Planning a wine tour? Here’s a few ground rules
Not a bad way to start the day: at Quails Gate, overlooking Lake Okanagan
A couple of weeks ago I found myself on the patio at Quails Gate’s impressive, vista-kissed tasting room, at around 10 in the morning. The first wine up was Quails Gate Chenin Blanc 2012. Think hints of papaya with a burst of lemon lime and zippy acidity. ($18.99). 90 pts. One of the smartest things QG ever did was not to pull out their Chenin.
The perfect ‘breakfast’ wine, combined with the dazzling view, it reminded me, yet again, what a stunning region the Okanagan Valley truly is—and also how we tend to take it for granted.
One question I get asked a lot is: “We’re going to be in the Okanagan and don’t have a lot of time but want to “do” some wineries.”
When it comes to wine-touring we’ve matured a lot in the last while. But there are still some basic ground rules that apply.
• Employ a designated driver.
Put one of your party in charge of the car who won’t drink and who will keep the water cold.
• Stay well hydrated
This is rule number 2, especially when the temperature’s nudging 35 and up.
Better still, before you take your own wheels…
• Call a recognised wine tour operator
… who knows their way around the region and likely has special access to the wineries with whom they work.
Experience Wine Tours nifty Mercedes Sprinter
Experience Wine Tours is the brainchild of Matt and Shannon Wentzell, who combine their passion for food and wine (supported by strong professional credentials) with extensive knowledge of the valley. They do the work. You get to sit back and relax between wineries in their spacious, air conditioned Mercedes Sprinter specially equipped wine-touring van. Plus they’re loads of fun. More info and bookings here.
• Don’t be over ambitious
Check the BCWI website for a handy planning guide
Visiting just a few wineries in a specific area, such as Kelowna’s Mission, or Okanagan Falls, will allow you to take your time and not get stressed out in traffic. It doesn’t make much sense to try to taste in Osoyoos and Kelowna on the same day. The BC Wine Institute website offers one of the best resources for customizing your wine-touring, whether you plan to visit the Okanagan, Similkameen, The Shuswap or Vancouver Island.
• Don’t forget to eat!
There’s no shortage of great Okanagan dining destinations. Plus many wineries offer the chance to enjoy your own picnic, usually with a stunning view. However if you have your heart set on a hotspot such as Burrowing Owl’s Sonora Room, Quails Gate’s Old Vines, Tinhorn Creek’s Miradoro, Mission Hill’s Terrace, Gray Monk’s Grapevine, or Vanilla Pod at Poplar Grove, be sure to make a reservation.
Another of our favourite destinations, Black Hills Estate has just joined forces with Flatbread Farms to offer artisan wood-oven fired pizza at their striking new tasting lounge. The Wine Lounge & Flatbread Pizza Patio is open 10am-6pm daily to the end of October. Bonus: you can also plug-in your Prius while tasting.
Waterfront Restaurant: superb crispy sweetbreads with marinated vegetables and pickled mushrooms
And if you’re staying in Kelowna, put Waterfront Restaurant and Wine Bar on your list, where Mark Filatow is putting out some of the best tastes, on the plate and in the glass, either side of the Coquihalla.
• Leave the perfume or aftershave at home
Do we really still have to say this? Actually, yes. Leave the Chanel, D&G or CK behind. Nothing kills a tasting room quicker …
Leave some time to experience the impressive Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
And when you’re done tasting, consider the wealth of other distractions the region has to offer…
Just a few of our favourites include:
Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
The Vinegar Works (Summerland)
… and many more
South Okanagan Valley, Tim Pawsey photo
(Much of this post appeared as a column in the North Shore News)
Let’s hear it for Tickleberry’s !! Quail’s Gate, too, of course. One of the few BC wines available in Seattle, by the way.