[Bcma-l] Press Release: Spring Wine Fest Warm-up Tickets on Sale Now!

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

*news release*

BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop · 1304 Ellis Street · Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Z8

(250) 868-0441 · Wine@KelownaMuseums.ca

_For Immediate Release_

April 14, 2008

*Spring Wine Fest Warm-up *

*at the BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop*

A Wine & Food Pairing Featuring Okanagan’s Finest

1304 Ellis Street (inside the Laurel Packinghouse)

Thursday, May 1^st , 2008

7PM - 9PM

The BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop is pleased to present the Spring Wine 
Fest Warm-up. Kick-off the wine fest with this blind wine tasting, where 
you get to be the judge! The blind wine tasting will include a selection 
of BC VQA wines, paired with dishes created and prepared by Okanagan’s 
Finest. This event is the annual kick-off for the Okanagan Spring Wine 
Festival and is a must-do for wine-lovers of all levels!

*Tickets are $50, and only $45 for Kelowna Museums members. Seating is 
limited. Please reserve your spot today by calling (250) 868-0441*.

The Spring Wine Fest Warm-up is part of the WEST program (Wine Education 
Series of Tastings), a wine education program that combines the natural 
elements of food and wine in an interactive and casual environment. All 
WEST events are hosted by Julianna Hayes, a celebrated BC wine writer, 
editor, and all-around wine expert, and are held at the BC Wine Museum & 
VQA Wine Shop located inside the historic Laurel Packinghouse.

Chef Travis Hackl of Okanagan’s Finest will prepare a special menu for 
the May 1^st event, using ingredients and flavours such as roast garlic 
and goat cheese artichoke hearts, cold smoked salmon with dill-caper 
cream cheese, and prosciutto-wrapped roasted yam fries. Okanagan’s 
Finest has been in the catering business since 2002, drawing on Hackl’s 
experience in the restaurant industry and finding success using natural 
products and wholesome ingredients. Hackl can also be seen on CHBC 
television on “Have Chef Will Travel” with Sandy Dawson. All dishes will 
be paired with BC VQA wines selected by your WEST host, Julianna Hayes.

“Incorporating outstanding local chefs such as Travis from Okanagan’s 
Finest, we can use the WEST program to bring out the best of the 
Okanagan, such as the award-winning wines produced by local wineries, 
and the bounty of produce and fresh ingredients that we are fortunate to 
have at our doorstep,” comments Risti Nykiforuk, Marketing & Special 
Events Coordinator for the Kelowna Museums and WEST Event Organizer. 
“The aim of the WEST program this year is to provide first-rate wine and 
food pairings as well as to offer wine education and enjoyment to the 
guests who join us for each event. Based on feedback from our first WEST 
event at the beginning of April, we have a very successful program 
lined-up for this year and we invite all levels of wine-lovers, foodies, 
and anyone who just appreciates a nice night-out, to come check it out”.

The next WEST event will be on June 5^th , and is called Pass the 
Winemaker. Get to know some of BC’s talented winemakers as they each 
spend 15-20 minutes at your table, pouring and chatting about their 
wines. Menu will be prepared by Chefs Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart of 
Joy Road Catering. Call now to reserve your spot!

The BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop is a facility of the Kelowna Museums 
Society, a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to a greater 
awareness of the agricultural, wine-producing, military, and cultural 
heritages of the Okanagan. All proceeds from WEST events support 
exhibition and education programming at the Kelowna Museums. For more 
information please visit www.KelownaMuseums.ca 
<http://www.kelownamuseums.ca/>.

##

*Media Contact: Risti Nykiforuk*

/Marketing & Special Events Coordinator/

Kelowna Museums

(250) 763-2417 ext 22

Events@KelownaMuseums.ca