Oliver, B.C. The organizers of the Winemakers Cup announced today additional details for the fourth annual festival. The Winemakers Cup Ski Race is the World’s only annual ski challenge weekend for the wine industry and it takes place for the benefit of industry networking, peer camaraderie and palate appreciation.
The fourth annual weekend of festivities takes place March 25 to 27, 2011 at the resort of Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos and up on the ski hill of Mt. Baldy in B.C. Close to one hundred winemakers, cellar hands and vineyard managers, tasting room staff, restaurateurs, sommeliers and many other industry people will race head-to-head on the ski slopes and then drink wine, après-ski style while reliving the hilarious antics of the day.
They will be participating in several events as part of the weekend in the heart of the Okanagan, one of the world’s most scenic and beautiful wine regions.Today it was announced that the following organizations have confirmed their participation in the event, and their sponsorship of this important wine industry gathering: Cellar Tek, Title Sponsor of the Winemakers CupBDO, Sponsor of Saturday Evening Dinner and Awards BanquetViking Refrigeration, Sponsor of the hilarious “Agony of Defeat” video, Osoyoos Indian Band, Sponsor of the Lunch at Mount BaldyWestland Insurance, Sponsor of the Friday Night Winemakers ForumBMO, Trophy Sponsor for the Winemakers Cup
“We are looking forward to another great event this year” said Randy Jones, Proprietor of Title Sponsor Cellar Tek. “We appreciate everyone’s efforts in putting on such a fantastic gathering of the industry. With the great snow conditions that are at Mt. Baldy this year, this is going to be an exceptional year.”
Further, it was announced that Saturday night is Industry Night at Spirit Ridge. This social night is open to any and all people involved in the wine industry, regardless of whether they participated in the ski race or not.
“Come on out and rub shoulders with new and familiar acquaintances. It does not matter whether you ski or snowboard or not. Just come on out and have some fun” said Peter Glockner of Cellar Tek. Previous winners of the Winemakers Cup include: 2008 Bill Eggert, Winemaker, Fairview Cellars2009 Stephen Wyse, Winemaker, Young & Wyse 2010 Herb Alex, Cellarhand, Jackson-TriggsFull video from the race and the festivities from previous years are available at: http://www.paulcottonfilms.com/WinemakersCup.php.The events for the 2011 Winemakers’ Cup include: Friday March 25. Spirit Ridge Resort. 7 pm to 9 pm “Winemakers Forum”. Some special iconic guests from the Wine Industry will join their Okanagan peers for a blind-tasting session as well as an interesting panel discussion on trends & opportunities in the wine industry today.
No cost to join, just be sure to bring one bottle of wine donation per person.9 pm to midnight “The Wine Industry Hospitality Suite”. Come and rub shoulders and socialize with Winemakers, Cellarhands, Vineyard staff and other industry folk. .Saturday March 26, Mt. Baldy Ski Resort. Join us for a fun day on the slopes or on the deck enjoying the sun.
There will be a fun dual-slalom ski race with prizes being given out to Top Skier (Male & Female), Top Snowboarder (Male & Female), Top Telemarker, Best wipe-out and Worst times (Male & Female) as well as prizes for any kids that enter. Registration starts at 9 am. Race Starts at 11 am. BBQ & Hanging in the Sun at 1 pm. Free skiing or Après skiing all afternoon long.Snow bunnies/Lodge Skiers- BBQ Lunch and commemorative T-shirt: only $35.00.
Race participants: Lift ticket, Race participation, BBQ lunch and T-shirt: only $65.00. Race without Lift tickets (season pass holders): $45.00There will be optional snowshoeing lessons for anyone that would like to try it. Saturday Evening: Spirit Ridge Resort6:30 pm Sparkling wine reception.7:00-9:30 pm Winemakers Cup Awards Banquet. Includes a gourmet 3-course dinner, wine pairings, and awards presentation: Only $80 per person9:30 pm- 1:00 am. The Winemakers Cup After-party & Dance featuring the live music of “Double Magnum”. Cost only $20.00 per person plus one bottle of wine for admittance. Sunday March 27Free to check out and do whatever you want.
“We’re lucky in the Okanagan. We’re not only blessed with unique winemaking terroir, but we are the only region to have a ski area such as Mount Baldy in very close proximity to the vineyards,” says organizer Glenn Fawcett, president of Black Hills Estate Winery. “Making wine is hard work, and it’s good for all of us to get away from the grind and get together for some friendly ski competition, marked mostly by laughs.Fawcett says it’s also a chance to for the industry to connect and share ideas.
“Some of the most interesting conversations happen on a chairlift, up there in the fresh mountain air. The Winemakers Cup is a great catalyst for these conversations. It enables an exchange of ideas and information that outside of the day-to-day work environment in the wineries and vineyards," he says. It’s just a lot of fun to get the industry together for some laughs. And of course, you don’t have to be in the wine industry to come out for these events. Everyone is welcome.”
The Winemakers Cup was created and organized as a partnership between Black Hills Estate Winery, Mt. Baldy, and Spirit Ridge Resort.For tickets, call Jennifer at Spirit Ridge at (250) 495-5445, ext. 5003. If you’re interested in the race, spots are available right up to race day. For further information on the Winemakers Cup, go to www.spiritridge.ca/race . For information on Mount Baldy Ski Area, go to www.skibaldy.com .
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