Wine festival promotes Hills region
The Cypress Hills were dusted with a light snowfall on Saturday but that didn’t stop over 30 participants from enjoying their hike through Horseshoe Canyon, beer tasting and lunch during the fourth annual Elkwater Lodge Wine Festival .
The Cypress Hills were dusted with a light snowfall on Saturday but that didn’t stop over 30 participants from enjoying their hike through Horseshoe Canyon, beer tasting and lunch during the fourth annual Elkwater Lodge Wine Festival .
The wine festival was a two day event which included — aside from the hike — a Friday evening soiree, champagne breakfast and a seven- course, seven-wine dinner.
One of the festival’s sponsors and owner of the 8th St. Wine and Liquor Store, Paul Howe, said the event focus is on matching food and wine.
“It’s been a good year. The restaurant holds about 70 people and they have sold just about all those seats for the seven-course dinner,” he said.
The development of the Lodge, and events like the wine festival, have allowed for an increase and variety of individuals wishing to experience the Hills, according to Howe.
“There is a foursome from Moose Jaw who now know about what is here and are now booking stays so I think this type of festival really promotes the area quite well.”
Owner and operator of the Lodge, Gary Stimson, has deep roots in the area with his family first arriving near the Hills near the end of the 19th century.
“(The Lodge and the Hills) has been a good partnership with not only (Alberta) Parks but the Hidden Valley Ski Hill as well. We have been able to bring a lot of people to the Hills because there was a lack of accommodation before.”
The festival utilizes as many local products in their meals as possible, according to Stimson, and receives many of their foodstuffs from local Hutterite colonies.
“This event bring different people out here. It’s a high-end dinner and it promotes good food and wine as well as fellowship.”
The guide for the hike through the park, Alberta Parks interpreter Courtney Flaig, lead the group, pointing out the various wildlife like the wild turkeys and deer which visible during the tour.
“This is a special area and the more we can promote that, the better off the park will be,” she said.
“The Lodge is a special place for us as well, it has been a good partnership. This is a great place to enjoy nature at its best and wine is one of those things people enjoy so nature and wine — what gets better than that?”
One of those enjoying both the scenery and drink was executive director for the Canadian Badlands organization, Cindy Amos, whose group helps promote the sights of southern Alberta.
“We want to support someone like Gary (Stimson) who is always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance his business,” she said.
“Our mandate is to become the next iconic destination for the province. You have the Canadian Rockies, we are the Canadian Badlands. We are giving the province another chance to promote the province.”
Etizkom wheat farmer Bernie Ehnes said this is the second time he and his wife have attended the festival. He added the uniqueness of the event was a draw for the couple.
“It’s a nice break,” he said. “The dining experience and the tastings are great as well as meeting new people, talking to them and finding out where they are from — it’s a neat weekend.”