‘At The Table’ 2014-15 Food + Drink Series

Gowlland Harbour Resort and SouthEnd Farm & Vineyards continues the 2014-2015 season for our second annual ‘At the Table’ Food + Drink Series featuring menus paired with award-winning wines, spirits, meads (new this year!) and craft beers made locally in British Columbia. This year’s theme, ‘Food & Literature, Writers & Spirits: A Pairing Event’, was inspired by a love of literature and the fact that many celebrated authors from around the world were also known for their love of food and drink — whether they wove it into the characters they wrote about or they themselves were infamous for their culinary and liquid cravings — there is always a story to tell of good food and fine drink.

Mark your calendar with the last two dates for the season: Feb. 7 and March 7. Tickets are $87 per person for each dinner and include a four course meal plus pairings, as well as a chance to meet and dine with some of the winemakers, distillers and brewmasters. Our executive chef, Mariana Gabilondo, and local winemaker, Jill Ogasawara from Southend Farm & Vineyard, will also be presenting and discussing the menu pairings. Stay tuned for more information on the menus and participating wineries. Last year, we had sell out events, so secure your tickets early by calling us at +1 250 285 3572!

---

2015 Dates: February 7th & March 7th

TIME:
6:30 to 10:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm)

TICKETS:
$87 per person/event (includes tax)

PACKAGE OFFER:
$275 per couple includes At The Table event plus hotel room
and continental breakfast for two the next morning

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CALL:
+1-250-285-3572

---

---

Quadra Island Studio Tour Kickoff Weekend!

View fullsize

Fish Chatter by Nanci Cook

Looking for something creative to do to get your summer adventures started? Quadra Island artists will be kicking off the 12th annual Quadra Island Studio Tour June 7th & 8th, where visitors get to meet the artists who are normally hidden away in their studios creating. Quadra has an abundance of resident talented artists with a variety of disciplines — from painters, potters and sculptors to wood carvers, guitar makers and jewellery designers — many of who have received international acclaim.

Visitors can explore the work of over 35 artists at 23 studios around the island, as well as at the local community centre. Many of the artists will be offering demonstrations of their techniques and there will also be activities happening at the Quadra Island Community Centre with door prizes, a silent auction and goodies!

Make sure you stop by the Gowlland Harbour Dining Room for lunch or dinner while you’re enjoying the tour. We are close by to a number of the studios and just down the road from painter Carrie McKellar and bicycle designer, Sam Whittingham’s Naked Bicycles studio.

---

Tickets for the Studio Tour are just $5 each (kids 12 and under are free) and are available at the following locations:

• Campbell River Public Art Gallery
• Comox Valley Art Gallery
• Impressions Custom Framing
• Hummingbird Office and Art Supply
• Quadra Island Tourist Info Centre

Can’t make it for the June 7th & 8th weekend? Don’t worry! At least 14 of the studios will remain open throughout the summer. Make sure to check out the list of artists’ studios open year-round on the Tour Map by clicking here and selecting ‘Year-Round Studios’.

Dates & Hours:
Saturday, June 7 | 10 am-5 pm
Sunday, June 8 | 10 am-4 pm

Tickets:
$5 each (free for kids 12 & under)

For More Information:
Phone | +1 250 285 2103
Website | www.quadraislandarts.com

---

---

Thank you to everyone who supported our first wine + dining ‘At The Table’ series!

A big thank you to everyone who attended our At The Table wine and dining series this 2013-2014 season! We had tremendous response — most of the events were sold out — and wonderful feedback from our guests! Also, a big thanks to all the participating wineries, distilleries and craft breweries whose products we featured alongside Chef Mariana’s always creative and delicious menus! For more information on the products we used, please see the list of links below.

Have an idea for next year’s At The Table theme?
At the last event on Feb. 7th, 2014, we asked attendees to share their ideas for next year’s At The Table theme/s and we had a number of inspiring ideas but we’d like your input, too! If you have an idea you think would be a great concept for a wine/spirits/beer and dining event, email us at info@gowllandharbour.com with subject line ‘At The Table theme idea’. And if you know of a Vancouver Island product you think we should feature, we’d love to hear about it. Thanks!

---

---

New ‘Bucket List’ Kayak Adventure Offered at Gowlland Harbour Resort!

We are very excited to announce that we have partnered with Wildcoast Adventures Ltd. to offer travelers a ‘trip of a lifetime’ experience with a seven-day Premium Orca Camp tour package. The package includes four days at Wildcoast’s Orca Camp, where guests camp and kayak next to the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Straight — a sanctuary for killer whales — combined with first-class accommodation before and after at Gowlland Harbour Resort.

The opportunity to see Orca whales in their natural habitat is definitely a ‘Top 10′ bucket list adventure for many people and pairing it with a stay at a beautiful boutique retreat like Gowlland Harbour Resort provides an outstanding experience and level of service not offered by other local tour operators.

“This part of Canada offers truly spectacular wildlife, especially whales and other marine life. Paddling the waters deemed a critical habitat for both resident and transient Orca whales provides travelers from all over the world the best opportunity to see these majestic creatures in the wild!” enthuses Wildcoast co-owner and tour operator Valerie Glendenning. “Combining a luxurious stay and sumptuous gourmet meals with rustic outdoor adventure offers the best of both worlds for the discerning adventure traveler."

Killer whales migrate vast distances during the year, feeding abundantly in summer waters off the west coast of Canada. The whale population has been consistent in and around Johnstone Straight for many generations, however, given the increasing threats to their ongoing existence, there is no better time than now to book this ‘bucket list’ trip.

Guests begin and end their Premium Orca Camp vacation at Gowlland Harbour Resort where they are warmly welcomed and settled into their private room with king-sized bed and ensuite bathroom. The peaceful beauty of the Resort’s waterfront location encourages visitors to reconnect with nature by wandering the property, relaxing in the outdoor hot tub or rejuvenating in the cedar sauna. Daily breakfast includes fresh, local ingredients and homemade baking. “We cater to travelers who enjoy the quiet serenity of a small island resort along with top-notch service and amenities. This is the perfect spot to unwind, take in the scenery and delight in delicious food,” says Mariana Gabilondo, manager and executive chef at Gowlland Harbour Resort.

“This new 7-Day Orca Camp kayaking package combines the best of luxury & rustic outdoor adventure for the discerning traveler.”

On day three of the adventure, guests take a two-hour trip by water taxi to Wildcoast’s remote Orca Camp where they spend four days camping in safari tents, eating delicious meals and kayaking while watching for whales who often feed in the kelp beds just off the Orca Camp beach. Wilderness activities such as native style sauna, swimming in the mountain-fed river and venturing out on exploratory hikes are also part of the fun. Optional activities can be added during your stay at Gowlland Harbour Resort for an additional fee and range from golf and fishing charters to art studio tours, wine tasting and day hikes.

The Orca Camp Premium 7-Day Tour is offered from June 29th to September 18th. For rates and more information, visit Wildcoast Adventures’ website at wildcoastadventures.com.

---

---