Wine Industry Identity Crisis

Written by the Tidings Staff | 10 March 2009

“South Okanagan Wineries Association” Needs a New Name

A group of wineries formerly known as the “South Okanagan Wineries Association” (SOWA) needs help finding a new name. A contest is taking place to name the association, and the winner will receive a VIP trip to Banée in Oliver.

In 2007, more than 15 wineries from the Okanagan Valley (in the geographical wine region beginning at McIntyre Bluff to the international border at Osoyoos) formed a non-profit organization. Their mission is to work together to develop and expand the local grape and wine industry in Oliver and Osoyoos through education and promotion. As the group works cooperatively to find their niche, they are also struggling to find a name that best expresses what they are all about. Not satisfied with SOWA, they came up with “Oliver, Osoyoos Desert Wine Country Association” (OODWCA).

Despite the naming committee being comprised of some of the sharpest minds in the wine community, it took the group only a few days to realize that their new handle was impossible to handle. This is where the public comes in: OODWCA, formerly SOWA, is sponsoring a renaming contest. The person to supply a winning new name of the association (and their guest) will be treated like royalty at the upcoming Banée. Banée is Oliver’s secret wine festival that takes place in the spring each year. In 2009, it will be on April 17 and 18.

Naming Criteria

The winning name should:

1.   Not be longer than 40 characters.

2.   Aptly describe the group of wineries, which are located in the Oliver and Osoyoos area. For example, the term “South Okanagan” is not appropriate because the geographical region South Okanagan goes as far North as Summerland, so South Okanagan does not accurately describe the specific region.

3.   Evoke the fact that this region is where the majority of the Okanagan Valley grapes are grown. This is serious wine-growing country, encompassing the Golden Mile and Black Sage benches.

4.   Not be a term that is trademarked or used by another winery or winery association – i.e. “Corkscrew Drive” is used by the wineries on Penticton’s East Side Road, “Bottleneck Drive” is used by the Summerland winery group; “2Bench” is a trademark belonging to Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

Determining the Winner

1. If there is more than one winning entry, the Grand Prize winner will be determined by draw from the pool of winning entries.

2. The Grand Prize includes the following for April 18th, 2009 only: one night’s accommodation at the Spirit Ridge Resort and Spa in Osoyoos, a VIP winery tour experience, and two tickets to Banée. Prize value is $1800 and does not include transportation.

3. The prize is non-transferrable and must be accepted as offered. If the winner is not available to attend Banée, another name will be chosen.

How to Enter

1. Entrants must be 19 years or older.

2. Entrants are to go online to www.ccltd.ca/namethatwineregion 

3. Entry deadline is March 31, 2009.