Sizzling Celebrations Continue!...
Silly me! Our famously lazy, hazy days of Summer have been bopping along for some weeks now. Leading me to think that I might be scratching for Wine & Food event news to share with you, in this edition. Hah! What do I know? As always, there are scores of fabulous, food and wine celebrations happening, throughout Beautiful BC!!
For a full list, take a look at our calendar, where you'll find plenty of tempting reasons to pack a bag and head on out to explore.....
Self Guided...or....Guided Adventures?...
| 2) | Take a VIP Fraser Valley Wine Tour |
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Departing Burnaby and Port Moody, Aug 29. 8.30am-5pm |
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The Aug 08 tour is sold out, so the organizer's have added this second date. Sign up, sit back, and enjoy the experience o f this hassle free, VIP tour. Led by sommelier, John Gerum, the focus of these tours is to provide an understanding and appreciation for the wines and wineries of the Fraser Valley. Limited to a max of just 20 guests, this VIP tour includes: transportation, tours and tastings at three Fraser Valley wineries, a gourmet artisan lunch, and gratuities. Great value at $85 per person (+HST). Click here for more information and to sign up online, or call 604-463-1998, to reserve your space, right away. |
| 3) | BC Wine Appreciation Society Tour |
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Bottleneck Drive and Naramata Bench. September 11-12 |
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Yet another excellent reason to join this enthusiastic group of BC Winelovers! However, you'll need to get your palate in tip-top shape, as this is an action-packed itinerary, including two lunches, a tailgate party dinner, all paired with wines, of course. Along with visits to La Frenz Winery, D'Angelo Vineyards, Lake Breeze Vineyards, Van Westen Vineyards and Therapy Vineyards. That's just day #1!! On day 2 you'll visit 8th Generation Vineyard, Bonitas Winery, Greta Ranch Winery, Dirty Laundry Vineyard and Thornhaven Estates Winery. Pricing for the bus tour will probably be $310 for members (that's $50 less than last year! Who knew that anything to do with great wine could go down!!) Please note - this does not include getting to and from Penticton. Nor accommodation, although blocks of rooms are being held, at special pricing, for those who don't have friends with summer homes in the area. Yet again, Pitter-Patter. Space is limited to just 48 enthusiasts, so click here to take a boo at their website, and to make your reservations right now! |
By Bike!...
| 4) | Grape Escapes - Rona MS Bike Tours |
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Cowichan Valley, from Mill Bay, Aug 13/14 Okanagan Valley, from Kelowna, Sept 18/19 |
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Explore British Columbia's glorious wine regions, by bike!...and help raise money for a great cause, too! This month, enjoy a carefree weekend experiencing Southern Vancouver Island hospitality, wines, produce, cuisine and breathtaking scenery. All the while helping to raise money for Canadian research into the cause and cure of multiple sclerosis. The Cowichan Valley Grape Escape is a two-day tour open to all cycling levels. This is the 10th anniversary outing of this fun-filled event, a part of the National MS Bike Tour, the largest cycling event in Canada. From beautiful Brentwood College, in Mill Bay, the tour begins Saturday morning at 10:00a.m., with riders heading north to explore the Glenora Region of the Cowichan Valley. You choose how much of the 70km route you ride and which points of interest to check out. On Sunday cyclists head westbound to explore the Shawnigan Lake Region farms, cidery, and wine estates. There are three different routes of varying lengths to suit every skill level. Click here, to choose the route that sounds like the most fun for you. |
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Similarly, in September, join the Okanagan Grape Escape, for 2 delightful days pedalling through the area surrounding Kelowna, visiting Honey Farms, Cideries, Wineries, Farms and Gardens. For more information about this Okanagan Ride, click here, or call 250-762-5850 |
| 5) | Slow Food Cycle Tours - |
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Pemberton, Aug 15; Agassiz, Aug 21; Chilliwack, Aug 22. |
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Abandon the fast lane for a day of SLOW. Come on out for a Slow Food Cycle adventure to enjoy a self-guided bicycle ride, with a choice of three terrific routes, each 25-50kms long (and flat!!), on quiet country roads....a perfect day for the whole family. Along the way, you'll get to taste local food products, produced close to home, while getting to know and showing your support for our local farmers. The events run from 8.30/9am to 4pm. The Pemberton event is free, with a $30 lunch + snacks option. The Fraser Valley Tours cost $10/tour or $15/both days. Naturally, you'll have plenty of opportunities to purchase fresh farm fare along the way -- meals, tastings, refreshments, herb-inspired treats, chocolates, vinegars, unique vegetables, artisan cheeses....and much, much more! Slow Food is a non-profit, member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast-food, fast-life, and the disappearance of local food traditions. The Slow Food Cycle Tours contribute to a culinary culture, helping to raise awareness about food production and providing a link between farmers and food consumers in a unique and fun-filled way. For much more information, click on the tour(s) of your choice -- Pemberton Meadows Tour....Agassiz Valley Tour..... Chilliwack Valley Tour. |
Island Hop!...
| 6) | Galiano Wine Festival |
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Lions Park, 912 Burrill Road, Galiano Island. Aug 14 |
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A perfect way to spend a sunny, summer's day in our beautiful islands. Take a ferry ride over to Galiano Island, to enjoy their annual, open-air Wine Festival. It’s always great fun, and it supports a very worthy cause – helping to raise the money needed to keep the Galiano Island Health Care Centre up-to-date and serving the community. Starting at 1pm, running through till about 4pm, the event is timed so that visitors from Vancouver and Victoria can get to the Island and back in one day. You don’t need a vehicle, as the Festival site is just a pleasant 20-minute walk from Sturdies Bay, the Island’s ferry terminal. Admission to the Wine Festival is fantastic value at $35, which includes unlimited tasting, a souvenir crested Riedel crystal wine glass, fresh-made finger foods, and entertainment by guitarist Brad Prevedoros. For all you need to know about the Wine Festival, Galiano Island, accommodations, ferries etc, click here. Then, get your tickets asap, by calling 250-539-2478 or email - dw3117@telus.net |
| 7) | Chefs Across the Water 2010 |
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Hastings House Country House Hotel, Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island |
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Truly sensational dinners are sure to be the product of this unique series. A Super-A List of BC Chefs have been invited to prepare five-course dinners in the Hastings House kitchen, incorporating Salt Spring Island’s produce, seafood, and meats. Pairerd with fine BC wines, naturally. The objective of this Chefs Across the Water programme is to build connections between British Columbia’s fine dining establishments and to highlight the incredible bounty of our region’s produce. Hosted at the highly acclaimed Hastings House, a small, waterfront, luxury resort, this is a grand idea, in extraordinary hands!... August 9 -- Frank Pabst, Blue Water Café, Vancouver September 13 -- Jean-Francis and Alessandra Quaglia, Provence Marinaside and Provence Mediterranean Grill, Vancouver October 4 -- Sean Brennan, Brasserie l’ecole, Victoria October 11 -- Marcel Kauer, Hastings House, Salt Spring Island 5-Course Dinners, $100 / Wine Pairings, $50. A portion of the proceeds of the Guest Chef dinners will go to Island Natural Growers to benefit the Salt Spring Abattoir Project. Special accommodation packages are also available. For much more information, click here....then call 1-800-661-9255 to secure your reservation(s). |
Festivals, anyone?...
| 8) | Okanagan Summer Wine Festival |
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Silver Star Mountain, Vernon. Aug 13-14 |
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A mile-high treat of wine tastings, arts, music, seminars, gourmet meals and a wide variety of outdoor activities (to help work it all off). Throw in the beauty of mountain wildflowers in a Victorian-inspired mountain resort setting, and this could be your most enjoyable and relaxing weekend experience this summer. Special Wine Festival Accommodation Packages are also available, from $146 to $478. For more information, call 1-800-663-4431, or click here. |
| 9) | THREE fabulous Feasts of Fields Celebrations |
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Brock Farm, Okanagan Falls. August 22. 1pm Wellbrook Winery, Delta. Aug 29. 1pm. Parry Bay Sheep Farm, Metchosin. Sept 19. 1pm |
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A choice of three gourmet wandering harvest festivals! With a wine glass and linen napkin in hand, you can taste the very best of BC from chefs, vintners, brewers, farmers, and food artisans from each of these very special areas of our province -- Okanagan, Vancouver, Vancouver Island. At each of these Feasts, connections will be made between producers and chefs, food producers and consumers, and farm folks and city folks. These connections provide an increased awareness of and appreciation for local food and agriculture. quite simply, Feast of Fields is a gastronomic journey towards a sustainable, local food system (and FarmFolkCityFolk's annual fundraising effort). Each of these Feasts is $85. Pitter-patter, they sell out quickly, every year!! For much more information and to secure your reservations, click here. |
| 10) | Naramata Bench 7th Annual Tailgate Party |
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"The Commons", 3375 Third St.‚ Naramata. 6pm. September 11 |
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An annual favourite, where winemakers and winelovers drop their tailgates and have a party! Great food‚ great music and of course‚ great wine tasting. You'll get to taste the wines and meet the winemakers of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association, who will be circling their trucks and dropping their tailgates on The Commons....for a Tailgate by the Lake, right in the heart of Naramata Village where it all began! Dance to the sounds of Naramata`s own UnCorked‚ eat a delicious buffet meal served, right in the field‚ and savour the best from the cellars of the Naramata Bench wineries. Tickets are $85 (which includes free shuttles to and from Penticton). For more information and to secure your tickets online, click here -- or call 1-800-663-1900. Heads up!! Tickets are limited‚ and sell out every year. Hurry!! |
Wine....Lights....Curtain!....
| 11) | Performances in Winery Amphitheatres |
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Muse, Cedar Creek, Tinhorn Creek, Hester Creek, Mission Hill. |
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A bunch of awesome performances are lined up at these five wineries through the summer.... Muse Winery, Saanich -- "Dial M for Merlot", Aug 7 & 14 CedarCreek, Kelowna -- Jessie Farrell, Aug 19 Tinhorn Creek, Oliver -- Dustin Bentall, August 28; Bedouin Soundclash, September 11. Hester Creek Winery, Oliver -- Trama, with Doni Underhill, Sept 18 ....and at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Kelowna -- Afro-Cuban Jazz Musician, Wil Campa, Aug 07; Jesse Cook, Sept 03 (SOLD OUT); The Canadian Tenors, Sept 18. Click through to each winery's website for details and reservation information. Better hurry!! All of these events will all sell out in a flash. Secure your tickets today. |
A Winemaker's Dinner, perhaps?...
| 12) | Laughing Stock and Elephant Island |
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Seagrille Restaurant, Brentwood Bay Resort, 849 Verdier Ave., Victoria. Aug 27 |
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This dinner ought to be a cracker! Featuring wines from two of BC's most heralded winemakers, paired to perfection with a spectacular 5 course dinner, prepared by Super-Chef Audrey LeFrancois. Throw in a sparkling wine and oyster reception, live music from guitarist, Brad Prevedoros, and the stunning westcoast seaside setting.....mmmm! Magical! $99, plus, plus. Ask about special accommodation packages, which are also available. Call 888-544-2079 to secure your reservation.....or click here for more information about the SeaGrille and the Brentwood Bay Resort. Or head in the opposite direction, into the heartland of BC.... |
| 13) | Al Fresco Dinners with Winemakers |
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Joy Road Catering, at God's Mountain Estate, Penticton |
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An inspired menu, featuring the freshest, regional cuisine, expertly paired with divine wines produced by the valley's leading winemakers, in an idyllic vineyard setting, overlooking Skaha Lake. How good does that sound??!! A couple of years ago, Joy Road Catering super-Chefs, Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart debuted this series of dinners, pairing up with the Okanagan's leading boutique wineries to present "Dinner with a Winemaker". Not surprisingly the dinners were an immediate and overwhelming success, and will continue through this summer, at God's Mountain Estate, 4898 Lakeside/Eastside Road,in an idyllic vineyard setting overlooking Skaha Lake. Remaining dinners on this summer's schedule include.... August 05 -- Black Hills August 12 -- Meyer Family Vineyard August 19 -- Lake Breeze August 26 -- Joie Farm Sept 02 -- Painted Rock Sept 09 -- La Frenz $110/120 per person + HST. Heads up!....these dinners typically sell out well in advance. For more information, click here....then call 250-493-865 right now to make your reservations. Hurry!! They'll be gone quickly. Really!! |
Or flip over to France....right here in BC!....
| 14) | An Evening in Provence |
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Hart House at Deer Lake, 6664 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby. Aug 11 |
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With just a little help from Mother Nature, these lakeside soirées are simply sensational. Celebrate the culture of the French coastal region of Provence as the romantic tunes of French ballads fill the air. The menu features a meal rich in the harvests of local countryside ingredients and seafood, paired beautifully by French wines from some of the most renowned appellations of the old world.....an altogether delightful escape from the ordinary. At 6pm, your evening begins with an hour-long sampling from a wine list selected for the evening, by the resident sommelier. Lakeside, on the Hart House’s elegant estate grounds, with immaculate lawns and colourful flower beds, a perfect setting for the tasting. At the conclusion of the tasting, you may purchase a bottle or two of your favourite wines to accompany the dinner which follows. The tasting and dinner is $48 per person, plus taxes and gratuity. Note : Reservations by phone only, please. Call 604-298-4278. For more information about the Hart House at Deer Lake, click here! Incidentally, if you cannot make this celebration, (or of you're addicted to these lakeside soirees), their final al fresco dinner of this summer will be a Spanish Fiesta, on Sept 01. |
That's it for this edition.
Cheers for now,
Charlie Richardson
| PS | The more Subscribers we have....the better offers we'll attract from Wineries and Restaurants, which we'll be able to pass on to you! So, we would be enormously grateful if you would please forward this newsletter to all of your friends who enjoy fine wine and food. ( Just click here) |
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Wine & Food Events that we hear about are listed FREE, at www.wineanddinebcnews.ca If you have an event you would like to list, call Charlie Richardson at 604-931-1870 ...or by e-mail at charlie@wineanddinebcnews.ca
To advertise your wines, restaurant, tours, products or events in upcoming newsletters, please contact Charlie Richardson at 604-931-1870...or by e-mail at advertise@wineanddinebcnews.ca
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If you would prefer NOT to receive this free newsletter, click here.
Wine & Food Events that we hear about are listed FREE, at www.wineanddinebcnews.ca If you have an event you would like to list, call Charlie Richardson at 604-931-1870 ...or by e-mail at charlie@wineanddinebcnews.ca
To advertise your wines, restaurant, tours, products or events in upcoming newsletters, please contact Charlie Richardson at 604-931-1870...or by e-mail at advertise@wineanddinebcnews.ca
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If you would prefer NOT to receive this free newsletter, click here.
