Terry David Mulligan (left), host of the wine-themed radio talk show The Tasting Room, and Canadian-born actor Jason Priestley chat with Jason Drysdale of Channel 18 during last year’s Celebrity Wine Auction at the Walnut Beach Resort. Photo by Laurena Weninger/ Osoyoos Times File - Click on picture for larger image
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 9, 2010
By Laurena Weninger – Osoyoos Times
It’s time to once again rub shoulders with the stars in Osoyoos at the second annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival being held June 10 through 13.
“There are so many things going on,” said Glenn Fawcett, president of Black Hills Estate Winery, one of the partners putting on the festival.
Festivities begin on June 10 at 8 p.m. at the Watermark Beach Resort with the Vinos, “the world’s first wine commercial film festival and contest.”
The contest lets wine enthusiasts come up with amateur wine commercials – 60-second videos of their favourite B.C. winery.
“We know there are a lot of people out there who love B.C. wine,” said Jason Priestley, one of the celebrities that will be in attendance at the festival, in a media release. “So why not grab your friends and a camcorder and make a 60-second video commercial about your favourite B.C. wine or winery?”
Fawcett said there are already more than a dozen commercials entered in the contest, which will offer up $1,500 and three cases of B.C. wine to the first place winner.
All finalists in the competition will receive two free tickets to the Vinos party, plus a free night’s accommodation in Osoyoos during the festival.
Tickets to the event where the finalists’ videos will be viewed are $29 each.
The next day is all about bike riding.
From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., participants can join local winemakers as they enjoy a bike ride tour through South Okanagan wine country and enjoy a vineyard picnic lunch served with B.C. wine.
Tickets for this event are $70 each.
Later that night, at the Walnut Beach Resort, is the VIP reception and beach party.
This begins with a silent auction of B.C. wines, some musical performances and wraps up with a beach party and barbecue on the resort’s licensed beach area.
There will even be a jam session, said Fawcett, listing Bruce Greenwood, Lou Diamond Philips and Cameron Daddo as some of the stars taking part in the event.
“They’re all going to be performing on the beach.”
Tickets to this event are $99 each.
From noon until 3 p.m. on June 12 is the Nota Bene Release Party at Black Hills Estate Winery, including lunch and entertainment at the vineyard.
Tickets to this are $149.
Then, at Watermark Beach Resort is “Judgment in Osoyoos: the International Wine Showdown.”
This event includes a panel of experts assembled for a blind tasting of B.C wines next to those from other parts of the world.
Tickets are $40 and include tastes of all the wine.
“Saturday night is the big gala event,” Fawcett said.
From 7 to 11 p.m. at Spirit Ridge Resort, the Celebrity Wine Auction will be held. Participants will taste South Okanagan wines and appetizers from local restaurants and can bid on “rare wine” from Canadian wineries in live and silent auctions.
There will also be a performance by Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies.
Tickets for this event are $249.
Last year, $55,000 was raised through the auction, with $5,500 going to the Osoyoos Child Care Centre.
This year, more of the proceeds will be donated locally.
Proceeds will be donated to the Osoyoos Museum, the Osoyoos Desert Centre and the Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre, said Fawcett.
Destination Osoyoos is a co-sponsor of the festival, along with Black Hills Estate Winery and e=mc2 Event Management.
Hotel sponsors are Walnut Beach Resort, Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and the Watermark Beach Resort.
Brandon Routh, who played Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns, will also reportedly be coming to the festival.
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