The Kamloops Wine Festival will make its long-awaited return in June at Colombo Lodge and, this year, visitors can purchase their favourite wines at the event.
The festival, founded in 1998, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. For 15 of those years, Judy Basso has been at the helm and she is once again organizing the event.
This year, a portion of proceeds will go toward Western Canada Theatre.
The Kamloops Wine Festival is making its first appearance since the pandemic arrived in 2020.
Western Canada Theatre artistic director James MacDonald was on hand at the launch event on Wednesday (March 15), downtown at Kelson Hall.
"It really does share the principles we have at Western Canada Theatre. Now, more than ever, it's so important for us to be together as a community," MacDonald said.
Two events make up the festival. The first is on Thursday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. Canadian cheese ambassador David Beaudoin will present an interactive session on pairing B.C. and Canadian cheeses with wine and other food.
Basso called the event an “otherworldly experience" and said she was lucky to get Beaudoin, who will bring his food knowledge and comedic talents to the event. Tickets are limited, available for $87.25 plus taxes and fees.
Next up will be the Grand Wine Tasting Party from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. Featured wineries include Fort Berens, The View, Larch Hills, Privato and Celista, all of which will showcase wines, ciders and other products.
Tickets to the Grand Wine Tasting Party are $75 plus taxes and fees and a group rate of $65 per person is available for bookings of five or more.
The Lansdowne Liquor Store will have a booth at the event, where those attending can place orders for their favourite wines and pick them up within a couple of weeks after the event.
For tickets, go online to kamloopslive.ca or call the Kamloops Live box office at 250-374-5483.
