As the touring season winds down for some, fall beckons locals to explore the region’s wineries and restaurants. Amidst the changing leaves, crisp air, and promise of clear skies and bright sun, savour this delightful season with a touch of music and a trip south.
Eliza at the Naramata Inn
Add South Okanagan’s newest wine bar to your itinerary. Eliza offers a tantalizing tapas-style menu, an extensive selection of wines and cocktails, and captivating house sessions every Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy live performances by local favourites Kristi Neumann on Sept. 21 and Jeff Piatelli on Sept. 28.
The culinary journey at Eliza promises to intrigue. Executive sous chef Macià Bagur Gomila, hailing from Menorca, Spain, showcases his creativity with dishes like the fluffy sunflower macaron, concealing zesty Tiger Blue cheese from Poplar Grove. The seasonal menu will not disappoint, including the velvety carrot and peach gazpacho, adorned with bursts of flavours and colours from cherry tomatoes and basil.
Until the end of September, Eliza Wine Bar also hosts Oysters & Bubbles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., no reservations required.
Harvest Long Table Dinner: Naramata Inn executive chef Jacob Deacon-Evans celebrates the changing season with a Harvest Long Table Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. Set out on the lawn, exquisite wine pairings complement the four-course family-style dinner. Savour the flavours of the harvest from Klipper’s Organics, Plot Twist Farm, Local Motive Farm, Puzzlegrass Farm, and more. This culinary experience costs $140 per person, including tax and gratuity.
Orolo Restaurant at Time Winery
Immerse yourself in the ambiance of Orolo Restaurant at Time Winery in downtown Penticton. The urban winery celebrates Wine Wednesdays with 50 percent off all wine bottles when you dine in. Thursdays showcase live music from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with Okanagan Sax (Curtis Kieres) upcoming show on Sept. 21 and the soulful melodies of Aidan Mayes on Sept. 28.
Dining at a winery restaurant comes with an added bonus—order a bottle of bubbly for the table and have the option to step into the winery’s barrel room for a sabre opening.
Time also offers a Sabre School Tasting, where you’ll learn the art of sabering and the storied history of sparkling wine. A choice of three sparkling wines if offered: Time Brut for $45, Chronos Brut for $60, or McWatters Collection Brut for $80 (to serve 4 people).
Adjacent to the restaurant, the Chronos Tasting Room can be pre-booked for intimate wine tastings. The carefully curated selection of wines includes the highly acclaimed Chronos label and the esteemed McWatters Collection. The opulent high-backed banquettes can comfortably seat up to eight people, enhancing the warm ambiance of the elegant Chronos circular lights.
Canada’s Wine Capital Awaits
Join the Wine Grape Stomp on Sunday, Sept. 24, in Oliver. The Festival of the Grape is back, featuring food trucks, artisans, musicians, and tastings of local and regional wines. Tickets include festival entry, a commemorative wine glass, and six drink tickets ($40 per person).
Prepare for a grape-stomping battle as teams in festive costumes crush 40 pounds of grapes in three minutes. The top three teams with the best costumes and the most juice extracted will win exciting prizes. Only 30 coveted team spots are available ($120 per team of three), which include festival entry, stomping souvenirs, treats from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, and wine-tasting tokens. To register for the Grape Stomp, visit oliverosoyoos.com/grape-stomp-2023. Today, Friday, Sept. 15 is the deadline.
Nk’Mip Cellars Fundraising Gala
On Saturday, Sept. 30, Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos will host its first annual National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Fundraising Gala. This event will benefit the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. A $100 ticket includes access to gourmet food and wine stations, live music, silent and live auctions, raffles, and more.
Wondering about highway travel to the south? Luxury Lake Tours offers a weekday Rock Slide Shuttle Service between Peachland and Summerland with one-way and return options. Departing Peachland at 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Summerland at 7:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Highway 97 at the Summerland slide site has opened to single-lane alternating traffic.
