The Okanagan Similkameen trip 2015
We have just return from a very enjoyable and most
satisfying trip to the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Everything was perfect; well almost it did
reach 98 in Osoyoos which was a bit too warm.
We made our first trip to the valleys back in 1990s. Back
then there were very few wineries and numerous wines to forget. In the
following years that we have travelled to the area the number of wineries and
the quality of the wines keeps increasing
In the 90s one got excited about visiting places like
Mission Hills, for their wines and stunning winery or Larch Hills for its
beautiful location and amazing Ortega. You would run by Hainle Wines as it was the first to produce Icewine.
You found more wineries and a few good wines among the also runs.
Fast forward to 2015 and the amazing transition of the
Okanagan and the Simlkameen . More wineries than you could visit in a month and
all of them producing great wines. Many of the wineries producing wines that
make the old world countries jealous. Such as the extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon at Painted
Rock or the Allegetto at LaStella. which bring to mind the collection at Culmina oh so such good wines.
Not only do we see more wineries, but wineries of magnificent
Architectural Designs with views
that take your breath away. The winemakers and owners are friendlier and more
knowledgeable as they realize hospitality is also important when presenting
their wines. Even the staff is more aware of the wines and history of the
vineyards.
Wineries like Painted Rock, Church and State, Mission Hill
and Culmina have modern award winning facilities featuring everything from
fancy dinning to helicopter pads. They are balanced out by the always popular
and proven wineries like Quails Gate, Hester Creek, Nk Mip and
Tinhorn Creek.
I love the smaller quaint places like Seven Stones, Larch Hills,
and LA Frenz, D’Angelos and many others.
Nor can one forget the unexpected when we arrived at Kraze Legz Vineyard and
Winery in the tiny village of Kaleden. The location, the view the people the
wines!!!
Our entire trip will be highlighted on our website. Please
see Robert’s Report
