It’s the kind of marketing that makes you want to pack your bags up from the big city and open up a small winery in the Okanagan. Guess it hits the aspirational marketing nail on the head!

Road 13 Winery was originally known as Golden Mile Cellars and took it’s new name (and look!) in recognition of the winery’s location along the Golden Mile. Their tag line is based on their deep love, appreciation and understanding of their vineyards’ terroir. They focus on strong farming practices and on growing grapes that suit their land’s soil profile. It really is all about the dirt.

Currently they are producing 18,000 cases of wine annually for three different tiers: Honest John’s, Road 13 varietal and blends, and Jackpot (their premium series).

Road 13 is open year round and is a must visit stop on your Okanagan wine route. If you have extra time, be sure to call ahead and resereve a special barrel room tasting.

More Information & Map: http://www.road13vineyards.com/

PS: Be sure to say hi to Filbert and Nutmeg, the darling winery wiener dogs!

Above: The winery sits dramatically on the hill.

Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery has been a fixture on the western side of the Okanagan Valley since its opening in 1995 (to this date, I can remember vividly the salmon-stuffed grape leaves served at the opening reception). The winery building is stately, with a well-lit exterior, so it is visible from a distance both night and day.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the fine view of the Okanagan Valley from the winery balcony or hike the Golden Mile trails that meander through the grassy Okanagan hills. The winery also provides a self-guided tour of the barrel and fermentation rooms, as well as a vineyard exploration tour.

Above: Tinhorn is visible from the highway and signage is great from the road.

Visitors can also purchase meats and cheeses at the Tinhorn Creek deli and enjoy their food on an outdoor deck patio overlooking the vineyard and valley beyond.

A unique feature of this winery is its outdoor amphitheatre, which plays host to a summer concert series. Here audiences can enjoy a variety of musical performers against a backdrop of mountains and valley floor.

Wines: Tinhorn produces popular varieties of white and red wines sourced from its vineyards at the winery and its Diamondback vineyard on the Black Sage. Winemaker Sandra Oldfield was trained at the University of California, Davis and her American style is reflected in the character of some of Tinhorn’s wines (American oak is used over French, for instance).

Notes on Tastings: The tasting room at Tinhorn Creek is bright, spacious and is staffed by a knowledgeable team- we found them very accommodating.

Last word: Tinhorn Creek offers a great winery experience.

More Information & Hours: http://www.tinhorn.com/

Above: There is a quaint patio at Hester Creek where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a light meal.

Road #8 off of Hwy 97 ends in a fork- turn right and you’ll reach Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, turn left, and you will get to Hester Creek Estate Winery.

Hester Creek sits on some of British Columbia’s oldest vineyards, which lay along the western benches of the South Okanagan’s Golden Mile.

The winery building and grounds at Hester Creek are pretty, with an outdoor patio under the cover of old vines. The wine shop and tasting bar have an old-world feel to them. Visitors can browse a selection of glassware, books, and wine accessories.

Above: Hester Creek is located on Road 8, just to the South of Gehringer Brothers.

Hester Creek bottles are now sporting new labels, featuring Hester, the daughter of the original owner of the 70 acre property, holding onto the tail of a large fish. The thought behind this label is that Hester, as a girl, would have imaginative adventures in the creek (Hester creek) behind the winery.

Above: The wineshop at Hester Creek is charming.

Wines: Hester Creek makes wine of grapes from its estate vineyard and from South Okanagan growers. The winery is known for its Trebbiano, and old-vine wine not made by any other winery in British Columbia.

Notes on Tastings: The tasting bar at Hester Creek can serve several people at once if staffed by more than one person. Tasting staff are warm, and can provide information on the winery’s history and story. The wine shop is spacious and visitors can browse the many items offered there if there is a wait.

Driving Directions: From Highway 97 turn West onto Road 8. Follow the fork in the road to your left. Signage is ample.

More Information: http://www.hestercreek.com/

Above: Golden Mile Cellars is built to look like a castle.

Golden Mile Cellars was purchased by Mick and Pam Luckhurst of Vancouver Island in 2003. The unique castle winery sits high up on the Western slopes of the South Okanagan, and has a pleasant view of the valley below.

Visitors are encouraged to take a seat at the picnic tables in front of the winery that overlook the 23 acre vineyard site. Picnic fare, including imported cheeses, crackers, etc. and Cuban cigars can be purchased in the tasting room.

The Luckhurst family oversees all administrative aspects of the winery and works the vineyard. The wines produced at Golden Mile have been steadily gaining attention under the care of winemaker Michael Bartier.

Above: It's hard to miss this building!

Wines: Golden Mile makes its wines using grapes from its own vineyards and from some South Okanagan growers. The winery offers white label wines, and black label Black Arts wines that are ultra premium.

Notes on Tastings: Golden Mile has a great view, and ample space in the wine shop, which offers a number of items including glasses, books, decanters, cigars, etc. Parking is ample but it is on a slope, so ensure that your vehicle has a functional emergency brake (ours, unfortunately, did not). Visitors may taste up to four wines free of charge.

Last Word: This winery is novel and charming in its castle concept, and you are sure to encounter some good wines.

Driving Directions: From Highway 97 turn West onto Road 13. You can’t miss the castle perched atop the hill!

Above: The tasting room is small and simple, however renovations are underway.

Golden Beaver Winery opened its doors in early May after new owners Stella Schmidt and Bruno Kelle bought the facility and vineyards formerly known as Gersighel Wineberg. The proprietors, Calgary businesspeople who escaped to the Okanagan, chose the name Golden Beaver because it was fun, Canadian and unique.

The winery is located just off of Hwy 97 on the Golden Mile, making it easily accessible and a convenient stop along the wine route. There is a nice patio outside the winery where guests can enjoy a glass of wine and the company of the owners’ dog Cashew.

Above: A patio sits adjacent to the winery, where you can sit, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine.

Wines: The vineyards at Golden Beaver are on the western slope of the South Okanagan Valley, making for good morning sun exposure. Currently, the wines offered by Golden Beaver are those made by the previous owners. The first release, made by Bruno Kelle under the guidance of a consulting winemaker, will be out this summer.

Notes on Tastings: The tasting room at Golden Beaver is quaint and simple and owner Stella Schmidt runs the tasting bar, so one will never be left short of information on the winery. Tastings are two dollars for several wines.

Last Word: If the wine shop seems empty, honk your car horn a few times- the owners are busy with renovations but will happily serve you!

Driving Directions: Golden Beaver is located at the South end of the Golden Mile in Oliver BC. Take Highway 97 south of Oliver and you can’t miss it. Signage is good.

More Information & Hours: http://www.goldenbeaverwinery.com/

Above: Gehringers Brothers is easily accessibly along the Golden Mile in Oliver.

One of the Valley’s oldest wineries, Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, is an embodiment of modesty and authenticity. The facility and wine shop/tasting room has a pleasant view of the valley from its site on the western slopes of the South Okanagan’s Golden Mile. The wine shop offers various knick-knacks and wine accessories including glassware. The shop’s cool temperature was refreshing after spending some time in a stuffy car.

Wine: Gehringer Brothers was founded by brothers Walter and Gordon in 1985 and released its first vintage in the same year. Since then the brothers, who oversee the making of wines and vineyard management, have achieved notability for their Germanics- especially Riesling, and their overall consistency in producing quality wines at good value.

Above: The wine shop is quaint and the tasting bar is ample - the tasting selection is ample as well!

Wines are sourced from estate vineyards, and under the Dry Rock Vineyard label (named for the rocky outcropping near the winery which gathers heat in the day) non-Germanics such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernets and Merlot are produced. We were pleased to taste a blend using Schönburger – a grape not commonly seen anymore.

Notes on Tastings: There is ample parking at the winery and equally sufficient space at the tasting bar. There is no fee for tasting, and there is a wide selection from which visitors may choose to sample.

Last Word: We really enjoyed this stop on our wine route.

Driving Directions: Turn off Highway 97 onto road 8 just South of Oliver. The road branches off and Gehringer is on your right. Hester Creek is on your left.

More Information & Hours: http://www.gehringerwines.ca/