A wine and food affair to remember: Constellation hosts #WBC13 opening night reception

The recent Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC13 in Penticton, British Columbia was a perfect time for Spaswinefood to sample some of the best of Okanagan Valley's wine and food.  The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia's oldest and largest wine producing area. It is no secret that this region has attracted great winemakers who have put their experience and passion into making great wines.  British Columbia 's Vitners Quality Alliance (VQA) designation is an appellation of origin that is modeled after the European system.  Within British Columbia's wine appellation there are four "designated viticultural areas" (DVA's). These DVA's include Okanagan Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Similkameen Valley. The beautiful Okanagan Valley is home to over 60 wineries. During our opening reception we were introduced to Okanagan Valley wines paired with food.

Constellation Hosts Welcoming Reception

Even after a long day traveling to the Okanagan Valley, I did not miss the Opening Night Reception held at See Ya Later Ranch by Constellation.  The Constellation wineries at the opening reception included Black Sage Vineyards, See Ya Later Ranch, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Stellar's Jay, Nk'Mip Cellars, Jackson-Triggs Winery, Inniskillin and Osoyoos Larose. The caterer for the reception was Joy Road, Cuisine Du Terroir.

The Opening Night Reception was a casual elegant affair. In fact it was an affair to remember. Yes, a wine and food affair to remember. The setting, the wine, the food and the social interaction all came together. It was like a fine blend of wine by a master winemaker. Here are few highlights:

A welcoming wine upon arrival at Se Ya Later Ranch © Spaswinefood

Stellar's Jay Methode Classique Brut, VQA Okanagan Valley 2008 © Spaswinefood

The welcoming wine, Stellar's Jay Methode Classique Brut, VQA Okanagan Valley 2008 was paired with oysters.

Oysters paired with Stellar's Jay Methode Classique Brut, VQA Okanagan Valley 2008 © Spaswinefood

 The was also Foie Gras © Spaswinefood

As wine bloggers explored See Ya Later Ranch that evening friendly Joy Road caterers offered inviting food pairings to go along with selected wines.

Joy Road, Cuisine Du Terroir © Spaswinefood

Here are some of the wine and food pairings available for sampling.

Sumac Ridge wines paired with Growing Salads © Spaswinefood

Sumac Ridge Gerwurtraminer, VQA Okanagan Valley 2012 © Spaswinefood

Sumac Ridge Cabernet Merlot, VQA Okanagan Valley 2011 © Spaswinefood

Growing Salads © Spaswinefood

Here are a few more wines:

See Ya Later Ranch wines paired with Truffle buttered Popcorn © Spaswinefood

Nk' Mip Cellars Talon, VQA Okanagan 2010 © Spaswinefood

Osoyoos Lasrose Le Gran Vin, VQA Okanagan 2008 © Spaswinefood

Yes, at the end there was some Inniskillin Icewine to sample.

Yes, sharing great wine and food with fellow wine blogger friends was special.

Spaswinefood with One Girl, One Glass, One World and Vino Noire © Spaswinefood

See Ya Later Okanagan Valley
What a wonderful evening #WBC13 wine bloggers had sampling the wonderful Okanagan Valley wines and food. Spring through fall the Okanagan Valley gets thousands of culinary adventurers who come in search of great wine and food. These adventurers come to explore Okanagan wineries and restaurants. Anita Stewart notes "Nowhere else in Canada has such a selection of top chefs gathered in a wine region to open such approachable, outstanding restaurants." Interested in “a wine and food adventure” then put the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia on your list. Check out my travels in the Okanagan Valley and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or visit  my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

June 2013
See Ya Later Ranch

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

©Spaswinefood

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