Naramata Unfiltered Retreat - May 5th and 6th, 2008

Naramata Bench Wineries Association offers
NARAMATA UnFILTERED: A WINE EDUCATION RETREAT
(Directly from the press release.)

The Naramata Bench has become a must visit destination for wine connoisseurs. Building on recent tourism studies identifying an untapped demand for education related travel experiences, the 22 wineries of the Naramata Bench Winery Association have put their collective glasses together to create Canada's first ever wine education retreat. Opening their cellar doors and vineyard gates on May 5 and 6th, 2008, Naramata UnFiltered will offer participants an unparalleled glimpse into winery operations and one on one time with the people growing and making award winning wines.

This isn't the first wine education event the Association has hosted. In May of 2007 the Association hosted 30 Sommeliers and trade professionals from the Vancouver restaurant industry: The question from the survey taken by the participants of the Sommelier Event regarding what they enjoyed the most overall about the event the most popular reply “the best part of the event was getting to know the winemakers and proprietors”.

This will be the ultimate WINE EDUCATION RETREAT all wrapped up in one easy to drink package. Included are 3 information packed wine seminars facilitated by Rhys Pender. Rhys is a wine educator and wine writer with 13 years experience in the vineyard, cellar, wine retail, education and hospitality - providing knowledge in all facets of the business.

The first seminar will get the participants outside to explore the vineyard. Fully outfitted in Unfiltered designer gum boots, guests will be transported to a Naramata vineyard to gain hands on appreciation of how grapes are grown, including a discussion on soil and impact of weather alongside a tasting in the vineyard.

*Photo Caption: Tim Watts from Kettle Valley Winery explains details on the cycle of the grape vine during the 2007 Sommelier Event.

The Mysteries of Food & Wine Pairing are uncovered in the second seminar. An introduction to food and wine pairing, the seminar unlocks the secrets of cause and effect tasting, learning what sweet, sour, spicy and salty flavours of food can do to wine. Seminar three focuses on the art of blending. Housed in an operating wine cellar and led by winemakers, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a winemaker for an afternoon.

*Photo Caption: Sommeliers from the 2007 event learn how Oak aging influences flavours in wine.

Designed to be a completely comprehensive retreat, the ticket price includes two lunches and two gourmet dinners, all four of which will build on the theme of the exploring wine and food parings. The event finishes with an UnFiltered 'Graduation Dinner' where participants will have an opportunity to challenge their palates alongside the winemakers during a blind tasting. The Unfiltered Wine Education retreat includes transportation between seminars and meals, custom gum boots and a culinary and wine experience to remember. The Naramata Bench wineries plan to offer the Naramata UnFiltered Wine Education Retreat three times a year with subsequent wine education retreats in Summer and Fall 2008.


The Naramata Bench Winery Association is a collection of twenty two boutique wineries who have staked claim to this prime agricultural land. which is a place of great beauty and personality. Situated on picturesque rolling hillsides, the Naramata Bench is perched on the south eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. A remarkable setting; perhaps the most scenic wine region in all of North America.


Event:
UNFILTERED WINE EDUCATION Retreat
May 5th & 6th 2008.
Call 250-490-8339 to book your spot.
$799 per person
(Price includes 4 meals & wine, 2 nights in Naramata Bench premium accommodations, 3-Wine Education Seminars, transportation between activities, UnFiltered gum boots)
www.naramatabench.com.