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Record results for wine festival

by Contributed - Story: 40180
Jun 25, 2008 / 11:30 am

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced record results today for the 14th Okanagan Spring Wine Festival presented by American Express. Gary Reynolds, Owner, Lake Breeze Vineyards in Naramata and President of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society stated, “The 10 day Spring Wine Festival provided very strong results for the wine tourism industry. With over 90 events, we increased our direct revenues by 21% to over $975,000 and we witnessed an increase of 22% in attendance to 41,000 consumer visits. This, despite the relatively cold weather, demonstrates that our wines and our wine culture are in high demand.” This year marked the extension of the Spring Wine Festival from 5 to 10 days to meet the increasing demand for wine tourism. There were over 90 events throughout Okanagan Wine Country.

Nancy Cameron, CEO, Tourism Kelowna welcomed the numbers as a strong indication that wine tourism continues to grow as a positive economic engine of the regional economy. “The Spring Wine Festival after 14 years is producing a stronger revenue contribution than the famous Okanagan Fall Wine Festival did after its first 14 years. This is a significant achievement for all of the wineries, accommodators and attractions associated with the Okanagan Wine Festivals.”

With the Canadian dollar at par and higher gas prices, it appears that the targeted marketing of wine tourism to BC residents and Alberta residents is paying off. Pam Luckhurst, Co-Owner, Golden Mile Cellars in Oliver advised “Our strongest markets continue to comprise the economies of BC and Alberta. We will continue to focus our destination marketing towards the shorter haul wine tourist in the face of rising fuel costs.”

With 80 member wineries, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society now turns its attention to the 7th Okanagan Summer Wine Festival presented by American Express and hosted by Silver Star Mountain Resort from August 8-9, 2008. For more information on this, check out (www.thewinefestivals.com) and for package information please contact Silver Star Mountain Resort at 1-800-663-4431.

For information on wine touring in Okanagan Wine Country throughout the year, go to (www.okanaganwinecountry.ca) and download your free copy of the B.C. Wine Country Touring Handbook.

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About the author...

Jim Martin has been involved with the wine and spirits industry for more than three decades. Originally from Vancouver where he started with the provincial BCLDB, Jim discovered a passion for wine in 1977 when he stumbled across a 1975 Bordeaux that was a revelation to him. This led to delving further into wine appreciation through constant tasting and evaluation of the different regions of the world. Trying his hand at making wine from Zinfandel grapes one year gave him an appreciation for the trials and tribulations encountered by winemakers. The wine turned out to be spectacular.

A turning point was in 1986 when he was placed in charge of the wine selection at one of the top specialty wine stores in B.C. Through this he became involved with the specialty wine store at the Vancouver International Wine festival from 1988-1992. All of these events led to his advancement to the position of Wine Consultant at key specialty wine stores in West Vancouver and Whistler where he set up the wine selections and helped restaurants develop their wine lists. It was while in Whistler that he acquired the nickname "Corky".

In 1996, after returning to work from a lengthy illness, he felt it was time for a move and left the lower mainland for the sunny climes of the Okanagan, settling in Kelowna with his wife Patti and their 4 children. Here he became involved with the local wine industry by sitting on the VQA panel and serving as a wine judge on occasion. He also continued to work with restaurants, speaking at wine events and dinners.

In 2004, he left the BCLDB for the private sector becoming involved in the opening of Kelowna's first private specialty wine store, Waterfront Wines and most recently with Metro Liquor. He was instrumental in developing an email newsletter while at the LDB and expanding it at Waterfront Wines and Central Park to now include almost 700 people who receive up-to-date wine news every week. Jim started writing the Wine Gourmet column for Castanet on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to wine and the global wine industry in the fall of 2004.

Jim is well respected by the wine community and is best known for his approachable and knowledgeable style. Constantly trying to de-emphasize the snobbery of wine, Jim is friendly and easy to talk to about all aspects of wines.

You can reach Martin at 763-2600 or email jim.martin@castanet.net or visit their website on Castanet.

The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.

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