WELCOMES YOU TO THE
FALL FESTIVAL WEEKEND
SUNROCK WINEYARD | PHOTO CREDIT: LIONEL TRUDEL PHOTOGRAPHY
OLIVER CASK & KEG
SATURDAY, OCT 5TH | 6 TO 10PM A RELAXED, FUN, ADULT-ONLY EVENING EVENT WITH TASTINGS FROM LOCAL BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES & CIDERIES & FOOD TRUCKS. FEATURING THE MUSIC OF KNACKER’S YARD.
Advanced tickets $20 until Oct 3rd | Tickets at the gate $25 Combo Festival of the Grape and Cask & Keg Tickets $40
Community Park | 6359 Park Drive | Oliver BC
www.olivercaskandkeg.ca
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE
SUNDAY, OCT 6TH | 12 TO 5PM
WINE TASTINGS FROM OVER 50 BC WINERIES | GRAPE STOMP FOOD TRUCKS | KID’S ZONE | MERCHANT MARKET | FALL ART SHOW & SALE | FEATURING THE MUSIC OF JACK & JILL
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE
Advanced tickets $25 until Oct 3rd | Tickets at the gate $30 Combo Festival of the Grape and Cask & Keg Tickets $40 VIP tickets for Festival of the Grape are $65 WWW.OLIVERFESTIVALOFTHEGRAPE.CA
www.winecapitalofcanada.com
WineCapitalofCanada
WineCapital
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019 • 3
Welcome
to
Oliver
Nestled in the Southern Okanagan Valley, the Town of Oliver rests within Canada’s only desert, offering hot, sunny days and cool, romantic nights. While these factors make for an amazing day of golfing, sitting by the pool and stargazing, they also enable the creation of spectacular wines. Surrounded by 4,000 acres of picturesque vineyards, Oliver is at the heart of an internationally acclaimed wine region which produces half
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of all wine grapes grown in British Columbia. This equates to more than 12 million bottles annually, more than anywhere else in Canada! These grapes find their way into bottles produced all over the province, as far as Kamloops and Vancouver Island. If that’s not enough to earn the title of “Canada’s Wine Capital,” we even have a royal proclamation from her majesty Queen Elizabeth II confirming our status.
The “Golden Mile” on the west bench is recognized as a distinctive viticultural area that is rich with glacial deposits formed during the last ice age. Wineries located on the “Black Sage” east bench have equally unique growing climates with deep, sandy deposits. Winemakers assert that different soil conditions, known as terroir, have an identifiable impact on the flavour of wines.
When tradition meets innovation, the extraordinary happens. By combining our perfect micro-climate, the dedication of our grape-growing farmers, and some winemaker’s magic, the most remarkable wines are produced. But don’t take our word for it, taste them for yourself! Wineries of every style and size invite the world to swirl and sip at their tasting bars throughout the year. Drink in the vista as you discover a new favourite among our incomparable number of first-class varietals. Unwind as you breathe in the array of aromas in each glass and let the flavours tickle your palate with each drop. Come experience Canada’s Wine Capital! - Oliver Tourism Association
SOUTH OKANAGAN
Real Estate
TIMES OSOYOOS
G U I D E
4 • FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019
Fall festival weekend kicks off harvest Cask & Keg and Festival of the Grape expected to bring thousands of visitors to Oliver On the weekend of October 5th and 6th, 2019, the Oliver Tourism Association will host the 23rd annual Festival of the Grape. This well-established event, hosted at the Oliver Community Centre grounds, is known to bring thousands of visitors each year. Not only can visitors sip their favourite wines on Sunday afternoon, but there’s the addition of the Cask & Keg festival on Saturday evening, which features pours from surrounding distilleries, breweries and cideries. Offering stellar food and the best hospitality around, the Oliver Fall Festival Weekend is also proud to be the home of the Annual Fall Art Sale hosted by the Oliver Arts Council. And to top it all off, a merchant market will also be featured, where vendors will have their best items available for sale.
“This weekend is a celebration of not only harvest, but also of our friends, family and visitors who help make Oliver the best place to live and work.” - Danielle Hutton, Oliver Tourism Association board chair “We are proud to play host to this important community weekend,” says Danielle Hutton, chair of the board of the Oliver Tourism Association. “As our signature event, this weekend is a celebration of not only harvest, but also of our friends, family and visitors who help make Oliver the best place
to live and work.” Cask & Keg is an outdoor, adult-only evening event focused on celebrating the creations from local and regional breweries, distilleries and cideries. This fun, relaxed evening will be filled with live entertainment provided by Knacker’s Yard and tasty morsels
created by a variety of food trucks. New for 2019, there will be organized team events for games like Beer Pong. The very next day the God of wine, Bacchus, comes to visit at noon with the kick off to the 23rd annual Festival of the Grape, also at Oliver Community Park. After the opening ceremonies, the wineries open their stalls to the public. “More than 50 wineries attended in 2018 and this year we expect that number to be higher,” says Bill Eggert, owner of Fairview Cellars and winery recruitment lead for Festival of the Grape. Live music will be provided by the rock group Jack and Jill, hailing from Penticton and Summerland, who come to rock with set lists that include a wide variety of rock and roll music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019 • 5
The dance floor will be cutting loose to covers ranging from ZZ Top and No Doubt to Green Day and Queen. The Kids’ Zone rounds out this family-friendly festival, where kids can enjoy physical activities and crafts and snacks, all for a small child-minding fee. The Festival of the Grape allows the public to sample the best wineries in the region in one place, while enjoying the live entertainment, merchant vendors and food trucks as well as the highly competitive Grape Stomp, where costumed teams compete in five-minute heats for the top spot. The Grape Stomp featured on the Rick Mercer Report in 2017. “One other thing we are particularly excited about is the VIP area this year,” says festival committee member and owner of Uncorked BnB, Judy Born. “We have a limited number of tickets to this exclusive area, which will feature seminars
and tastings, small bites from a selection of the region’s best chefs as well as other exciting perks.” A pilot project that proved very successful in 2018 that was carried over to 2019 is the on-site liquor store. This gives all of the attending liquor purveyors the opportunity to showcase their wares, and allows the attendees to take home their favourites from the festival. “We have been working for months to create a special event for our visitors, and we are very excited that so many local wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries will be on site this year,” says Hutton. “This annual event that celebrates Oliver will be a show-stopper!” Tickets to the event are available online at showpass.com by searching Festival of the Grape 2019 and Oliver Cask & Keg and at the Oliver Visitor Centre, 6431 Station St., Oliver, B.C.
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6 • FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019
ten tasting tips Follow these tips to ensure a pleasurable touring experience for you, your group and others!
Don’t forget to grab one on your way in! Eat beforehand
Grab a map and make a plan Include one or two of your favourite wineries, and make sure to visit a few you have never been to before. Want to mix it up even more? Sample some of our local beer, ciders and spirits along the way. There’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. Maps for the Festival of the Grape will be available at the Main Gate.
Tastings may appear small, but they add up quickly. Line your stomach so things don’t go sideways fast! There will be plenty of food choices at the Festival of the Grape, so don’t forget to visit the food trucks on site! Avoid coffee and chewing gum You don’t want to consume anything right before wine tasting that will affect your palate. Be scent free
Taken from the 2019 official Oliver Experience Guide, the very important Ten Touring Tips for visiting local wineries is a great resource when you’re visiting, or for Festival of the Grape!
Smell is a huge part of the tasting experience. Skip the perfume and cologne, and make sure your sunscreen is scent free. Nothing is worse than your wine tasting like coconuts because the guy beside you just came from the beach!
The Fall Festival Weekend is very popular, so expect crowds. And don’t forget a hat, water bottle, sunscreen and a rain jacket – the Cask & Keg and Festival of the Grape are outdoor, rain or shine events!
For the second year, there will be an on-site liquor store at both Cask & Keg and the Festival of the Grape, so plan accordingly! You’ll be able to purchase your favourite beverages to take home and enjoy.
Be courteous
Bring a cooler
Sharing is caring
If you are touring in a group of six or more, it is highly recommended that you call in advance to coordinate your visit. This will ensure the staff are prepared to host you, and that you get the best experience possible. Everybody wins!
High temperatures can spoil your alcohol. Be cautious – even the sun streaming through the window on a cool day can “cook” your purchases. The best way to prevent this is to store a cooler in your trunk. Disaster averted!
You’re welcome to share tastings, whether to reduce your consumption, or maximize the number of wines you’re able to sample. If you each pick different wines, it’s like you get two tastings in one!
Enter to win a Fall Festival Weekend Getaway!
Think food and water Bring along a water bottle that you can refill. Make a lunch reservation at a winery restaurant or patio. Bring a picnic from home or a local deli, or grab some charcuterie from one of the tasting rooms’ deli fridges. Travel safe, don’t over-consume
Spittons are for spitting
Find a friend to be your designated driver or rent a bicycle. Better yet, get a group together and book a tour. Now you have a guide to share local secrets and make recommendations on where to go!
Yes, you read right. We encourage spitting as a tasting technique; it helps keep palates clean and heads clear. Or you can simply pour out anything you don’t want to finish. Either way, an empty glass signals you’re ready for the next taste!
If you’re interested in booking a large group to attend the Cask & Keg or Festival of the Grape, contact the Oliver Tourism Association at info@ winecapitalofcanada. com and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Your prize will include a two-night stay at The Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, admission for two to the Cask & Keg brewery, cidery and distillery celebration the evening of Oct 5 and VIP admission for two to the Festival of the Grape on Oct 6. Also included is a welcome basket at your suite!
A fabulous boutique winery with a long history and passion for farming...
As presented by Oliver Tourism Association
Enter to WIN a Festival Wine Weekend! Name: Phone: Email: Must be original ballot. Enter at Kamloops This Week, 1365 B Dalhousie Dr. Prize accepted as awarded and cannot be exchanged. No cash value. Contest ends September 18th, 2019.
11621 87th Street, Osoyoos 250.495.1777 www.blueskywinery.ca
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019 • 7
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Coast Oliver Hotel | 6273 Station St., Oliver, BC | 1.250.498.0251 | www.coasthotels.com
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Our wines are produced from four varieties of premium grapes: Pinot Blanc, Merlot, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Noir. We also use other fresh Okanagan fruits and berries from the Fraser Valley.
Stay with us Pamper yourself in one of our three luxurious guest suites, each with its own beautiful decor. Enjoy the Manola family’s warm hospitality!
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8 • FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019
VIP area, on-site liquor store returning for second year As a community celebration evolves, it’s important to gather feedback year over year, look at what’s been successful and continue to build upon those successes to continually evolve. Last year, the VIP area was a pilot project that saw more than a hundred attendees at the Festival of the Grape enjoy a wine cellar experience curated by the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, a presentation by local wine instructor Moss Schuerkkogel, and mixing and mingling throughout the day. This year, the organizer for the VIP area, Judy Born, is taking her skills and knowledge running a successful local BnB, and taking hospitality to the next level.
“When I go to festivals I like to experience as much as I can,” said Born, who moved to Oliver from the Lower mainland three years ago with her husband, Ian. “When I was asked by the Oliver Tourism Association to volunteer for leading the VIP area, I thought this was an opportunity to take the things I’ve enjoyed and put them in place for visitors to the Festival of the Grape.” In 2019 there are more, albeit still a limited number, tickets available for the VIP area, which opens earlier than the rest of the festival to allow guests to enter the festival grounds early enough to attend the first presentation of the day, which will be a tutorial on how to best taste wines, once again led
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by Schuerkkogel, who runs Vinstitute wine school at Intersection Estate Winery. The VIP area will be centrally located near the Grape Stomp stage and the main stage, where Jack and Jill, a popular rock band from Penticton, will have everyone moving and grooving all day long. “There will be four other experiences as well as complimentary food and drink, a dedicated lounge area and washroom access,” said Born. “We will be building opportunities for our VIP guests up to the day, so we are very excited,” she said. Only 250 VIP tickets are available, so plan to get yours early. The other feature for 2019 that was introduced last year is the on-
site liquor store. And, unlike last year, the on-site liquor store will be open during Cask & Keg and the Festival of the Grape, so purchase choices will include product from local wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries. “There will be something for everyone,” said on-site liquor store organizer Bill Eggert, who also owns Fairview Cellars, which will be pouring during Festival of the Grape. And, like any festival worth its salt, there will be swag. Merchandise for Cask & Keg and Festival of the Grape will be available on site, and is designed and developed by local artists, says merchandise organizer Jeremy Knetchel.
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019 • 9
Welcome to Oliver Osoyoos
Wine Country
Rural charm paired with sophisticated amenities, resort accommodation and culinary experiences make Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country a serious contender for Canada’s best wine region. The Okanagan Valley is one of the warmest and driest areas of western Canada with fertile, sunny slopes, an ideal climate and terroir for growing grapes. Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country offers exceptional culinary experiences with notable, award-winning restaurants throughout the region. The talented team at Burrowing Owl’s Sonora Room leans on relationships with foragers in the area to add a local flare to the menu, while Kismet Estate Winery’s Masala Bistro integrates the owner’s Sikh heritage with Oliver and Osoyoos’ own produce. Located at the stunningly scenic Hester Creek, Terrafina by RauDZ offers cooking classes by acclaimed chefs in a kitchen setting and
Chef Jeff Van Geest at Tinhorn Creek’s Miradoro can stand on the restaurants sweeping terrace and point to the farms that provided the ingredients that he loves to work with. Both Terrafina and Miradoro regularly host notable guest chefs, including Chef David Hawksworth and Chef Vikram Vij for exceptional dining experiences. Stunning views and delicious food at the Patio at Nk’Mip Cellars, Platinum Bench Artisan Bread Company and farm field dinners at Covert Farms Family Estate round out the region’s incredible culinary offerings. There are wine and culinary experiences for everyone.
on May 30, 2020. The course weaves racers through the beautiful vineyards of the region sampling wines along the route. Pig Out is an annual family friendly, outdoor celebration of food and wine. Forty-three members come together at Covert Farms to showcase their wines; passionate culinary purveyors showcase all that the pig has to offer. Interactive culinary demonstrations and live cultural entertainment make it an afternoon not to be missed.
Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country offers unique ways to experience the region’s desert landscapes, lakes and wineries; cycle tours, stand up If thinking of visiting paddle boarding, Oliver Osoyoos Wine golf, horseback riding Country take note of and hiking are just a the region’s signature handful of some of events – the Half the diverse activities Corked Marathon and available. Pig Out. Planning a trip? Canada’s Event of the Looking for the winYear, the Half Corked eries of this region? Marathon, one of the Visit oliverosoyoos. most hotly anticicom. pated and coveted running events, will take place next
10 • FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019
Plenty of family fun at the
FOG KIDs’ ZONE! One of the best parts of the Festival of the Grape is that it’s family friendly. No matter the age or stage of life, there’s something for everyone, says Leah Richards. Richards is the volunteer lead for this year’s Kids’ Zone at Festival of the Grape, and – along with her many volunteers – is dedicated to making a play area for kids that’s safe, welcoming and, above all, fun. “It’s important that we provide a well-rounded experience for the entire family,” said Richards, who has been involved with the Festival of the Grape and the Kids’ Zone for the last two years. “We want all of our parents to come to the festival and not worry about childminding because we provide a safe, secure environment,” she said. Activities for the Kids’ Zone kick off at noon when the gates of the festival open to the
general public, and the party keeps on until the end of the festival. “We welcome anyone under the age of 19,” said Richards, and organized activities will include races, crafts and more. “This year we welcome the Physical Activity Trailer – PAT,” said Richards. PAT, which is funded and provided by the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen, is focused on physical literacy, safe play and reduction of sedentary behaviour. The goal of PAT is to increase access to recreation. PAT is packed full of great equipment like disc golf, hula hoops, bocce, pickleball and much more, making it a perfect fit for the Festival of the Grape. “The adults may want to get in on the action and they’re welcome to enjoy the Kids’ Zone with their children, but the focus on Kids’ Zone is the Festival of the Grape’s younger guests,”
D i s c o v e r
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WINE EXPERIENCE CENTER AT BLACK HILLS ESTATE WINERY
Join us for an exceptional tasting experience in our vineyard lounge. Immerse yourself in our terroir while enjoying a full flight of our hand-crafted wines. Seated tastings available daily year round by appointment during Summer to avoid disappointment and by drop-in the rest of the year.
Open Daily 10 AM to 6 PM May through October 11 AM to 5 PM November through April. Visit our website for seasonal events details.
For details and reservations, please contact (250) 498-0666 or visit
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Black Hills Estate Winery, 4190 Black Sage Road, Oliver, BC V0H 1T1
said Richards. The entry fee for the Kids’ Zone is $5 per child ages six and over, which includes a healthy snack and drink. “We ask parents and guardians to let us know if there are food allergies or sensitivities, as well as any medical conditions we need to be aware of.” The Kids’ Zone runs from noon until 5 p.m. and is hosted by the Dance Studio, so you know there will be lots of fun things to do.
FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE 2019 • 11
World food offered by festival food trucks Their most popular seller is the Nashville hot sandwich, which Uhlemann says is a take on the food fad “especially in the south” of one-upping yourself with spicy chicken. Delicious! And, for those with specific dietary requirements, Vagabond offers vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a wildly popular bao, or Chinese steam bun, filled with pork belly.
You need to eat – so why not enjoy delicious food while you’re doing it? That’s the philosophy of organizers of the Fall Festival Weekend, who carefully reviewed the dozens of applications for Food Trucks at the Cask & Keg and the Festival of the Grape (there may or may not have been sampling; that’s just the level of commitment the Fall Festival Committee has for this important annual event. And you’re welcome). The winners . . . well, the winners are the attendees at the Fall Festival Weekend, but those selected to showcase their culinary treats include Vagabond Food Truck, Thai on the Fly and Our Little Donut Factory. Graeme Uhlemann’s food truck, Vagabond Kitchen, is a fixture at most of the festivals in the South Okanagan, including attending Festival of the Grape the last three years. While he’s busy behind the grill and doesn’t often get to wander around and experience this community event, he knows it’s a great way to showcase Oliver to the rest of the valley.
(Hungry yet?)
Chris Stenbergy Photography “Festival of the Grape is one of my favourite events,” said Uhlemann. “It’s really a best-footforward event,” which allows him to focus on showcasing his diverse world-street food menu. “It’s exciting to have so many people in one place.” Vagabond’s menu focuses on great taste that captures flavours in a variety of different forms.
“We spent close to a year ahead of the event developing the planning; we want the Fall Festival Weekend to be a reflection of how much this community means to the Oliver Tourism Association,” said association board chair Danielle Hutton. “We are lucky to have so many great food vendors to choose from, but at the end of the day the most important things are that the food is delicious and a good value. The Fall Festival Weekend is meant to be a community celebration – the Festival of the Grape is the only family-friendly wine festival around – so we want these two signature events to be the best they can.”
Oliver Twist hosts ‘Crush Party’ Ever been to a “crush party?”
Well, Oliver Twist Estate Winery is having one on Saturday, Sept. 29 to celebrate its harvest the old fashioned way. Warning: It may be one of the messiest events in the South Okanagan. From 12 to 5 pm there will be plenty of fun for the whole family. For example, you can participate in a grape stomp competition. Stomps will be held throughout the day featuring teams of two people.
8th Annual Garlic Festival
Enjoy a taste filled day of wine, garlic and the arts! 20 local garlic growers, artisans, delicious food carts, live music, and more. In support of the Oliver Elementary School Farm to Table program. S A T U R D A Y O C T O B E R 5, 2 0 1 9 10 A M - 5 PM
Think you can look like Lucille Ball? Then take part in the “Lucy Look-aLike” contest and grape stomp. Children can also get messy by
entering the “Little Foot Stomps” competition. There are limited spots available so register early. The winner gets 2 tickets to see Brothers Osbourne in Penticton, October 19th! A fee will be charged to compete in these events, with the proceeds going to a local charity. The party will feature live music by the Timbre Wolves, and some downhome cooking paired with Oliver Twist’s wonderful wines. Spectators are welcome, so bring your lawn chairs.
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