I just got back from a quick trip to the southern Okanagan and had just enough time to stop by two favourite wineries, La Stella in Osoyoos and Meyer Family in Okanagan Falls (more on them in later articles). It occurred to me that most people visit this wine region in the summer or early … Read more
Announcing the 2014 Vivace Pinot Grigio. The Vivace is showing robust and bright flavours for the 2014 vintage. It greets you with a very expressive nose of apple and pear aromas, mountain herbs and Meyer lemon zest. The palate is packed with fruit cocktail flavours that enter the mouth in a concentrated fashion before they … Read more
April 22 to 25 I love Spring and its palette of green and blushes of blossoms that paint the landscape against the Robin’s-egg blue sky. I love the tangible sense of hope and anticipation as the Okanagan valley sweeps away the dust of the off-season. I love oysters, their salty smidgen of vast oceans and … Read more
Introducing the 2014 Vaïla Rosé. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, which are grown exclusively for this wine. It is a serious wine that is fun, delicate and absolutely perfect for the summer. It shows explosive aromas of rhubarb sorbet, pink grapefruit rind and the amazing bright and crunchy red fruit, that BC rosés are becoming … Read more
In just a few short weeks, beer lovers will assemble at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre to raise a glass or two to celebrate the 20th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale. This well-loved Penticton beer festival will take place on Friday April 10th and Saturday April 11thand will feature over 40 breweries and cideries from across the province … Read more
The last melodic notes from the Gold Medal Plates Canadian Culinary Championships’ gala in Kelowna muted weeks ago and the participating chefs continue to celebrate the occasion. For some time to come, everyone who attended will be humming the tunes by entertainers Barney Bentall, Spirit of the West front men Geoffrey Kelly and John Mann … Read more
I caught up with BC wine guru John Schreiner at the Clearbrook library recently where he was speaking on wine as a part of their Fine Food Series. Other lectures in this series focus on Olive Oil and Vinegar, Honey and Coffee. John discussed his latest book, “John Schreiner’s Okanagan Wine Tour Guide” and a … Read more
With Wine Tourism Day coming up on November 8 it seems timely to complete my list of places to visit in the Okanagan. I actually travelled to the Okanagan on two occasions this past September. Neither trip was planned in advance yet we managed to pack in a lot in just a few days. I … Read more
What happens when you get a last minute invitation to join in on a weekend trip to Okanagan wine country? Well obviously you accept, pack and go. So leaving Vancouver just after noon on Friday away we went – destination Kelowna. The weather was ideal for a weekend away and even though there was … Read more
The 6th annual FarmFolk CityFolk Okanagan Feast of Fields being held on Sunday, August 17th is less than two weeks away. Described as a wandering harvest festival, it showcases some of the very best of the region including chefs, farmers, fishers, ranchers, food artisans, vintners, brewers, and distillers. Okanagan Feast of Fields highlights the connections between farmer and chef, field to table and farm folks and city folks. … Read more