The 29th annual Okanagan Fall Wine Festival got off to a promising start with strong wine sales and sold-out events surprising even the president.

“We know that our main wine events offer great value for the experience we offer, but we did not expect the expansion of our WestJet Wine Tastings would sell out. But it is nice to be proven wrong,”  said Gary Reynolds, president of the Okanagan Wine Festivals and owner of Lake Breeze Vineyards in Naramata.

“Both nights of the WestJet Wine Tastings sold out and what impressed us the most was the growth in a younger market segment that is obviously attracted to our events. It’s great to see that our approach to offer wine tastings that are naturally fun is paying off.”

The opening four days finished off with a sold-out audience attending the Gourmet and Grapes Gala sponsored by Terasen Gas and held at Kelowna’s Cabana Bar and Grill. Ned Bell from Cabana and Wayne Martin from Fraiche in Vancouver went head to head in an Iron Chef competition while patrons dined on tapas foods from six different Okanagan restaurants and six wineries from the Okanagan. In the South Okanagan a mob also gathered at the annual Festival of the Grape in Oliver to take in the entertaining grape stomp and enjoy the 40-plus wineries on hand.

The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival continues throughout Okanagan Wine Country with over 150 events during the period of Oct. 1-10. Major upcoming events include the Valley First Grand Finale Wine Tastings held Friday and Saturday at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets are still available and may be purchased online through www.ticketmaster.ca.