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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 Governor's Wine Awards.

The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards will replace the Lieutenant-Governor's Awards for Excellence in B.C. Wine and the B.C. Wine Awards. This new competition will be open to all licensed wineries in British Columbia, including fruit wines and mead. The competition will take place mid-September in Penticton, with 12 respected wine judges from across Canada and the United States spending three days judging an estimated 600 wines. Bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded. The top 1% of medal winners will receive the Lieutenant-Governor's platinum medal, with one wine receiving the Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Best Wine in British Columbia.

"Government House has always promoted the best of British Columbia, and the purpose of the Lieutenant-Governor's Awards for Excellence in B.C. Wine, established in 2003, was to highlight the excellent wines being produced in our province," says the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia. "Today, the British Columbia wine industry is known throughout the world, and I am pleased we are able to grow our efforts in promoting B.C. wines in partnership with The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. Government House is delighted to work with the society to continue the tradition of a professional wine judging competition that recognizes our best wines with integrity and impartiality."

The British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards will be run by The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, and will recognize wine making excellence in all wines made from 100% B.C. grown grapes or fruit. Wineries that have not previously entered wines in the former British Columbia Wine Awards will receive one free entry to encourage as wide participation as possible.

"We are honoured to be entrusted to plan and manage the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards," says Lindsay Kelm, chair of The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. "We are proud to work with the office of the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia to continue our role to raise awareness and increase profitability for the wineries of British Columbia."

The new wine competition will announce the judging line up by the start of May and registration will open for entries in early July.

The Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia will continue personal support of the competition, including the presentation of awards. The announcement of awards as determined by the judges will be presented at the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards reception, scheduled for Sept. 27, 2018, in Kelowna at the Laurel Packing House. This event will be open to the public.

About Government House

Located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, Government House is the office and official residence of the lieutenant-governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. As the Province's center of hospitality, the house and grounds welcome visitors to large public events, as well as ceremonies, receptions and dinners by invitation that honour and celebrate individuals and organizations. The lieutenant-governor also offers accommodation to distinguished visitors, including members of the Royal Family, international royalty, heads of state and other honoured guests of British Columbia. Government House is an enduring reminder of British Columbia's historic past and a continuing symbol of allegiance to the Crown. More information is available at: http://www.ltgov.bc.ca

About The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is responsible for the development of the wine tourism sector in the Interior of British Columbia. It is responsible for the development and marketing of four seasonally inspired Okanagan Wine Festivals, key signature events for wine and food, and the management of two annual wine-judging competitions, including the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards in the fall and the Best of Varietal Wine Competition in the spring. The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society website is: www.thewinefestivals.com

Contacts:

Kate Deglow

Marketing and PR Manager

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society

[email protected]

250 861-6654

Rachel Rilkoff

Communications and Events Officer

Office of the Lieutenant-Governor

Government House

[email protected]

250 356-9499

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: http://news.gov.bc.ca/connect