Holiday in OKANAGAN, British Columbia, Canada.
I’ve been to some fabulous wine tasting parts of the world including Argentina, California, France, Italy & South Africa. It always seems more exotic when you’re far from home, but here in Canada one of the loveliest wine regions which can now compete with the rest, is in the Okanagan – about a four and half hour drive from Vancouver.
I can’t imagine driving through British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan wine valley (a top producing wine region in B.C.) and not taking the time to stop in to have a look around and do a tasting at one or two or more wineries. It’s not even all about the wine…although…it’s also the locations with magnificent views, top-notch restaurants on the premises, the art & the people and their stories.
You cannot possibly visit every vineyard on one trip – there’s just too many, close at hand and far between. There’s always new ones opening up too. From world-class operations to family-run boutique vineyards, the Okanagan Valley wineries are rich in tradition and character, consistently ranking among the world’s best at international competitions.
Aside from Summerhill Pyramid winery in Kelowna which I always visit because the proprietor is a friend (the wine is also great), on this most recent road trip I kept it simple and focused on only a few. Summerhill held an amazing Autumn Equinox in the Pyramid which my boyfriend and I attended. After only hearing about it, I can now say I’ve experienced it. It’s a community gathering to celebrate our connection to each other, the earth and the universe, with a guided group
meditation in the Summerhill Pyramid. Followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner, and drumming and dancing around the sacred fire in the Kekuli. It was dog friendly too so Layla also experienced it. We met some nice new friends.
The other wineries I visited on this trip were Tantalus and Cedar Creek in Kelowna, NK’MIP Cellars in Osoyoos and Kismet in Oliver. These were over several days as we were staying with a friend in Peachland and then onto the Kootenays to stay with another friend.
Tantalus:
Tantalus is known as one of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in British Columbia.
I’m a chardonnay lover and heard through the grapevine (pun intended) that they have a really good one. Yes; they do, but I ended up loving the off-dry Riesling as much or even more so. Which is a surprise because I find most Rieslings too sweet – but this one was just right. Overall, the view and location is fabulous, the tasting was really good and the art on the bottles is created by Tahitian, Tlingit artist, Dempsey Bob. I must admit that I like a good label.
Cedar Creek: winner of 2022 winery of
the year award. One more breathtaking view with floor to ceiling windows that look over the Okanagan during a relaxed all-organic tasting.
Kismet
My tasting here, like the name, was meant to be – especially since it was not planned. A few people have mentioned this winery to me as having unique wines. I was interested in the sparkling moscato as they use a rare orange muscat varietal which is cold fermented, resulting in a crisp refreshing flavour. I opened it over Thanksgiving and it did not disappoint.
Nk’Mip
Time in a Bottle. This is my second time at the very first Indigenous-owned winery in North America. Located in Osoyoos – the hottest and driest part of not only the Okanagan; but all of Canada.
The spectacular Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (pronounced in-ka-meep) is a state-of-the-art interpretive centre of architectural marvel sensitively constructed into a hillside. Discover the fascinating stories of Canada’s only desert and share in the rich living culture of the Okanagan people. Websites below:
https://www.kismetestatewinery.com/
https://www.nkmipcellars.com/About-Us
I hope you enjoy the photos. Let me know if you’ve been to any of these wineries or if you have a favourite winery in your area.
Header photo: d. king
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