by Rachael Skerrett
When one takes a thirty-five-minute flight northeast of Vancouver, Canada, a beautiful body of water called Okanagan Lake will come into view. The Big White Mountain, sprinkled with snow, will glisten in the background and first-time visitors, along with locals alike, will question themselves on how a view like Kelowna’s really exists.
Along with the aerial views on arrival, our hotel views from The Royal Kelowna provided a welcoming introduction to the Okanagan Valley and all of its beauty. We spent our first night with a glass of wine at the rooftop pool before taking the boardwalk over to the Waterfront Restaurant where we became acquainted with our first taste of Canadian wines. From that moment on, our week was as full-bodied as the Cabernets we drank, every view as rich as the next and every taste left a lingering desire to experience more.
We didn’t waste a moment of the time we had in Kelowna. Day two started with the morning fog that swept over William R. Bennett Bridge. A cup of coffee in hand, wearing our complimentary robes, we sat on the balcony taking in the morning view. The comfort and beauty of our suite made it difficult to leave, but when there are over 40 wineries within a 20-minute drive, our palates encouraged us to seize the day.
We wandered the grounds of several estates each offering their own unique wine tasting experience. Mission Hill Winery was a modern dream which included an amphitheatre built into the foothills of the property. Their tasting room not only had a wide selection of wines but also had a variety of takeaway goods from traditional wine glasses to organic dog food cookbooks (yes, you read that correctly).
Cedar Creek Winery, located on the other side of the lake, was a cross between a wine and culinary experience. It had everything you could ever ask for all in one place: great wine, great food, and great people. From historically delicious wineries to new age establishments, it was hard to not fall in love with Okanagan wine country.
When the sun set and the wineries closed, I adored nothing more than coming back to our suite at The Royal Kelowna. It was those simple nights cuddled up by the fireplace with a bottle of wine that I will remember the most. Hopefully, if you’re reading this, you’ll get the chance to visit Kelowna for yourself one day, and when you do, don’t forget to sip, swirl, and savour every moment along the way.
