Spoiler alert!
I'm going to start telling you about the 12 fantastically festive bottles in the '12 Days of Wine' advent calendar from See Ya Later Ranch in Okanagan Falls.
If you want to be surprised by the mystery wines as you pull them out of the decorated box day by day on a countdown from Dec. 13 to Dec. 24 then stop reading and order your calendar here:
https://www.greatestatesokanagan.com/product/See-Ya-Later-Ranch-12-Days-of-Wine
It's an awesome holiday deal priced at $250, down from the regular $345, for 12 wines, four bonus gifts and the wintery packaging.
As such, it's ideal for gifting or keeping yourself for a Christmas season full of cheersing, celebrating, sipping and noshing.
Behind each numbered door is a bottle of wine, maybe a little seasonal gift and a quippy vinous-holiday-related saying on the inside of the door.
So here goes:
1. open Dec. 13
2022 Legacy Rose
No need for milk and cookies
2. open Dec. 14
2022 Nelly Rose
Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow
Bonus gift of a wine bottle Christmas tree ornament
3. open Dec. 15
2022 Jimmy My Pal aromatic white wine blend
Pairs well with family drama
Bonus gift of a See Ya Later Ranch bandana for your dog (the winery is on the site founded by dog lover Major Hugh Fraser)
4. open Dec. 16
2021 Major's Block red blend (Shiraz-dominant)
Fa-la-la-la let's pour some wine
5. open Dec. 17
2021 Ping Meritage (Bordeaux-style red blend)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, pass the Cab-er-net
Bonus gift of coasters that read: Leave a lively legacy+Good wines+Good times
6. open Dec. 18
2023 Pinot Gris
Pour some wine, it's Christmas time
7. open Dec. 19
2022 Chardonnay
Wine a little, sleigh a lot
Bonus gift of a Christmas-scented candle from Canvas Candle Company
8. open Dec. 20
2019 Unleashed Pinot Noir
Christmas calories don't count
9. open Dec. 21
2021 Rover (Shiraz red wine with a splash of Viognier)
Perfect for mulled wine
10. open Dec. 22
2023 Gewurztraminer
Wish gew a happy holiday
Bonus gift of spice rub
11. open Dec. 23
2020 Poppy red blend
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is wine
12. open Dec. 24
Sparkling Brut (Champagne-method_
Don't wait for a celebration -- pop the cork anytime
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Light Up the Vines
Summerland is going all out for the holiday season with Light Up the Vines, festive wine pairings and a myriad of options at Summerland Waterfront Resort.
Tonight, Summerland's Bottleneck Drive Association and Visit Summerland kick off Light Up the Vines with a beverage tent at the corner of Henry Avenue and Wharton Street downtown.
The tent will brim with local wine, beer, cider and spirits.
Saturday night, the main Light Up the Vines illumination of grape vines starts, 5 pm to 9 pm, along with member wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries of the Bottleneck Drive Association opening their doors for tastings and seasonal specials.
The same sort of Light Up the Vines evenings will be repeated Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7.
Check out details here: https://www.bottleneckdrive.com/
Meanwhile, over at Summerland Waterfront Resort on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6 pm to 8 pm, local winery Haywire has its Christmas Sips & Snacks Wine Pairing party.
Three still wines and three sparkling wines will be matched with bites in the ballroom $59 tickets at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/christmas-sips-snacks-with-haywire-winery-tickets-1057307157169?_ga-ft=ZzupVQ.AA.AA.AA.AA.DEI99zzeTfuCgAuMEtwkGg..0
Summerland Waterfront Resort is also offering Light Up the Vines packages tonight, Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 that include overnight accommodation at the all-suite hotel, bottle of resort private-label wine from Haywire, charcuterie board and shuttle with Top Cat Tours to four wineries for tastings and illumination sightseeing.
Package prices start at $370 per couple.
The resort will also have waterfront holiday luncheons and Christmas parties on various dates through December.
Check out: https://summerlandresorthotel.com/package-deals
Winter in wine country
Over the next two weekends, the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association has no less than 10 events to celebrate Winter in Wine Country.
It kicks off tonight with the Oliver Community Light Up & Fireworks and runs through this Saturday and Sunday and next weekend with tastings, bites, markets and workshops at Lakeside Cellars, River Stone Estate Winery, Silver Sage Winery, Moon Curser Vineyards, Tinhorn Creek Winery, Black Hills Winery, Over the Fence Winery, Burrowing Owl Winery and vinAmite Cellars.
Check out the full schedule here: https://oliverosoyoos.com/winter-in-wine-country/?mc_cid=2c65d27673&mc_eid=61b717f7c5
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
