Each year we solicit bids from a handful of prominent wine regions to see if they would be interested to host the North American Wine Bloggers Conference the following year. One of our goals is to rotate the conference to new wine areas to give our attendees a chance to visit other regions and to give those regions a chance to highlight their attributes.
We are currently working with three excellent wine areas who have submitted bids to host the 2012 North American Wine Bloggers Conference. The next step is to gather public opinion. We ask past and current blogger attendees for their ratings in a private poll but are also eager to hear from anyone who has opinions about where we should hold the 2012 conference. This input will be factored into the location bid itself and the 2012 location will be announced live at this year’s conference in Charlottesville.
Please feel free to comment on this blog post with your opinions about why you think the 2012 North American Wine Bloggers Conference should be held in Penticton, British Columbia; Oregon; or Santa Barbara, California.
Penticton, British Columbia: Penticton is in eastern British Columbia and is the heart of the province’s wine region, with more than 120 wineries in the area. The conference would be based at the Penticton Lakeside Resort in this town of about 40,000. Local wine organizers are extremely eager to host our conference (they already have a Twitter account and Facebook page to promote it) and have the support of local and provincial groups as well as wine associations across Canada. Penticton has its own regional airport, with daily flights from Vancouver and Calgary, and the Kelowna International Airport, an hour away, has flights to Seattle.
Oregon: The conference hotel would be in Portland, with easy airport access and more facilities, but we would spend Saturday in wine country in the Willamette Valley. Oregon now has 419 wineries and 849 vineyard owners producing some of the top wines in the country. The state’s bid comes from the Oregon Wine Board with help from Travel Oregon and the Oregon Winegrowers Association. In addition, we have support from the famous International Pinot Noir Celebration, which although it will be on a different weekend is eager to work with us.
Santa Barbara County, California: This is one of the premier wine regions of Southern California, with over 100 wineries and 21,000 acres of vineyards. We would likely be based in the small town of Buellton, surrounded by wine towns including Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Maria. Buellton is 40 minutes from the airport in Santa Barbara and two hours from Los Angeles. We have strong support from the Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Association, local CVBs, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Shhh… it’s been a really, really well kept secret until now…
Santa Barbara would be a great choice. Really great wines and good resources to boot. I know the wine industry would be very welcoming.
On hilltop and at lake side the 120 wineries in the Okanagan valley of British Columbia are linked like pearls by a string of continuous, scenic drives. The valley is a sublime environment that has matured over many years into a destination not only for experiencing a wide range of award-winning wines, but a centre for fine dining and recreation.
Oregon Wine country all the way! Most beautiful place on earth.
Santa Barbara is THE choice…it is famously known as the American Riviera and it is a stone’s throw from some fabulous wine country. It has the best year round weather in the US (look it up). Santa Barbara has a great (and growing) small airport, and if you must fly into LA, it is a short 1.5 hours away…
The Okanagan Valley is a perfect location for the Wine Bloggers Conference for 2012 – an innovative culinary industry, high quality accomodation, world class scenery and some of the best wines in the world. No where has a wine industry advanced so quickly in quality to topple some of the world’s great wines. Come and meet the folks whose drive and passion made it happen.
Also, the Okanagan is home to North America’s second Cittaslow – Naramata. There’s a reason the Cittaslow International board from Orvieto, Italy voted Naramata as a “Slow Town”. Come experience the ambience. You won’t be dissappointed.
That’s why you need it to be in Pen – tic – ton
You’ll learn more geography and have the best time ever!
Where is Penticton? how do you even pronounce that?
Penticton is truly the best place to host WBC 2012! BC now boasts over 200 wineries, of which 120 are within an hour from Penticton (many within 15 minutes) offering a variety of wines for every palate! The Okanagan Valley offers outstanding wines, delectable restaurants, spectacular lake & vineyard vistas and the friendliest wine folks I’ve ever met.
We invite you all to come discover why we are so passionate about our wines and our beautiful region!
My vote would be for Santa Barbara. What other region makes as many different veritals this well?
Penticton, British Coumbia is an amazing choice for the conference. Amazing wine, warm and friendly hospitality and a beautiful sunshine infused, lakeside location!
I can’t emphasize enough how pleased you will be at the success of the WBC12 in Penticton. Thanks so much for your time!
There’s a reason the Okanagan is called a little Tuscany… we have distinct wine, delicious food, great people and of course an amazing environment! We welcome all wine lovers & beyond to the Okanagan!
I want to cast my vote to have the Blogger Conference come to Santa Barbara. Ours wine region is budding with great wines from Pinot Noir to Syrah. The people are friendly. We have fine dining and better beaches. The new airport is welcoming.
The South Okanagan is a hidden gem that the World is about to discover! So much beauty, great wine & food, culture….. it’s all here packaged in the most spectacular surroundings. It’s got to be Penticton!
Here in the Okanagan, we are known for our wine & sunshine. There’s no better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than going to a couple of your favourite wineries to indulge in some harmonious flavours.
I’m for Santa Barbara County! Others have already cited so many meaningful reasons, but I’d like to add that the Santa Barbara airport renovation will soon be completed, making access to this glorious spot even easier. In addition, our predictably fair weather will allow attendees to engage in abundant outdoor activities (world-class cycling, hiking, boating at Lake Cachuma, beach day in Santa Barbara, etc.) during their off hours.
Being the Pinot Lover that I am would love to see WBC12 in Oregon!
Santa Barbara County! You’ll find everything you ever wanted along with some California sunshine! Bring it here!
Choose the Okanagan no where will you find more varieties of wine, nicer people, and better value than here. This is truly Canada’s Playground.
Santa Barbara County has it all!
Bradley, I think you’ll find that we embrace all kinds here in Santa Barbara County, not just Reaganites! Not sure WHERE you got that wacky idea, and besides – wine is to bring people of all political persuasions together!
Santa Barbara County! I moved here to get into the wine business 7 years ago and never left. Warm, welcoming, gorgeous- come to Santa Barbara!
Okanagan is my vote! Would love to see the wine bloggers come to beautiful British Columbia!!
and not to mention Albarino, Tocai Friulano, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, rose’s of every style, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese and more!
Great wine? Check. Great food? Check. Amazing scenery? Check. The friendliest people in the wine biz? Checkity check check check. Penticton is the place to be for WCB 2012.
Overwhelmingly, Santa Barbara County!!!! The unique topography of our beautiful area and the east-west orientation of the coastal mountains forms valleys opening directly to the Pacific Ocean which allows the fog and ocean breezes to shape distinct micro-climates, perfect for the cultivation of classic grape varietals and world class wines. Our restaurants are outstanding, offering a variety of cuisine strongly focused on local and organic foods, along with friendly people and stunning views. Rolling hills, vineyards, Lake Cachuma, amazing micro-brews and plenty of gorgeous wines to meet everyone’s pallets: Santa Barbara County will surely exceed the expectations of all bloggers, wine lovers and foodies!
Santa Barbara! We’ve got it all – the wines, the mountains, the beach, the restaurants, nightlife, 4 AVAs with at least two more pending. Gorgeous weather, beautiful vineyards, wines of “diversity perfected”. Easy to get here via plane, train or car. We’re into locally grown food, farmers markets and we have a wine to please for every palate. Promise!
This would be perfect for Santa Barbara County.
Come to Santa Barbara County, great wines, great restaurants, beautiful scenery & weather.
The beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County is a perfect destination for the Wine Bloggers’ Conference. It offers fine dining, comfortable hotels and a full spectrum of wine varietals. There are 4 AVA each offering their distinct portfolio of wines.
Would love to have #WBC12 in Penticton. We are BC Wine Country and have so much for all who love food, wine, beaches, fruit stands, with a flurry of accommodation to fantastic resorts to quaint B&B’s. Beautiful lakes, people and so much fun. Guaranteed not to disappoint anyone who comes here. We say let us show you what we have got.
Overwhelmingly, Penticton. Take a look at some of the photographs on this site. The scenery is just amazing.
http://www.okanaganwines.ca/wineries/
Oregon all the way!!! Oregon isn’t a place as much as it is an experience. Hundreds of wineries in all different corners of the country, close to the pristine (public!) beaches of the Pacific Coast, close to the Columbia Gorge, close to Portland (and amazing place to see in and of itself), and close to snow-capped peaks including Mt Hood. You will find all sorts of farm-to-table food options (it is one of the “foodie” capitals of the U.S.)… and of course, dozens of microbreweries, since we all know that those in the wine world also indulge in plenty of good beer.
You can taste the Oregon lifestyle inside every bottle – our affinity for
quality, sustainable practices and stewardship of the land.
There is only one place for WBC12 and that is Penticton.
The BC wine industry is relatively young and have faced numerous challenges not the least of which is a neo-temperant liquor control and licensing. The result has been a very tight but highly competitive wine industry that continues to develop,grow and engage by leaps and bounds.
I say engage as the wine community is the Okanagan is extremely connected via Social Media. In fact there is a greater penetration of Facebook in the Okanagan than there is for the local newspapers.
Lastly it is an area of remarkable beauty that has really only been seen by a fraction of the wine blogging community. I’m certain that most have been to Portland and Santa Barbara. If the nature of wine, and hence our blogs, is diversity and exploration, then Penticton is the only choice.
If you think you don’t know enough about the Okanagan to make
an informed decision, a few of us Okanagan folks are here to help you out.
Top 10 reasons to hold WBC12 in Penticton (Okanagan)
1. We not only make wine – we also make beer, cider, and mead. Sparkling mead.
2. Desert-like conditions with accompanying wildlife for your viewing pleasure.
3. Over 200 acres of vineyard are Aboriginal-owned & operated – started in 1968.
4. We’ve the largest planting of gewürztraminer in North America.
5. We will all say “aboot”, “eh”, and “sorry”. Regularly.
6. There are 5 distinct growing areas – and even more across the province.
7. It’s time we had a get-to-know-your-neighbour sleepover.
8. We have bio-diesel, biodynamic and bio…other stuff.
9. Cabernet franc (yeah, we said it – and it totally rocks here).
10. You can say you knew us when.
We could overload you with staggering statistics. But we won’t, because we’d rather let you find out how awesome this place is in person.
Come on over! We have a whole bunch of winemakers waiting for you.
The Okanagan area is prime for a conference like this. the enthusiasm, openess and energy of the communities in the valley will give the bloggers lots to talk about and wine to try. It’s all excellent. I vote Penticton.
Voting here to support #wbc12 in Penticton BC This is an industry of passionate artists and artisans who embrace their destiny with joy and enthusiasm. A spirit of entrepreneurship in a stunning setting that deserves recognition for their outstanding accomplishments within their relatively brief history in the wine world. Come experience the renaissance with your own eyes.
It’s truly difficult to justify why one region would be chosen over others – and it almost seems like all three deserve a nod (and therefore perhaps the organization can plan three years ahead – and give each area their own conference, with one slated for 2012, one for 2013, and one for 2014). Therefore, no one ‘loses’.
That said, I’ll have to toss my hat in the ring for Santa Barbara County this year. As Frank and Karen have already pointed out so eloquently, we have unique geographic markings which allow for the climate that helps create truly world class wines. Beyond that, though, the diversity of wines being made in a fairly small region is incredible – from some of the best pinots and chardonnays in the world, to, arguably, the best region in the US for rhone red and white varieties, to ever-increasing plantings of Italian and Spanish varietals, to wonderful Bordeaux varieties coming out of the warmer Happy Canyon area in eastern Santa Ynez.
To me, though, it’s more than just the wine. To start with, there are a dozen urban wineries in downtown Santa Barbara, one of the prettiest ‘smaller’ cities you’ll find anywhere. Drive 30 miles north, and you’ll feel that you’ve driven 300 – the change from city to wide open country is immediate and breathtaking.
I PROMISE that no blogger or other attendee will be disappointed with the wines, the food, the people or the scenery when Santa Barbara County is chosen to host the 2012 conference . . .
Cheers!Larry Schaffer
owner, tercero wines
Board of Directors, Rhone Rangers
VP, Board of Directors, Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Association
Penticton!
(check) Penticton! embodies so much of what a wine region must possess: breathtaking lake views, winding country roads, sprawling vineyards and amazing wine in an area that continues to draw more people every year to sample what’s being produced here.
Absolutely Penticton. Just had friends from Paris over for dinner and we had a Howling Bluff Pinot Noir from the Naramata Bench and they started discussing how they could ship a case back home.
Y0u fan fly to Penticton via Vancouver or Calgary, that’s about an hour’s flight from either one. Or you can hop up to Kelowna via Seattle or Vegas, and grab a shuttle that will bring to to Penticton in an hour. Vancouver is about a four and half hour drive.
I have never had so much fun touring the wineries.
What an extra special place to be…..to have the conference.
The scenery is beyond beautiful and the history is wonderful!
Hope to see you in Penticton in 2012!
Santa Barbara County gets my vote! Gorgeous wine roads, fantastic wine, historical significance, and the winemakers are fantastic. So many varietals represented. Broad representation of the entire wine making genre.
Oh common, not even a discussion – Okanagan Wine Valley…hands down the best place to go – Penticton rocks!
Come to Penticton BC and experience true Canadian Wine Country hospitality!
Penticton is an amazing location to have the conference. The weather is amazing, people friendly, fruit fresh and the lake is spectacular.
On top of that, the region is home to some of the best vineyards in the West Coast zone.
I vote for Santa Barbara – I haven’t attended before but I’ve been a member of the forum for years. Santa Barbara County is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Penticton!!! The only choice! Beauty, warm, sun, the best wine region on the planet!