Gallery 2 inspires a vintage Christmas
By Kate Lee
The elegant crowd at Gallery 2’s 22nd annual Wine Tasting were transported back in time thanks to the nostalgic Christmas cards glittering down at them and the abundance of retro comfort foods that enticed them into every room of the Old Court House building on Saturday 23rd November.
Each guest was welcomed with a program and an empty wine glass with catering tickets attached that allowed everyone to sample the culinary delights so generously donated by local catering companies and businesses Twisted Fork, Marge Meadows, From the Hearth Bakery and Alathyia Cakes.
Guests and organizers were particularly impressed with this year’s offerings saying it just keeps getting bigger and better. This year boasted 12 wineries, 2 breweries and 8 local food and coffee presenters and sweet and savory catering from Court Jesters Catering.
Wine favorites included the cleverly titled ‘2012 Pearsuasion’ from Organic Winery, Forbidden Fruit and Peller Estates ‘2011 Sandhill Small Lot Viognier’.
Many were pleased to see the increase in beer selections tipping Wild Honey from Nelson Brewing Company as a winner.
On the food front, this year allowed local businesses to showcase and present their food to inspire ideas just in time for the Christmas season.
“Every year Overwaitea has donated cheeses or gifted gift certificates but this is the first time to showcase food with a display,” said Tamara Wheeler of Overwaitea Foods, “People are really enjoying seeing the ideas of what to do with certain foods.”
According to Director and Curator, Ted Fogg of Grand Forks Art Gallery Society (GFAGS) this year’s vintage inspired event had attracted approximately 250 people, mostly locals or from Christina Lake, Greenwood or further a field.
The events success has mainly been due to the wineries and food businesses donating their time and wares.
Fogg also credited the volunteers for their hard work and commitment to make the event possible.
From the catering and the decorations to the endless phone calls sourcing the wineries and food vendors that are to be showcased on this one night. Catering staff William Caley said many wineries were keen to return year after year thanks to the events success.
The crowd included a mix of old and young with guest, Daniel Drexter noting the change in crowd from last year.
“There are a lot of new faces compared to last year. There are still a lot of the older generation but this is a lot more of a younger crowd.”
With not many big events held in Grand Forks locals are praising Gallery 2’s Wine Tasting night as a great excuse to get dressed up, see familiar faces under one roof and enjoy the delights that the area has to offer.
“It is vital to have a really lively art gallery in this community,”said Caley, “We are so lucky for a community of under 5000 to have this incredible gallery with staff that work so well as a team.”
