'Sip, Smile & Stay Awhile' -- it's all part of the BC wine industry's amped up efforts to keep tourists touring this long weekend and beyond.
The extra appeal is needed because some tourists are unsure what to expect this season.
After all, January's cold snap reportedly killed almost all grape vine buds, meaning there will be little to no grape harvest this fall and little to no 2024 vintage wine.
That kind of talk scares tourists off.
But, Wine Growers British Columbia, the organization representing the province's wine industry, is telling people: "Wineries are not only open and have an abundance of wine to share, but they have created an array of diverse and unique offers that allow guests to experience wine country like never before."
And then, the news release from Wine Growers goes on to outline the campaign 'Sip, Smile & Stay Awhile'.
The rhyming title succinctly says what Wine Growers and all wineries want you to do -- continue to happily buy and drink BC wines and make an extended visit to one of the province's nine regions to do so.
More information on 'Sip, Smile & Stay Awhile' at https://winebc.smugmug.com/, including the prompts that you should tag your wine touring and drinking photos and exploits on social media with @WinesofBC and #BCWine.
BC's nine wine regions, by the way are: the Okanagan, Similkameen, Shuswap, Thompson, Lillooet, Kootenays, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
The communique then goes on to say there are more than 60 wine events coming up over the next two month.
Check out https://winebc.com/wine-bc-events/.
Ten wineries have come up with completely new wine tourism adventures to lure locals and visitors alike as part of the Cultivating Experiences: Elevating BC Wine Tourism program.
They are:
1. The Long Table Dinner Series at Monte Creek Winery near Kamloops
2. The Intimate Dinner Series at Maverick Winery in Oliver
3. The Sip, Savour & Create Mediterranean Experience at Mythology Vineyards in Osoyoos
4. Aikin's Walk the Loop Tour at Joie Winery on the Naramata Bench
5. Terroir Session at Da Silva Winery on the Naramata Bench
6. The Art of Sabrage at Township 7's two locations -- Naramata Bench and Langley
7. Flavour, Texture & Time at Bartier Bros. Winery in Oliver
8. A Sparkling Day in Cowichan at Blue Grouse Winery on Vancouver Island
9. A Sparkling Day in Cowichan at Unsworth Vineyards on Vancouver Island
10. Wine & Art at Culmina Family Estate in Oliver
Cultivating Tourism is a program of Wine Growers British Columbia, Destination BC, Pacific Economic Development Canada and Firecircle (an agency that helps tourism entrepreneurs).
"Over the past few years, BC wineries have faced challenges like never before, yet they remain committed to welcoming guests to their tasting rooms in new and exciting ways this summer and beyond," said Wine Growers British Columbia marketing manager Kim Barnes.
"(Cultivating Experiences) combined with our new 'Sip, Smile & Stay Awhile' campaign, highlights the exceptional array of warm, welcoming and diverse wine experiences available across the province and provides new ways for guest to enjoy 100% BC wine this year."
