Archive for the ‘Black Sage’ Category

Burrowing Owl Loves the Internet

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The new guesthouse, a beautiful and imposing structure on the Black Sage Bench.

Burrowing Owl was one of the earliest Okanagan ecommerce adopters and still uses this channel well. Their release emails are short, to the point, and target a customer that knows exactly what they want to buy.

Clearly they love the internet and love selling to customers that trust and know their brand and product.

Yesterday two new white wines went up for sale online. The remainder of their wine selections are available for sale in select wine stores as well as from their own wine shop.

Ecommerce Release:

We are pleased to announce the on-line release of two new wines:

2009 Pinot Gris ( $20.00 )

Generous aromas of pear, apple, and honeysuckle, tinged with hints of lychee and exotic spices. On the palate, the apple, pear and honeysuckle aromas continue on, providing beautiful intense, expressive flavours, with a gentle minerality that ensures the wine finishes clean and fresh.

2008 Chardonnay ( $27.00 )

This wine displays classic primary aromas of stone fruit, green apple, and melon. The complexity of the aroma profile is richly enhanced with generous notes of vanilla, nutmeg and other various spices originating from the barrel fermentation. On the palate, the fruit and oak flavours meld together seamlessly to create a complex expression of Okanagan Chardonnay. Texturally, the wine is beautifully balanced, displaying smooth, luscious mouthfeel and a long, clean finish.

For those of you who want to taste before you buy, be sure to make a stop into Burrowing Owl in Oliver. It is easily one of the most spectacular winery experiences in the entire valley. There are few things better than a long, late lunch on the patio at the Sonora Room.

They have recently updated their hours for the tasting bar and retail wine shop for the 2010 summer season. The wine shop is now open daily from 10 am – 5 pm for wine tasting and sales and the Sonora Room is open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Our Review: http://www.okanaganwineguide.com/burrowing-owl-estate-winery/

More Information: http://www.bovwine.ca/

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Posted in Black Sage, Oliver | 1 Comment »

Desert Hills Estate Winery

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Above: The simple welcome sign at Desert Hills.

Brothers Randy and Jesse Toor recently founded Desert Hills Estate Winery after having planted land on the Black Sage bench with vinifera. It is a family-run estate winery and is located in a non-descript building dwarfed by the sizeable house adjacent to it (be sure to turn left folks).

Wines: Desert Hills’ production, like others on the Black Sage, is primarily focused on red wines. The winery’s most popular wine among a quirky mix of varieties is Syrah.

Notes on Tastings: Like all Okanagan Wineries, Desert Hills gets busy in the summer. Parking space is not overly abundant, and the driveway is narrow. Tastings are free, however ID is required for people who appear to be under 25. The tasting room is small and relatively standard, and the staff (at least when we were there) were polite, if not overly cordial. Tours are offered throughout the summer.

Above:The wineshop is located down this small driveway to your left. Avoid the mammoth house to your right.

Last Word: If you have extra time, make the stop. They make some fabulous wines and are an easy visit just off of Black Sage road.

Also note: at times there are large dogs roaming the property. They are best avoided.

Driving Directions: Accessible from the North via Road 9 off Highway 97, or from the South via Road 22 off Highway 97. Located on the Western Side of Black Sage Road. Signage is good.

More Information: http://www.deserthills.ca/

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The Belltower at Burrowing Owl

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

The belltower at Burrowing Owl offers incredible views up and and down the valley.

One of my favorite features of any Okanagan winery is the belltower at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver BC.

Upon entering the Sonora Room restaurant, simply pass through the entryway and then immediately turn to your right. Before you see the big, beautiful bar there will be a door; this door leads you through to the main winery staircase.

Head up and you’ll find the belltower, complete with one of the most spectacular views in the valley.

Flights of stairs: down to the "caves" and up to the belltower.

Head down (on a tour only) and you’ll be whisked away to the caves (aka a big basement full of wine, wine, and more wine!). It’s incredible to see the size of the operation and to really see the underbelly of this beautiful beast.

The "caves" at Burrowing Owl - aka the cellar.

There is a self guided tour leading to the belltower that you can take at any time of day. It’s well worth the climb to get to the top. For a small charge, between Easter and Thanksgiving, these guided tours of the winery are available. Be sure to ask your guide to point out the different things you can see from the view of the bell tower: Osoyoos Lake, other wineries, McIntyre Bluff, the gazebo etc.

Round the day off with a glass of library wine on the patio at the Sonora Room and prepare to be memorized by the beauty of the valley.

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Posted in Black Sage, Oliver, Our Favourite Wineries, Stunning Views | No Comments »