sludick

We've expanded our planned trip to Banff this September from 1 week to 2 weeks so that we can spend some time driving from Vancouver to Banff and spend some time visiting wineries and sightseeing. Does anybody have a favorite winery? We're partial to dry reds, mainly merlot and cabernet. Timewise, we plan to spend just oen night, so we'd like to narrow our choices to just a few

sludick

(oops, cat just attacked my mouse..)
And specifically, what about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards?

Judy_in_Calgary

Sorry, sludick, I don't know about specific wineries, but in a recent post Borealis mentioned the Okanagan Wine Festival, and provided this link:

http://www.owfs.com/

I see the festival is on from September 30 through October 9, 2005. October10, 2005 will be the Canadian Thanksgiving public holiday (same date as Columbus Day in the United States). In case that influences the timing of your trip.

sludick

Thanks, Judy. I did see that post, but it looks like we'll just barely miss it (we'll be there around Sept. 20-21 timeframe). Unless I can rearrange things and take our week on the return trip from Banff instead of the way out..

Sam_Salmon

The Okanagan isn't the place to go for dry red wine although there are a few decent enough Meritages.
The climate/terroir is such that the best wines are whites like Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Ehrenfelser as well as some sparking wines.


http://www.bluemountainwinery.com/

http://www.hmvineyard.com/

http://www.wildgoosewinery.com/

http://www.winegrowers.bc.ca/

Lynette

Mission Hill Winery is worth a visit just to hear the bells from the bell tower and for the view down the lake. It has a great facility.
My fave local wines are produced by Summerhill winery, Gray Monk Estate Winery, and Quails Gate.
These are all Kelowna wineries as they are in my backyard.
You will find more info at www.bcwine.ca
Check out who has won VQA awards for reds and that should help you narrow your search.

sludick

Thanks, Lynette! We'll definitely visit Mission Hill and try to work in your other faves into our stay. We are so looking forward to seeing this area. Do you live in the Kelowna area? Any recommendations on hotels or (better) B&Bs? And your favorite museums or other worthwhile visits? We're coming from Orlando, Florida, so just about everything will be wonderfully different--

Lynette

I have lived in Kelowna for the past 18 years.
So if you have questios just ask.
Here are a few suggestions for hotels for you in Kelowna.
The Grand Okanagan Resort. Located right on the water, walking distance to downtown. A large resort/convetion style hotel www.grandokanagan.com
Manteo Resort. Lakefront, but a few Kilometers from downtown. Has hotel rooms and also 1 - 3 bedroom suites. Great restaurant (Wild Apple Grill). Quieter location than the grand. www.manteo.com
Eldorado Hotel. Lakefront next to Manteo. Boatlaunch and marina in front of hotel. Small hotel furnished with antiques, historic style building. www.eldoradokelowna.com
The above are all 1st class hotels.
A few nice moderate motel style places
Siesta Motor Inn www.siestamotorinn.com
Lakeshore Inn www.lakeshoreinn.com
Holiday Inn Express
These are just a few
Check out wwwtourismkelowna.com
or www.welcometokelowna.com click on travel for more complete listing of hotels and B&B's
You could also call the Chamber of Commerce to ask for reccommendations for B&B's
1 800 663 4345
Sept is a great time to visit, as the summer crowds are gone but the weather is still wonderful

AnnAussie

I also recommend Mission Hill Winery.
My friend who lives in Kamloops booked us into a wine tour at Mission Hill Winery which was very worthwhile and enjoyable.

sludick

We'll plan on booking a tour at Mission Hill,then, certainly. From Kelowna, our next stop is Nelson for another night. Any stops along that way that you would recommend, wineries or other points of interest?

Carmanah

I took my boyfriend (from Montreal) to the Okanagan last August for some winery touring and some relaxation. We spent some time around Kelowna and Penticton, but also headed south toward Oliver and Osoyoos. Get a chance to see Nk'Mip (pronounced Ink-a-meep), I think it's the only Aboriginal winery in Canada. There are quite a few wineries in the area - Burrowing Owl, Hawthorn Mountain.

We stayed at a wonderful and unique B&B in Osoyoos called "The Observatory". It's an actual observatory built into a home. The B&B's located on the side of Anarchist Mountain, so you have a panoramic view of the valley below. Jack and Alice are charming hosts, and at night they take you into the observatory where everyone gets to look at the stars and planets. If you're like me, into astronomy, it'll be an experience to remember. Here's their website: http://www.jacknewton.com/canada.htm

sludick

Thanks, Carmanah! Your suggestions are right down our alley.

dar

I'm afraid to give away my secret favorite spot...but here goes! I hightly recommend a b & b in Osoyoos called the R & R B & B. It is an adult oriented townhouse right on the water. I stay in the lower suite as I love to wake up and open the curtains and look out onto the lake. It is a b and b, yet you have the whole bottom level of the b and b to yourself (incl. a full kitchen, living room area and separate bedroom!). You could drive from Van to Kelowna, and drive the "Golden Mile" to Osoyoos and visit many, many wineries on the way. Mission Hill is interesting, it is a large winery. But I also enjoy the smaller, family run operations such as Iniskillin (sp??) (and several others) on the road near Oliver. There was one that had a really neat tour, just can't remember the name! I would definitely book a second night as you can relax for a full day, do a few wineries, swim, eat at one of the many restaurants in town, wander around then have a good start for the drive to Nelson, which is a fairly long drive. Check out the website for the R & R ..and no, I don't own it!

sludick

Thanks, dar. Your secret is safe with me (and all the other fodorites listening in here). We do have an extra night, and have been contemplating whether to spend it in the Kelowna region or in Nelson.