South Okanagan Wineries Assocation

SOWA Half Corked Marathon 2010

2009-07-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

South Okanagan Wineries Association is planning on producing a Canadian wine marathon aptly named The SOWA ½ Corked Marathon May 29 & 30 2010.

It is fashioned after the French Medoc event but the course will be a bit shorter distance than France. http://www.marathondumedoc.com/

We are ironing out the fun details and course layout and will launch all the info during fall wine festival along with the South Okanagan Wineries Association brand new website .

Kitchen Party May 26th 2009

2009-04-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

We've noticed the best parties end up in the kitchen, so why not start there?

The 2nd Annual Kitchen Party
May 26th 2009

There will be tickets available at the door.

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts ~ Edible BC ~ Tasting Room Radio

Tickets are now on sale!

19 wineries from the communities of Osoyoos and Oliver, SOWA represents this niche region that has attracted intrepid grape-growers, savvy wine makers, and diverse international personalities. The member wineries and vineyards adopt, evoke and express the namesakes of the land, landmarks, personalities, and historic influences - all decidedly regional:

We’ve noticed the best parties end up in the kitchen, so why not start there?

Join the South Okanagan Winery Association as they present their 2nd Annual Kitchen Party showcasing fine wines & limited releases from some of BCs top wineries with canapés prepared by Vancouver’s best restaurants. The event will be hosted at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts http://www.picachef.com/ !

Confirmed Restaurants

http://www.cru.ca/

http://www.legavroche.ca/

http://www.lolitasrestaurant.com/

http://www.meandjulio.ca/

http://www.odoulsrestaurant.com/

http://www.senovarestaurant.com/

http://www.salmonhouse.com/

http://www.socialatlemagasin.com/

http://www.terrabreads.com/

http://www.vistadoro.com/

Partial Proceeds support the Desert Center Osoyoos

Tucked into the southernmost corner of British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley, this extraordinary habitat is home to one of North America’s most fragile and endangered ecosystems. Despite its small size, Canada’s desert is home to an exceptional array of desert plants and animals, some found nowhere else in Canada, many on the brink of extinction. The Osoyoos Desert Society, through education, research and public awareness, is committed to conserving this unique desert environment for future generations. http://www.desert.org/

When: Tuesday May 26th 2009

Time: 6:30 to 9:00pm
Where: Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
1505 West 2nd AvenueVancouver, BC (Granville Island)

Tickets are $75
They will be available at the door.

Click on the link below to go to the secure online ticket company. Or call 1 800 663 1900 http://okres.bc.ca/south_okanagan_wineries_association_event.htm

Naming the Assocation

2009-04-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

WOW over 500 entries to our naming contest! Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. The committee is meeting and working through the list. Tune in then!
Cheers

Wine Industry Identity Crisis

2009-03-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

'South Okanagan Wineries Association' Needs a New Name!

March 10, 2008 (Oliver, BC) A group of wineries formerly known as the “South Okanagan Wineries Association” (SOWA) needs help finding a new name! A contest is taking place to name the association, and the winner will receive a VIP trip to Banée in Oliver.

In 2007, more than 15 wineries from the Okanagan Valley (in the geographical wine region beginning at McIntyre Bluff to the international border at Osoyoos) formed a non-profit organization. Their mission is to work together to develop and expand the local grape and wine industry in Oliver and Osoyoos through education and promotion.

As the group works cooperatively to find their niche, they are also struggling to find a name that best expresses what they are all about. Not satisfied with SOWA, they came up with “Oliver, Osoyoos Desert Wine Country Association” (OODWCA).

Despite the naming committee being comprised of some of the sharpest minds in the wine community, it took the newly-named group only a few days to realize that their new handle was impossible to handle. This is where the public comes in: OODWCA, formerly SOWA, is sponsoring a renaming contest. The person to supply a winning new name of the association (and their guest) will be treated like royalty at the upcoming Banée. Banée is Oliver’s secret wine festival that takes place in the spring each year; in 2009 it’s on April 17 and 18.

Naming Criteria
The winning name should:
1. Not be longer than 40 characters.
2. Aptly describe the group of wineries, which are located in the Oliver and Osoyoos area. For example, the term “South Okanagan” is not appropriate because the geographical region South Okanagan goes as far North as Summerland, so South Okanagan does not accurately describe the specific region.
3. Evoke the fact that this region is where the majority of the Okanagan Valley grapes are grown. This is serious winegrowing country, encompassing the famed Golden Mile and Black Sage benches.
4. Not be a term that is trademarked or used by another winery or winery association – i.e. “Corkscrew Drive” is used by the wineries on Penticton’s East Side Road, “Bottleneck Drive” is used by the Summerland winery group; “2Bench” is a trademark belonging to Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

Determining the Winner:
1. If there is more than one winning entry, the Grand Prize winner will be determined by draw from the pool of winning entries.
2. The Grand Prize includes the following for April 18th, 2009 only: one night’s accommodation at the Spirit Ridge Resort and Spa in Osoyoos, a VIP winery tour experience, and two tickets to Banée. Prize does not include transportation.
3. The prize is non-transferrable and must be accepted as offered. If the winner is not available to attend Banée, another name will be chosen.

How to Enter:
1. Entrants must be 19 years or older.
2. Entrants are to go online to www.ccltd.ca/namethatwineregion
3. Entry deadline is March 31, 2009.