Travel Article: A Guide to the Vineyards & Wineries of the Okanagan

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Pinot Noir Grapes Hanging on the Vine¹

The bountiful Okanagan Valley, home to over 80 vineyards and wineries, is a vast area that can be divided into three different regions: the Shuswap and North Okanagan; the Central Okanagan; and the South Okanagan. Each of these regions have incredibly varied soils, climates and elevations, also known as terrior or sense of place, which generates the incredible variety of dinner wines, dessert wines, cool climate wines, icewines, fruit wines and ciders produced in the area. Whether visiting vineyards and wineries as part of a self-guided wine tour or joining one of the local companies that offer wine tours, visitors may enjoy the intimacy afforded by the many family owned and operated properties.

SOUTH OKANAGAN

The majority of Okanagan wineries are located in the South Okanagan because of its ideal growing conditions. These conditions range from a moderate climate and precipitation in Peachland to the north, to hot, dry, desert-like conditions to the south in Osoyoos. The region is also home to three important wine growing sub-regions: the Naramata Bench; the Black Sage Bench (Osoyoos Lake Bench); and the Golden Mile.

Located north of Peachland is the Deep Creek Winery Estate and Hainle Vineyards, which features an organic vineyard, cookery school and restaurant. Greata Ranch Winery is located between Peachland and Summerland and offers a wine shop, tasting room and two regularly scheduled tours of the vineyard that include history of the property and plans for its future.

Just north of Summerland is Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, which offers a number of tours and wine tastings. Various vineyards and wineries are also located in the immediate Summerland area, including Hijas Bonitas Family Estate, Dirty Laundry Vineyard and the boutique winery Silk Scarf.


	A Lakeside Vineyard on the Naramata Bench²

Naramata Bench
The Naramata Bench stretches from the community of Naramata to Penticton on the east side of Okanagan Lake and is home to plentiful vineyards, bed and breakfasts and boutique wineries. The Naramata Bench offers exceptional terrior with its long growing season, variable soil types, moderate temperatures and abundant sunshine. At the top of the Naramata Bench, surrounding the community of Naramata, is a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries, including Elephant Island Orchard Wines, which produces a variety of orchard and berry wines. Located along Naramata Road between Naramata and Penticton are Lang Vineyards, Black Widow Winery, Hillside Estate and Spiller Estate, which specializes in fruit wines.

Surrounding Penticton are numerous other vineyards and wineries. At the south end of Skaha Lake, the community of Okanagan Falls is a popular wine destination with a number of boutique vineyards and wineries such as the Stag's Hollow Winery and Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars.

The Golden Mile
Nestled in a stretch of valley between Oliver and the US border on an east-facing bench backed by mountains is the Golden Mile. Wineries situated along the Golden Mile enjoy ideal conditions as the temperature can be six to eight degrees warmer than along Highway 97 at the bottom of the valley. Enjoying the idyllic conditions of this region are Fairview Cellars, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, and the organic Chandra Estate Winery. The Golden Beaver Winery produces charming boutique wines and the Orchard Hill Estate offers hand-crafted sparkling ciders. Other favourite stops along the Golden Mile include the Gehringer Brothers Estate, Hester Creek Estate, Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards, Antelope Ridge Winery and Road 13 Vineyard and Winery .


Cedar Creek Winery, Central Okanagan³

The Black Sage Bench
The Black Sage Bench, which is located on the east side of Highway 97 between Oliver and Osoyoos, benefits from long, hot summer days and cool evenings that are moderated against frost by the Okanagan River. This region produces powerful red wines and full-flavoured white wines. Vineyards situated in this prime wine growing region include Le Vieux Pin, Silver Sage Winery and Black Hills Estate as well as a number of other fine properties.

Located at the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert, Osoyoos has Canada's lowest annual precipitation, warmest annual temperature and warmest freshwater lake. The South Okanagan's southernmost vineyards and wineries include the Burrowing Owl Estate, Twisted Tree Vineyards and Winery and the Nk'Mip Cellars; North America's first First Nations owned and operated winery.

Also worth a mention is the Similkameen Valley. Situated to the west of Osoyoos, this renowned area is home to a number of vineyards and wineries along Highway 3 between Osoyoos and Keremos.

CENTRAL OKANAGAN

Centred around Kelowna, the Central Okanagan spans from just south of Vernon to Highway 97c on the west side of Okanagan Lake and the end of Lakeshore Drive on the east side. Just north of Kelowna at Winfield is the Gray Monk Estate Winery with its popular Grape Vine Restaurant. Further south, just past the airport along Highway 97, are a number of other vineyards and wineries, including the View Winery and Raven Ridge Cidery, which produces four varieties of iced cider. Set on 134 hectares (330 acres) in the City of Kelowna is Calona Vineyards, the Okanagan's first winery.


	Mission Hill Estate, Westbank⁴

The boutique winery Tantalus Vineyards, originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, is one of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in the Okanagan and is located south of Kelowna on the eastern slopes of the valley overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan. Summerhill Pyramid Winery is a highly regarded central Okanagan organic vineyard and winery and features a unique pyramid-shaped cellar. Also located on the eastern shore of Lake Okanagan are the St Hubertus and Oak Bay Estate Winery and Cedar Creek Estate.

Located on the west side of Lake Okanagan, in the Westbank area, are the Little Straw Vineyards (which produces the only Auxerrois icewine in Canada), Mt. Boucherie Estate, Quails Gate Okanagan Valley Winery and Mission Hill Family Estate. Mission Hill recently underwent massive renovations and offers visitors an outdoor amphitheatre, a 12-story bell tower and entrance with curved arches held together by a single engraved Keystone. Also located in the Westbank area are three organic vineyards: Kalala Organic Estate; the boutique Beaumont Family Estate; and the Rollingdale Winery, which offers a wine shop, daily tours and a picnic area.

Okanagan Wine Festivals
Each year the Okanagan is home to four seasonal wine festivals.

With over 100 events, the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival includes numerous opportunities to enjoy wine and cuisine together.

Silver Star Mountain Resort hosts the Okanagan Summer Wine Festival, which incorporates wine education and tasting, outdoor hiking and adventures and gourmet cuisine.

The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival features over 150 events over 10 days and includes vineyard tours, dinners and wine education.

The Sun Peaks Resort hosts the Okanagan Icewine Festival and offers packages that can include accommodations, skiing, winemaster's dinners, icewine seminars and the Sun Peaks Progressive tasting.

SHUSWAP & NORTH OKANAGAN

Wineries located in the Shuswap offer a unique product in the Okanagan. These vineyards, located at the northernmost tip of the wine growing area, offer cool climate wines, which have lower alcohol levels and higher acidity and can be described as light and crisp. The Larch Hills Winery, located just south of Salmon Arm, is an excellent example growing a number of European varieties. Yet further north, near Tappen, are the Granite Creek Estate and the Recline Ridge Vineyard and Winery, both of which benefit from the area's relatively high annual rainfall and snowfall that make irrigation unnecessary. The other advantage that this area offers is a more consistent and predictable winter for icewine production.

Only a short distance southeast is the North Okanagan, which stretches from south of Mara Lake to Vernon and has a widely varying terrior. The North Okanagan receives both more rain and snow and slightly cooler mean temperatures than the rest of the valley, which make growing conditions similar to the Shuswap and vineyards just as few in numbers.

The Hunting Hawk Winery has two locations in the North Okanagan; one located between Enderby and Armstrong and one located at the Historic O'Keefe Ranch just outside of Vernon. On the east side of Vernon is Okanagan Spirits, a fruit brandy distillery producing Eau de Vie, Grappa, fruit liqueurs, Aquavit and Absinthe.

Just west of Vernon is the Rise Resort. Featuring a boutique hotel, restaurant, cooking school, the Fred Couples Signature Golf Course, beach club and villa homes as well as its vineyard and winery, this expansive property offers a complete wine vacation.

If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
• A Guide to Canada's Wine Regions
• Alberta's Own Wine Route

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

Pinot Noir Grapes in an Okanagan Vineyard; Okanagan, BC, Canada
A Lakeside Vineyard on the Naramata Bench near Naramata and Penticton; Okanagan, BC, Canada
Cedar Creek Winery; Kelowna, BC, Canada
Mission Hill Estate Winery ; Westbank, BC, Canada

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A Guide to the Vineyards & Wineries of the Okanagan