“Tiny bubbles in the wine, Make me feel happy, make me feel fine” – those familiar lyrics penned by Ray Conniff encapsulate the mood created by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society (OWFS) at its recently introduced event, Blush & Bubbles.
Anticipation was tangible as attendees gathered at the Summerland Waterfront Resort to partake in what was billed as “a flirty and fabulous celebration of the Okanagan’s best rosé and sparkling wines.”
While the spring rainfall pushed most of the festivities indoors to the convention room, it didn’t dampen the spirits as guests were greeted at the door with a glass of Wesbert Winery Sparkling Rosé.
The rich melodic tones by cellists Cameron Crozman and Nicholas Denton Protsack filled the room complementing the ambiance of the festive décor. For those who wanted to capture the moment, they could pose amid an array of pink to purple balloons in the photo booth provided by Flash and Frame.
Drag queen Sparkle was on hand to mingle with guests, adding a sprinkle of cheekiness to the many selfies shot.
The promise of blush and bubbles was abundantly delivered with tastings available of over 30 unique selections from wineries including Dirty Laundry Vineyard, Evolve Cellars, Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, Peak Cellars, Red Rooster Winery, TIME Family of Wines, Thornhaven Estates Winery, and Township 7 Vineyards & Winery. What a flavourful and fantastic way to preview what wineries to visit to stock your cellar for celebrations and/or summer sips on your home patio.
Food stations were set up by Bonne Bouche Catering throughout the venue with small plate nibbles designed to pair perfectly with the wines. Included was a spectacular dessert station under the tent outside with delicate dainties as complex as the flavour highlights of the wines.
OWFS Marketing & Winethusiast Club Manager Jennalyn Christopherson was delighted by the response to the inaugural event, “While we could have accommodated more attendees, clearly the theme attracted enthusiastic early adopters and I’m sure the word will spread how much fun we had.”
Judging by the laughter and volume of chatter resonating indoors and outside, attendees will be watching to snag tickets when it returns to the Okanagan Wine Festivals creative slate of events.
Next up are the Summer and Fall Wine Festivals and the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – the province’s most prestigious and oldest wine competition. Learn all the details at www.thewinefestivals.
