On Thursday night, the South Okanagan Winery Association along with some of Vancouver’s best restaurants held a kitchen party at Midland Appliance on Kingsway.

The event, dedicated to featuring fine wines and limited releases from top BC wineries was held in two segments, a trade only tasting in the afternoon and evening consumer event and benefited the Osoyoos Desert Society.

Catch the original press release after the jump.The original press release:

South Okanagan Winery Association to host Vancouver Kitchen Party

Vancouver , BC … Dubbed the ‘Wine Capital of Canada’, British Columbia ’s South Okanagan region is alive with outstanding wineries; many of which have teamed up to form the South Okanagan Winery Association (SOWA).  Don’t miss your opportunity to meet the faces and taste the wines behind SOWA as they are introduced to Vancouver by Master of Ceremonies Jurgen Gothe .  Mark your calendars - On Thursday, February 7 th , 2008 join the South Okanagan Winery Association for their First Annual Kitchen Party.    Held at Midland Appliance’s Vancouver showroom (210-188 Kingsway) , the wineries will be showcasing their limited releases and specialty wines paired with nibbles and bites from some of BC’s top restaurants.  Tickets to the First Annual SOWA Kitchen Party are $75 (plus service fees) and will be available through TicketWeb Canada ( www.ticketweb.ca or 888-222-6608) starting at 10am on Monday, January 7 th .

Consisting of 20 wineries from the communities of Osoyoos and Oliver, SOWA represents this niche region that has attracted intrepid grape-growers, savvy wine makers, and diverse international personalities.  The member wineries and vineyards adopt, evoke and express the namesakes of the land, landmarks, personalities, and historic influences - all decidedly regional:

• Antelope Ridge Vineyards

• Black Hills Estate Winery

• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

• Crazy Horse Winery

• Desert Hills Winery

• Dunham & Froese Estate Winery

• Fairview Cellars

• Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery

• Golden Beaver Winery Inc.

• Golden Mile Cellars Estate Winery

• Hester Creek Estate Winery

• Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Winery

• Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate

• Le Vieux Pin Winery

• Nk’Mip Cellars

• Oliver Twist Estate Winery

• Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery

• Silver Sage Winery

• Stoneboat Vineyards

• Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

Proceeds from this event will go to support The Osoyoos Desert Society , a non-profit organization of volunteers whose mission is to raise awareness and to protect the Antelope brush community in the South Okanagan .   Despite its small size, Canada ’s desert is home to an exceptional array of desert plants and animals, some found nowhere else in Canada , many on the brink of extinction. Through education programs and nature interpretation at the Desert Centre, and by conducting research and habitat restoration throughout the Okanagan Valley , The Osoyoos Desert Society aims to protect this rare ecosystem and to create active concern and respect for all natural environments in Canada .  For more information on The Osoyoos Desert Society, visit their website at www.desert.org .