Media Releases

For Immediate Release:
April 13, 2017

Suggested Tweet: ChefmeetsBCGrape brings the largest #BCWine tasting to Calgary w/ dishes from top local restaurants May 10 @WineBCdotcom #BCWine ChefmeetsBCGrape.com/tickets

Calgary, AB – Wines of British Columbia will host its first annual ChefmeetsBCGrape Signature Tasting bringing the largest tasting of 100 per cent British Columbia wine to Calgary on May 10 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary.

ChefmeetsBCGrape brings together the creative talents of BC winemakers and chefs from around the city to celebrate the best of BC wine and cuisine.

As many as 30 BC wineries will pour more than 120 BC VQA Wines at this fun and informative walk-around tasting to showcase the 2017 spring releases. Guests will have the opportunity to compare a variety of exquisite wines representing the distinct growing regions of the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, as well as some of BC’s exciting emerging regions.

Top chefs from 12 Calgary restaurants will compete in a pairing challenge, featuring the finest BC and locally grown and sourced ingredients, to earn awards for Judges’ Best BC VQA Pairing, Judges’ Best Dish Award, and Consumers’ Choice Award for Dish of the Night. Chefs will be awarded points for use of a BC ingredient in some component on their dish.

“We are thrilled to bring BC VQA Wine to Calgary in this showcase of exceptional wine and local culinary talent,” says Miles Prodan, CEO and President of the BC Wine Institute. “This is a fantastic chance for wine and food enthusiasts to celebrate the taste of British Columbia and discover new favourites among a range of top-quality 100 per cent BC wines.”

Calgary-based sommelier, wine educator, judge and director for Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, Brad Royale will emcee the event.

“It’s high time that BC’s award-winning wineries have paired up with Alberta’s top chefs to showcase the premium talents of both markets,” exclaims Royale. “Together at last. Why have we not done this before in such magnitude? Now is the time.”

Participating restaurants will include: Foreign Concept, CHARCUT Roast House and charbar restaurant, The Guild, River Café, Deane House, Catch, Thomsons, Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro, The Nash, Raw Bar, OxBow, and an Ocean Wise Station featuring Vancouver’s celebrated Chef Ned Bell.

“The Ocean Wise team and I are thrilled to curate and participate in ChefmeetsBCGrape with our spectacular West Coast seafood! Pairing sustainable seafood with our world class BC Wines is a delicious match made in heaven for this Okanagan boy!” notes Executive Chef Ned Bell of Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise.

Participating British Columbia Wineries
Backyard Vineyards
Black Hills Estate Winery
Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
CedarCreek Estate Winery
Clos du Soleil
Culmina Family Estate Winery
Dirty Laundry Vineyard
Ex Nihilo Vineyards
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
Haywire
Hester Creek Estate Winery
Hillside Winery & Bistro
Maverick Estate Winery
Monster Vineyards
Monte Creek Ranch Winery
Play Estate Winery
Poplar Grove Winery
Quails’ Gate Winery
Singletree Winery
St. Hubertus Estate Winery
Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard
Stoneboat Vineyards
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
Therapy Vineyards
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Volcanic Hills Estate Winery

Participating Restaurants and Chefs
Ocean Wise Station, Chef Ned Bell
Foreign Concept, Chef Duncan Ly
CHARCUT Roast House and charbar restaurant, Chef Connie DeSousa and Chef John Jackson
The Guild, Chef Ryan O’Flynn
River Café, Chef Matthias Fong
Deane House, Chef Jamie Harling
Catch, Chef Jordan Walsh
Thomsons, Chef Hideyuki Hirooka
Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro, Chef Sonam Pontsang
The Nash, Chef Serena Kwong and Chef Matthew Batey
Raw Bar, Chef Peter Paiva
OxBow, Chef Sean Cutler

Tickets available at www.ChefmeetsBCGrape.com/tickets

ChefmeetsBCGrape Signature Tasting
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Calgary
700 Centre Street South East, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6

About The British Columbia Wine Institute:
Since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing exceptional wine tourism experiences. The BCWI markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.

The BCWI represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – currently drawing 1,000,000 visitors with $600 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact every year. For more information about BC Wine Institute’s programs and services, please visit: WineBC.com.

For details on BC VQA and the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com (consumer) or WineBC.org (media), like the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and follow @WineBCdotcom on Twitter and Instagram.