News
| Back to News Listing | Previous | Next |
Ski Tours Canada to host two wine and food pairing dinners at award-winning Mission Hill Winery
January 2006
Specialist ski travel wholesaler Ski Tours Canada will host two food and wine pairing dinners at the renowned Mission Hill Family Estate winery in Western-Canada, following the success of its inaugural dinner this year.
In January this year, Ski Tours Canada, which was recently accepted by the Canadian Tourism Commission as part of its ‘Canada Specialist’ program, hosted 25 clients at Mission Hill for a seven course degustation with award-winning wines.
Ski Tours Canada Director Sue Thorley created the concept of a gourmet wine and food dinner as part of the unique services her travel company provides.
“Our clients are looking for the ultimate on and off-mountain experience and the ‘do-it-for-me’ holiday experience that combines adventure, culinary and cultural tourism,” she said.
Next year, Ski Tours Canada will host two Mission Hill dinners on January 11 and 24. They will coincide with the annual 2007 Ice Wine Festival at the nearby Sun Peaks ski resort.
The 2006 dinner matched Mission Hill’s award-winning wines with dishes created using local produce by chef Michael Allemeier. Chief winemaker, John Simes, discussed each wine, ranging from Pinot Blanc to Merlot. Simes is a New Zealander, and was chief winemaker with Montana where he created its award-winning sauvignon blanc.
Canada is not widely recognised for its wines but in 1994 Mission Hill won the prestigious trophy for the world’s best Chardonnay at London’s influential International Wine and Spirit Competition. The win also surprised the judges, who insisted on re-tasting. Mission Hill still won.
The dinner included a tour of the winery, in the underground cellars carved from volcanic rock housing 800 oak barrels dedicated to the careful aging, fermentation and protection of the wine from the estate.
Dinner was hosted in the Chagall Room, a room dominated by a giant tapestry featuring the work of the Russian born artist Marc Chagall.
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery is located in Kelowna, in the Okanagan region of Western Canadian state British Columbia, and gateway to some of the best skiing in Canada.
Ski Tours Canada creates tailored travel packages to the neighbouring ski resorts of Big White, Silver Star, Sun Peaks, Fernie and Banff/Lake Louise. As well as winery dinners, it also provides packages to local ice hockey matches during the winter season.
