The winter may bring quiet to the region, but in the barrel rooms of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association (NBWA), winemakers have been busy, and are ready to debut their spring releases.
Perhaps the first sign of spring is the 6th Vertical & Vintages at Apex Mountain Resort, March 10, where après skiing meets wine tasting, appetizers and live music. Tickets: apexresort.com/events/verticalandvintages
Spring is a balance of inviting guests into tasting rooms as NBWA members hit the road for their annual Spring Wine Release events. In Victoria, April 10, at Crystal Garden, “reWined” marks a new partnership with Make a Wish Foundation, where NBWA wines complement dishes by Vancouver Island chefs. Tickets: hibid.ca/events/rewined-victoria-2018
April 13, NBWA members are at Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel to partner with the Ocean Wise seafood program at “Wine For Waves,” presenting their wines with offerings from sustainable seafood restaurants. Tickets: seafood.ocean.org/events/wfw2018/
Both these events also host silent auctions of exclusive Naramata wines and experiences. All proceeds from the events go to charities. There are trade tastings in the afternoons at both locations.
“The charitable component is an important commitment that NBWA makes for each event to give back to communities in which we live and visit,” said Tina Baird of the NBWA.
In that spirit, NBWA is pleased to be the wine sponsor for Vancouver Community College’s “Flourish Gala” on March 14 — an event to raise scholarship and bursary funds. Savour Naramata wines with food creations from high profile VCC Culinary alumni chefs. Tickets: vcc.ca/gala
Of course, NBWA is always proud to welcome visitors. At the Okanagan Wine Festival’s Spring Festival, May 12, members again present their complimentary event “Roll Out the Barrels” at multiple wineries. Details can be found on all activities by frequently checking naramatabench.com, as well as by clicking links to the wineries’ individual websites. The perennially sold-out Tailgate Party is September 8, with tickets on sale in May.
~ Roslyne Buchanan