4th-7th September 2015 - Weekend Trip to the Okanagan Valley, BC. Walking from one vineyard to another in Kelowna and Penticton tasting wines and buying bottles of most of what we tasted!
There were 8 of us....a group which came together just for the trip. 6 girls and 2 guys....different backgrounds....different professional backgrounds....different age groups....but still a well put group, I must say. Everything was done as a group and we all got along very well. We all enjoyed the trip thoroughly.
Day 1 (Friday) - Started from Calgary about 8am. On to Revelstoke to stop for a quick lunch at "La Baguette". I must say that the sandwiches were good! Then onwards to Sicamous .....stopped at the "D Dutchman Dairy" for their old-fashioned hand-made ice cream. Picked up some fresh fruits from the farmers' market at the front of the store.
Reached Kelowna sometime in the evening just before the sun was setting. We had enough time to stop at our first winery - Quail's Gate to stretch our legs and do some wine tasting before we checked in to our temporary home in Penticton.
Westbank, Kelowna, British Columbia
Our first vineyard stop...Quail's Gate!
Quail's Gate vineyard....the grapes looks delicious!
Quail's Gate vineyard
"WINE improves with age. The older I get the better I like it." Some tasting as well as picking up couple of bottles of some good wine.
D'Angelo's Place......our temporary home while here in Penticton.
The back view of the house.
The view from my suite.
Day 2 (Saturday) - I woke up at my usual time and by 7am was ready to explore while the rest still slept. Sal, the owner of this vineyard was up too doing the rounds. He asked if I wanted to go inspect the grapes and of course I did! Learnt a bit about grapes.....as well as about The Buck that came every night to feast on the grapes and to rest for the night!
After breakfast....we were ready to explore and we did....on foot. From one vineyard to another...from one winery to another. It was one of those lazy hazy days of summer!
Sal explaining to me about the inspection process!
Sal's neighbour Tony's summer mansion right below!
The ravine...next to D'Angelo's
The Buck that has made D'Angelo vineyard his sleeping place!
Sal & I chased The Buck away!
Our first stop was "The Trail Fruit & More Store" just at the corner of where we were. A small interesting mom & pop store selling fresh fruits and vegetables.
At the Farmer's Market...City Centre
Persius Winery
View from Poplar Grove
Lunch at Poplar Grove
Dessert - Rich chocolate cake with dollop of ice cream & strawberries
Saw someone parasailing on the lake.
Nicholas....Misconduct!
Misconduct Winery
Misfit! :)
The wine justifies the means.
Township 7 Winery
Gewürztraminer, an aromatic wine grape variety used in white wines.
Grapes covered in nets......for protection!
Apples ...this way?!
Dinner - Roasted corn with Mushroom Steak?! Veg special for me! Plus some salad!
Day 3 (Sunday) - More wineries and walking down to the beach and just chilling.
A big massive house on the way to the beach.
Near Hillside Winery
Mirroring Ravneet! :)
Howling Bluff Winery
With Luke of the "Howling Bluff"....a great story teller.
Beautiful morning....an equally beautiful view!
The beach!
David.....getting some sun before the swim back.
Just chilling!
Hillside Winery
Tasting at the
Hillside.
Hillside Cellars
Quidni Winery .....Ask yourself WHY NOT?.....I like that! :)
Why not? Think Big! Be curious! Relish! Live!....
Cheers!
Lunch at Red Rooster.
D'Angelo Winery
Sal, owner of D'Angelo...."just a splash"!
Day 4 (Monday) - Returning back to where we started....back to Calgary.....back to our homes. After breakfast we get into our cars .....stopping and tasting more wines as we head back....and buying more bottles! Ended up bringing back home 19 bottles of wine!
We reached Calgary about 9-9.30pm. Headed downtown for some dinner at a Chinese restaurant.... then back home. It was a wonderful and a memorable trip.
Had to stop at Mission Hill.....a very well known and famous winery.
Couldn't help noticing the serious Photographer in action! :)
A market fair....Armstrong, BC
Mysterious Ladies
Telling my travel stories to the lovely couple!
