Our Story

Okanagan Wine Festival Logo

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is one of the largest not-for-profit wine industry festival and marketing organizations in Canada. OWFS is committed to providing authentic wine experiences to Valley locals and visitors alike. We strive to connect consumers through uniquely designed wine festivals and tasting events with over 100 wineries across the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. 

OWFS began in 1980 during the infancy of the Okanagan Valley wine industry. Since then, we have grown alongside the industry itself and now produce four seasonal festivals with over 100 events annually. Additionally, we produce the largest, most prestigious wine judging competition in the province-- the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.

OWFS is a membership-based society that exists to directly connect consumers with our members, tourism partners, and Okanagan Valley communities via festivals, events, trade tastings, wine competitions, and the WINETHUSIAST Club. In 2019, we connected over 11,000 19+ consumers to our 120 member businesses, our sponsors, and our Okanagan Valley communities!

Over the past few decades, the Okanagan Valley has become well known for its wineries. We are now recognized globally as one of the most successful premium wine producing regions in the world! In 2017, the Okanagan wine industry added an estimated $2.4 billion dollars to the BC economy. The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society supports the important work of placing the Okanagan Valley and our fabulous wineries on the provincial, national and international stages--- most especially through our wine festivals/events and our wine judging competitions.

Anthony Gismondi: A reimagined Okanagan Fall Wine Festival
October 16 2023
Anthony Gismondi: A reimagined Okanagan Fall Wine Festival

The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is reimagining itself, moving to a post-crush time-slot and offering elevated experiences throughout the Okanagan...


More Details

Welcome Back to the Okanagan during the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival
September 25 2023
Welcome Back to the Okanagan during the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival

(KELOWNA, BC) – September 22, 2023: As we say goodbye to summer and usher in the fall in the Okanagan Valley, we welcome back the Okanagan...


More Details


September 11 2023
Wildfires scared away summer tourists; how to get them back in fall

This article has been contributed by INFOnews.ca Read the original article here or below Original Article The Thompson Okanagan Tourism...


More Details

Announcing the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine of the Year
June 15 2023
Announcing the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine of the Year

(KELOWNA, BC) – The 44th Annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival presented by Valley First wrapped up last weekend with the much-anticipated...


More Details

BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards

British Columbia's oldest and most prestigious wine judging competition that recognizes excellence in winemaking for all British Columbia wineries.


Meet our Members

The Okanagan Wine Festival Society is made up of a number of Okanagan wineries and tourism related businesses. Every member is recognized as an outstanding service or product supplier in their related industry.


Events

We’re proud to produce 3 seasonal festivals with over 100 events annually and an annual wine competition in the Okanagan Valley – one of the world’s most renowned wine regions.


Our great sponsors

  • sponsor
  • sponsor
  • sponsor
  • sponsor
  • sponsor