An event that started with a whimper is ready to make a big bang as the 10th annual Winemakers Cup takes over Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna this weekend.
More than 100 people who work in the wine industry across the Okanagan Valley are expected to attend the weekend event, said Pauline Gagnon, one of the organizer’s of this weekend’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
“We started at Mount Baldy up near Osoyoos with a few people and it’s hard to believe we’re now in our 10th year,” said Gagnon, who works at Black Hills Estate Winery between Oliver and Osoyoos. “This is our third year at Big White and I know everyone who has signed up is really looking forward to it.”
The fun kicks off Friday night with a “Sabrefest” where participants use their skills with a large sabre to knock the tops off fine bottles of sparkling wine.
For those participants who enjoy skiing, the fun competition begins early Saturday and continues all day, she said.
There will once again be prizes for “slowest racer”, “best costume” and numerous other categories and there will be no recognition of the actual good skiers who bolt down the hill quickly, she said.
“This is all about having fun, promoting the wine industry and getting an opportunity to network with others who work in the wine industry,” she said.
There will be a dinner, dance and social on Saturday evening, she said.
Many participants leave Sunday morning, but everyone is invited to spend the day skiing or snowboarding at one of the country’s best resorts, she said.
Organizers opened up the Winemakers Cup to regular citizens who consider themselves wine experts, but the event was becoming too big, so it has once again been opened up only to those who work in the industry, she said.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
