The members of the Bottleneck Drive Winery Association are planning a train ride and wine tasting event for September, as a way to promote Summerland as a wine tasting destination.
The initiative is planned for the weekend of Sept. 3 and 4, with a target of more than 120 guests. In subsequent years, the event would be moved to the third weekend of September.
“Our goal is to showcase Summerland as an attractive, year-round destination and to have a positive impact on all businesses here,” Julian Scholefield, president of Bottleneck Drive, said in a letter to Summerland business owners and managers.
Scholefield said the winery association had been looking to partner with another business to host a wine event.
The railway, an associate member of Bottleneck Drive, was selected because it offers a neutral environment for a wine tasting event.
“It’s quite a nice scenic jaunt through Summerland,” he said.
The weekend will include a train ride with wine tasting on board, followed by a dinner and silent auction.
The timing of the event, after the summer tourist season and before the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, was chosen to showcase Summerland as a year-round tourism destination.
Members of the event committee are looking for businesses to join as sponsors, offer a coupon deal or discount code for guests attending the event or create an ancillary event.
Those interested in working with the wine event are asked to contact info@bottleneck drive.com.