Wine festival starts Friday

Mount Washington’s popular Alpine Wine Festival returns Friday.

The event will provide guests with an opportunity to sample new varietals, ciders, meads and fruit wines, all in a spectacular setting at the Raven Lodge overlooking the peaks of Strathcona Provincial Park.

Wineries and distributors attending this year’s event include Peacock and Martin Imports, Averill Creek Vineyards, Coastal Black, Beaumont Family Estate Winery, Merridale Ciderworks, Saturna Family Estate Winery, the Kirkwood Group, Jackson Triggs, Sumac Ridge, Bodacious, Saint and Sinner, South End Farm and Vineyard, Andrew Peller and Blue Moon Winery.

Entry to the festival is $30 per person and includes 10 samples and a festival glass. Additional tasting tokens can be purchased for $1 each. All of the samplings will take place from 6 to 9 p.m.

In addition to the wine sampling, light appetizers will be available at the event. For those looking for a full meal, a gourmet salmon and steak barbecue will be held in the Raven Lodge courtyard at an additional charge.

On Saturday night, the Wine Pairing Dinner tradition continues. The dinner, hosted by sommelier Jason Hyde of Peacock and Martin, features a sixcourse meal prepared by guest chef Daniele Mereu.

To start, the first course features Qualicum Scallops and Vancouver Island Spot Prawns paired with a 2010 Averill Creek Pinot Gris. The Pairing Dinner takes place at the Whiskey Jack Banquet Room in the Alpine Lodge, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $89 per person.

To purchase tickets for the Alpine Wine Festival, Wine Pairing Dinner or to book the weekend Wine Festival package, go to mountwashington.ca.

You can also call the mountain locally at 250-338-1386 or toll-free at 1-888-231-1499.

Two complimentary buses will be running from the Comox Valley to the festival on Friday evening. Priority is given to those who sign up and purchase their tickets online.