British Columbia is home to more than 250 licensed grape wineries and 929 vineyards. The province’s quickly growing wine industry produces more than 80 different grape varietals across nine established and emerging wine regions. In this expanding, competitive market, many wineries look to awards and accolades as a means of reaching new markets and wine lovers. Some of the Okanagan’s best-known wine brands reached new success on the heels of a big award-win, establishing the province as a hotbed for viticulture and winemaking.
Photo Credit: ContributedThe 2016 Best of Varietal Wine Awards will award wines in 26 different categories, from wineries throughout B.C.
This spring, the 2016 British Columbia Best of Varietal Awards will offer B.C. wineries another chance to win a coveted medal. Hosted by the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, this competition recognizes the top British Columbia varietal wines across 26 different categories and welcomes all licensed B.C. wineries using 100% fruit grown in the province.
Each of the 26 categories will have a Best of Varietal medal up for grabs, as well as gold and silver medals. Last year’s event saw a record 479 entries, and the goal this year is to surpass the 500 entries mark. The deadline for entries is March 22, with the judging taking place on April 7th at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
Photo Credit: ContributedFinding the best wine of the bunch is no easy feat, which is why all judges at the event will have proven credentials.
“We have revised the judging format to provide a little more value to the top wines in each category by awarding not only "Best of" awards but Gold and Silver medals as well,” said Julian Scholefield, Operations Manager, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery and Judging Chair Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. “In addition to that we have reached a little further afield to bring on some exceptional judging talent to the valley to join our esteemed local palates for this competition.”
A number of acclaimed wine professionals have been enlisted as judges for the 2016 Best of Varietal Wine Awards. Each of the judges, which include sommeliers, restauranteurs, and select media, have proven credentials and were nominated by the industry to name the winning wines at this event.
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James Addington – food and beverage manager, Delta Grand Resort, Kelowna
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Shelley Boettcher – freelance writer and editor, Calgary
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Dennis Dwernychuk – senior product consultant, BC Liquor Stores, Kelowna
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Mark Filatow – executive chef/owner, Waterfront Wines, Kelowna
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Simon Gillett – sommelier, Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos
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Geoff Last – general manager, Bin 905, Calgary
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Martin Lewis – co-owner, Bad Tattoo Brewing, Penticton
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Jim Martin – senior product consultant, Metro Liquor Group, Kelowna
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Samantha Rahn – sommelier, Araxi, Whistler
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Audrey Surrao – co-owner, Raudz Regional Table, Kelowna
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Mark Taylor – owner/sommelier, Siena Restaurant, Vancouver
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Troy Townsin – author and CBC Radio wine columnist, Victoria
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Matt Wentzell – owner/sommelier, Experience Wine Tours, Kelowna
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Gloria Wheeler – food and beverage manager, Hotel Eldorado, Kelowna
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Alistair Veen, BC sommelier of the year 2016 & chef/owner, Tap Restaurant, Surrey
Photo Credit: ContributedThe Best of Varietal Wine Awards will kick off the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival.
The Best of Varietal Wine Awards are sponsored by Farm Credit Canada, ContainerWorld, Grant Thornton and TricorBraun Winepak. Members of the management team on this event have been directly involved with the British Columbia Lieutenant Governors Wine Awards.
“In BC each year the ‘wine season’ really begins with the OWFS ‘Best of Varietal’ competition,” explained Troy Townsin, Best of Varietal Judge and CBC radio wine columnist. “These awards give savvy wine consumers the year’s first opportunity to discover which local wines are really standing out from the pack.”
Awards will be presented at the 2016 Best of Varietal Awards Reception and Tasting on April 28th at the Penticton Lakeside Resort from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm. This event will also kick off the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. Tickets are available for $50 at thewinefestivals.com.
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