Half Corked in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country: Ticket Lottery Now Open Until May 22, 2021

OLIVER, BC (May 17, 2021): With a new fall date and an updated format, the popular Half Corked outdoor wine tasting experience returns to Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country on September 11, 2021, offering participants a unique tasting journey through the vineyards of this scenic region. Due to the anticipated high demand, as in previous years, tickets will be allocated via a lottery system, open now until Saturday May 22, 2021. 

Half Corked celebrates thirteen years of welcoming guests to the region’s picture-perfect verdant vineyards, to sample flavourful wines and meet the winemakers and teams behind some of the region’s most iconic wineries. Inspired by the legendary Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux, France, participants are encouraged to come in creative costumes with prizes awarded for the best individual and best team adding to the fun and engaging atmosphere. 

“We are proud to be known as one of the most scenic and fun outdoor wine experiences in Canada,” says Jennifer Busmann, executive director of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country. “We are extremely excited for this year’s Half Corked and are confident that we’ll continue to deliver the incredible experience that our participants have come to expect, while making the necessary adjustments that are required to ensure our guests, wineries and our communities are kept safe.” 

This year two routes will be introduced, one following the Golden Mile Bench, the other along the Black Sage Road Bench weaving runners through the region’s iconic vineyards in small, safe pods with plenty of fresh air and wide open space. On race day, participants will be transported from pick up spots in Oliver and Osoyoos to the start line of their designated race route, with small groups starting the run at timed intervals, visiting 12 or more winery stations along the route. Once each group crosses the finish line in Oliver Community Park, individual picnic packs will be distributed and guests will enjoy a finish line experience that will adhere to all pandemic protocols at that time before being safely transported back to their accommodation. In keeping with previous years, participants will receive race packs featuring a branded wearable item, a tote bag and special offers from many of the region’s 40+ wineries. 

The Half Corked weekend also includes options to attend the Primavera Dinner, in partnership with Vancouver’s Paella Guys on Friday September 10th, and Dinner on the Farm at Kismet Estate Winery following the run on the evening of Saturday September 11th. The Half Corked and all associated events will adhere to all local and provincial health orders and recommendations in place at that time with a strictly limited number of attendees, smaller wave sizes, stringent sanitization, required social distancing and face covering policies.

The opportunity to reserve your place at the award-winning outdoor experience will be allocated via a lottery system. To enter, sign up at https://www.oliverosoyoos.com/hcm-forms/ until 11.59pm PT on Saturday May 22. Lottery winners will receive confirmation of their spot and instructions to purchase two tickets, which will be on sale between May 27 to 31, 2021. 

For details about the 2021 Half Corked, visit www.oliverosoyoos.com. 

About Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country

Uncork the Sun in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country and encounter colourful characters, award-winning wineries, and stunning scenery which all give this decorated region its unique glow. Situated at the very southern tip of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, in one of the warmest areas of Western Canada, the region’s wineries have won more accolades than any other wine region in Canada. The sunny slopes of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country are also the perfect place to enjoy fine-dining with vineyard views, the opportunity to stay on a winery and wake up surrounded by vines, and to enjoy award-winning wine and food experiences, such as the Half Corked Marathon, Pig Out Trails and Savour the Sun winemaker dinners.

For our full list of winery members, visit www.oliverosoyoos.com/category/wineries