Enjoying the Fruits of the Vine in Beautiful British Columbia By Doreen Pendgracs
(article from Vantage Canada http://www.vantagemagazine.ca/ Nov/08)
If you're like me and enjoy fine wine, sumptuous cuisine and spectacular scenery, you'll find some of the best - in all categories - in beautiful British Columbia.
With roughly 150 wineries in the province, it would be quite an endeavor to visit them all. But several are particularly noteworthy because they have created a niche for themselves or are outstanding for one reason or another.
An absolute must for a connoisseur of fine wine and appreciator of Aboriginal culture and cuisine is a visit to Nk'Mip Cellars near Osoyoos in the South Okanagan. As North America's first Aboriginal owned and operated winery, Nk'Mip (pronounced inkameep) proudly produces several award-winning wines including the 2007 Pinot Blanc and 2007 Riesling that both took home gold in the All Canadian Wine Championships. Learn more at: www.nkmipcellars.com.
But don't come just for the wine, although the beautiful lakeside setting of the winery (open year-round) is certainly reason enough. Stay at the pueblo-style Spirit Ridge Resort, owned by the Osoyoos Band and managed by Calgary-based Bellstar Corporation. The 4.5 star resort is home to the Passatempo dining room that eclectically blends Aboriginal specialties with creative world cuisine. You'll also find a spa and 9-hole golf course at Spirit Ridge. See: www.spiritridge.ca for more info.
Some amazing facts about wine production in BC:
There are 710 vineyards (wineries and independent growers) in the province. This includes 144 licensed grape wine wineries, and more than new 20 licenses pending.
There are 5 wine regions (designated viticultural areas) in the province: Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands
There are more than 60 grape varietals producing a total of more than 13 million litres of wine annually (just slightly more white than red.)
For more information about wine production in BC visit: http://www.winebc.com.
In addition to Spirit Ridge and Nk'Mip Cellars, the Osoyoos Indian Band owns and operates the Nk'Mip Desert and Cultural Centre that, in addition to offering fascinating displays on Aboriginal culture, will educate you about the local desert flora and fauna. Take a walk on the wild side and stroll through the lovely trails of the Great Basin Desert. Inhale the aromatic sagebrush growing along the trails. But watch out for the Pacific Western Rattlesnakes! They are most often seen in the evening as they avoid the hot desert sun.
Nestled on 140 acres of prime grape growing land near Oliver (also in the South Okanagan) you'll find the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery - another one of my favourites. Its award-winning full-bodied reds are amazing. Burrowing Owlís Cabernet Franc is in a class of its own and has won accolades in numerous competitions over the past 10 years. The Cab Franc always sells out, so my advice is to register for e-updates that will apprise you of availability. Go to: www.bovwine.ca.
The Burrowing Owl takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly wineries in the province. A team of 200 pickers picks and inspects all grapes by hand.
Cuisine at the winery's Sonora Room restaurant offers succulent choices such as pan-seared wild BC salmon fillets and free range chicken. But beware. The appetite-interfering view from the patio is so awesome that you'll have difficulty focusing on the exquisite taste of the food.
If you prefer to linger longer than awhile, and restfully breathe in the clean quiet air of this stunning region amid feelings of peace and serenity, the Burrowing Owl's 10-suite guesthouse is the recommended option. Book ahead to avoid disappointment. In-room spa treatments can be arranged, and will make you so relaxed, you may never want to leave.
Although a large percentage of BC's wineries are in the Okanagan Valley, there are other up-and-coming wine-producing regions that are worth a look. The provinceís newest wine-growing region is on Vancouver Island.
Cherry Point Vineyard, located in the scenic Cowichan Valley, may be known to some wine connoisseurs for its award-winning blackberry dessert wine. It's delicious! But there's a new kid on the block. Beaufort Vineyards was licensed in 2007 and is the first winery in the lovely Comox Valley on central Vancouver Island. Still a new player in the game, Beaufort is gaining attention for its magnificent dessert wine called Black. Blended from blackberries and black currents, Black took bronze in the 2008 Northwest Wine Summit. Visit: www.beaufortwines.ca to order online.
