O'Rourke Peak Cellars Winery

2290 Goldie Rd, Lake Country, BC

 The amazing Lake Country winery is owned by Edmonton businessman Dennis O’Rourke, who made his millions in the heavy construction business in Alberta. He has chosen to invest some of those millions into two excellent Lake Country wineries.

Peak Cellars is one of the most interesting and exciting full-service wineries ever to open in BC.  It was built for the outdoors.

The Garden Bistro team is taking extra measures to provide a safe and healthy environment while delivering an outstanding winery experience. 

They currently offer 80 scenic seats on the vineyard-side patio with breathtaking views of surrounding orchards, rolling mountains, and Okanagan Lake. An onsite ½ acre organic vegetable garden and two greenhouses, only steps away from the Bistro, gives our culinary team the freshest veggies and herbs to incorporate into his daily menu showcasing true local flavours; the ultimate farm to table experience all year round!

Noted  wine author John Schreiner wrote:

The wine released this summer by O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars are among the most impressive Okanagan wines that I have tasted this year.

 Bacchus Wines of the Gods! In Greek was primarily known as the god of agriculture and wine, but was also associated with fertility, drama, and revelry. In regards to agriculture, he was depicted as a god of trees and forest, and was often sought ought to help the orchards grow. ...Bacchusremains best known today for his association with wine.

Here in Canada, the grape is underappreciated. Bacchus accounts for a mere 1% of the grapes grown in Canada.

I am a true Bacchus fan. A truly clean, crisp white wine with a nice floral and citrus aromas with flavours of Kiwi and Apricot.

Bacchus is more common in British Columbia than in the other provinces. In Ontario, Three Dog Winery produces a Bacchus.

Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley was the first to do a commercial wine in 1975  They produce an excellent wine year after year.

Roger Dosman founder of Alderlea winery near Duncan on Vancouver Island planted Bacchus in the mid-80s. New owners Zac and Julie Brown took over Alderlea Vineyards in April 2017 still produce a top-quality Bacchus from these vines.

Also producing a fine Bacchus on the Island is Blue Grouse. 

Another fine producer from the Okanagan is Arrowleaf Cellars. Black Market winery in Kaleden will release their first Bacchus in May.

To me Bacchus is one of the best patio wines of all time!

 Reif Icewine - Amazing

There is a long and rich history at the Reif. They are one of the founding Family wineries of the Niagara region of Ontario. Ewald Reif established the vineyards in 1977; opening their doors in 1982. In 1988 his nephew Klaus W. Reif. came to Canada and acquired the winery. 

The winery was founded by Ewald Reif, He sold the winery to his nephew Klaus. Klaus philosophy that 'Great wines start in the vineyard' is the cornerstone of the quality and integrity of Reif Wines. 

Reif Estate Winery has a rich history in Icewine production, they were among the very early pioneers. Their first vintage of Vidal Icewine produced in 1984. This 10 acre vineyard block on our 125 acre estate is still used today to produce their internationally acclaimed Vidal Icewine.

The grapes for Icewine are picked in winter at temperatures of at least -8˚C so that only the highly concentrated juice is pressed from the frozen berries, leaving behind the icy water crystals. The result of these unique climatic conditions is a deliciously sweet wine with exceptional high concentration of sugars, acids and extracts from the grapes with intense flavours and aromas. Although Icewine was first produced in Germany in 1794 Canada is now the largest and best producer of Icewine.

Reif Estate Winery has enjoyed international acclaim for their Icewines for over 20 years. In 1987 our Vidal Icewine was named by renowned Wine Critic, Robert Parker Jr., as one of the year's Top Ten Wines. Since 1984 Reif's Icewines have received over 100 Gold Awards.

AWARD HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Gold Medal at Vin Expo in Bordeaux

Best Icewine Trophy at the International Wine Awards

Gold at the Japan Wine Challenge

Grand Gold at VinItaly

Wine of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards

Best Sweet Wine Trophy at Cuvée Wine Awards

Gold at Decanter Wine Awards

Gold at International Wine Challenge

Gold at International Wine and Spirits Competition

Icewine and Food

 Cactus Club Cafe

Mornings do not always start out to be perfect. On this particular day, our toaster decided to give up the ghost. We decided to check out new ones at the nearest Canada Tire.

After searching through the kitchen section we finally found the toasters. Canadian tire stores always seem so messy and overbearing with inventory piled everywhere. After mulling over the selection we decided that nothing was quite right for us and left the store. 

To reach Canada Tire there is only one way in and one way out. This route took us by the Southpoint Cactus Club. WE noticed the parking lot seemed pretty empty and they had a very large patio. Outdoor dining here we come!

We parked close to the door. As we approached the restaurant a staff member came out opening the door with a big smile and a greeting. Once inside a second staff member also greeted us and asked for our name and phone number. So far perfect Covid-19 protocol. The staff member escorted us to or table on the patio. She chatted with Barbara as we proceeded.

Shortly after been seated our waitress arrived. She was very cheerful and a delight. We ordered a glass of Synchromesch Riesling 2020 from the Okanagan. A little sweet but otherwise a good wine. The wine list had 6 BC wines. 

Barbara had "The Rocket Salad" Parmesan-crusted chicken breast, arugula, baby gem tomatoes. red onions and lemon caper dressing. The portion was quite large. The salad was quite delicious. The chicken was extremely tasty.

I ordered the Jack Daniel Ribs with Ceasar salad and sea salt fries. Oh so good! The BBQ sauce balanced out the sweetness of the Reisling quite nicely.

As we relaxed and enjoyed our lunch we notice several dishes of Sushi been ordered. The plate looked quite attractive. 

It was an enjoyable lunch on a very nice patio with excellent service. 

Corlan Vineyard’s owners, Pat and Selwyn JonesSmall But Proud Gulf Island Wineries.It is not easy to start and operate a winery or cidery on an Island. Yet a number of hard-working individuals have chosen to do so.

The Gulf Islands are located between Vancouver Island and the lower British Columbia mainland in the Salish Sea. There are 12 islands located in the Southern end of Georgia straight. Eight of which are considered to be inhabited. Seven have wineries. Saturna Island has a vineyard but no winery.

Lasqueti Island with a population of fewer than 450 people is located in Georgia Straight north of the Gulf Islands. It has a winery called Old McDonald's Farm. The owners are Mike Mudy and Cindy Craven.

The largest and most populated Island is Salt Spring Island. It has three wineries Two are well established Gary Oaks and Salt Spring Island. In 1999 Marcel Mercier and Elaine Kozak purchased 100 acres on the Island and started Gary Oaks winery. In 2016 they retired selling the winery to Naline Samuel.

Joane and Devlin McIntyre found Salt spring Vineyards in 2008. Paul Troop is the winemaker. Since the island is a busy tourist community the winery is kept busy.

Mistaken Identity was among the original wineries but closed and later sold becoming Kutatas Wines.

Perhaps the most successful winey is Sea Star Estate Farm Winery and Vineyards. They are located on Pender Island. Pender is a popular summer retreat. 

Now we come to the wineries you may never have heard about.

Chateau Beaufort Vineyards Noble Wines is located on Denman Island. The winery is owned by Max Campellde Wedges and Linda Elgert. They started by growing Maréchal Foch at their Vancouver home before moving to Denman in 2006.

The first winery on Deman was Corland Vineyards planting starting in 2006. The winery is owned by Pat and Selwyn Jones. Selwyan moved from Britain to Vancouver Island in 1980. After working for the government in Forest restoring he started Sylvan Vale Nursery. Here he grew and sold grape vines before moving to Denman.

On Thetis one of the smaller Islands is Domaine Jasmin owned by Denis Gagnon. Vines were first planed in 2006 after two years of clearing the land. Sadly we believe the winery is now closed.

On Quadra Island is Southend Farm Vineyards. The winery is owned by  Ben McGuffie and Jill Ogasawara. 2011 was their first estate harvest from their own vineyard. They grow Ortega and Dornfelder.

Gabriola Island a short distance from Nanaimo is home to Ravenskill Orchards. Under Ravenskill is Gabriolia Cider. The orchard has over 1,000 trees across two acres, with 25 different varieties of apples. The owners are Keith and Marti MacKenzie. 

Hornby Island Island has about 1060 residents. Hornby Island also has more parks than any other Gulf Island including Helliwell Provincial Park, Big Tribune Provincial Park, Mount Geoffrey Regional Park and Fords Cove Marina. They have ( or had)  three wineries, Hornby Island Winery, Little Tribune Farm and Vineyard and Isla de Lerena. 

Isla de Lerne is the smallest winery catering to the many campers that visit the Island. The owner is Phil Davie. Recently they have added pizzas. They are open daily.

Hornby Island since 1999 the founders and owners, John Grayson and Joan Costello have been producing delicious fruit wines. ports and sherry made with local fruits and berries. 

Little Tribune has closed once again confirming the difficulties of operating a winery on a small island. It reminds you that before success often comes failure. Despite the hard work and passion, some changes can not be overcome.

Paul Nursey, the CEO of Destination Greater Victoria, says the Island's tourism industry was the first to be affected by the COVID-19-induced slump, and will likely be the last to fully recover. 

Working a winery is not the easiest task nor the most profitable especially when your small and working in a region not known for its wines fighting for any market share you can get. The COVID-19 pandemic has also amplified the problem, as many businesses on the Southern Gulf Islands have been hit incredibly hard due to a massive drop in tourism this past summer. 

We tip our hats to the men and women of the Gulf Island Wineries.

 They Call The Wind Maria

Saturday was a lovely sunny day in the lower mainland of British Columbia. We had high hopes for Sunday. Sunday was our dear friends Ken's birthday. Following Dr Henry guideline we could celebrate the event outdoors in Ken and Jane's backyard.

Sadly the day would turn out to provide the worst weather in weeks.  A cold wet windy day. The wind reminded me of the song They Call the Wind Maria. How were we going to celebrate the day and yet stay within the guidelines?

The wind was not really strong enough to call it Maria but it was cold. The solution hold the small party in the garage with the door open.

Ken backed his classic Beaumont out of the garage for the event.  Tables and chairs were set up. The wine bottles arranged along the garage shelf. We were all set.

We started the celebration off by presenting Ken with his gift. A bottle of fortified wine Tribute from Chaberton Winery. Barbara and I had recently visited the winery and tasted this amazing port-style wine.

For those who prefered red Jane and Ken provided a very nice 2017 Interurban Cabernet Foch from Seaside Pearl. I was the only one preferring White. I enjoyed the Secret Society from Black Market winery.

Jane provided a hot Crack Dip appie made with cream cheese, ranch dressing, sour cream, bacon bits and green onions. It was indeed good!. There were asl cheese and crackers.

We finished off the event with coffee and Wonder Balls. 

Despite the cold, the rain and the wind it was a memorable and successful birthday party for 4. 

Monday just like Saturday was a beautiful Sunny day.

 Blind Tasting

Now that was fun. Barbara and I decided to do a blind tasting diner. We brought out from the cellar a few bottles of wine from our 2020 Okanagan trip. We were excited.

Dinner would be BBQ Baby Back Ribs, potato wedges and glazed carrots. 

To start the event we brought some exotic cheese and coconut shrimp. We decided upon three wines for the blind tasting.

Folonari Valpolicella Ripasso

Corcelettes 2017 Merlot

Skaha Vineyards - Impulsion 2016

The first wine we served was the Corcelettes Merlot. Our wine connoisseurs were amazing. They quickly identifying it as a BC wine and from the Similkameen. 

The second selection was the Italian wine from Valpolicella. They knew it was from Europe.

The third wine from Kraze Legzs Skaha vineyards the Impulsion they knew once again it was a BC wine.

All three wines received high praise. To pick a winner it was close. Two votes for the Impulsion and one vote for the other two wines. 

It was now time for dinner. Where it seemed like the Impulsion and Corcelettes Merlot were quickly gone. 

Just to stir the pot I opened a bottle of  Time White Meritage Oh so good! We all like this one!

Dinner was followed by carrot cake and Skaha Vineyards (port-style) Flying Change. A wonder wine.