South Okanagan Banée is back!

Bill Eggert on how to grow grapes at Fairview Cellars – watch video

Last year Stacey and I had the extreme pleasure to join several prominent BC wine writers and foodies on a celebration of wine in the South Okanagan. The whole visit surrounded the South Okanagan Winery Association (SOWA) Banée dinner. We made several new friends on that journey, and certainly learned more about some of our favourite BC winemakers.

Above is one of many video clips captured on our tour of wineries, which featured Road 13, Fairview Cellars, Desert Hills and Burrowing Owl on that morning ride. Bill Eggert talks about his learning process for planting Merlot vines on his property.

Here below is the info on the 2011 Banée…

Mark your calendars for April 16, 2011 and make your way to the South Okanagan Winery Association’s 2011 Banée. Modeled after Burgundy’s famed Banée de Meursault, a wine industry celebration that marks the end of pruning and the beginning of a new season, this night will feature exquisite food, and wine from the members of the South Okanagan Winery Association. The Banée has a limited number of seats available to wine lovers wanting to meet wine makers, grape growers and industry partners in the South Okanagan. Tickets for the Banée dinner are $200.00 per person and include a wine reception, a family style feast and live auction. Call Denice at Oliver Twist to purchase your tickets – 250.485.0227.

If you are travelling to the Okanagan take advantage of special packages offered by Spirit Ridge Resort, Walnut Beach Resort and Watermark Beach Resort. Mention Banée when calling for information.

The South Okanagan Winery Association is a non‐profit organization representing the geographical wine region beginning at McIntyre Bluff to the border at Osoyoos in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Founded in 2007, their mission is to develop and expand the grape and wine industry in Oliver and Osoyoos through education and promotion. For more information on the South Okanagan Winery Association please visit www.sowasite.com.

– post by Mike. Follow him @MikeKlassen on Twitter, or follow @BCWineLover