Food & Wine Trails July 2023

Summer is in full swing and so are the myriad of events happening around wine country.

KELOWNA

Parks Alive

When you’re in Kelowna, make sure you take in some of the Parks Alive concerts. From July through to the end of August, there are over 50 events at various parks and stages throughout Kelowna. Suitable for all ages, there will be a huge selection of musical styles and genres, with some musical theatre thrown in for good measure. Best of all, it’s free! Go to festivalskelowna.com/events/ for full information, times and locations.

Downtown Kelowna Association Block Party

Bring the whole family to the DKA Block Party. This free event is on Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and enjoy community, food, entertainment, shopping, culture, and art, all in one place. It’s a street market with live entertainment, food vendors, and lots of fun activities. And it all takes place between the 200 to 500 blocks of Bernard Avenue (The Sails to St. Paul Street).

Rock the Lake

Like classic rock? This event is for you. Rock the Lake is a three-day event from August 11 to 13 and takes place in the Prospera Place parking lot in downtown Kelowna. If you need to cool off, the building is open so you can enjoy its full facilities including the concession stands, and restaurant. The festival grounds have food trucks, drinks, and VIP access. Bring your lawn chairs! This year's lineup includes Collective Soul, Everlast, Burton Cummings, Big Wreck, Finger Eleven, Bran Van 3000, Prism, and more! Visit rtlkelowna.com for info and tickets.

Kelowna ComiCon 2023

This event has been a big hit over the years. Come out August 19 to 20 and get your geek on. Kids 12 and under are free. Lots of vendors, artists and special guest appearances! Tickets and info at kelownacomicon.com

MAGGIE JACKSON

WEST KELOWNA

Music in the Park

Every Friday night this summer, come out to the Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre at Memorial Park (3737 Old Okanagan Hwy.) for free entertainment. Good family fun from 6:30 to 9 p.m. until August 25, 2023. There are food trucks too! More info online at westkelownacity.ca.

PENTICTON/OK FALLS

Frälik in the Falls

Mark July 22 on your calendar for an evening of fräliking and frivolity. Bring the gang to Centennial Park, Okanagan Falls, for 90 minutes of wine tasting (Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association), dinner by BRODO Kitchens, live music by Uncorked!, a silent auction in support of Penticton Excel, and dancing!

Peach Fest 2023

Come out for five days of free family fun from August 9 to 13. This 76th Annual event includes a rodeo, an industrial show, a parade, and a crowning ceremony. There’s a film festival and live music including Canada’s Kim Mitchell, Aaron Pritchett, 54:40 and the Hip Replacements to name but a few. All performances are in Okanagan Lake Park and it’s free! Visit peachfest.com for more info.

OLIVER/OSOYOOS

Oliver Music in the Park

There’s nothing like sunshine and live music and you’ll get plenty of that at Music in the Park every Thursday from July 6 to Aug 24. The music starts at 6:30 and ends at 8 p.m. And if there’s no sunshine, they have a venue if it rains! Visit oliverartscouncil.org and click on events for more info.

Osoyoos Music in the Park

Yes, we have a lot of parks and we have a lot of live music! And best of all they are free. Live music at the Osoyoos Gyro Bandshell every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm until September 1, 2023. Go to osoyoosmusicinthepark.com for the full lineup.

SIMILKAMEEN

Keremeos Grist Mill

The Grist Mill has live music events in the evening throughout the summer. They also have special Sunday dinners, so check out their info at oldgristmill.ca. Tickets are required.

Princeton/Tulameen Events

Come out for the Tulameen Family Fun Days on the August long weekend. You can take in the horseshoe tournament and a parade. There are beer gardens, duck races and a pancake breakfast.

Don’t miss out on the Princeton Community market every Saturday in the summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Square (Corner of Bridge Street & Vermilion Ave) Lots of local and in-season products and crafts.

EVERYWHERE

Almost every city and town in BC has their version of farmers’ and crafters’ markets. There are dozens of great concerts, live theatre events and local celebrations. Look them up online and choose the ones that fit your schedule.

OKANAGAN SPIRITS RELEASE NEW WAY TO CHEERS CANADA

ROSLYNE BUCHANAN

Make the most of summer on the patio at one of the two locations of the award-winning Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery in Kelowna and Vernon. Released for Canada’s July 1st celebration, Okanagan Spirits’ new farm-to-flask rye whisky and bottled cocktails deliver elevated tasting experiences that will have you singing “O Canada”.

Bernard Avenue morphs into a dynamic pedestrian corridor celebrating the season. It’s such fun to people-watch while learning how to use local spirits and ingredients in cocktails on Okanagan Spirits’ patio.

MARRIAGE OF MAPLE AND RYE WHISKY

The Double-Wood Maple Brûlée Rye Whisky is the ultimate Canadian whisky. It was barrel aged for five years in custom White Oak casks then finished in a cask in which maple syrup was aged for six months after those emptied barrels were charred. Is there anything more Canadian than maple syrup?

Torching the residue of the maple syrup within the cask infuses the sugars back into the oak toasting the interior similar to a brulee.

Once the rye whisky is aged in these barrels, the spirit emerges with a natural maple syrup flavour with just a hint of sweetness balanced by a bit of smoke and a gentle roundedness. Sip it on its own or learn from the fine folks at Okanagan Spirits how to create delicious farm-to-glass cocktails highlighting it.

READY TO DRINK CLASSIC COCKTAILS

Enhancing your craft cocktails’ convenience even further, Okanagan Spirits has released three new classic cocktails including the Okanagan Negroni, Sazerac, and Old Fashioned. Each selection is a bold up-front representation. Available in 375 ml size bottles, these classics join the Orchard Negroni, The Manhattan Project, and Flying Fortress in demystifying the preparation of your drinks.

As Okanagan Spirits CEO Tyler Dyck notes, “Using the best of local ingredients, we specialize in the production of premium spirits created from 100 percent B.C. fruits and grain and no artificial flavouring, colouring or essences added to ensure people drink better and enjoy elegance in a glass.”

Flights of three ready-made cocktails have been added to the options of flights of whisky, gin, and farm-to-flask liqueurs such as Taboo Absinthe, Aquavitus, Fruit Brandies and Marc. Ask the staff how to purchase grab-and-go bottles to recreate fine drinks at home with just a glass and some ice. The highly cocktail-savvy Tasting Bar team are happy to share secrets on how to take your drink’s presentation to the next level by converting these classics into shaken cocktails. You’ll also find helpful tips and recipes on okanaganspirits.com

With Okanagan Spirits taking the heavy lifting out of cocktail preparation, drinks at the cabin or around the campfire this summer just got a whole lot tastier.

Peach Bellini

Makes 6 servings

Peach Bellini’s may look like a Mimosa but the taste is quite different. Mimosas are made with orange juice and sparkling wine, while this Bellini is made with peach purée.

Ingredients

2 c. sliced B.C. peaches (keep six peach slices aside for garnish)

1/2 c. peach schnapps or peach vodka

1 bottle of your favourite sparkling white wine

For extra flavour and colour

1/4 c. strawberries

Mint leaves for garnish if desired

Directions

Put peaches, strawberries, and peach schnapps into a blender. Blend at high speed until smooth. If you use frozen fruit, you will get more of a slushy drink.

Divide this mixture into six glasses and add sparkling wine. Stir gently and add your peach and/or strawberry garnish. This peach puree can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days, or in the freezer for two months.

Drunken Cherry Lemonade

RECIPE COURTESY OF OKANAGAN SPIRITS

Ingredients

1 oz Okanagan Spirits Vodka

½ oz Okanagan Spirits Cherry Liqueur

¼ oz Lemon Juice

1 Fentimans Victorian Lemonade

3 Okanagan Spirits Drunken Cherries

½ oz Simple Syrup *

Directions

Shake all ingredients except for lemonade and liqueur in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a glass, and top with lemonade. Pour liqueur into the side of the glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a skewer of drunken cherries.

Simple Syrup Directions

* To make simple syrup, boil equal amounts of water and sugar, remove off heat as soon as it comes to a boil.

JOHN LENNON’S “IMAGINE” VISION COMES ALIVE AT SUMMERHILL ❤️❤️❤️!

CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHEN CIPES

IMAGINE AL FRESCO DINING AND TAKEOUT is the name of the fabulous new gourmet organic food service at Kelowna’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery.

John Lennon’s “IMAGINE” vision is personified by the array of dishes from all over the world, from Japanese to Indian to Thai to Chef Newton’s famous Beef Bourguignon and his local organic roasted chicken with mashed potatoes.

Mon Thong, a famous Thai restaurant in Kelowna for over 30 years, joins Summerhill with their best-selling thrillers made with 100% local and organic ingredients.

All meals can be ordered to go or to pick up and eat al fresco indoors or anywhere outdoors. There are hundreds of seats each with a truly breathtaking view. Table service and ordering in advance are now in place as well.

LUNCH AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Enjoy the dream and come for lunch and/or dinner (summerhill.bc.ca/imagine) until the wee hours. Come and discover the amazing appies like vegan Calamari which tastes as good or better than squid, and no animals had to die.

You’ll also find beverages without alcohol along with Summerhill’s wine list, and their signature wine cocktails. Be sure to check out their Happy Hour drink menu from Thursday to Saturday, from 5 to 9 pm. Have a question? Call Paige, our awesome dining room manager at 250-764 8000 ext. 130.

VISIT THE PYRAMID

The Summerhill Pyramid has been refreshed and upgraded inside with lighting and the ultimate universal 432 Hz meditation sound 24/7. It’s open every day for your free tour on your own or with a guide at 2 p.m. daily. Save the airfare for visiting the great pyramid of Egypt! Stay local! A significant discovery about the precision Summerhill pyramid has revealed it’s located at the precise point on the globe to be in harmonic resonance with the earth. Learn more at summerhill.bc.ca/pyramid

SUPPORT LOCAL

The magic of a wine tasting at Summerhill enchants a person instantly when they savour biodynamic pyramid-clarified wine. It’s so good it may make you want to only ingest local and organic beverages and foods.

Ironically, food production today for the eight billion of us with the chemical farming and combing of our oceans and the carbon footprint for long-distance transportation is the largest contribution to climate change. We can do something by simply converting to local and organic consumption.

Thank you from our hearts, Steve Cipes and all of the Summerhill Family. Summerhill Winery is the most visited winery in Canada.

SUMMER HARVEST SCHEDULE

JACKSON

One of the most common questions asked in BC in the summer is, “When can I get fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Here’s a handy guide for you, so that whenever you are out wine tasting, you’ll also know when you can get yourself some delicious B.C. fruits and vegetables.

As for where you can get them, you’ll find fruit and vegetable stands scattered in almost every hamlet, town and city in B.C. Many are beside main highways and roads, while others are secreted away. When in doubt, find a farmers’ market and enjoy!

FRUITS AND VEGETABLE HARVEST DATE

Apples

Apricots

Asian Pears

Beans

Beets

August 15 to October 30

July 20 to August 10

August onwards

July onwards

July to September

Blackberries July to August

Blueberries

Broccoli

Cantaloupe

Cherries

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Hot Peppers

Lettuce

Loganberries

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Peas

June to September

June to September

August 4 to First Frost

July 1 to August 1

July to September

July to September

July onwards

August to first frost

June onwards

June to November

July to August

July 25 to September 1

August 15 to September 30

June and July

Peppers end of July to first frost

Potatoes

Prunes/Plums

Pumpkins

Radishes

Raspberries

Strawberries

June and July

August 15 to September 10

September 10 to end October

June onwards

Late June to August

June to August

Squash July to October

Sweet Corn

Tomatoes

Watermelon

August to September

July to first frost

August to September

MAGGIE

Destination Osoyoos

Destination Osoyoos

Destination Osoyoos

CANADA’S WARMEST WELCOME FOR WINE LOVERS

Osoyoos is paradise, especially for those who enjoy good wine. With more than 60 wineries throughout the celebrated Oliver-Osoyoos and Similkameen wine regions, there’s plenty to discover all within a 20-minute drive of Osoyoos. Find bottles made with unique grape varietals that flourish under the summer heat. Wineries are in full swing during the summer months, so make an appointment where you can, especially at wineries that go above and beyond a simple wine tasting with educational vineyard tours.

FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Along with grapes, the warm desert climate of the South Okanagan is perfect for growing fruit and vegetables. It’s easy to spot the many delightful roadside stands or u-pick farms that offer a cornucopia of delicious and healthy fresh produce. Visitors can also find food and crafts at the Osoyoos Farmers’ Market at Town Hall Square on Main Street. It runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. until Oct. 7.

SIPPING ON CIDER

With an abundance of apples in Osoyoos orchards, there are also several great cideries. The Osoyoos Region Cider Trail includes eight locations around the region that offer apple juice with a kick: Bordertown Estate Winery; Orchard Hill Estate Cidery; Maverick Cider Co.; Howling Moon Craft Cider; Twisted Hills Cider; Forbidden Fruit Winery; Untangled Cider; Rustic Roots Winery.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

Osoyoos is a beautiful place to explore, with its rugged desert trails, spectacular valley views, and sandy beaches along the shore of Osoyoos Lake—the warmest lake in Canada.

Tee off at Osoyoos Golf Club, Canada’s only desert-style golf course, and Sonora Dunes Golf Course, nestled in rolling hills and lush vineyards.

Plan your trip to Osoyoos by visiting destinationosoyoos.com or downloading the mobile app at appscanada.ca/osoyoos.

DAVID WYLIE

~ Robert Fripp

I love this quote. Robert Fripp, for those of you born in the twenty-first century, is a musician, known as the longest-lasting member of the progressive rock band, King Crimson. His work as a session musician and collaborator is legendary as his discography includes over 700 official releases. But enough of Robert, let’s talk about music and wine!

to big concert size, there are hundreds of places where you can enjoy wine and music this summer.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but it gives you a good idea of where you can go to hear great music and have some great vino. Google their websites for more in-depth information.

Osoyoos/Oliver:

• Phantom Creek, outdoor amphitheatre, Sundays 4 – 7 p.m.

• Tinhorn Creek, outdoor amphitheatre, summer concert series

• District Wine Village, various artists in the plaza.

There are dozens of wineries with live music in the Oliver/Osoyoos area, too many to list here, as it is the wine capital of Canada. Many of these wineries are also at the District Wine Village. Check out their events. (districtwinevillage.com)

Okanagan Falls:

Blasted Church, July 16, Aug 5-6 and 20th, 2 – 4 p.m.

Penticton/Naramata:

Darcy Nybo

From intimate cocktail lounges to outdoor amphitheatres, there’s plenty of live music to be had this summer. My first outdoor winery concert was many, many summers ago. It was at Mission Hill, where they have a huge outdoor amphitheatre. It was a great night of live music set against the backdrop of Okanagan Lake. I’ve been hooked on live music at wineries ever since. They all provide great entertainment and unique venues.

The great thing about wineries and music is that you can pick and choose from a wide variety of places and musical styles while enjoying your favourite wine. Small to large, cozy

• Orolo at Time Winery, live music every Thursday night.

• Red Rooster Winery, live music every Friday this summer from 5 – 6 p.m.

Summerland:

• Thornhaven Winery, live music on the patio, Saturday and Sundays 1 – 4 p.m.

Peachland:

• Hainle Winery, live music throughout the summer

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.”

West Kelowna:

• Mission Hill, known name musicians/groups and a great venue, reservations

• Grizzli Winery has various music events throughout the year

• Frind Winery, live music several days of the week

• Urban Distillers, Shakers Lounge, live music Wednesday nights

Kelowna:

• CedarCreek Family Estate, Sunset Groove every other Thursday, at 6:30 p.m.

• Sperling Vineyards, Music in the labyrinth, Thursdays 6 – 8 p.m.

• Priest Creek Winery, Rocking the Vines and food truck Fridays 6 – 8 p.m.

• Vibrant Vine, concert series through to September

Lake Country:

• Peak Cellars, live music Sunday and Wednesday nights

Vernon:

• Cambium Cidery (formerly BX), live music Wednesdays and Thursdays, requires tickets

Abbotsford:

• Singletree Winery, in the vineyard, Friday from 6 – 9 p.m.

Langley:

• Township 7, charcuterie and live music, July 21

• Festina Lente, live music every Saturday until September.

Richmond:

• Lulu Island Winery, Saturdays, Summer Picnic Series, 5 p.m. These are a handful of wineries with live music throughout the summer here in B.C. Ask your favourite winery if they have live music too!

WINE TRAILS

Here we are in the dog days of summer, so of course, we had to find a happy hound to put on the cover.

This photo was taken at Seven Stones Winery at the south end of the Similkameen Valley. As you can see, Benny the dog is quite happy to spend time in the vineyard with his best friend, Tyler Knowles. When Tyler isn’t spending time with his dog, he works as a paramedic in Penticton.

Here’s a bit of trivia for you. It’s called the dog days of summer because ancient civilizations believed this part of the summer was so hot because of the dog star, Sirius, rising at the same time as the sun, thus making it hotter out.

Enjoy the heat and the wine!

SIP AND TASTE ALONG THE NARAMATA BENCH

The Naramata Bench is known for its beautiful views and excellent terroir. During your visit to Penticton, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring the area, during which you can work up an appetite. Here are seven wineries that also serve a variety of good eats with their wines on the Naramata Bench in Penticton.

HILLSIDE WINERY AND BISTRO

1350 Naramata Road, Penticton

Hillside Winery showcases unique, small-lot wine made exclusively from grapes grown in Naramata. The winery has a charming courtyard and modern farmhouse tasting room, open daily until November. Their seated tasting experience will take you on a journey through their award-winning wines while learning about Hillside and its place in B.C. wine history.

The Bistro at Hillside has a focus on small plates, allowing for a fun sharing experience and a melody of flavours. Their “terroir-to-table cuisine” draws inspiration from Naramata. It has a 65-seat dining area, a lower outdoor patio and an upper open-air patio with breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake.

Book your tasting and reserve a table at The Bistro at hillsidewinery.ca.

LAKE BREEZE VINEYARDS AND THE PATIO RESTAURANT

930 Sammet Road, Naramata

Named for the winds that blow across the bluffs year-round, Lake Breeze has some of the oldest vines on the Naramata Bench. They were planted in 1985 on a 14-acre parcel. There are wine tastings available daily in the summer, so stop in and sample their clean, crisp and fruit-driven wines.

After your tasting, enjoy lunch at The Patio, where Mark and his team have created unforgettable dishes using organic, ethically and locally sourced ingredients. Then stroll through The Farmstead, which occupies two picturesque acres, and say hello to the chickens and playful pigs while inhaling the fresh herbs.

For more information and current hours of operation, visit lakebreeze.ca.

DAVID WYLIE

DA SILVA VINEYARDS AND WINERY AND THE KITCHEN AT DA SILVA

375 Upper Bench Road N, Penticton

Farming and winemaking are a Da Silva family tradition that dates back to the mid1700s on the archipelago Azorean islands of Portugal. The family immigrated to South Okanagan in 1955 and takes an old-world approach to winemaking and aging. They have 11 vineyards, all selected for their distinct terroir, with a focus on creating a portfolio of wines reflecting the diversity of microclimates in the South Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.

The Kitchen by Abul Adame at Da Silva offers fine dining with a range of ethnic farm foods, many of them with Mexican and Portuguese roots. Their ever-changing menu offers a range of extraordinary dishes from tapas to salads to main courses. Reserve your wine tasting and a table at The Kitchen at dasilvavineyards.com.

RED ROOSTER WINERY AND COCKTAILS

891 Naramata Road, Penticton

& CANAPÉS

Perched high on the hills of the Naramata Bench, Red Rooster Winery has a stunning view of the Okanagan Valley. Red Rooster offers several different tastings of their awardwinning wines, and they also offer a unique wine slushie that’s perfect for hot summer days. They’re open daily until October and offer live music on Fridays until the end of August.

Red Rooster offers small bites from Cocktails & Canapés Okanagan, so you can pair your wine with charcuterie, salad, beef carpaccio or one of their dips. Learn more about their available wine-tasting experiences and reserve yours at redroosterwinery.com.

UPPER BENCH WINERY & CREAMERY AND THE OVEN RESTAURANT

170 Upper Bench Road S, Penticton

Hand-tended vineyards and minimalist winemaking have yielded award-winning wines at Upper Bench Winery & Creamery. It’s also home to Canada’s only wine and cheese club. Located on a 9.5-acre estate, they are best known for award-winning big, bold reds and crisp, dry whites, and they are open daily, year-round. They also handcraft small batches of artisanal washed, bloomy, natural rinds, lactic, and blue cheeses in their creamery from 100% pasteurized cow’s milk.

At The Oven Restaurant, you can enjoy thin crust Neapolitan style pizza topped with their handcrafted cheese and paired with their wines on the shaded, misted patio. For more information on their wine or wine and cheese tastings, check out upperbench. ca.

POPLAR GROVE WINERY AND THE RESTAURANT AT POPLAR GROVE

425 Middle Bench Road N, Penticton

Poplar Grove Winery is one of the original five wineries on the Naramata Bench. Founded in 1993 on the slopes of Munson Mountain, Tony and Barb Holler purchased the winery in 2007. Now their sons, Chris, Andrew, Matthew, and Eric, farm more than 140 acres of estate vineyards. The Poplar Grove Winery tasting room is open daily through the summer, so you can sample their signature red blend, The Legacy, or their exceptional Pinot Gris.

The Restaurant at Poplar Grove features a variety of carefully crafted dishes that celebrate local and seasonal ingredients, with beautiful views of Okanagan Lake. Reserve your wine tasting and a table at The Restaurant for lunch or dinner at poplargrove.ca.

BENCH 1775 WINERY AND BENCH PATIO BISTRO

1775 Naramata Road, Penticton

Named after its address, Bench 1775 is found on Lake Okanagan's southern shore at the Naramata Bench's epicentre.

Their tasting room and wine shop are uniquely positioned on a spectacular 30-acre waterfront vineyard with endless views of Okanagan Lake.

The Bench Patio Bistro serves diverse flavours from across the globe, paired with Bench 1775 wines.

Learn more about their tasting experiences and reserve your table for the bistro at bench1775.com.

If you’re planning a South Okanagan wine trip, check out visitpenticton.com. Stop into the Penticton Visitor Information Centre at 888 Westminster Ave. West for tasting room maps, directions, and other recommendations for things to see and do in Penticton.

Make Penticton the hub of your South Okanagan wine-touring vacation. Penticton is perfectly and centrally located to access over 80 wineries and 3 incredible wine areas: Naramata Bench, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive and Skaha Lake Okanagan Falls’ Heart of Wine Country

For information on wineries, wine tour companies, where to stay, the incredible selection of local dining options, upcoming festivals and events, and ever ything else there is to explore in Penticton, be sure to visit www.visitpenticton.com. Or stop by the Penticton Visitor Information Centre at 888 Westminster Avenue West when you arrive.