Posts Tagged ‘vineyard’

Wild Goose Winery

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Above: A simple sign welcomes visitors.

The Wild Goose Winery, established by the Kruger Family, sits on 10 acres of rolling hills just South of Okanagan Falls. First planted in 1983, the Wild Goose vineyards were not used for the Krugers’ own wines until 1990. Since then, the winery has gained significant attention for its well-crafted Germanic. It has expanded its acreage to 15 acres with the addition of Mystic River Vineyard on the South Okanagan River.

Wild Goose’s tasting room and wine shop is very simple, conveying its history as an original farmgate winery. There is obvious passion put into the wines by the hard-working Kruger family, whose three generations run the tasting room, make the wine, and manage the vineyards.

Above: While the winery isn't spectacular to look at, what it lacks in a facade it makes up for in pure charm.

The wine shop is bright and spacious, and staff are very knowledgeable. There is a licensed picnic/patio area out front where visitors can enjoy their own lunches and wine. Children are welcome, and can sample fruit juices at the tasting bar.

Above: There is a fabulous patio where you can drink that freshly purchased bottle of wine and relax under the hot Okanagan sun.

Wine: Germanic wines are the primary focus of Wild Goose Vineyards, and suitably so considering the Kruger family’s heritage. Wines are sourced from the estate, as well as other vineyards in the South Okanagan. The Autumn Gold blend, a white, is the most popular wine among consumers.

Last Word: If you are looking to taste some great white wines, among others, stop in at Wild Goose. We recommend that you visit earlier, as the wines may well sell out before the season’s end- and the Krugers might be able to go on a bit of a vacation.

Driving Directions: Turn off Highway 97 onto Oliver Ranch Road and then onto Sun Valley Road. Signage from the North is not so good, so keep your eyes peeled.

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

Summerhill Winery

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Above: Some of Summerhill's wines are aged in this giant pyramid. Their owner believes it has intensifying powers.

At Summerhill, tradition meets the mystical to create a winery experience that is somewhat out of the ordinary. Visitors may try some of Summerhill’s many wines in the wine shop before heading out on one of the many tours that are conducted throughout the day.

The winery also features Sunset Bistro, a restaurant at the winery’s front with an ample patio and view of Okanagan Lake.Before entering the winery, visitors can also take in the World Peace Park with a waterfall, lovely vista, and koi pond to boot.

Immediately upon entering Summerhill’s grounds, visitors will notice a white concrete pyramid. This is the jewel in the winery’s crown and the place where many of Summerhill’s wines are aged. It is thought that the aging of good wines in the ‘sacred geometry’ of the pyramid has a positive, flavour-enhancing affect on them (tastings conducted in the pyramid revealed that 9 of 10 tasters preferred pyramid-aged wines).

Above: Everything is just a little out of the ordinary at Summerhill.

During the tour of the cellar, which somewhat resembled a séance, we were informed that the pyramid could also strengthen one’s life-force. At the very least, the carefully constructed building keeps the wines at a cool temperature (11º-15º C) and provides welcome relief from the hot Okanagan sun outside.

Wines: Summerhill derives its grapes from 45 acres of organic vineyard as well as from growers up and down the valley. The winery gained early attention for its sparkling wines, particularly the Cipes Brut, which has won awards internationally against sparkling wines from Champagne.

The winery tour includes an explanation of the sparkling wine vinification process. There are several lines of Summerhill wines, including Pyramid wines, Star Galaxy, Summerhill Organic, Enchanted Vines (featuring folklore artwork and organic grapes) and Summerhill Estate.

Above: The patio outside of Summerhill. You can enjoy a nice lunch here with a nice lake view.

Summerhill currently produces an array of wines too wide to list in its entirety. We have included a selection of some of its best-sellers.

Notes on Tastings: Summerhill has a well-equipped tasting room with a long tasting bar. Some staff members are fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin. The winery is often very busy in the summer, sometimes with several tour busses passing through at a time. Up to four wines can be tasted free of charge.

Last Word: Did we feel the Pyramid’s energy?- Perhaps. We recommend that you visit this winery and see for yourself.

Driving Directions: Follow Lakeshore drive until it turns off into Chute Lake Road. Just look for the giant pyramid, right after the turn off to Cedar Creek & St. Hubertus.

More Information & Hours: http://www.summerhill.bc.ca/

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.