Grand Sommelier
What could be better than ‘chugging’ some wine, while chugging through Summerland on the Kettle Valley Railway steam engine?
The Grand Sommelier Express was a big hit with wine lovers last year, and the Bottleneck Drive wine association has announced it will be back this summer by popular demand.
The attraction includes a ride on the Kettle Valley heritage steam engine, culminating with a stop at the Summerland train trestle for a photo opp, and then a longer stop for an outdoor ‘grazing reception’ where Brodo Kitchen chefs prepare the food, local wineries, cideries and a brewery provide the drinkables, and a live band provides the ambience.
This year marks the third year for the Grand Sommelier Express, which is quickly becoming a solid annual tradition that brings more visitors into the Bottleneck Drive wine region.
That region is made up of 24 members, and they’re not just wineries. The association adopted a policy of working hand in hand with other types of similar businesses, so the Bottleneck Drive group includes 19 wineries, three cideries, one brewery, and a distillery.
The Grand Sommelier Express will be held this year on June 9, leaving from the Kettle Valley Railway Station. Tickets are $150, and you’ll find the link for tickets on the association website at bottleneckdrive.com