UPDATED: Link below for the 2025 event details and ticket link.

“Breath deeper,” my hiking companion urges me as we begin the steep incline of the Summit Trail of Spion Kop in Lake Country.

I gulp air into my lungs and press on. A few minutes later, I am rewarded with the scenic view of Okanagan Lake and the acres of vineyards stretching out below our mountaintop viewpoint.

Sipping at the wineries of Lake’s Country Scenic Sip Wine Trail is our ultimate destination for the day’s outing. Still, we’ve chosen to start with a vigorous hike to ensure we have room for the locally-inspired food pairings during the TLC (Taste of Lake Country) spring event.

A trio of seafood small bites paired perfectly with the wines of Lake Country.

The star of TLC was the 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé, bright and acidic and full of strawberry notes. Peak Cellars present us with a chilled glass of pink Rosé, a perfect colour (and flavour) match to a scrumptious moist cedar plank BC Kuterra Salmon, topped with a duo of pinky-purple beet hummus and caponata.

The classic pairing of salmon and rosé continued at 50th Parallel Estate Winery. Their savoury Japanese pancake dish, Okonomiyaki, was topped with salmon cured in fermented beets, citrus pearls, and smoked crème fraiche.

The next trio of wineries (Gray Monk, Ex Nihilo and Arrowleaf Cellars) all boost majestic views and fine wines. The elegant lines of Arrowleaf Cellar’s tasting room frame the exceptional view from the top of the hill. Chef Ross Derrick from the Broken Anchor seafood restaurant in Kelowna was on site to prepare his seared tuna with horseradish sour cream and Granny Smith apple. The pairing is the lightly oaked 2021 Chardonnay.

forno oven flat bread at Ex Nihilo Vineyards

Our next chef encounter is with Chef Danny Tipper at ExNihlo, who pulls popping hot artisan flatbreads from the restaurant’s forno oven. Topped with smoked bacon, Kennebec potato, red onion and baby spinach, the savouring mouthful paired well with the elegant 2021 Riesling. Since 2020, the ExNihilo portfolio has been in the most capable hands of winemaker Jim Faulkner.

At Gray Monk, we headed out to sip 2022 Pinot Blanc on the private outdoor patio, admire the panoramic lake views and have a small bite of grilled prawns resting on green curry mayo atop a ciabatta crostini.  

Our sweet ending includes our only red of the day, a Merlot from Blind Tiger Vineyards presented with a blackberry tart topped with Callebaut’s finest dark chocolate.

Just minutes from Kelowna, Lake Country is must for any wine enthusiast. Take the day to enjoy this scenic countryside and book ahead for supper to have your own “taste of Lake Country” at one of the winery restaurants. Maps of the Scenic Sip Wine trail can be found at scenicsip.ca

Photos by Yvonne Turgeon

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2025 edition: A Winter wine trail through Lake Country

TOURS & TASTINGS WINE & FOOD PAIRINGS CENTRAL OKANAGAN

The Okanagan Winter Wine Festival returns on Saturday, February 22, 2025 bringing a crisp, cool-season tasting experience to the Scenic Sip Wine Trail in Lake Country. With the TASTE series of exclusive experiences, wine lovers can explore at their own pace, discovering elegant pairings that highlight the region’s distinctive varietals.

It all begins at Gray Monk Estate Winery, where guests collect a TASTE Passport from the Tourism Kelowna Mobile Kiosk before setting off on a self-guided tour. Each stop along the trail offers a thoughtful food and wine pairing, showcasing the character of Lake Country’s wineries.

At Gray Monk, Gewürztraminer meets chicken wrapped in prosciutto, while a crisp rosé complements a smoked salmon profiterole. 50th Parallel Estate pairs a handcrafted wine with a Crème Tiramisu Chou, layered with mascarpone cream. Ex Nihilo Vineyards serves a 2021 Merlot alongside a warm cinnamon doughnut filled with dark chocolate ganache and blueberry-Merlot compote. At Peak Cellars, the bright acidity of Block 11 Riesling balances a Thai sweet potato soup, while Intrigue Wines pours Social Sparkling with a Mediterranean-inspired antipasto skewer.

TASTE Pass holders enjoy exclusive discounts at participating wineries, making it easy to take a few bottles home.

Nestled between vineyards and Okanagan Lake, Lake Country offers a stunning backdrop for this winter tasting adventure. Known for its breathtaking scenery and exceptional wines, the region has become a must-visit for those seeking small-lot, cool-climate expressions of classic varietals. With its relaxed pace and intimate winery experiences, Scenic Sip Wine Trail captures the essence of the Okanagan’s four-season appeal—where even in winter, a glass of wine is best enjoyed with a view.

Summer 2021 Trends Magazine

Thompson Okanagan Trends Magazine brings you BC wine reviews, EV auto trends, 3D print and top dining spots in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon and the South Okanagan