Oleksyn: Touring the Okanagan, Part 2; visiting wineries from Naramata south

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Last month I highlighted some of my favourite wineries to visit in the Okanagan Valley, from Lake Country to Summerland. This month we head south from Naramata/Penticton toward Osoyoos, with a jaunt west to the Similkameen Valley.

Late August to October are terrific times to visit wine country. The lakes are warm in August and the crowds thin when school starts. And now with an agreement allowing the shipment of wines to Alberta, you can send bottles home instead of lugging them back. A great option if you are flying.

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Here are some stops I have enjoyed on my various visits. This is just a sampling, as there are just too many good wineries to list. It’s advised to check a winery’s website ahead of time as a lot of them now require advance reservations.

Naramata Bench/Penticton

It’s easy to visit a lot of wineries between Penticton and the quiet village of Naramata. The region is densely packed with smaller family-owned wineries offering a diverse selection of wines.

At Roche, Pénélope and Dylan Roche focus on traditional French varietals from Burgundy and Bordeaux at their winery just outside of Penticton on Upper Bench Road. The Tradition pinot noir is a new favourite of mine.

Poplar Grove is a flashy spot with a great view and a terrific restaurant on the way to Naramata. The velvet texture of the cabernet franc is particularly memorable here, though the red blends are also very good.

One of the most storied wineries on the bench, Hillside Winery & Bistro, offers low-intervention estate wines that show their best with some age. The single-vineyard merlots are definitely worth checking out.

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For a change of pace, pop into Terravista Vineyards, where the primary focus is on white wines. The Figaro blend of roussanne and viognier and the Spanish-style albarino-verdejo blend called Fandango are both palate pleasers.

Skaha Bench/Okanagan Falls

The wineries south of Penticton offer some of the most picturesque spots in the Okanagan Valley, with iconic lake and mountain views.

If you’re looking to soak up a spectacular view of Skaha Lake while enjoying expertly crafted big red wines, drive up the hill to Painted Rock Estate Winery. The intense syrah, cabernet franc and Red Icon Bordeaux-style blend rarely disappoint.

A short drive south brings up the little community of Okanagan Falls, where the handful of family wineries punch above their weight. The unpretentious tasting room of Meyer Family Vineyards offers plenty of delights, especially the single-vineyard pinot noirs and chardonnays.

The Mavety family has been making pure and lively estate wines at Blue Mountain Vineyards and Cellars for more than 30 years. The pinot noirs and chardonnays are among my Okanagan favourites.

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Former Calgarians Jim and Leslie D’Andrea at Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery offer a little bit of everything, from a beefy pinot noir to a lively sparkling wine program and memorable Meritages.

If you want to gear down, visit Syncromesh, another unpretentious spot noted for its delicious single-vineyard rieslings. Your mouth will be watering after a visit.

Oliver and Osoyoos

As you head south from Okanagan Falls you hit the hot desert terrain that produces many of the valley’s most acclaimed full-bodied reds. A great newer stop on the way is the District Wine Village, a small enclave showcasing up-and-coming wineries and a few bigger players. It’s a great place to sample some hard-to-find wines.

Just south of Oliver on the legendary Black Sage Road sits Le Vieux Pin, where French winemaker Severine Pinte produces lush wines with depth. The Cuvée Violette syrah is a great introduction to her style.

Not far away is Bartier Bros. Vineyard and Winery. Here Okanagan veteran winemaker Michael Bartier and his brother Don produce fruit-forward wines with finesse and purity. Michael is particularly noted for his touch with semillon.

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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is one of the legendary wineries in the Oliver area, with big and rich reds including Athene, a Northern Rhone style blend of syrah and viognier. The winery also features a great restaurant and a guest house.

On the east side of Osoyoos, just off the Crowsnest Highway, you’ll find Moon Curser Vineyards, where Chris and Beata Tolley craft wines not often seen in the valley. My favourite has always been the bruising touriga nacional.

On Highway 97, between Osoyoos and Oliver, the Gill family’s Gold Hill Vineyards has put a focus on cabernet franc, with very tasty results thanks to the efforts of winemaker Val Tait.

Similkameen Valley

The Similkameen Valley is a terrific side trip west from the Okanagan Valley. Away from the hubbub, the quiet Similkameen feels more like farm country than wine country. Look for understated establishments and wines that make a statement.

Charlie and Jesce Baessler launched Corcelettes Estate Winery in 2011 and the wines just keep getting better. The plummy syrah is richly satisfying, while the gewurztraminer hits all the right notes.

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A one-minute drive from Corcelettes is Clos du Soleil, another stop noted for its breadth of red and white wine offerings. A Bordeaux-style blend, Celestiale delivers big flavours for just $30. It’s one of the top values in B.C. wine.

Another favourite stop is Orofino Vineyards, a small family winery run by transplanted Saskatchewanians John and Virginia Weber. Riesling is a highlight here, with the Hendsbee Vineyard version my personal favourite.

Contact Darren Oleksyn at dm.oleksyn@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram or X. Looking for a specific wine? Because wine inventories are always in flux, it’s a good idea to call a store to confirm they have it. A search on Liquorconnect.com can give you an idea of stores that have carried the wines.

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