Warming winter in wine country

Yes, winter is upon us. This past weekend’s time change and the sudden plethora of holidaythemed commercials has spurred on planning for winter in wine country, and believe it or not, there’s still plenty to do in the South Okanagan.

Save the dates as you start to fill up your seasonal calendar.

Yes, it may be an odd time of the year to drink pink wine, but in summery Australia, it is rosé season, and that’s where Rosé Revolution, a worldwide social media celebration of pink wine began.

For the fourth year, the Oliver Tourism Association and Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country are hosting their version.

On Nov. 29, Rosé Revolution will be held at Hester Creek Winery, offering guests the opportunity to taste rosés from 16 different wineries with fabulous food pairing stations, live music and a people’s choice award.

A timely reminder that pink wines are perfect with turkey and not just for patio sipping.

Tickets are $40. Please visit www.oliverosoyoos.com.

Sticking closer to home, Bottleneck Drive in Summerland celebrates the annual Light Up the Vines, also on Nov. 29, plus Sunday the 30th.

Wineries will be lighting up their vines from 3 to 7 p.m. both days, but also open all day for your shopping pleasure. Several tour companies are offering packages, or you can guide yourself. Just designate a driver. Visit www.bottleneckdrive.com.

Further north in the valley, the Westside Wine Trail along West Kelowna hosts Sip Into the Season on Dec. 7, inviting guests to travel from winery to winery to enjoy artisans and crafters, pick up a few gifts on the way, as well as enjoy tasty bites and try B.C. wine.

A great way to stock up on wine for holiday parties and hostess gifts, while knocking a few gift purchases off your to-do list.

Before things get too crazy, this is also a good time of the year to do some research into wine clubs, either at your favourite winery or through one of the regional winery associations, and see if there’s a package that either suits you, should you be hosting a party or two, or a club that offers a good gift program.

Keep in mind that until all of our provincial borders are open to the free flow of Canadian wine across the country, there may be some restrictions on shipping wine to your relatives in another province.

But maybe that’s a good excuse to invite them here for a weekend in the next month – get the Alberta folks here on the new WestJet flight – for some winter wine touring.

Allison Markin is the founder of All She Wrote, social media with a culinary twist. Visit: www.allshewrote.ca.