Ashley Spilak
As we move through fall harvest, we begin to reflect on the special moments of 2017 and the year ahead.
Naturally one starts speculating on what the dominant themes will be in wine, what the possibilities are, and what lies ahead in 2018. Certainly, a focus for the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) will be combining BC award-winning wines with Canada’s top culinary talents. Expanding opportunities within wine and culinary tourism to attract a new audience to this growing niche industry is a priority for 2018.
“In 2017 visitors took serious notice of culinary tourism in BC and I’m encouraged to see a natural partnership developing with the Wines of British Columbia,” said Miles Prodan, CEO and President of the BCWI.
“It’s not everyday someone gets to experience all-star celebrity Chefs and wineries all in one place. I am so pleased we were able to accomplish this in the Okanagan and I look forward to future collaboration targeting other regions of our Province in 2018.”
Case in point, August 2017 witnessed four BCWI Chef Meets BC Grape Taste of the Okanagan events. The quartet ensemble delivered unique visitor experiences that earned positive reviews and exponentially increased discussion within social and traditional media circles.
More than 375 consumers wined and dined. Each event catered to a different level of wine lover, ranging from the most sophisticated wine academic to the new explorer seeking to learn more about wine and food pairings.
Consumers were kept captivated with professional Chef demonstrations, wine seminars on popular and emerging wine topics, and creative wine and food pairings. The four events presented a rare experience for visitors to the Okanagan and our participating BCWI wineries agreed the Chef Meets BC Grape partnership offered valuable exposure, optimizing the talents of top Canadian Chefs from different cities and provinces. The quality and diversity of the Wines of British Columbia was evident and a truly unique wine and culinary experience was enjoyed by all.
Adding to Chef Meets BC Grape events, the BCWI hosted the first-ever Okanagan Wine and Culinary futures conference in Kelowna. The four day conference held October 17 to the 20 brought together industry experts and an impressive line-up of international speakers to share their knowledge.
The participation of twelve countries sets the stage for the next chapter in BC which, undoubtedly in wine and culinary tourism, promises to be a bright one