The old Fairview town site provides a great view of the valley from Oliver to Osoyoos Lake

Only a few minutes west of tiny Oliver sits one of the town’s most convenient, quiet, and picturesque picnic spots.

Located near the old townsite of Fairview (now a ghost town), this picnic spot boasts a few picnic tables, a kiosk full of fascinating local history, and a nature preserve.

For the very best views and most remote feeling, we suggest forgoing the roadside picnic tables and taking a leisurely walk down the marked trails until you find a comfy sagebrush softened spot off the path that suits.

Be sure to pack a picnic blanket as there is only prickly sagebrush and dry grass to sit on alongside the path. Open a nice refreshing bottle of local wine, bust out the sandwiches, and relax. All you can hear is the wind.

Must pack list: a camera and a thick picnic blanket!

After soaking in the desert sun and breathtaking valley views, be sure to pop over to the information kiosk to learn about this 20th century boom town turned ghost town.

Must Pack List: A camera, a thick picnic blanket (to cushion against the prickly dry grass), and a bottle of Okanagan wine. Why not stay on theme and try something from Fairview Cellars, located only a few blocks away?

Directions: To reach the old townsite of Fairview follow 350th avenue west of town. 350th is the cross street that intersects the main intersection in downtown Oliver. Follow this road out of town until reaching Fairview Whitelake Road. The drive from the heart of town to Old Fairview should take no longer than five minutes.

Map: http://maps.google.ca/

Glass of wine, Okanagan evening, lake and desert hills are clearly the recipe for a magical photo. Wish we were also raising our glass lakefront.

Wine: Jackson Triggs Sauv Blanc
Setting: Western edge of Tuc-el-Nuit Lake

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: A large row of trees dramatically welcomes visitors to the winery.

High atop the western hills of the South Okanagan’s Golden Mile sits Domaine Combret Estate Winery. This expansive site provided us with one of the most stunning views we’ve had the opportunity to take in so far.

The production facility there is state of the art, and was envisioned by 10th generation French winemaker Olivier Combret and his family in 1992. The site was selected by Combret based on its ability to produce world-class grapes without the pesticides that were required in other more humid regions.

Domaine Combret is worth visiting for the view alone, but visitors should also sample Combret’s premium wines in the winery’s modest tasting room and wine shop.

Wines: Domaine Combret’s wines are grown on the estate and reflect the terroir of the region. A wine to note is the Chardonnay Icewine, which won gold medal at the 2006 Chardonnay du Monde in France. Past Chardonnays have gained international attention. Domaine Combret offers two labels – St. Vincent (reserve) and Lineage.

Notes on Tastings: The tasting room, while open from 9 am to dusk, is not always staffed, as the Combrets are often busy attending to the many tasks that come with running a winery and vineyard. As such, you may be required to use a buzzer at the tasting room door to request service.

Last Word: The drive to this winery is beautiful and the site provides a great vantage point of the whole southern part of the valley.

Driving Directions: Turn onto Road 13 from Highway 97. Follow signage to the right.

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.