We have a few medal winners this year," says Tina Slamka, Co-owner and Wineshop Manager of Little Straw Vineyards in West Kelowna. Six of Little Straw's wines returned home with medals from the 2012 Northwest Wine Summit and two brought home Silvers in the 2012 All Canadian Wine Championships. The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2008 Marechal Foch returned with medals in both competitions making them standouts in the medal count this year. This fall will see the release of the new 2009 vintages of the Marechal Foch and the Cuvee Noir (a medium-bodied blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Blaufrankisch) along with new vintages of whites from 2011 as they become available. There is also more to view in the gallery above the wineshop. The South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists will be featured on the walls of the gallery until early October. On October 6th, an opening reception will be held for the works of Gary Langrish, Jaine Buse, and Jacqueline Grosser, whose works will be featured through October. Also throughout the Fall Wine Festival, Little Straw will be hosting "Touring Tasting and Tapas" daily from September 28th to October 7th. Enjoy complimentary tastings of the new 2011 whites wines. Head upstairs to the Barrel Top Grill for a Fall Tapas Plate prepared by Chef Trevor Mayhew with a glass of wine and a great view of West Kelowna. ~ Luke Whittall