|
Year
|
Icewine
|
Spring
|
Summer
|
Fall
|
|
2005
|
Jan 20-23
|
May 5-8
|
August 4-6
|
Sept 30- Oct 9
|
|
2006 |
Jan 19-22 |
|
|
Sept 29-Oct 8 |
|
2007 |
Jan 18-21 |
|
|
Sept 28-Oct 7 |
|
2008
|
Jan 17-20 |
|
|
Oct 2-Oct 12 |
As a forerunner to the
fully integrated Wine Tourism business, a group of wineries and tourism
operators saw the opportunity 20 years ago to develop a tourism event around
the young wineries in existence at the time. The Annual event was originally
focused on developing awareness of the wine industry among local Okanagan
residents and to celebrate the harvest of grapes and pair fine Okanagan
wines with food at a variety of culinary events.
  |
The Fall Wine Festival's
success paralleled the growth of the wine industry and became a major event
to celebrate the fall harvest amongst Okanagan Valley residents. Over time,
it developed a following from B.C. residents, and then residents of the
Pacific Northwest, and most recently wine lovers from around the world. In
1996, its status as a leading event was confirmed by the premier ranking
among the Top 100 Events In North America as ranked by the American Bus
Association. This ranking continues into 2002 having been named to the Top
100 Events List for seven consecutive years by the prestigious American Bus
Association. In 1995, the first Spring Wine Festival was developed as the
best way to kick-start the new wine season. The introduction of the Spring
Festival also allowed the Wine Tourism industry to have two flagship events
at the start and the end of the growing season, which allows for better
packaging of wine tourism. With great success, both Festivals have been able
to expand the traditional shoulder season for tourism away from the peak
summer months into the Spring and Fall seasons. |
