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.
