The @PaintedRockWine First Anniversary Summer Party at @MonkMcQueensVan

Wine and I agree, very much. I’m a big fan of good wine, and I’m a supporter of local, BC wineries every step along the way. While much debate has been had on the merits and demerits of buying locally, I am just a fan of some of our BC wineries, and Painted Rock Estate Winery has won me over, particularly with their Chardonnay (which they launched this past Wednesday, at the same time celebrating their first year anniversary).

Accolades that their wines have won include two Lieutenant Governor Awards and the Best New Winery at the 2009 Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. Knowing that Painted Rock had just released their second vintage of Chardonnay, I stayed on the Chardonnay (which I found fresh and summery). I think we all loved it.

John and Trish Skinner were on hand for the celebration, and I had a chance to see several foodie and wine friends of mine, including Dawn Chubai, Thor Diakow, Kyle, Genevieve and Catherine (all from Breakfast Television – you will notice that my photos have a lot of BT folks!), Heather Watson (Hez), Sarah Rowland, Sarah Blyth, Kim Bowie, Melody Fury, Richard Wolak, Cassandra Anderton, Raj Taneja (Urban Mixer) and Erin Ireland.

It was a great event all around, particularly because of the setting (Monk McQueen’s patio view was a fabulous setting).

And I made new friends, including the girls from If He Only Knew Magazine, as well as getting to hang out with old friends. Side note – that photo makes me look like I am pregnant! Urgh.

You can see the Flickr photo set here. Thanks to Danica Jeffery for extending the invite, and congratulations to John and Trish Skinner. Here’s a toast to many more years of great wines!