Pat Bell, chair of the Northern BC Wine Festival Society, at today’s Sip Wine Fest launch – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Northern B.C.’s first annual week long wine festival kicked off this afternoon.

Dozens of people were on hand to toast the event which featured free wine and appetizers at Wood Wheaton Supercentre.

“You know when we started working on this five or six months ago we didn’t think for a minute that it would reach the level of success that we’re seeing,” said Northern BC Wine Festival Society chair Pat Bell.

“25 participating wineries, 20 different events, over nine-days across the city, it’s just creating a buzz, a real sense in the community of this is going to be great.”

He has high hopes for the festival and hopes it will be around for years to come.

“My goal is 10 years from now, people are going to look back at this and look forward to wine festival week every year and it’ll really start elevating our game and bringing more wineries to Prince George.”

To check for festival events, click here.