Tag: charity

BCHF Lottery and 4 Things You Never Knew About BC’s Hospitality Industry

 mywinepal  September 24, 2025

I recently had a chance to sit down with Alana Dickson, Executive Director of the BC Hospitality Foundation, to talk about the Foundation, plus their BCHF Lottery with ticket sales on now till Oct 30, with the draw on Oct 31.  If you haven’t purchased a ticket(s), do so as our hospitality industry needs our help.  Here is some background…

Gary (Gennadi) Zhygailo and Karl MyWinePal interview

From Ukraine to the Fraser Valley: An Interview with Winemaker Gary Zhygailo

 mywinepal  August 15, 2025

Growing up in the warm, vineyard-lined landscapes of southern Ukraine, just inland from the Black Sea, Gary (Gennadi) Zhygailo was immersed in the rhythms of the vine from an early age. His passion for wine led him to the Odessa National Academy of Food Technologies, where he earned both a Bachelor’s in Food Science and a Master’s in Fermentation and…

A Perfect Pairing: How the Vancouver International Wine Festival Supports Bard on the Beach

 mywinepal  April 1, 2025

The Vancouver International Wine Festival (VanWineFest) has been a staple in the city’s wine scene since its inception in 1979. Originally a one-day event at the Hotel Vancouver featuring just a single winery – Robert Mondavi – the festival has since grown into one of North America’s largest and most prestigious wine festivals. Every year, it attracts wineries from around…

Top Drop Vancouver

Top Drop Returns to Vancouver with Fresh Slate of International Wineries May 23 and 24

 mywinepal  May 19, 2023

If you have not yet purchased your ticket for Top Drop, which is on May 23 and 24 evenings, you should as the tickets are almost sold out.  Plus the ticket sales help support the BC Hospitality Foundation which provides financial support for hospitality workers coping with extraordinary health crisis costs. Here are the full details of Top Drop.  See you there!…

The View WInery & Vineyard banner

A Visit to The View Winery & Vineyard in Kelowna

 mywinepal  September 25, 2022

Just around the corner from Spearhead Winery is The View Winery & Vineyard.  I stopped by to try their wines and to find out that they also make apple cider under the name of Wards Cider.  I did not have a chance to try their ciders but purchased a few bottles to try at home. The View Winery is situated…

Picnic and Bubbles

Take Part in Picnic + Bubbles August 21

 mywinepal  July 5, 2022

What a wonderful idea.  A Picnic for a Cause presented by Les Dames d’Escoffier BC.  A fundraiser to support women in hospitality and Food Banks BC.  Purchase a ticket to get a picnic for two at participating restaurants in Vancouver and the Okanagan which includes your choice of bubbles.  Details below. ~~~ Les Dames d’Escoffier BC is excited to announce its…

Nourish Cowichan

Blue Grouse ‘threepeats’ In April, $1 from Every Bottle Sold Goes to Nourish Cowichan

 mywinepal  March 31, 2022

Help feed hungry children in the Cowichan Valley by buying a bottle of Blue Grouse or Quill wine in BC.  The press release from Blue Grouse Estate Winery is below. ~~~ [Duncan, BC] For the third year in a row, $1 from every bottle of Blue Grouse or Quill wine sold anywhere in BC goes to Nourish Cowichan to feed hungry children….

VanWineFest 2022

An Interview with Harry Hertscheg about the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2022

 mywinepal  March 8, 2022

Two years ago we would be finishing the Vancouver International Wine Festival just before Dr. Henry closed down the province for COVID.  Not knowing how COVID was spreading, we were lucky that COVID did not affect anyone at the Festival.  We missed the Festival last year, and now we have the opportunity to experience the Festival.  I am very excited…

TIME to give

Donate Cash or Unwrapped Gifts to Support SOWINS at TIME Family of Wines

 mywinepal  November 16, 2021

If you live in the Okanagan, you may want to participate in this fundraising event on Nov. 21 run by the TIME Family of Wines.  Here is the press release about the event for the holidays. ~~~ [Penticton, BC] For the second year, TIME Family of Wines presents “TIME to Give,” a fundraising event in collaboration with the South Okanagan Women in Need…