Food & Wine Trails May 2023

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SCOTT MARSHALL

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www.ScottMarshallHomes.com

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WINE GOODIES AND GADGETS 2023

There are lots of doohickeys out there that can make your wine-drinking experience more enjoyable. Here are some of the coolest, highest-rated, and most useful gadgets— electric and analogue—for preserving, chilling, transporting, opening, storing, aerating, and protecting your wines.

CORAVIN WINE PRESERVATION SYSTEMS

Options range from $200-$700

Online at coravin.ca

Coravin Timeless is the high-end solution for those who like to save special bottles for years, yet would still like to sip from them on occasion.

The device latches on to the neck and uses a small hollow needle to pierce the cork; after the pour, argon gas is injected into the bottle to preserve what’s left.

The wine left in the bottle will keep for years—if you can wait that long.

It was named one of Oprah’s favourite things in 2022.

VACU VIN WINE SAVER

About $30

Online at vacuvin.com

A more budget-friendly option to preserve wine is the Vacu Vin Wine Saver.

It’s been doing the trick since 1996.

Made in Holland, Vacu Vin uses a pump to extract the air from opened bottles and reseals with a stopper. The design has become sleeker, easier to use, and better at reducing oxidization over the years.

COOPER COOLER

About $100

Online at coopercooler.com

Have you ever had a beverage emergency? People are coming over and you don’t have wine in the fridge… resist the urge to plunk an ice cube in their glasses.

The Cooper Cooler rapid beverage chiller can cool a bottle of wine to the perfect temperature in six minutes. The company says that’s 90 times faster than a fridge and 40 times faster than a freezer.

Insert two trays of ice cubes and a few cups of water, and it will spin the bottle while a jet of cold water pours over it. The device also works on cans.

VINGARDEVALISE

Options from $300 to $500 flywithwine.com

Sipping wine on vacation is one thing. Trying to bring special bottles back home from your travels without them shattering in your luggage is another.

FlyWithWine’s hardshell

VinGardeValise suitcases keeps up to 12 bottles of wine in one piece during travel. All of the inserts are removable, so you can mix and match to make room for clothes and toiletries too.

There are three different types of luggage that fit 12, eight, or five bottles.

SECURA ELECTRIC WINE OPENER

About $30 Online at thesecura.com

Struggle to remove corks by hand? Place a Secura rechargeable electric opener on top of your wine bottle, press a button, and it will pop the cork in seconds.

This device fits nicely on a countertop and opens 30 bottles per charge. It comes in six different colours and costs about $30.

WINE ENTHUSIAST CLASSIC 80 WINE CELLAR

Over $1,000 Online at wineenthusiast.com

When your wine collection is valuable enough to warrant proper storage, a freestanding wine cellar is a good investment.

Wine Enthusiast’s Classic 80 Wine Cellar is a cabinet built to protect your best bottles (and show them off with a cool blue LED light).

As the name suggests, it holds up to 80 bottles behind a triple-pane glass door with UV protection.

VINTORIO WINE AERATOR POURER

About $20 Online at vintorio.com

Wine needs time to ‘breathe,’ allowing the liquid to oxidize and evaporate. Normally that takes time; however, the Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer does the job in about 30 seconds.

It attaches to any bottle and aerates as the wine pours.

The chamber uses the Bernoulli Effect (increasing the speed of the fluid while simultaneously decreasing static pressure) to blend oxygen into the wine. You can see the air bubbles as the wine goes through.

WINE GUARD

Sets start from $37 Online at wineguard.com

Do you know what’s the worst? A fruit fly in your glass.

The Wine Glass Cover Company’s mission is to keep bugs, like flies and wasps, as well as airborne particles out of your drinks. They come in different sets and varieties, including some with mesh that allows the wine to breathe and others that have no holes to keep out even the tiniest of bugs.

All prices are in Canadian dollars.

DAVID WYLIE

VERNON

ELEVATED WINE AND DINE: KEEFER INVITES YOU TO SIP & STAY

ROSLYNE BUCHANAN

Gostlin Keefer Lake Lodge is where luxury meets the wilderness, excellent food meets great wine, and you meet your new favourite wine events. Keefer is turning up the wine and dine industry and offering its first-ever Sip & Stay summer event series. The series will showcase some of the best wines from across the Okanagan Valley, paired with the most delicious food, in a breathtaking location.

THE PASSION

Keefer Lake Lodge was built on passion and camaraderie as founders, Keith Gostlin and son Jeff Gostlin, have successfully turned their shared dream of owning and operating a cat ski lodge into reality. Their vision for the Lodge is to provide unparalleled experiences for guests and maintain a level of growth that continues to break the mould of what is possible. Outside of skiing, the Gostlins share a love for good wine, great food and beautiful places. Jeff’s passion for wine was inherited from his

father and it continues to be an integral part of the Keefer experience.

In the 2022-2023 cat ski season Jeff introduced a wine pairing program at the lodge for dinner service. Guests were provided with an opportunity to try wines specifically paired with their meals. It was so successful that Jeff decided to offer it to guests in the summer months as well.

With that, the Sip & Stay series was born.

THE SIP Keefer is hosting two multi-day events as part of the Sip & Stay series.

The first is A Taste of the Okanagan, happening July 7 to 9 and hosted by Certified Wine Educator Gerrit Van Staalduinen. As proprietor of a premium BC boutique wine broker. for 25 years, Van Staalduinen has access to the finest BC wines. He will lead a wine seminar, tasting and a seven-course wine-paired meal with wines from across the Okanagan. “We’ll have a tactile conversation about wine and the BC wine regions. We’ll explore the wine of a place, celebrating subregions such as Naramata Bench, Similkameen, Black Sage Bench, Okanagan Falls, Osoyoos, and Lake Country,” says Van Staalduinen. He noted, “Keefer Lake Lodge expanded their culinary experience to grow their wine culture this winter

by bringing in a Sommelier to invest in a thoughtful international selection of wine to pair with their exquisite cuisine. Providing an in-depth BC wine experience through Sip & Stay is an extension of that commitment.”

The second multi-day event in the series, Sip & Play, hosted by Tantalus and Roche Wines, is happening from July 28 to 30. As a family-run operation, Keefer understands the importance of doing things together. This is a wine-focused event (the sip) that is open to the whole family (the play). Delve into BC wine with exquisite food and treat the whole family to a two-night staycation. Revered Tantalus and Roche Wines are featured for the wine tasting plus a five-course wine-paired set menu, and a bubbles brunch.

This event offers childcare for designated times along with activities to keep the whole family entertained. Enjoy the games room along with a variety of outdoor recreational games, lake access and fun for all ages.

THE STAY

These packages include a two-night stay in a private ensuite room, all meals, a set number of wine pairings and access to all lodge facilities and amenities for the weekend. Amenities include access to two timber framed lodges, a games room, a hot tub, an outdoor patio, a bar, lake use and unlimited views of the stunning Monashee Mountains.

THE SERIES

The Goslin’s love wine so much that they decided the Sip & Stay series needed to be offered as a one-nighter as well. July 10th, July 31st and August 28th will have partnered wineries join Keefer for an evening of sipping and the option of staying – visit Keefer’s website to see the feature wineries for these dates.

BOOK YOUR SIP & STAY EVENT

To learn more and event details, visit keeferlakelodge. com/events

Seize your day... A wine cruise experience on beautiful Lake Okanagan.

FOOD SOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY

As our world becomes more connected, the distance we are willing to go to get our food is becoming smaller. We’ve become more aware of the actual cost of getting our favourite foods into our bodies.

100-MILE

Back in 2006, the 100-mile diet was all the rage. This diet wasn't about weight loss. It was about people paying attention to where their food came from. Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon decided to buy or gather their food and drink from within 100 miles of their apartment

in Vancouver. The media picked up on it and before you knew it, everyone was asking, “Where did this food come from?”

There was a study that showed how food travels between 1,000 to 4,000 km to get from distant farms to our table. Items like orange juice and almonds travel a long way before they get to our kitchens. Many people in BC stopped drinking orange juice and switched to locally grown and packaged apple juice.

In BC, it’s not that hard to stick to a 100-mile diet as we live in one of the most abundant regions of the world. We have fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and seafood, as well as locally grown beef and poultry. We even have our own flour mills.

When it comes to beverages, we are lucky to have an abundance of regular and adult drinks made right here in BC. Lucky for us, you can’t go very far in BC without running into a brewery, winery, cidery or distillery.

FARM-TO-TABLE

While the term 100-mile diet slowly faded away, the awareness of where our food comes from did not. Consumers now looked for food items made and grown in BC, especially fresh fruit, and veggies.

The farm-to-table movement started long before the 100mile diet but took longer to catch on. Back in 1971, Chef Alice Waters of California opened the first farm-to-table restaurant. She featured fresh, locally grown ingredients as part of a seasonal menu.

Farm-to-table eventually gained traction in high-end restaurants in Canada. Before you could say, “Where’d my carrots come from,” chefs from all types of restaurants were sourcing fresh fruit, veggies, protein, and beverages from suppliers within five to thirty minutes of their restaurant. Many drove out to the farms themselves and

hand-picked their ingredients. Some restaurants grew herb and vegetable gardens on their property. No garden space? No problem. They grew them in pots on the patio or up on the roof.

Wait staff proudly announced where the ingredients came from, and we were happy to listen. And, of course, we loved it! Nothing tastes as good as fresh-picked produce prepared by a chef who ensures freshness in every bite.

FOREST-TO-TABLE

Some chefs took the farm-to-table concept one step further and created the forest-to-table movement. Chefs around BC, and the world, are discovering how delicious foraged foods can be in their dishes, and foodies are loving it.

Aside from tasting great, knowing the chef personally hand-picked your ingredients from the forest, hills and fields, makes them taste even more delicious. Many chefs now take people out into the wilds to hunt down their ingredients, then teach them how to prepare them. Items like wild leeks, dandelions, rosehip, fiddleheads, stinging nettle, and mushrooms are easily found in the wild. When properly prepared, they taste great and are also packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals.

Both food enthusiasts and culinary experts understand that sustainable food sources are crucial. Organizations like Ocean-Wise and the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA) ensure our food systems are stable and sustainable.

The best part is, the more aware we become about the source of the foods we eat, the more we care about ensuring their sustainability. Happy eating everyone!

MAGGIE JACKSON

PINOT GRIS RELEASED BY SUMMERHILL PERFECT FOR HOT DAYS

ROSLYNE BUCHANAN

As gorgeous Okanagan summer days take over the valley, Summerhill Pyramid Winery releases the perfect pairing companion, their easydrinking Pinot Gris. As crisp and refreshing as those tall glasses of lemonade we craved as children, the 2022 Pinot Gris is all grown up and just the magic elixir to sip with lunch or on its own.

The 2022 Pinot Gris is 100 per cent Pinot Gris, grown by the Clarke family at the Vispering Vines vineyard in Okanagan Falls.

“The long autumn we had allowed the fruit to ripen while retaining a beautiful, balanced, acidity. This year's Pinot Gris is dry, bright, and fresh with loads of ripe pear, apple, lemon, and minerality,” says Winemaker Michael Alexander.

He adds, “It pairs perfectly with lighter dishes, Okanagan sun, and family.” Think of cuisines such as Thai or Vietnamese and other spicy dishes or mushrooms, cream-sauced pasta or platters of charcuterie. Given Summerhill produced only about 1,000 cases, the bottles will disappear from shelves quickly. The best place to find this elegant Pinot Gris along with the fine array of organic wines offered by Summerhill is at the winery or online at summerhill.bc.ca.

VISIT THE TASTING ROOM

To taste Summerhill's extraordinary organic wines, visit the tasting room, open seven days a week, 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is free, however, you can book ahead for the Pyramid Experience Tour for $20 per person or a Sensory Sit Down Tasting for $45 each. You'll learn about Summerhill's many accomplishments such as becoming the first BC vineyard to gain Demeter Biodynamic status in 2012.

They are also featuring a $100 per person tasting with Michael, Summerhill’s winemaker, featuring exclusive wines and other high-end products.

After your tastings, take in the panoramic views including the Chef's Garden and across Okanagan Lake as you linger over a bite to eat in Summerhill's Organic Bistro or outside at the picnic tables.

It’s that time of year again, time for festivals! BC has an abundance of festivals that take place in the late spring and early summer. Here are a few you can take part in!

OKANAGAN SPRING WINE FESTIVAL 2023

June 3 to 11, 2023

Newly reimagined wine festival as never seen before! Each weekend you can explore different regions of BC wine country with your TASTE Passport.

See page 15 for more information

WINE COUNTRY HALF MARATHON

June 17, 2023

The Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon emphasizes the natural beauty of the Central Okanagan. Run along stunning vistas, down scenic country roads, greenways, parks, and Okanagan Lake.

Participants will run from Bertram Creek Park, through the picturesque Upper Mission in Kelowna, along Mission Creek Greenway, with the last leg beside the lake. The day finishes at Waterfront Park for the Wine & Music Festival. Go to kelownamarathon.ca for more information.

THE GRAND SOMMELIER EXPRESS

June 17, 2023

Don’t miss out on this authentic locomotive experience complete with wines and food from the Bottleneck Drive area. Take a 75-minute train ride through gorgeous scenery on your way to Trout Creek Canyon and a stop on the trestle bridge. There’s a gourmet reception with local wines, ciders, spirits and live music. Afternoon and evening trains are available. More info and ticket purchases at bottleneckdrive.com/events/.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

June 21, 2023

Celebrate the contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis People in Kelowna. Every June 21, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known as National Aboriginal Day). This is a day to celebrate indigenous culture and heritage, and their valuable contributions to our country.

Fun, family activities include a mini pow-wow, children’s activities, and a traditional feast at Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society’s Turtle Island Festival, along with programming at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. For more information call 250-861-1515 or email info@tourismkelowna.com

ANNUAL PENTICTON ELVIS FESTIVAL

June 22 to 25, 2023

Elvis fans rejoice. It’s time for the 2023 Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Aloha From Hawaii

This event is sanctioned and licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, one of only a few in the world. The Elvis Tribute Artist [ETA] who wins the professional division in Penticton, enters the Memphis “Ultimate Elvis Finals” with the chance to become recognized as the #1 ETA in the world.

MAGGIE JACKSON

KELOWNA OKANAGAN WINE FESTIVALS

Okanagan Wine Festivals returns this spring with a new look and feel. In the fall of 2022, the Board of Directors and newly appointed General Manager, Kimberly Hundertmark undertook a strategic plan. The results of that plan have created an opportunity for the 44-year-old festival to create reimagined programming for the BC wine lover to enjoy.

The reimagined programming will focus on elevated experiences throughout the Okanagan Valley during the spring, fall and winter. The festival collaborates with regional partners from Vernon to Osoyoos to amplify the unique assets found throughout the destination.

“The Okanagan Wine Festivals are excited to launch the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival June 3rd through June 11th,” said Hundertmark. “Traditionally held in May, the festival made the decision to move events to June as June in wine country is the birth of a new vintage. The vines are coming to life and there is much excitement around the newly released wines.”

SPRING WINE FESTIVAL

With this in mind, the festival invites you to Sip into Summer at their Signature Events series.

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 3rd, the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival launches with the brand-new WINE Garden Party presented by Valley First. The afternoon event will take place at the beautiful Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna. Guests will be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine from the Okanagan Bubbles and Co. wine cart. They will then proceed into the picturesque garden to experience wines from your favourite Central Okanagan wineries. The culinary team at The Landing Kitchen & Bar has created a small bites menu to complement the wines. Garden Party attire is highly recommended.

The following Friday, June 9 will see the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards private reception, where the 2023 Platinum medal winners and Wine of the Year will be presented at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. The wines were judged by an esteemed panel of wine experts in April and the medal wines will be making their first public appearance.

After the awards reception, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre will transition to host the Valley First Okanagan Spring Grand Tasting. The Ballroom will welcome favourite wineries from the South Okanagan including your favourites from Summerland, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. The showcase of newly released whites, reds and roses will be accompanied by a selection of small bites and live entertainment.

This is a weekend of festival activities and local accommodation partners will provide great options to stay and play in Penticton. visitpenticton.com

TASTE PASSPORT

Rounding out both weekends is the newly launched TASTE Passport. The TASTE Passport was created to provide wine enthusiasts with elevated experiences at wineries throughout the Valley. June 3rd and 4th your TASTE Passport will feature wineries located in Kelowna and along the Westside Wine Trail in West Kelowna.

The weekend of June 10th and 11th TASTE Passport holders can explore the South Okanagan including Summerland, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Falls and Oliver. On June 11th, the District Wine Village, Canada’s first winery cluster, will offer the TASTE Passport in the Village.

Each weekend, the TASTE Passport allows you to select six experiences from participating wineries. Passport holders are able to pre-select your winey visits allowing you to create your own unique itinerary. TASTE Passports are $65.00 and include elevated experiences that were carefully curated by each partner. Wineries will be highlighting their sense of place with special flights of wine or wine and food pairings. There is also a Designated Driver TASTE Passport available for $45.00. The TASTE Passport will run from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm each weekend. The TASTE Passport is a great way to explore BC Wine Country.

SPECIAL EVENTS

As well as our Signature Events, there will be a number of special events featured by individual partners throughout the Okanagan Valley. Check the Festivals website (thewinefestivals.com)for a full listing of upcoming events including the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival from October 27th to November 5th and the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival from January 19th to 28th.

Join us June 3rd to 11th and help us celebrate the timeless craft of winemaking and experience the unique communities and people of the Okanagan.

June 3-11, 2023

PRESENTED BY

Wine Garden Party

The Grand TaSousting th Okanagan Spring

TASTE Passport

Kelowna & West Kelowna

June 3-4, 2023

Summerland, Naramata Bench, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver & Osoyoos

Saturday, June 3, 2023

2:00 - 5:00 pm

The Cove Lakeside Resort, West Kelowna

June 10-11, 2023

The District Wine Village

June 11, 2023

Friday, June 9, 2023

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, BC

Ticket information available at thewinefestivals.com

@OKWineFests

When you think about what goes into making a bottle of wine, it truly is an amazing process. From planting to tending vines, to harvesting grapes, to the winemaker creating the best possible beverage from those grapes, and finally, bottling it for your sipping pleasure.

HARSH WINTERS

While the sun is shining and spring is in the air, you may not think about what those vines go through during the

winter. Winter can make or break a harvest. In the past nine years, grape growers have seen about a 30 per cent drop in the number of grapes harvested. This is due primarily to our changing climate. Years ago, temperatures of -20°C or -25°C were unheard of, especially in the Okanagan. And that’s exactly what happened in December 2022 in the Okanagan.

Unfortunately, grape growers across the province have reported damaged vines and are expecting up to a 50% reduction in grapes for 2023. So what does that mean to you, the consumer? The math is simple, fewer grapes equal fewer bottles of wine. However, many wineries have decided not to pass along the cost of making that wine to the consumer.

It’s not all doom and gloom. There are plans for government programs to help grape growers rebound from the loss. Plus, lower yields do not equal poor quality. The vines that survive will produce some incredibly hearty grapes that, no doubt, will create some fabulous wines. We won’t know until late May how bad the winter kill was. People in the wine industry are there because of their love for wine and love of the land. They do it because they want to share their wines with people who love wine. What has died will be replaced with stronger vines, and those that survived will produce fabulous fruit.

WARM SPRINGS

At this time of year, people are busy in the vineyards pruning before bud break. You may see them out there tying canes to trellises and cutting any branches that grow along the main canes.

Here’s a bit of trivia to pull out during your next dinner party. Two-year and older wood is not fruitful. Vintners must prune the old wood. If left unpruned, the vines may produce more grapes than the plant can ripen, and

that weakens the plant. You may also see them out there planting new plants for harvesting in future years. Spring is also the time of year when weeds start to pop up, and since weeds use the nutrients in the soil, they are removed to give the vines their best chance. You’ll also see various methods of watering to ensure the vines get the amount they need. At least 15 ml of water per week is required for young vines, less for the older ones. Then there are the nutrients added, like nitrogen and compost. Spring is also when new releases are made available to the public. Whites and rosés are the most common spring releases, but you will find the odd red released at this time.

HOT SUMMERS

Grape vines love the heat. Temperatures that range from 25°C to 32°C are optimal for grape growing. Which, coincidentally, is the temperature most of us love in the summer. It’s not just the heat that the vines love, it’s also the sunshine. Grape vines need full sun, at least seven or eight hours a day, to produce the luscious grapes needed for fabulous BC wines.

There are several appellations or wine-growing regions in BC and each one has a grape that thrives in them. For example, reds do extremely well in the southernmost

Darcy Nybo

part of the Okanagan. Long summers, heat and great soil produce some of the world’s finest red wine grapes. The further north you go in the Okanagan, the cooler the temperatures. It’s here where you’ll find great Chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling. It has been said (and experienced) that some of the best Syrah wines come from this region. Here’s another bit of trivia for the next dinner party. The Okanagan Valley is warmer and more arid than the Napa Valley in California. In fact, it gets two more hours of sunlight per day during our peak growing seasons.

The temperatures are cooler in the Fraser Valley, and they get more rain than in the Okanagan. While temperatures do get in the mid to high 20s there, the lower temps are perfect for growing wines like Chardonnay, Riesling and Bacchus.

COOL AUTUMNS

Cooler temperatures and changing leaves mean it’s time for harvest. This may well be the busiest time for wineries. Not only are they harvesting, but their wine shops are

busy too as fall wine tasting is a favourite for many people. Gorgeous autumn colours, cooler temperatures, and new releases abound.

This is the time of year when many reds are released to the public. It’s the perfect time to find your favourite winter wine for all the celebrating you’ll do in the months to come.

TIME IN A BOTTLE

As you enjoy our wine festivals and take in a wine tour or six, think about all that goes into making that wine you just tasted.

Its vines were planted years ago, meticulously tended to by people who love the land. The grapes that made it were harvested in anticipation of the best vintage yet. Winemakers spent sleepless nights creating the right conditions to make what they feel is their best vintage ever.

The wines themselves have travelled all over the country, and the world, to be tasted, sampled and judged. Only the best are given awards; however, those that didn’t get a gold, silver or bronze star, are still fabulous. That’s because BC wines, regardless of awards, are some of the best on the planet.

Should you be given the chance to sample one of these wines, savour it. Close your eyes and taste the results of the time, energy and love that have gone into making that wine. Imagine the sun beating down on the vines and the workers in the vineyard. Feel the coolness in the cellars where winemakers tend to the barrels and lovingly coax the best flavours from the wines. Then open your eyes and look around. That tasting room, these people, they rely on wine lovers, like you, to let them continue doing what they love.

This month’s On the Cover photo is courtesy of Visit Penticton. It’s the quintessential Okanagan spring photo. Vines are growing, the sky is blue, and the hills and mountains form a protective cradle around the lake. BC is full of great photo opportunities just like this one. We hope you capture some of the beauty of our gorgeous province during your time here.

Whenever you go wine tasting, whatever wines you sample, enjoy them with all your senses and remember what went into making them.

SPRINGTIME IN OSOYOOS

DAVID WYLIE

Visiting Osoyoos in the springtime is like having paradise (almost) all to yourself. Canada’s delightful desert town is known as a summer hot spot, but spring is a great time to beat the crowds of tourists as well as take advantage of off-season deals at a variety of accommodations.

THINGS TO DO

The Osoyoos area is heating up with things to do.

Food and wine, of course, are at the top of the list. The area abounds with vineyards and restaurants. There are more than 50 wineries between the Oliver-Osoyoos and Similkameen wine regions. With many new wine releases out in the spring, it’s an excellent time to try new vintages and varietals that typically sell out before the end of summer.

Trails are greening up and the cooler spring weather makes hiking and biking a breeze. Some of the best desert trails in all of B.C. are in the Osoyoos and the South Okanagan region. Scenic standouts are the International Hike and Bike Trail, Golden Mile Trail, Irrigation Canal Walkway, Mount Kobau Trail, and the nʕaylintn (McIntyre Bluff) trail. There are other ways to get around, including horseback. The Sun Hills Riding Centre offers a guided tour through the desert.

If a walk is no fun for you unless you’re hitting a ball along the way, there are several great golf options, including elite courses.

While visiting an agricultural paradise, it’s a travesty not to pick up fresh fruit and produce. The Osoyoos Farmers’ Market happens on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Town Hall Square on Main Street.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Barrel racing returns to Osoyoos Desert Park on Tuesdays April 18-Sept. 19.

• The Half-Corked Marathon is May 26-28.

• The Cactus Jalopies car show is June 1-4.

• Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta is on July 1

For more information, visit destinationosoyoos.com.

Photo Credit: Destination Osoyoos

TOUR PENTICTON WINERIES FUEL FREE … ALMOST

Who wants to spend hours of their vacation sitting in a car?

Penticton is a perfect hub to explore the South Okanagan free from the confines of a vehicle.

Finding ways to explore without using fuel opens up the possibility of discovering little-known out-of-the-way spots, along with the added benefits of avoiding traffic, parking, the cost of gas, the stress of navigating unknown roads, and importantly, being good to our environment.

“Driving in an unfamiliar (or even familiar) place means passing by some off-the-beaten-path gems and gravitating toward what looks familiar, and safe,” says Visit Penticton about its ‘Fuel Free… Almost’ campaign encouraging sustainable travel.

“We’re inspiring people to park the car and wander the streets; to pop into a boutique store, a tucked away cafe, and a lakefront patio. The freedom to explore is freedom to discover the gems that are typically enjoyed by locals only.”

WINE TOURING

The South Okanagan is a rich vein of wineries, and Penticton is perfectly located in their midst, ready for you to explore.

There are more than 80 nearby wineries, which makes it possible to tour the region’s vineyards almost fuel free. The Penticton area includes the Naramata Bench, Skaha Lake | Okanagan Falls’ Heart of Wine Country, as well as Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive.

There are plenty of wine tour shuttle operators, or biking is a fun way to flit from vineyard to vineyard.

WINE

TOURS ON A BIKE

When biking, the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail north to Naramata offers plenty of winery or lunch options and lookout stops along the way.

For more experienced riders, who wish to indulge in some mountain biking before wine tasting, the Three Blind Mice and Campbell Mountain trails offer some of the best single-track mountain biking terrain in B.C.

In town, try the lake-to-lake bike route, which goes from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake, and stop at TIME Family of Wines, located in the heart of downtown Penticton and right along this bike route.

If you can’t bring your own wheels, there are several different local shops where you can rent a bike or e-bike, including Freedom Bike Shop, Hoodoo Adventures, Pedego Penticton, or Penticton E-Kruise. Another great

option is Velo Volt Mobile E-Bike Rentals, who will deliver your e-bike rentals right to your accommodations, and they have gravel bikes as part of their fleet now too.

If you don’t want to go wine touring on your bike alone or if you wish to get some additional guidance from a local, there are guided biking wine tours available through Epic Cycling or South Okanagan E-Bike Safaris.

WINE SHUTTLE

TOURS

For wine adventures a little further afoot that may not be right for biking, there are many options for wine tour shuttles such as Vivid Tours, Unique Blend South Okanagan Tours, and Wicked Tours. Or check out the area’s newest addition for a fun and unique way to wine tour, the Grape Savvy Trolley, which allows you to hop on and off. For more wine tour operators visit www. visitpenticton.com/wine-tours.

LAKE FUN

As much fun as it is visiting wineries, there are a lot of other activities Penticton has to offer—and many are a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air or water. Penticton is one of only two cities in the world situated between two lakes, and both Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake are ideal for swimming and exploring by kayak or standup paddleboard (known colloquially as a SUP). Those who enjoy a spike of adrenaline with their water can catch some air on a kiteboard.

Rent a SUP from Sun n Sup in nearby Naramata as a perfect activity before indulging in wine tastings along the Naramata Bench.

If you’re not ready to put down your wine glass just yet, try a blend with a Kayak, Wine, and Picnic Tour from Hoodoo Adventures.

For the more laid-back, drifting down the famous Penticton channel between the two lakes on a floatie is a great way to laze away some of the day. Coyote Cruises offers tube rentals plus a shuttle back to the starting point.

WALKING TOUR

Back on land, Penticton is a cozy walkable community, with less than seven kilometres between the north and south end of the city. It’s easy to get around from accommodations to restaurants, wineries, breweries, cafes, and galleries.

There are world-class culinary experiences with a variety of international flavours, including Turkish, Japanese, Mexican, Greek, Indian, and Italian, all just steps away.

To work up an appetite, take a stroll along the waterfront promenade of Skaha Lake or Okanagan Lake, or hike up Munson Mountain above the iconic PENTICTON sign.

MORE PENTICTON FUN

There are lots of other ways to get active in Penticton, including playing a round of golf at the Penticton Golf & Country Club, lawn bowling, disc golf, or rock climbing with Skaha Rock Adventures at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.

Start your Penticton vacation and wine adventure at the Penticton Visitor Information Centre (888 Westminster Ave. W) to get wine tour maps, dining recommendations, and a selection of Penticton souvenirs. Before you get here, be sure to check out www.visitpenticton.com to plan your trip.

DAVID WYLIE

Courtesy of Visit Penticton

Courtesy of Visit Penticton

@visitpenticton | #visitpenticton | www.visitpenticton.com

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.