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In a week when your server melts down, and I don't mean a waiter in a restaurant, you learn just how connected you are to the Internet, or should I say were.
In some ways, it's liberating to see a blank computer screen before the terror sets in and the deadlines begin to loom.
My email still works, so today's column comes to you courtesy of Microsoft Exchange and the hundreds of emails I receive each week touting some wine or winery. I was thinking that there is so much going on in the Okanagan and since I get so many questions from readers about where to go and what to do, I should kill two birds with one stone as they say.
Where should I stay? Where do I eat? It all depends on what part of the valley you are visiting and how much driving you want to do. Things have changed dramatically in the past five years and it is all for the better.
Naramata Bench continues to mature and your options here are many. Poplar Grove has a spectacular tasting room not to be missed and they have enticed Summerland's Vanilla Pod Restaurant to move in and set up shop at the winery. The view, the patio and the food is, well ... I bet you spend the afternoon.
By contrast, Monster Vineyards just down the slope has restored an old farmhouse and made it a tasting room with a patio where you can have your own picnic. There are many picnic opportunities on the bench where you can simply relax and take in the view. There's more excellent dining at Red Rooster, Lake Breeze and Hillside. The bench is a treasure trove of wineries and activities and there is plenty of information at naramatabench.com.
I often stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. A lot of the rooms have been updated but it's the central location that's important. I also enjoy dining on the patio at The Merganser overlooking the lake. Breakfast is especially peaceful.
There's a lot going on in Summerland at Dirty Laundry, they have a spectacular view patio up high overlooking the vineyards and east to the lake. You can now visit Okanagan Crush Pad, and the place to stay is Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa. And the place to dine is next door at Local Lounge Grille. They have a great B.C. wine list.
In West Kelowna (formerly Westbank), Quails' Gate and Mission Hill are must stops to dine or taste before you discover some of the smaller producers in the area. If you want the ultimate wine lunch or dinner, don't miss The Terrace at Mission Hill. Winery executive chef Matt Batey is hitting it out of the park daily with his "Cuisine du Terroir:" wine country cooking with the freshest, locally grown, in-season ingredients. Open daily for lunch service 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
My favourite place to hang out and relax in the valley is the kid-friendly Cove Lakeside Resort. The rooms are gorgeous, and then there are the beachfront walkway, two pools, hot tubs, a water slide, putting green and private marina. And if you take in chef Grant de Montreuil's menu at Bonfire Grill at The Cove, you never have to leave.
Across the lake in Kelowna, the Manteo resort is equally impressive with its "Wine Country Cuisine" by chef Bernard Casavant served daily at the Wild Apple. From here you can strike out and visit a number of wineries in the north. You can find all of them at tourismkelowna.com. The decks at Gray Monk, Summerhill and CedarCreek are the spots to dine for lunch and or dinner. Many wineries offer summer concerts and special events, so check out their websites before you go.
Way down south in the Oliver/Osoyoos region there has been an explosion of dining options when once there was none. Osoyoos has three major hotels today: the Watermark Beach Resort Hotel & Accommodations, Walnut Beach Resort and Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa, similar but different, each has plenty to offer.
Further north toward Oliver, Burrowing Owl and Hester Creek both offer serious wine country lodgings. The Guest House at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is only steps away from the Sonora Room Restaurant and the pool and hot tub. At Hester Creek, look up above the new winery and check out Hester Creek's six Mediterranean-style villa suites. Quiet and isolated, they offer gorgeous views of the sunrise across the valley.
South Okanagan dining has really upped its game and there are plenty of options.
As mentioned, at Burrowing Owl the Sonora Room has a wonderful balcony setting and great seasonal local menu items. Hester Creek has opened Terrafina Restaurant with a Tuscan-inspired menu while over at Tinhorn Creek they have hit the nail on the head with Miradoro Restaurant, a partnership between the winery and Manuel Ferreira, owner of Le Gavroche in Vancouver. Chef Jeff van Geest (Aurora Bistro) packed up his young family and moved to the south Okanagan and is a perfect fit at Miradoro. The food is inspired by Europe but is 100 per cent local. Lunch or dinner, it's a hit.
At the Watermark Beach Resort, chef Jonas Stadtländer brings a much needed upgrade to the culinary side of the Osoyoos resort. Jonas Stadtländer is the son of the famous Ontario chef Michael Stadtländer and he will be in charge at the hotel and its Wine Bar & Patio.
And all that is from memory. Just wait until I get my server back up and running.
Arrowleaf Pinot Gris 2011, Okanagan Valley
Price: $17
UPC: 626990123798
Score: 88/100
Remarks: Ripe red apples and honey mark the nose; lemons and lime the finish.
Joie A Noble Blend 2011, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley
Price: $24
UPC: 00692739000019
Score: 90/100
Remarks: Delicious. Crazy good and the best yet from Joie.
Mission Hill Merlot Reserve 2009, Okanagan Valley
Price: $25
UPC: 00776545995117
Score: 88/100
Remarks: A solid northwest Merlot to serve around the barbecue.
Hillside Pinot Noir 2010, Okanagan Valley
Price: $25
UPC: 626990120612
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Refreshing light perfumed elegant easy drinking Pinot.
Painted Rock Red Icon 2009, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley
Price: $55
UPC: 00626990105824
Score: 89/100
Remarks: Intense vanilla, cedar, smoky coffee, chocolate, licorice dark fruit flavours.
Wild Goose Pinot Gris 2011, Okanagan Valley
Price: $18
UPC: 626990007418
Score: 87/100
Remarks: Spicy, bright ginger, floral, apricot-skin flavours. Delicious drinking.
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