Since 1997, Oliver’s Festival of the Grape has been upping the ante for wine events in the South Okanagan, drawing in thousands of wine lovers to celebrate at the Fall Wine Festival’s largest outdoor event. Presented by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, more than 50 wineries attend the popular annual event each year, giving wine lovers an excellent opportunity to taste and experience the best from each local winery in one convenient location. This wine tasting event is a whole lot of fun for the entire family, so check out our tips to make the most of your day at the Festival of the Grape!
1. Arrive Early
The Festival of the Grape takes place on October 4th from noon to 5:00 PM at the Oliver Community Centre and you should definitely arrive early to get the most of your day. By getting to the festival early, you will be able to take in the Parade of Wineries, a fun way to start the day, and you will have first dibs at trying the must-haves and award-winning wines. It can be difficult to gauge what will be popular from year to year and wineries do run out from time to time so get there early for best selection and a more relaxed experience.
2. Pack a Notebook
A small notebook is an essential item in your wine tasting arsenal! When you come across a wine, product, or food dish that you love, write it down. For wines, you will want to make note of the winery, varietal, and the year. Wines can vary greatly from vintage to vintage and when you are in the store, you will want to confirm that you’re purchasing the correct year.
3. Get In On The Action
The Festival of the Grape is one of the more interactive wine events in the Okanagan, with opportunities for guests to take part in the festivities, so don’t be shy! Get some friends together and sign up for the grape stomping competition (entry deadline is September 11th) or simply set your inhibitions aside and dance to the live music on site. This year’s entertainment will be provided by Brandon Isaak and his Saints of Swing.
4. Make a Weekend Of It
This year marks the arrival of the all-new Night FOG event. On Saturday, October 3rd from 6-9 PM, you can enjoy tastings from area breweries, distilleries and cideries. Like the Festival of the Grape, Night FOG will also feature an art show and food vendors, so if wine isn’t your thing, this new event may be just what you were looking for. You can also save $5 when you purchase tickets for both the Festival of the Grape and Night FOG for $45.
5. Bring The Kids!
The Festival of the Grape is one of the most family-friendly festivals in the region, so don’t leave the kids at home. Admission for those aged 19 and under is free and the ‘Chateau de Kids’ features a petting zoo and activities to keep the children entertained. In past years, the kids zone activities have included bouncy castles, rock climbing walls, bungee trampolines, face painting and more!
Event Highlights
- Cheer on the parade of wineries
- Wine tasting from over 50 Okanagan wineries
- Grape Stomping competition
- Live entertainment
- 60 Trade vendors
- 15 Food Vendors
- Indoor Art show
- Chateau de Kids (petting zoo & activities)
- Free admission for kids under 19
- Smoke free and pet free (designated smoking area)
- Free parking
Once you’ve had your fill of grape-stomping, wine-sipping, delicious fun at the Festival of the Grape, you can come back to your home away from home, your luxurious suite at Watermark Beach Resort. Our suites offer you everything you need for a relaxing evening and, should the need for more wining and dining strike, you will be happy to know that our on-site restaurant has one of the most extensive BC wine lists around.
Contact reservations@watermarkbeachresort.com or call 1-888-755-3480 to book your stay at Watermark Beach Resort. For more information on the Festival of the Grape or Night FOG, visit oliverfestivalofthegrape.ca.
