VISA Infinite Wine Country Tour South Okanagan
While clouds closed in and the rain began to fall as we neared Liquidity Wines, VISA Infinite participants remained jubilant.
No one whined about the liquid asset of moisture in the Okanagan region after the hot, dry, wildfire-punctuated summer.
Through the gates past the tranquil sculpture garden and pond, anticipation mounted and was rewarded. Generous glasses of Liquidity’s Brut 2024 sparkling wine awaited. We sipped this delicious elixir as we gathered on the covered patio to learn more about this jewel in the von Mandl Family’s independently owned collection of iconic wineries and estate vineyards.
Liquidity is branded within The Mark Anthony Group of Companies along with CedarCreek Estate Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Martin’s Lane Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate, Red Barn at Jagged Rock, and Road 13 Vineyards. These distinctive, award-winning wines are distributed in Canada by Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits and Bacchus Fréchette Wine & Spirits. Still, nothing compares to visiting these wineries in person. Each one exudes its own charm and distinctive style while being true to the company culture.
I was delighted by the invitation to the VISA Infinite Wine Country tour of South Okanagan. These tours are thoughtfully designed to create a unique experience available to VISA Infinite customers and include such in-depth features as an accompanying wine expert.
We were truly blessed to be led by Rhys Pender, Master of Wine and winemaker, who is considered one of Canada’s foremost wine authorities. The Okanagan is now his home turf so his depth of knowledge for the region is extensive. For those wanting to geek out on all the geological and other terroir aspects, Rhys was enthusiastic to share his scholarly learnings and local insight.
Plus, we were fortunate to have Irena Knorr, Integrated Digital Marketing Group (IDMG) Culinary Program Director, and Donald House, IDMG Managing Director and Co-Owner, on board to ensure each guest’s experience was exemplary was beginning to end. Most of the 15 participants were picked up by Top Cat Tours at The Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna. Then they detoured to pick up me and my husband Mark at Penticton Lakeside Resort before continuing on to Liquidity Wines.
Liquidity Wine and Our Wine-Paired Lunch
In their own words, Liquidity is ‘’a canvas of elegance, creativity, and style, nestled in the heart of the enchanting Okanagan Falls. Our winery is a nod to the timeless beauty of nature and the artistry of winemaking, a tale told in every bottle we craft.’’
From its beginning, the estate was created as a ‘sensory playground’ to capitalize on the ‘breathtaking views of Vaseux Lake, Mcintyre Bluff, and luscious estate vineyards’. It feels as much as an art gallery as winery. Listening to Rhys and hospitality member Christian speak to its sense of place as birds danced in the vanishing edge water feature felt almost magical even in the rain.
We also learned if you didn’t want to drag yourself away too quickly, you could arrange a stay for up to four guests at The Loft at Liquidity. A private residence off to the side and above the winery has a dedicated entrance and parking at its front door. With two primary bedrooms featuring king-size beds and luxury ensuite bathrooms, a powder room, and a gourmet kitchen, it comfortably sleeps up to four guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase breathtaking views of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking endless vineyards and Vaseux Lake. Imagine sipping on wine and lingering long enough to lay down lasting memories!
Alas, not today. We were beckoned to the inside dining area where Liquidity Estate Chef Joshua Bauerlein created a wine-paired menu that matched that artistry. The Restaurant at Liquidity is known for its seasonal menu designed around the wine with simple, intentional dishes to highlight the bounty of local fresh ingredients in thoughtful presentation. Even the elegantly set long table displayed colourful, local flowers.
To start was a Tomato Wedge Salad, accentuated by Cashew Cream, Sea Buckthorn Gel, Black Olive Crumble, and Crispy Coppa paired with the 2024 Viognier. The main dish was Chicken Supreme, completed with Broccolini Puree, Cauliflower, Black Apple Jus, Chioggia Beets, Fava Beans, and Fingerling Potatoes paired with the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay. The dessert was a molecular gastronomy masterpiece of Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake, bedazzled with Biscotti Crumble, Haskap Compote, Pear Gel, and Raspberry Sauce paired with 2022 Alto.
Red Barn at Jagged Rock
Now for something completely different, we headed to Red Barn at Jagged Rock. Above Black Sage Road southeast of Oliver, the Jagged Rock Vineyard is tucked into the foothills of the Okanagan Highland making it one of Canada’s most extreme viticultural landscapes.
The funky red architecture is so divergent from usual winery construction it hints immediately something different is going on here. Red Barn was built ‘’as a stronghold that challenges the norm. A winery that honours the misfits and rebels. No structured plans, no end games, just a commitment to redefine the rules. This is the place you don’t tell your friends about because you want it all to yourself.’’
We were greeted by a lovely pour, this time Red Barn’s Discordian 2023 White Blend to enjoy as we checked out the ‘barrel room’. The plethora of jazzy tanks and eggs of concrete and stainless steel in various sizes and colours confirmed the wines are anything but conventional. In their words: ‘’Following rules isn’t as fun as breaking them, and we’ve done just that with our rebellious wines highlighting pure fruit expression for maximum flavour.’’
Upstairs we enjoyed a seated tasting and swished and slurped our way through four more of Red Barn’s experimentation guided by its upbeat ambassadors. We learned young Winemaker Kaylee Barss grew up in the Okanagan, attended Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute in Niagara and worked at Fielding Estate Winery before returning home. Here, she gets to focus on small-lot, minimal-intervention winemaking often working with unique or less prevalent varietals.
Out Back, the vine-draped patio, looked perfect for a casual lunch on a less drenched day. It offers wine by the glass, some cocktails and mocktails, and light bites such as flatbreads and meatballs on offer.
Road 13
Off to the opposite side of the valley with completely different terroir typical at Road 13 Vineyards. It is located on the Golden Mile Bench, Canada’s first official sub-geographical indication where stoney, gravelly soil with free-draining dirt and sun-drenched vineyards are featured.
If Red Barn at Jagged Rock is about innovative winemaking and farming techniques, Road 13 is about historic legacy. Here they declare: ‘’We farm to protect the land. Taking care of the dirt means it’ll take care of our roots, producing the best fruit possible. This cycle lets us make honest wines. We’ll keep farming this way for generations to come.’’
Viticulturist Rob Achurch is its resident grape growing expert and deeply committed to sustainable farming. Complementing the vineyard approach, Winemaker Stefa Korda crafts the wines ‘with hands-in-the-soil approach and deep respect for people, place, and process’.
We were warmly greeted with a lively glass of 2019 Old Vines Sparkling Chenin Blanc and given an overview of winery before being ushered to the Tasting Room. Décor throughout maintained a farming theme and promoted the dog-friendly atmosphere of the ‘Barking Lot’.
At our seated tasting in view of the traditional oak barrel room, it was ‘Fall Flavours Poured to Perfection’. We explored Select Harvest 2023 Viognier, GSM 2022 with Swiss Delice Petits Suisses Extra Dark Chocolate, and John Oliver 5th Element 2021.
CheckMate Artisanal Winery
Our final stop was at CheckMate Artisanal Winery, also on the Golden Mile Bench under two kilometres away. The homage to the game of chess is fully intentional, comparing skilled moves to the decisions in winemaking that result in unexpected achievements ‘drawn from almost infinite possibilities’.
The masterpiece of form and function that emerges surprisingly as you crest the hill was designed with ‘visionary winemakers and masterful collaborators like award-winning architect Tom Kundig’. It not only amplifies the beauty of the surrounding landscape, it provides all the instruments for great winemaking.
In the tasting room, we started with an award-winning 2022 Queen Taken Chardonnay to enhance our tour of the fantastic facility.
After visualizing the ‘board’, we headed upstairs for The Grandmaster’s Table Experience Along with an elegant presentation of culinary pairings including artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and condiments, we were privately guided through Chardonnays and Merlot – 2024 Off the Board, 2022 Fools’ Mate, and 2022 Silent Bishop.
https://www.checkmatewinery.com/
Iconic Wineries and Estate Vineyards
These wineries on our tour are part of the von Mandl Family independently owned remarkable collection of Iconic Wineries and Estate Vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. There are elements they share such as highly professional well-trained staff, and the use of high-end glassware by Gabriel-Glas.
For me, I truly respect that each winery shines in its own way. Liquidity showcases the aesthetic side of the wine industry, Red Barn the innovative, Road 13 the historic, and Checkmate master gamesmanship. Each winery presents its own story and approach. Each is worthy of deeper exploration and return visits.
More About VISA Infinite
This adventure was one of the Visa Infinite Wine Country curated wine tours. It is important to note: ‘’Your Visa Infinite card grants you rare access to some of the very best of British Columbia and Ontario’s wine regions. Explore exclusive seasonal and year-round benefits tailor-made for you. From private cellar tastings to custom itineraries, your next unforgettable wine country journey awaits.’’
For example, in BC you can reserve special complimentary pours for the cardholder and one guest at such wineries as CedarCreek Estate Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Liquidity Winery, Martin’s Lane Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate, Red Barn at Jagged Rock, and Road 13 Vineyards when purchasing a tasting. Each winery offers additional experiences you can pre-book to delve more deeply into its story and wine selections. Periodically, there are elegantly curated wine country dinners staged in stunning settings available exclusively to Visa Infinite cardholders. If you are quick on the draw, there are limited packages for an exclusive Wine Country Tour with Valhalla Helicopters that include a multi-course lunch with wine pairings, scenic helicopter ride to two additional Okanagan wineries with private tastings and premium concierge coordination.
On Instagram, follow @VisaCA to be current with all offers, events, and dinners as they become available.
https://www.visa.ca/en_CA/pay-with-visa/cards/credit-cards/infinite/wine-country.html
