The Kamloops Wine Festival first took place in 1998, and after a few years off it is back with a vengeance to help celebrate the 25th anniversary.

It will take place in early June at the Colombo Lodge with a portion of the proceeds helping to support Western Canada Theatre.

Organizer Judy Basso says wines from mostly from BC will be featured and give people a great opportunity to find a new favourite wine and have a lot of fun doing so.

“It’s going to be a little bit different this year, but it is going to be so much fun. People really look forward to the Grand Wine Tasting Party and finally we’re going to be able to meet and gather together and celebrate wine and I’m really looking forward to everyone coming out and enjoy it again.”

Basso says there will be two separate events taking place and expects them both to sell out quickly.

“The Cheese the Day event (June 1) is focused on people seated at tables and experiencing the wine and cheese pairings. The Grand Wine Tasting Party (June 3), the hall is filled with all different venders and people can wander around to all the different booths. So it is a very different feel for both of them.”

Basso says one new thing this year is that people would be actually able to place and pay for wine orders, something that was not allowed previously due to government licensing.

“So excited because finally you are able to order the wines that you really enjoy the most at this event. It is something we have been trying to do for years and it is a dream finally coming true for that.”

There is some belief that the growth of the Kamloops wine scene should help with the event’s popularity.

“I think people are really excited that we finally have wineries here. When I first started working on this event in 2006, there were no wineries here and I was always wishing we could have wineries here for people to go out and enjoy and we finally do. And it is a great area for wines and we’re certainly respected in the wine industry for the kinds of wines we’re producing. So we’re happy to help showcase those and all the other BC wines that are going to be there as well.”

Tickets are available through the Kamloops Live! Box Office and Basso expects the event to sell out fairly quickly.