Sip your way into summer when the Okanagan Wine Festival returns next week.

The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, now in its 32nd year, will deliver wine events throughout the Okanagan Valley from West 琉璃神社 to Penticton from June 3 to 11.

Traditionally held in May, the 2023 festival moved to June to celebrate what is known in wine country as the birth of new vintages. The vines are coming to life and the excitement is palpable around the newly released wines.

The festival kicks off June 3, with the brand-new Wine Garden Party at Cove Lakeside Resort in West 琉璃神社. Guests will be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine from the Okanagan Bubbles and Co. wine cart. The culinary team at The Landing Kitchen & Bar has created a small bites menu to complement the wines.

The following Friday, June 9 is the B.C. Lieutenant Governor鈥檚 Wine Awards private reception, where the 2023 Platinum medal winners and Wine of the Year will be announced. Awards are presented at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. The wines were judged by an esteemed panel of wine experts in April and the medal-winning wines will be making their first public appearance.

After the awards reception, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre will transition to host the Valley First Okanagan Spring Grand Tasting. The ballroom will welcome wineries from the South Okanagan including your favourites from Summerland, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos.

Rounding out both weekends for wine enthusiasts is the newly launched TASTE Passport.

The TASTE Passport features wineries located in 琉璃神社 and along the Westside Wine Trail in West 琉璃神社. The weekend of June 10 and 11 TASTE Passport holders will explore the South Okanagan including Summerland, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls and Oliver. On June 11, the District Wine Village; Canada鈥檚 first winery cluster will offer the TASTE Passport in the village.

All tickets for the festival events are available through .

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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