province. The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards was established in 2018 in...

The Winter Winefest is coming to Canada's first "Wine Village!"

Attention wine lovers! The Winter Winefest is coming to Canada's first wine village, District Wine Village, and it's sure to be an unforgettable event. With a variety of delicious wines to taste and a beautiful setting, you won't want to miss out. Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the article on Trendsmag.ca for more information on what to...

The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival: Creating memorable January experiences in Wine Country

(KELOWNA, BC) – After a short pause in Summer and Fall this year, the Okanagan Wine  Festivals is ready to launch the The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival’s inaugural series of  programming! Join us at Big White Ski Resort on December 9 and 10 for the kick off!   The Okanagan Wine Festivals new strategic direction is focused on partnerships with key  destination stakeholders like Big...

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society appoints new General Manager

The Board of Directors of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is pleased to share with the BC Wine & Growers community the new appointment of General Manager Kimberly Hundertmark. Experienced and highly respected, Hundertmark is one of Canada’s leaders in Wine, Culinary and Destination Tourism. Leveraging her decades of experience and award-winning Festival leadership, we as a Board look...

Celebrate the Coming Season! The Spring Okanagan Wine Festival is Back

(KELOWNA, BC) March 9, 2022 – After two challenging years, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and Presenting Sponsor Valley First are thrilled to announce the welcoming back of guests to the 26th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival that will run from May 5th – 15th throughout the Okanagan Valley. The Festival brings wine lovers...

BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes the Best in BC Wines, Honours Tim Pawsey

(KELOWNA, BC) October 8, 2021 - The 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. In 2018, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced a new partnership to celebrate BC wines with the creation of the BC...

BC's Largest and Most Prestigious Wine Competition Returns to Kelowna

(KELOWNA) August 26, 2021 – On September 8-11, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society will once again hold the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards at Manteo Resort in Kelowna.  As the premier wine judging competition in BC, this event provides the opportunity for all licensed BC...

Wine Events Return to the Okanagan Valley!

For immediate release. (KELOWNA, BC) July 20, 2021 - The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announces the return to in-person consumer tastings with the BC Wine & Food Truck Feast on August 7 in Kelowna at the Okanagan Mission Community Hall.  Back by popular demand, this outdoor event sold out early in 2019, and tickets are selling quickly for this year’s relaunch.  Guests will enjoy...

British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes Record-Breaking Number of Wines, Honours Rafe Mair

For immediate release   (KELOWNA, BC) October 16, 2020 - The third annual 2020 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. In 2018, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced a new...

BC’s Largest and Most Prestigious Wine Competition Coming to Kelowna

For Immediate Release Okanagan Wine Festivals Society to host an A-list of wine judges (KELOWNA, BC) August 12, 2020 – On September 23-25, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society will once again hold the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards at Manteo Resort in Kelowna.  As the oldest, largest and most prestigious wine judging competition in BC, this event provides the opportunity for...

Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner Challenge

Immediate Release Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner Challenge! (April 8, 2020, Kelowna, BC) April is BC Wine month, so let's share the love for BC Wine! All you have to do is host a Virtual Okanagan Wine Dinner with friends & family that includes BC Wines, snap a picture of your group, share it on social media and you’ll be entered to WIN one of two Fall Wine Country Weekend...

Get your tickets for the fourth annual Chef Meets BC Grape Okanagan June 27

  MEDIA RELEASE Get your tickets for the fourth annual Chef Meets BC Grape Okanagan June 27 Suggested Tweet:  More than 40 BC wineries and 12 of the Okanagan Valley’s top chefs set for BC’s largest outdoor wine and food festival June 27 @SeeYaLaterRanch. @OKWineFests @WineBCdotcom #ChefMeetsBCGrape Kelowna,...

Tickets sales announced for the 26th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival presented by Valley First from April 30th to May 17th, 2020

For Immediate Release February 18, 2020  – KELOWNA – Tickets sales were just announced for the 26th Annual Spring Okanagan Wine Festival presented by Valley First from April 30th to May 17th, 2020 in the Okanagan Valley, BC. The Festival celebrates Spring and BC Wine with the largest and longest running Wine Festival in the Okanagan Valley. These two ‘signature’ events will kick-off the...

British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards Recognizes Record-Breaking Number of Wines, Honours Harry McWatters

For Immediate Release   October 4, 2019 – Kelowna - The second annual 2019 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced last night by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, marking the official launch of the 39th Annual Fall Okanagan Wine Festival.   The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards replaced the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for...

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society Celebrates 39 Years and New Event at Famous Fall Wine Fest

For immediate release September 11, 2019 - Kelowna, British Columbia – It’s fall in the Okanagan which heralds the return of The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society’s (OWFS) Fall Wine Festival, now in its 39th year. This year the festival will take place from October 3 – 13, and will feature over one hundred wine-centric events taking place up and down the valley. “From grape stomps to...

Announcing the Lineup of Judges for the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards

Announcing the Lineup of Judges for the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – August 6, 2019:  The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society’s 39th Annual Fall Okanagan Wine Festival will be kicked off with the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – which will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2019. In preparation for this event, an...

Okanagan Wine Festivals Society Honours Passing of Founding President, Harry McWatters

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – July 24, 2019:  It is with great sadness that the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society absorbs the news of the passing of Harry McWatters.  Harry was an icon and legend in the BC Wine industry, and many called him the ‘Godfather of BC Wine.”    Harry founded Sumac Ridge Winery in Summerland in 1980, and had a passion for wine and life like none other. This year...

B.C. 2019 Best of Varietal Awards Announced

  B.C. Best of Varietal Awards Results Announced MAY 9, 2019 - Penticton, British Columbia – The 25th annual Spring Wine Festival is under way and last night, May 8, marked the announcement of the highly anticipated 2019 British Columbia Best of Varietal Wine Awards by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. The competition featured 21 different varietal categories, with over 580 wines...

Announcing the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards

April 6, 2018 Announcing the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards VICTORIA - The Office of the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, with support from the Government House Foundation and The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, is pleased to announce a new partnership in recognizing the best of British Columbia wines with the creation of the British Columbia Lieutenant...

Celebrating Two Decades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Celebrating two decades of the Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival   SUN PEAKS, BC (January 5, 2018): The Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival returns for its 20th year, from January 12 to 21, with 20 premier events. What started out as a two day “Icewine Festival” in 1998, has since grown to become the internationally recognized, ten-day...