As a forerunner to the fully integrated Wine Tourism business,
a group of wineries and tourism operators saw the opportunity
25 years ago to develop a tourism event around the young wineries
in existence at the time. The Annual event was originally focused
on developing awareness of the wine industry among local Okanagan
residents and to celebrate the harvest of grapes and pair fine
Okanagan wines with food at a variety of culinary events.
The Fall Wine Festivals' success paralleled the growth of
the wine industry and became a major event in celebrating
the fall harvest amongst Okanagan Valley residents. Over time,
it developed a following from B.C. residents, and then residents
of the Pacific Northwest, and most recently wine lovers from
around the world. In 1996, its status as a leading event was
confirmed by the premier ranking among the "Top 100 Events
In North America" as ranked by the American Bus Association.
This ranking continues into 2010 having been named to the
Top 100 Events List for 13 years by the prestigious American
Bus Association. In 1995, the first Spring Wine Festival was
developed as the best way to kick-start the new wine season.
The introduction of the Spring Festival also allowed the Wine
Tourism industry to have two flagship events at the start
and at the end of the growing season, which allows for better
packaging of wine tourism. With great success, both Festivals
have been able to expand the traditional shoulder season for
tourism away from the peak summer months into the Spring and
Fall seasons.
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