Wining and Dining for 3 Days in the Okanagan Wine Country, Canada

WHAT? Wine in Canada? Yep, and it's not all ice wine either, especially in the Okanagan Valley! We spent 3 days in the Okanagan and listed below are the highlights. The area covers a very large geographical territory with over 180 wineries so we based ourselves centrally in the town of Kelowna which offers plenty of restaurants and a great foodie scene.

TASTING ROOM AT MARTIN'S LANE WITH ITS STUNNING LAKE VIEW

The area

Kelowna is the largest town on Lake Okanagan. It's a 5-hour drive east of Vancouver, but only a 40-minute flight (our choice, hands down). The lake is 135 km (84 miles) long, from north to south and sits on the 50th parallel at its median which is similar in latitude to the Mosel wine area in Northern Germany, so Okanagan winemakers excel at cool climate varietals, but the southern-most part stretches to the USA border near Washington state and is capable of producing more full bodied reds. There is only one bridge over the lake in Kelowna area so plan your days for either the east side or the west, less driving, more tasting!

THE TOWN OF KELOWNA ON LAKE OKANAGAN SURROUNDED BY VINEYARDS

Wining

Our online research led us to a shortlist of six wineries to visit. Each was exceptional, and I will describe their differences to help you create your own list.

SpearHead- east side

SpearHead is a small operation which not only won not only Canada's small winery of the year, but also Canada's top winery, competing against the big operations. The winemaker is from New Zealand and produced wine there and in Willamette before settling in the Okanagan which he chose due to its incredible potential to produce his passion, a Burgundian-style pinot noir. They have vineyards on both sides of the lake and all grapes are hand-harvested. We tasted an easy-drinking pinot gris, Chardonnay aged in steamed (rather than toasted) French oak barrels with only a small percentage allowed to go though malolactic fermintation (MLF), and 3 pinots, one single vineyard and 2 cuvees. Great care and thoughfulness goes into the entire process from vine to bottle.

Martin's Lane, east side

Martin's Lane was our favorite all around. It has a breathtaking view, art is peppered throughout the winery and grounds and no detail is left unturned, including its 100% gravity fed winemaking production. The floor is adorned with hand-blown glass tiles in mainly red but 5% with 24K gold leaf (signifying the percentage of red to white wines produced, only pinot noir and riesling). A spiral staircase was inspired by Antinori's in Chianti Classico. On first glance you might think the statue of the head is that of Van Gogh and you wouldn't be far off, but copyright laws as they are, the winery owner held a world-wide contest for "the best Van Gogh look-alike". An Irish chap named Daniel won and was flown to Canada so his likeness could become a reality. You might wonder how someone could afford to build such an amazing estate...the deep pockets of Anthony von Mandl, the Austrian founder of Mike's Hard Lemonade and White Claw. He owns Martin's Lane, Cedar Creek and Mission Hill and only makes wine in Okanagan. Martin's Lane holds a small fraction of his wine collection consisting of the best of the best in the world. It's on display in the dining room which hosts events mainly for the von Mandl family. He has purchased additional wineries in the valley but each will maintain it own identity and style.

BACK TO VAN GOGH- THE SIGNATURE BOTTLE LABLES ARE ADORNED WITH HIS EAR AND DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE MATERIALS USED MUST BE ADHERED BY HAND! EACH VINTAGE HAS A SIGNATURE COLOR.

Don't be fooled, as much thought goes into what is IN the bottles as what is on them! Tasting 3 different single vineyards side-by-side was an interesting lesson in what a difference terroir makes.

Cedar Creek, east side

Cedar Creek sits next to Martin's Lane with the same captivating views. As mentioned, this winery is also owned by von Mandl, so no expense was spared in creating a welcoming guest experience and grounds adorned with art. We chose their platinum estate selection which are wines only sold at the winery. We tasted a sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah and cabernet franc - all delicious.

Mission Hill, west side

Mission Hill was 3rd and last stop of the von Mandl wineries, but it was actually his first endeavor in wine and paved the way for many others to start growing grapes in this harsh climate. The entry is reminiscent of a Paris flea market with antiques available for purchase and the tasting rooms hark back to a palace in Vienna. Their flagship wine, Oculus, was indeed good, but for the money ($450 Canadian), Svein and I preferred Martin's Lane. That being said, Mission Hill should definitely be on your list.

Quail's Gate, west side

Quail's Gate, another winery another stunning lake view! Our knowledgeable tasting guide, the head sommelier at both the winery and restaurant, treated us to some additional tastes and a 4 glass tasting became 9! Doing their cabernet and syrah blends side-by-side was a highlight.

Gray Monk, east side, north of the airport

Gray Monk is a good stop to or from the airport (15 minute drive). Our favorite was the Odyssey rosé brut sparkling made in the classic method. We also sampled their pinot noirs and a cabernet sauvignon.

We enjoyed many other Okanagan wines during our stay including: Laughing Stock, Burrowing Owl, Vanessa, Osoyoos Larose and 50th Parallel.

Dining

The area has embraced organic growing and eating with local ingredients. There are many restaurants to choose from, including a few at the actual wineries! We dined at Home Block at Cedar Creek and Old Vines at Quails' Gate. Both had outstanding food and magnificant views. If I had to chose one, I would do Home Block because I loved the clean atmosphere

Home Block Restaurant

Sea Bass at Home Block

HOME BLOCK RESTAURANT AT CEDAR CREEK WINERY- NICE FIRE PIT, BUT TOO COLD TO GO OUTDOOR!

Old Vines at Quails' Gate Winery was a feast for the eyes and the palate.

In town, Kelowna

Antico Pizza

We loved our diverse dining experiences in town. Salt & Brick was small with a short menu that changes daily, very local. For French cuisine we enjoyed cassoulet and bouillabaisse at Bouchon's Bistro. Erica Jane was beautiful and all the locals seemed to be recommending it and for good reason. Rounding out our in-town dining was a pizza night at home to drink a couple purchases and lighten the load. True Pizza Nepolitana, of course: wood burning oven, caputo flour and San Marzano tomotoes from Antico Pizza was the real deal and a temporary fix for missing Italy.

BLACK BASS AT ERICA JANE

It was a great experience all around. Canada truly has the friendliest people we have encountered, ever. Each person seemed to love sharing their knowledge and making our experience special. Summer on the lake would be spectacular, but winter was peaceful and all of our tastings were private. There was no need to book well in advance for wining or dining.

Ciao for now,

Andrea

my blog