Whistler's cultural and culinary delights combine to provide Celebratory Reception of favourite wines

Whistler, B.C. – Guests to this year’s Cornucopia event are invited to explore the area’s rich and diverse First Nations history while sampling the top 25 wines of the festival.

Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is home to the Top 25 Celebratory Reception, an exclusive walkabout tasting showcasing the 25 best wines of the festival, as determined by a panel of esteemed industry experts.

Favourite wines poured in an intimate setting coupled with a selection of gourmet canapés prepared by Whistler Cooks and samples of B.C.’s best cheeses provided by the Dairy Farmers of Canada make this an event not to be missed in a setting not to be forgotten.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a spectacular showcase of First Nations history and culture, is set on six forested acres along Fitzsimmons Creek, amidst Whistler’s majestic mountain backdrop. A partnership between local, provincial and federal governments and the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations, the centre provides a local gathering place, museum and cultural facility like no other. Designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling) the centre features a Great Hall that reveals spectacular mountain and forest views through curved 220 foot glass plank walls.

Part of the stellar lineup of this year’s Cornucopia schedule, the Top 25 Celebratory Reception takes place at the SLCC on Friday, November 12 from 5-7 p.m. and features wines from Carrion Cristalino, Summerhill, Gemtree, La Mozza and Fort Berens, to name a few. Rounding out the top 25 list are wines from Bodegas Muga, J.G. Carrion, Bodegas Ateca, Henry’s Drive, Razor's Edge, Bodegas Olivares, KWV, Deep Creek Wine, Bodegas Olivares, Cupcake Vineyards, Monstant Mazuelo, Di Majo Norante, Painted Rock Estate Winery, Cat Amongst the Pigeons, Therapy Vineyards, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Big House and Bastianich. You’ll have to attend to see how each winery fares.

Celebrating its 14^th year, Cornucopia – Whistler’s celebration of wine and food – runs from November 11-14, 2010 and showcases local produce, world-renowned chefs and award-winning wineries. Throw in a healthy dose of party atmosphere, a handful of incredible winemakers’ dinners a sprinkle of educational seminars, a good dash of brunches and lunches and a heaping of indulgent tasting events and you have the recipe for one fantastic festival. Offering events to suit all tastes and palates, discerning or otherwise, Cornucopia focuses on supporting local restaurants and producers while featuring wines from around the globe.

Whether you come to explore Pinot Noir From Around the Globe (Saturday, November 13) or let your hair down at the flagship CRUSH Gala Grand Tasting on Friday or Saturday, be sure to stay the weekend and experience all that the award-winning Whistler Resort has to offer.

Detailed Cornucopia information including event schedules, ticketing information, participating wineries and restaurants, and an exciting list of celebrity chefs and seminar presenters is available at www.whistlercornucopia.com

Accommodation packages starting at $99 per night are available at www.whistler.com/cornucopia

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Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America for the past 12 years in a row, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totaling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is home to a diverse community of more
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