Day 19 Western Adventure

Day 19

We had a delicious breakfast this morning from Lynn and Tom at the B&B (baked grapefruit with honey, apple juice, coffee, fresh baked blueberry-bran muffins, and eggs benedict with smoked salmon – although for me, it was back bacon…). We talked with the new couple staying here for a couple of nights – they are from Vancouver. Their kids are all married – their son married a woman from Santiago, so we were telling them about the area (views and wineries) and encouraged them to visit.

After breakfast we got on the road. What a sight – mountains to our right, lake to our left, and mountains beyond the lake….truly breathtaking! On our journey south, Todd received a call from his cousin, Scott, who talked about the birth of his first grandchild on Friday…a girl, Lola !  he is extremely proud and let us know they are on their way home today.

We travelled to Osoyoos (Canada’s only desert region). The landscape is so interesting – mountains of rock and brush, then lush vineyards. On the way to Osoyoos, we stopped at Hester Estate Winery (needed a restroom stop) for our first tastings. The woman who served us was originally from ……Kitchener! She lives half the year in the Okanagan Valley and half the year in the Baja region (both desert areas). We sampled a couple of wines, then went into the barrel cellar and tasted a Merlot right from the barrel. We purchased two bottles of 2009 Reserve Cabernet Franc.

Next stop, in Osoyoos, was Nk’Mip Cellars The first Aboriginal winery in Canada.

   The tasting room had beautiful native art – carvings and paintings (although a little pricey). We purchased a 2009 Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir and a 2009 Qwam Qwmt Syrah (Todd is becoming quite partial to Syrahs).

As we headed North, we stopped at Burrowing Owl Winery just outside of Oliver for tastings and lunch. We purchased a 2009 Syrah and 2009 Cabernet Franc.

For lunch we enjoyed the Baby Artesian Green Salad, the Vine Ripened Tomato and Organic Basil Salad with local goat cheese, and the Grilled Skirt Steak with Nugget Potato Salad, Mushroom Vinaigrette, and Tomato Shallot Marmalade. The steak was delicious – a wonderful marinade and grilled perfect!

Next stop – Tinhorn Creek Winery – self-guided tour, complimentary tastings, beautiful views, and live music on the patio…..the full experience. We purchased a Rosé to drink with our cheese and crackers tonight, a 2008 Pinot Noir, and a 2010 Cabernet Franc.

Once parked back at the B&B, we walked up the street to Mission Hill Winery for some tastings. We enjoyed 4 of their premiere wines, before purchasing one to drink later tonight or tomorrow. We will return to purchase a couple to cellar. While there, we made dinner reservations for Tuesday (our last night in Kelowna). The woman that took our reservation immediately noted we were from Ontario – she was originally from Windsor (same 519 area code). We have spoken to an amazing number of people from Ontario who have relocated out here in BC……truly mind-boggling……maybe a sign…..