Explore the classic wine varietals of italy
coming home to the okanagan
wednesday, october 25 - 6:30 - 9:30 pm
at the historic laurel packinghouse
​1304 Ellis street, kelowna

PRESENTED BY
OUR FEATURED WINERIES
The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club and the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum are exploring the influences of Italy on the Okanagan Wine Industry in a very special event. Those influences stretch back a century, to the introduction of wine grapes to the Okanagan and the beginnings of a fledgling industry.  
We look back to those beginnings, but then fast forward to the present, to feature Italian styled wines from throughout the valley made from time-honoured varietals. Our guest panel: John Schreiner, Luke Whittall, Simone Castellerin and Donna Senese  - will sample this exciting collection of wines curated by Luke Whittall and share their thoughts with attendees. Then (after a short break) our guests are welcome to sample for themselves. There will be tasting stations set up around the Laurel and Chef Ricardo Scebba has prepared a paired tasting menu (see below) of small portion dishes at each station. 
Tickets are $75
plus fees and GST
Your admission includes the paired menu and 10 tastings. Additional tasting tickets will be available to purchase.

Our FEATURED presenters

JOHN SCHREINER
John Schreiner is Canada's most prolific writer of books on wine. Since his first book in 1984, The World of Canadian Wine, he has written 21, including multiple editions of The Wineries of British Columba, British Columbia Wine Country,
John Schreiner's Okanagan Wine Tour Guide and his recent
memoir, Goodgrog: A life in wine and journalism.
LUKE WHITTALL
Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 5 books on wine, including the Sipster’s Pocket Guide series of books which features some of the most amazing wines ever produced in British Columbia and Ontario. He is the host and producer of The Sipsters Wine Podcast, which is available on all major podcast platforms and at sipsterswinepodcast.ca. 
SIMONE CASTELLARIN
Simone Castellarin is the Canada Research Chair in Viticulture at UBC. His research focuses on viticulture and grapevine physiology. He is also the Associate Director of the
Wine Research Centre.
Growing up, Simone Castellarin spent countless summers working on his uncle’s vineyard in Italy – an experience that turned out to be incredibly valuable when it came to pursuing a career in
viticulture research.
DONNA SENESE
Donna is an Associate Professor in Geography at UBCO and is also the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students.
Her research interests are tourism and sustainability and
landscapes of wine and food.

sample your way through our little corner of italy!

Chef Ricardo Scebba is preparing a special pairing menu to go with each of the selected wines.

Raised by Italian parents, life at home always revolved around the dinner table. Naturally a career in the
culinary arts was an easy decision for Ricardo. Ricardo has been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years and is one of Kelowna’s most sought-after chefs.
Chef Ricardo's Pairing Menu

This is an Italian event so there will be no shortage of food! Here are the small portion dishes that Chef Ricardo has planned to pair with our selected wines. 

Arancini *
Risotto balls, porcini mushrooms, gorgonzola, panko, truffle oil
Paired with Bonamici - Barbera

Orecchiette Ragu
Tiny pasta lobes, braised beef bolognese
Paired with Blasted Church - Nebbiolo

Pernod Prawns *
Sautéed prawns, shallots, garlic, cream, Pernod liqueur
Paired with Moon Curser - Arneis

Pollo Limone
Chicken breast, lemon sauce, fior di latte, crostini
Paired with La Stella - Pinot Grigio

Za 
Salami, pepperoni, tomato sauce, parmesan, pita bite
Paired with D’Angelo - Montepulciano

Polpette *
Pork, veal Italian meatballs in marinara, asiago
Paired with Stag’s Hollow - Dolcetto 

Pork Tenderloin
Shaved lean tenderloin, brie, roast garlic rubbed rice cracker
Paired with High Note - Cadenza

Brisket Bites
Tender pulled brisket, mini yorkshire, horseradish mayo
Paired with Sandhill - Sangiovese

Plus a Charcuterie Table
A large table to graze at with all your Italian favourites


* denotes Ricardo’s signature dish