Sat, Oct 10 2009, Sun, Oct 11 2009, Mon, Oct 12 2009, Tue, Oct 13 2009 - Okanagan Wine Tour (View Original Event Details)
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We had two beautiful days of sunshine for our wine tour in the Okanagan, only getting snowed on upon our return Tuesday. On our way out on Saturday, we had dinner at a family restaurant in Sicamous, where we were served a full turkey dinner, complete with homemade pumpkin pie. All agreed it was pretty awesome to have such a great Thanksgiving dinner without having to cook it all day.
On Sunday, we started our tasting experience on Naramata Bench at Elephant Island Winery, where we tasted and purchased some dessert wines and port. Then it was off to several more wineries for Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon, Marechal Foch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Trebbiano, Zinfandel, Rosé, Ice Wine and so much more! We hit 14 wineries in two days, and had a total of 95 tastings. Next year we shoot for 100! Silver Sage Winery near Oliver was without a doubt the biggest hit, in terms of wine (one is sage flavoured!), dessert wine and entertainment. Desert Hills was also a hit, but for more flirtatious reasons (you know who you are). Gehringer Brothers and Hester Creek were possibly the best values for wine.
On Monday morning before tasting time, Susan led us to Skaha Bluffs where some of us hiked and a couple jogged. Absolutely gorgeous views up there, and lots of rock climbers.
Kudos to Ben Johnson of Mountain Madness Tours who drove us everywhere every day and still kept up his good spirits, despite occasional outbursts of bus karaoke towards the 6th or 7th winery of the day.
All in all a great trip with good people. Looking forward to next year!!
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Mark G at photos@edmontonoutdoorclub.com. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to thirty of your favourites (only) for a day event, or up to sixty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.