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From whim to wine country — that ’ s how quick a free trip happened for Bev Smith . While skimming a CAA Manitoba e-newsletter , the Winnipeg resident spotted a contest to win a two-night stay at Liquidity Wines , nestled in the heart of the Okanagan wine region . On a whim , she entered .
“ When I got the call , I figured I had won a wine basket or something . I didn ’ t think I ’ d won the whole thing ,” she laughs . “ I probably didn ’ t sound too excited at first , because I was just so stunned .”
But Smith jumped at the chance to turn the contest win into a luxurious girls ’ getaway , taking her twin sister and two lifelong friends along for the ride . The ladies shared the winery ’ s 1,500-square-foot VIP suite , complete with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the rolling vineyard views . Smith ’ s favourite part of the space ? A walkout
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terrace with a private pool set against the stunning mountain backdrop .
The group was treated to a threecourse chef ’ s dinner with wine pairings from the vineyard , as well as a day-long tour of seven other wineries . They learned about growing and harvesting grapes to produce some of Canada ’ s most innovative blends . A quirky highlight for Smith was meeting many of the vineyards ’ resident dogs . The furry , four-legged ambassadors happily roam the vines at several wineries .
Smith , who has been a CAA member for more than a decade , also won a $ 500 voucher to help cover flight costs for the trip , which she booked through CAA Travel . The group ’ s travel consultant got them a seat sale , which helped make their whimsical wine country escape as smooth as a top vintage .
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ALtonA : 61 2nd Ave . N . E .
Mon-Fri 9 a . m . -5 p . m . Sat 10 a . m . -1 p . m . 204-324-8474
memBer SerViCeS : 24 hoUrS 204-262-6000 or 1-800-222-4357 Mobile * 222 caamanitoba . com
All locations are wheelchair accessible
CAA CLUB GroUP ( CCG ) mAnitoBA ADViSory Committee
CAA Manitoba President : Michael Mager , FCMA , FCPA
Members : Colleen Johnston ( Committee Chair ) Paul Jacuzzi ( Committee Vice-Chair ) Raymond Cadieux Brent Fawkes Bill Ladyman Don Main Tom Papagiannopoulos Amy Bryson ( CCG Chair ) Ethel Taylor ( CCG Vice-Chair )
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Bev Smith |