By Daenna Van Mulligen
A wine writer based in Vancouver, Daenna launched her website WineDiva.ca 15 years ago and followed it with WineScores.ca in 2008. Daenna’s been a regular contributor to Vines Magazine and TASTE Magazine for a decade and took on the wine specialist role at Montecristo Magazine in 2017. In 2018 she became a contributor to the new publication, Vitis. Daenna was the wine voice on Tasting Room Radio for seven years and has been a guest/keynote speaker in New Zealand and Portugal. She’s an international wine judge and the first Canadian Valpolicella Wine Expert; she was also an educator for the International Sommelier Guild.
The Okanagan Valley is a celebration for the senses. There are endless options for outdoor enthusiasts and plenty of havens for those who prefer to escape and be pampered.
Whether you’re an activity-driven personality or a seeker of tranquillity, you’ll likely find common ground in the region’s most famous adventure—wine tourism.
Flourishing, wine tourism has become a draw for visitors from all over the world. In fact, One million people visit the 370 licensed wineries in BC each year, most of those being in the Okanagan.
So, if you love delicious food and drink, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are a few suggestions on where to visit.
CedarCreek Estate Winery
Wines to try:
Platinum Label Block 4 Pinot Noir
Platinum Label Block 3 Riesling
CedarCreek has been a pillar of East Kelowna since the mid-1980s. Established by Senator Ross Fitzpatrick, over the decades CedarCreek has become synonymous with some of the country’s best wines.
CedarCreek was awarded Winery of the Year at the 2019 InterVin International Wine Awards.
Recently launched, the winery’s Home Block Restaurant is a windfall for locals and visitors alike. Mouthwatering terroir to table cuisine is cooked on large woodfire grill, which is nearly as eye-catching as the dining room’s picturesque views over Lake Okanagan.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Wines to try:
Cipes Blanc de Blanc
Cipes Blanc de Franc
Visitors from all corners of the globe have taken countless images of Summerhill’s enormous sparkling wine glass fountain and nearby pyramid cellar in the last couple of decades. But even if you’re not a social media maven, or keen on a kekuli gathering on every equinox, solstice and full moon, a visit to East Kelowna’s Summerhill will still reward you with its strong commitment to organic and biodynamic agriculture and overall sustainability. Sparkling wines are the strength of this estate, so you should definitely imbibe in some while enjoying an organic (and very veg-friendly) meal at their Sunset Bistro.
Quails’ Gate
Wines to try:
The Connemara
Clone 220 Chenin Blanc
The Stewart Family of West Kelowna has been farming in the area since the early 1900s. In 1961 they planted their first grapes and started making wine under the Quails’ Gate label in 1989, which means they are celebrating 30 years.
Old Vines The Restaurant has the same local farm to table philosophy as many local wineries share; the welcoming wood and glass room is as cozy in the winter months as it is exhilarating when the windows roll open to become one with the patio in the summer. Come for the views, stay for the delicious food and wine.
Poplar Grove
Wines to try:
Pinot Gris
Legacy Red
Along the quaint and winding Naramata Bench, on the outskirts of Penticton, Poplar Grove is only one shining star. However, for an all-around experience it stands out.
Founded in 1993, it was one of the first five wineries established on the bench; they soon became respected as much for their cheeses as their wines. Today, the cheeses can be purchased at nearby Lock & Worth Winery, but you can sit and dine in Poplar Grove’s onsite restaurant while taking in the stunning lake vistas.
Black Hills
Wines to try:
Viognier
Syrah
Hardly needing an introduction thanks to their most famous wine, Nota Bene, Black Hills Estate Winery has expanded its wine portfolio, and offers much more than its flagship red. Located near Oliver on the Black Sage Bench, Nota Bene is a modern and sleek winery that offers a handful of personalized wine tastings in their Wine Experience Center. If you want to simply grab a glass and a pizza or charcuterie board, you can simply sit back and chill by the outdoor pool.
