News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
New 3D Virtual Tours Highlight Accessible Features at Tourism Venues in the Thompson Okanagan
TOTA and Spinal Cord Injury BC have partnered to share 22 Virtual Venue Tours of Thompson Okanagan accommodation and attractions. The virtual tours showcase priority accessible features to help people easily plan a visit based on their specific requirements.
View tours: https://ThompsonOkanagan.com/virtual-tours
Kelowna, B.C. - Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC), and their Access BC program have launched Virtual Venue Tours, a mapping project to improve access and inclusion for people exploring the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. 22 tours are available on ThompsonOkanagan.com as of March 2023 showcasing priority accessible features of various accommodations and attractions in Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Naramata, Keremeos, Cawston, and Chase.
The virtual platform is easy to navigate on desktop and mobile devices, allowing people to explore venues and determine whether accessible features meet their specific requirements. When planning a visit, trip planners can explore the venues virtually and make informed decisions about which ones to experience in person.
The Virtual Venue Tours project was created for the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program, which supports businesses to improve access and inclusion for visitors and staff through various services; with support from the Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative (TRTDI) fund from the Province of BC.
"This project will help improve access and inclusion for all visitors to the Thompson Okanagan region. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the beauty of the region, and this program will make it easier for people to do so," said TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews.
At launch, these tours showcase the accessible features of the following venues who have participated in the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program or are committed to access and inclusion:
Chase:
Kamloops:
Penticton:
The 3D images were created by Jody Wall Photography, a BC-based photographer and are hosted on the TourMkr platform.
More virtual tours will be added as funding becomes available.
To view the tours, visit ThompsonOkanagan.com/virtual-tours
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About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.
As a Biosphere Certified Destination, TOTA is committed to working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including goals related to access and inclusion, such as “Reduced Inequalities” and “Sustainable Cities & Communities.” becoming a world-renowned accessible tourism destination and to promote “Access & Inclusion” in all aspects of community and tourism experiences, products, and services in the Thompson Okanagan region.
Learn more at TOTABC.org.
About Spinal Cord Injury BC:
Spinal Cord Injury BC (SCI BC) is a non-profit organization based in British Columbia, Canada, that provides support and resources for individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury, as well as their families and caregivers. The organization was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become a leading resource for those affected by spinal cord injury.
SCI BC offers a wide range of programs and services, including peer support, information and referral, community outreach, and advocacy. One of the key initiatives of SCI BC is the development of accessible technology and equipment for people with spinal cord injuries, with a focus on enhancing mobility and independence. The organization also provides education and awareness programs to promote understanding and inclusion in the community.
Learn more at SCI-BC.ca.
For more information, contact:
Ellen-Walker Matthews
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
Reminder: Green Wine Future Virtual Conference, May 23-26
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is taking part in the upcoming virtual Green Wine Future Conference from May 23 to May 26.
Registration for one day of the conference is $47 USD. Through TOTA’s partnership, Thompson Okanagan stakeholders get a 55% discount by using the code TOTA55.
Green Wine Future Virtual Conference
May 23 - 26
North America Segment: Monday, May 23 | 2:00 - 6:30pm PT
Register with TOTA Discount Code
Registration for one day of the conference is $47 USD. Through TOTA’s partnership, Thompson Okanagan stakeholders get a 55% discount by using the code TOTA55.
About Green Wine Future
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is taking part in the upcoming virtual Green Wine Future Conference from May 23 to May 26. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the global wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering.
The Green Wine Future Conference will address critical topics of sustainability, climate crisis, biodiversity, wine tourism, regenerative agriculture, carbon amelioration, hydric resources, energy efficiency and create truly green business opportunities to respond to current world conditions. Speakers will present information through video footage, documentaries, and live broadcasts from vineyards and wineries.
TOTA is supported by several provincial and regional funding partners, including Destination British Columbia and Wine Growers British Columbia; and host wineries who will showcase the Thompson Okanagan wine region: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, and Monte Creek Winery. Other Thompson Okanagan wineries are invited to participate and represent the Thompson Okanagan wine region by hosting a Green Wine Future Virtual Trade Booth.
Thompson Okanagan Wine for the Planet Documentary
The conference includes the premiere of the Wine for the Planet docuseries, including a short documentary about the Thompson Okanagan wine region unveiled on May 23. The docuseries shows the support of the wine industry towards the most sensitive parts of the planet such as ice caps and glaciers, rainforest, marine environments, and areas sensitive to flooding and water scarcity.
Watch Thompson Okanagan Press Conference Recording from April 20
TOTA and Wine for the Planet hosted a Special Press Event at the BC Wine Information Centre in Penticton on April 20.
Green Wine Future founder, Pancho Campo, shared his work around the world and offered insights of what to expect at this year's Green Wine Future Conference. Several industry leaders and enjoy a small sampling of some of the area's various wine varietals.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Collaborates with Green Wine Future 2022
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has joined with Green Wine Future (GWF) as one of its corporate sponsors and strategic partners. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering May 23-26, 2022.
Miami, Florida, USA - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), to show its commitment to protecting the environment and sustainability, has joined with Green Wine Future (GWF) as one of its corporate sponsors and strategic partners. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering May 23-26, 2022.
“Because Green Wine Future is an international summit which will be broadcast around the globe and from eight different time zones, we will be able to show the entire planet, why and how the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada became the first destination in the Americas to successfully achieve the Biosphere Certified designation distinction from the Responsible Tourism Institute,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO for TOTA.
As part of TOTA’s participation in the conference, TOTA is supported by several provincial and regional funding partners: Destination British Columbia, Wine Growers British Columbia, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia; and host wineries who will showcase the Thompson Okanagan wine region: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, and Monte Creek Winery.
To address critical topics of sustainability, wine, and matters related to the climate crisis and the environment, Chrand Events has created Green Wine Future as the culmination of its Climate Change & Wine and Wine Future conferences. The conference will be broadcast in four languages simultaneously (English, Spanish, French, Italian) from 8 different parts of the planet in their respective time zones: USA, Chile, Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 2006, Chrand Events pioneered the world’s first international conference on Climate Change and Wine, and the first event examining the impacts of the climate crisis upon any one industry. Since that edition in Spain, Chrand Events has organized numerous other international conferences in Hong Kong, Portugal, and other parts of the world featuring the most influential names of the wine industry and such visionary global leaders as US President Barack Obama, Nobel Laureate Al Gore, and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan amongst many others.
“Green Wine Future will share with wine professionals innumerable, valuable aspects of how their peers are addressing sustainability issues in creating solutions to problems in the vineyard, winery, supply, and sales streams,” said David Furer, host and co-organizer of this unique international event.
In response to current world conditions, the premiere edition of Green Wine Future will offer a totally new way to attend a conference and for speakers to present their information: a hands-on and practical approach through video footage, and documentaries. Live broadcast from vineyards, footage from innovative solutions to the climate crisis, interactive documentaries specially recorded for the event are just a few highlights of GWF.
This virtual technology will allow wineries and wine companies to be present at the GWF Virtual Expo, showcasing their wines, products, and services. The innovative technology will also allow delegates, speakers, and exhibitors to network virtually for a period of 2 weeks prior to the conference.
GWF also announces the addition of “Wine for the Planet” (W4P) docuseries which will showcase the wine industry’s work in protecting areas of the Earth most sensitive to the climate crisis, including:
Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, the Arctic;
Coral reefs in different parts of our planet;
The Amazon and other rainforests;
Regions already suffering from water shortages and floods;
Areas implementing sustainable initiatives, such as the Thompson Okanagan region in British Columbia, Canada.
Recorded and presented by GWF and W4P founder Pancho Campo and his team from the above listed regions, W4P will stream free globally during regular breaks of GWF. Documentaries will be available through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, where the team will highlight wine tastings in Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, the Amazon, and the Great Coral Reef.
As part of these documentaries, Pancho will travel to the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia at the beginning of April to record a documentary that will showcase the region’s wine industry, sustainable tourism commitments, and environmentally friendly strategies and initiatives that are being undertaken as part of the provincial focus to address the global climate crisis.
The event has obtained the support of many key wine organizations and allies including the International Institute of Vine and Wine, Wine Institute of California, Napa Valley Vintners, Interprofesional del Vino de España, Barossa Australia, Wines of Chile, Wines of Portugal, and the Porto Protocol.
Registrations and all information regarding GWF’s speakers and program, as well as the program for W4P, are available at GreenWineFuture.com.
About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, & Sport. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.
For more information, visit TOTABC.org.
About Chrand Events
Chrand Events, founder of Green Wine Future, is an agency founded by former tennis professional and Olympic captain Pancho Campo. Chrand has organized world-class events for over 30 years in more than 20 countries. Chrand has managed and produced concerts, sporting events, summits, and conferences with some of the most important world leaders, celebrities, and Nobel Prize winners including: US President Barack Obama, US Vice-President Al Gore, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, film director Francis Ford Coppola, Sting, Pink Floyd, Andre Agassi and Enrique Iglesias amongst other notables.
For more information, contact:
Pancho Campo
Founder / Conference Director
Sponsorships
Michael Wangbickler
Publicity & Communications Director
Balzac Communications & Marketing
David Furer
Host / Program Director
DF Consults
Ellen Walker-Matthews
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
Kavan Vijayakumar
Industry Relations & Stewardship Specialist
Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program Winery Virtual Trade Booths
Wendy Vallaster
Certified ISG Sommelier & Professional Wine Consultant
Green Wine Future Virtual Trade Booths
17 Medals Awarded to Kamloops Wineries Including Best White Wine of the Year to Monte Creek Ranch Winery
Kamloops, BC, July 29, 2020 – Kamloops Wineries make a statement at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships winning a record breaking 17 medals including Best White Wine of the Year awarded to Monte Creek Ranch Winery for their 2018 Reserve Riesling.
Established in 1981, the All Canadian Wine Championships marks it 40th year judging the country’s top wines. 805 wines from 130 wineries across the country entered the competition this year. Using the 100-point scale, a panel of 11 esteemed judges assessed the wines based on sensory components, wine structure, varietal character, and overall quality.
Impressive scores bestowed upon three Kamloops Wineries; Harper’s Trail, Monte Creek Ranch, and Privato, resulted in the 17-medal showing including the region’s first ever Best White Wine of the Year Trophy going to Monte Creek Winery for their 2018 Reserve Riesling.
“We are beyond ecstatic to see the “Best White Wine of the Year Trophy” awarded to our very own Monte Creek Ranch Winery,” comments Trish Morelli, Executive Director, Kamloops Wineries Association. “This is a tremendous accomplishment and brings incredible honour and credibility to all of the wineries in the Thompson Valley. This recognition, combined with the 16 other medals won by our wineries, once again demonstrates the incredible quality, depth and skilled winemaking coming out of this region,” adds Morelli.
“I couldn’t be more of proud of our winemaking and viticulture teams,” says Erik Fisher, General
Manager of Monte Creek Ranch Winery. “It takes a tremendous amount of focus and precision to make great wine, and this recognition is a testament to the skill and hard work that goes into making a wine this special,” adds Fisher.
“The 2018 Thompson Valley Reserve Riesling is crafted from fruit grown on our two vineyard sites here in the South Thompson Valley,” comments Galen Barnhardt, Winemaker at Monte Creek Ranch. Riesling is well-adapted to our hot summers and cold winters, and we feel the future is bright for this variety in our region.”
The medal winning wines include:
• Best White Wine of the Year: Monte Creek Winery 2018 Riesling Reserve
• Gold: Monte Creek 2018 Varietal Series Riesling
• Gold: Monte Creek 2017 Hands Up Red
• Gold: Monte Creek 2018 Reserve Chardonnay
• Gold: Monte Creek 2018 Varietal Series Chardonnay
• Gold: Monte Creek 2019 Hands Up White
• Gold: Harper’s Trail 2019 Rose
• Gold: Harper’s Trail 2018 Cabernet Franc
• Gold: Privato 2017 Woodward Collection Merlot
• Silver: Harper’s Trail 2019 Pinot Gris
• Silver: Monte Creek N.V Split Decision Blueberry Grape Sparkling
• Silver: Monte Creek 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
• Silver: Monte Creek Winery 2017 Cabernet Merlot
• Bronze: Privato 2019 Gewurztraminer
• Bronze: Privato 2019 Pinot Gris
A Double Gold Medal also went to Privato sister company, Woodward Cider Co. for Hang Time Peach Infused craft cider.
These award winning wines can be found, while they last, in select retail outlets and restaurants
throughout BC, or ordered direct from the wineries at, montecreekranch.com, harperstrail.com, and privato.ca.
For more information on the Kamloops Wine Trail and members wineries visit kamloopswinetrail.com.
For more information on the All Canadian Wine Championships visit allcanadianwinechampionships.com
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Trish Morelli
604.788.8997
Trish.morelli@gmail.com
Monte Creek Ranch Winery Wins Best White Wine of the Year Award
Kamloops, BC – July 29, 2020: Monte Creek Ranch Winery is pleased to announce that nine wines were awarded medals at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships, including Best White Wine of the Year for their 2018 Thompson Valley Reserve Riesling in this national level wine competition.
Best White Wine of the Year: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Riesling
Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Chardonnay
Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Chardonnay
Gold: 2018 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Riesling
Gold: 2019 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Hands Up White
Gold: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Hands Up Red
Silver: N/V Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Fruit Sparkling ‘Split Decision’
Silver: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver: 2017 Monte Creek Ranch Winery, Varietal Series Cabernet Merlot
Erik Fisher, General Manager of Monte Creek Ranch Winery, said: “I couldn’t be more of proud of our winemaking and viticulture teams. It takes a tremendous amount of focus and precision to make great wines. I see the dedication on a daily basis but this recognition is a testament to the skill and hard work that goes into making a wine this special.”
Winemaker Galen Barnhardt noted: “The 2018 Thompson Valley Reserve Riesling is crafted from fruit grown on our two vineyards here in the South Thompson Valley. Riesling is well adapted to our hot summers and cold winters here in the South Thompson, and we feel the future is bright for this variety in our region.”
About the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships
The 40th annual judging of the All Canadian Wine Championship 2020 was completed on July 24, 2020. The field of entries included 805 wines from 130 wineries throughout Canada, including those in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Judges were comprised of the most experienced and unique pool of wine industry professionals including sommeliers, wine educators, bloggers, and members of the media. For more information visit: AllCanadianWineChampionships.com
About Monte Creek Ranch Winery
The Kamloops, BC area’s largest winery features award-winning wines, seasonal al fresco patio dining, and stunning river valley views. It was voted Kamloops’ Best Winery and Wedding Venue in 2020. Monte Creek Ranch Winery’s winemaking philosophy is to showcase the terroir of the South Thompson valley, where they produce Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other premium wines.
Wines are available at the winery, on the Monte Creek Ranch website, and at selected retail locations. The winery is also open for tastings daily until the end of September.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Marketing Manager
Danielle Belcourt
danielle@montecreekranch.com
MonteCreekRanch.com