What's Farm to Glass "Fermenting" for 2025
.... see what I did there? Hahahahaha.
it's been awhile since I last made a blog post but I'm back and it's a new year and a new Farm to Glass Wine Tours season. Can you believe I'm in my 4th season already?
We're already halfway through January, next thing you know it will be April already and the wine adventures will be starting, April 18th to be exact!
2024 was a season for the books! I had my most successful season yet in a year where overall, tourism was down. This just goes to show that lovely people like yourself are looking to wine tour in a more thoughtful and meaningful way. So shout out to you! Farm to Glass also managed to donate $710 back in the community, supported tons of small businesses throughout the Thompson-Okanagan and connected you to some of the best wineries owned by the most phenomenal humans there are in our industry.
Connection matters... wine is more than just a beverage but if you are reading this you already know this.
The icing on the 2024 season cake was winning Best of Penticton: Best Wine Tour. My business dream from Oct. 2020 has blossomed into something beautiful.
So what's 2025 going to look like? Let me check my crystal ball....
... it's going to be a year of wine adventuring awesomeness! Full day tours, half day tours, wine and sailing tours and I am planning on getting my transportation license modified so that I can do airport transfers and taxi like services this year. More on that to come soon so stay tuned.
Alright let's get to the fun stuff - here's some wine news:
- If you're visiting over the winter (btw the snow season has been epic on the local mountains), the Taste Around South Okanagan is happening from Jan 22 - Feb 9th. Restaurants, Breweries, Cideries and Cafes are having special fixed price menus and there's also special accommodation rates if you're planning a last minute trip. Find out more on the Taste Around website.
- Y'all know that I LOVE the Similkameen Valley and the association has created a new newsletter which I recommend you subscribe to or find the winter newsletter here.
- Podcasting BFF, Luke Whittall summed up some thoughts on the 2024 vintage not just in the Okanagan and Similkameen but around BC and it's worth a read on his Substack. I'm still trying to convince him to make an updated version of his Valleys of Wine book...hahahaha. C'mon Luke!
- Speaking of podcasts, I put together a page on my website of all the episodes that Luke has graciously allowed me to infiltrate. We have zero fun and they make great listens on your travels.
- Being from BC, I love a good Trader Joe's run every now and then, don't you? My favourite YouTube sommelier, André Hueston Mack from Bon Appétit recently posted a review of Trader Joe's wine line up. If you've never heard of him, I highly suggest you treat yourself to a good rabbit hole of his videos. His videos are educational, fun and no BS.
- Winery Feature: Nagging Doubt in the super special sub-geographical region of East Kelowna Slopes. (For those that got goodie bags last season, you would've met their Little Doubtful bubbles.) I have never met a wine of theirs that I didn't love and this month they're offering free shipping on 3 bottles or more + there's that GST break right now so you'll save even more. It's like the government is paying YOU to enjoy great BC wine.
- Planning your 2025 visit? Here's a link to some of my favourite accommodations.
Lastly, I have some small projects coming up and I'm trying to decide the name of the project and could use your honest feedback. I've come up with two names:
- The Grape Life Collective
- Barrel & Threads
I will remain a little hush about what this all may entail but I'm excited to have y'all be part of my new little dream right from the beginning. After all, I wouldn't be where I am today without you, so thank you. Let me know if the comments or shoot me an email at jess@farmtoglasswinetours.ca and let me know what you think... no wrong answer... I want to hear it all.
Oh, and of course if you want to book a wine adventure with me this season, you can find full day tours here and the half day adventures here.
As always....
Be Kind, Drink (Great BC) Wine.
xoxo Jess (owner, guide and fun person) Farm to Glass Wine Tours