Management and staff at Hester Creek winery will be accepting a Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence for their Reserve Merlot on Thursday July 26th from 1:30-2:30 in the afternoon.

53 guests and spouses are anticipated but the ceremony is a short one – on an annual tour through wine country.

The Honourable Steven Point, OBC (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) will visit all winning wineries at the end of July to present the Awards. Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia will accompany him when he makes these presentations so they can gain knowledge of British Columbia’s renowned wine industry.

This year was the largest competition in the 10-year history of the awards, with 347 wines submitted from 94 wineries across the province.

All wineries in British Columbia were invited to submit their wines for judging by a panel of wine industry professionals. Wines submitted had to be from 100% British Columbian grown grapes and produced in province to be eligible.

Last year Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery  – was presented this award for its 2008 Syrah.