Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 — Pre-Conference Fun

The Wine Bloggers’ Conference 2013 was held in Penticton, British Columbia, June 6 – 8. We arrived a couple of days before the Conference started so we could spend some time in Penticton and participate in one of the Pre-Conference Excursions. We chose the Kelowna Pre-Conference Excursion so we could learn a bit about the wineries along the central part of Okanagan Lake. The Excursion was organized and subsidized by Tourism Kelowna.

Here is a brief pictorial of our wanderings around Penticton and of the Kelowna Pre-Excursion. We will follow-up with a detailed post in the days ahead. Enjoy.

Tuesday, June 4

Arrived at Kelowna International Airport in the afternoon, rented a car and drove south along Okanagan Lake to Penticton, site of the Wine Bloggers’ Conference. We checked-in at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and spent the afternoon walking around the city of Penticton enjoying the lake views and the gardens. Both were spectacular.

Penticton Lakeside Resort - view from our room
Penticton Lakeside Resort – view from our room
Penticton Lakeside Resort at dusk
Penticton Lakeside Resort at dusk
Sculpture on Okanagan Lakeshore
Sculpture on Okanagan Lakeshore
Irises and Peony
Irises and Peony
Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Lupine
Lupine
White flowers
Don’t know what these are called, but they are lovely.
Flowers in Penticton
Flowers in Penticton
Penticton Ikeda Japanese Garden
Penticton Ikeda Japanese Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I will stop here. There are gardens everywhere!

Wednesday, June 5

Around mid-day we drove back up to Kelowna International Airport for the beginning of our Pre-Conference Excursion in Kelowna. We were greeted by Jenny from Tourism Kelowna, who drove us to Hotel Eldorado along the shore of Okanagan Lake. This hotel has a most interesting history, more about that in a future post.

Hotel Eldorado dockside
Hotel Eldorado dockside
Our Room at the Hotel Eldorado
Our Room at the Hotel Eldorado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A winery tour and dinner at Summerhill Pyramid Winery followed.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Welcome
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Welcome
View of Okanagan Lake from Summerhill Pyramid Winery
View of Okanagan Lake from Summerhill Pyramid Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric von Krosigk - Winemaker Gabe Cipes - Biodynamics/Permaculture
Eric von Krosigk – Winemaker and
Gabe Cipes – Biodynamics/Permaculture
The Pyramid at Summerhill Pyramid Winery
The Pyramid at Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Dinner Menu at Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Dinner Menu at Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Summerhill Pyramid Winery at Sunset
Summerhill Pyramid Winery at Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, June 6

Breakfast, tour and wine tasting at Tantalus Vineyards.

The Breakfast Menu at Tantalus Vineyards
The Breakfast Menu at Tantalus Vineyards
Chef Mark Filatow describes the menu
Chef Mark Filatow describes the menu
Pete's breakfast!
Pete’s breakfast!
Into the vineyards to learn about vineyard practices.
Into the vineyards to learn about vineyard practices.
Tantalus Winemaker, David and General Manager, Jane
Tantalus Winemaker, David and General Manager, Jane explain vineyard practices
Helen with honeycomb
Helen with honeycomb
Honeycomb tasting #yum
Honeycomb tasting #yum
Tantalus Tasting Lineup
Tantalus Tasting Lineup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winery and vineyard tour, with tasting in the vineyard followed by lunch at CedarCreek Estate Winery.

CedarCreek Estate Winery
CedarCreek Estate Winery
Darryl Brooker - Winemaker
Darryl Brooker – Winemaker
Newly planted Riesling Vineyard at CedarCreek Estate Winery
Newly planted Riesling Vineyard at CedarCreek Estate Winery
Riesling and Curried Chicken
2012 CedarCreek Block 3 Riesling and Curried Chicken
2010 CedarCreek Home Block Pinot Noir and Mushroom Risotto Ball
2010 CedarCreek Home Block Pinot Noir and Mushroom Risotto Ball
Pulled Pork Sliders for Lunch
Pulled Pork Sliders for Lunch
Thank you CedarCreek Estate Winery
Thank you CedarCreek Estate Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks to Tourism Kelowna and the WBC13 staff for organizing the excursion. In particular, thanks to Jenny Rutherfurd and Catherine Frechette of Tourism Kelowna who shared their knowledge and enthusiasm for the area with us (and kept us organized and on time!).

Thank you as well to Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Tantalus Vineyards and CedarCreek Estate Winery whose winemakers and staff were so generous with their time and expertise.

What a great introduction to the wines of the Okanagan Valley.

Cheers!

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Wine Bloggers Enjoyed Taste of Kelowna, Results Coming In | Tourism Kelowna News Centre

  2. Wow, looks like you guys had great weather (and good food/wine too). Love the wine bottle/glass sculpture. Are your wine-blogging skills off the charts now?

    • Ha! Don’t know about my blogging skills, but my swishing and spitting skills are sharp!