Okanagan Valley, Premiere Wine Region of British Columbia

It hardly runs off the tongue with Napa and Burgundy as one of the world's great wine regions, but the reason you don't know about the Okanagan Valley is not because the quality is lacking. Canadian laws make it difficult to export wine, even to another province. The Okanagan Valley is a hidden gem of more than 125 wineries producing excellent vintages of everything from Cabernet Sauvignon to Pinot Gris. It's an area where the summers are dry, days are long and sunlight is strong -- and the grapes flourish.

If you ever tire of trying to wine in the Okanagan, you can always grab a beer from one of the local breweries. Also be sure to check out some of the beautiful beaches by the lake, skiing in the mountains, and acres of produce in an area that is known for its cherries, peaches and apricots.

Where To Go
The main regions for vineyards in the Okanagan Valley are Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Summerland. The Similkameen Valley is an up and coming area with only a few wineries, but it's worth a stop to check out the unusual fruit wine and food pairings at Rustic Roots Winery and the chardonnay at Orofino, which sells out quickly. Oliver is another smaller wine growing town that should be on your schedule. It's actually close to the U.S. border near Washington Wine Country. Don't be fooled by the desert-like conditions, though, as this has become a place for over a dozen wineries to grow award winners.

Places To Stay
Arrive at Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos and you may feel like you are in the middle of Arizona, complete with desert and mountains. You will also find out that this NK'MIP resort, winery and cultural center is the only complex of its kind owned by an Indian Band (Osoyoos). The winery is not just for show, their riesling is award-winning and deserving as such. Be sure to stop at Passatempo Restaurant while you are there, where the food is deliciously modern and the wine is local. Closer to the airport in Kelowna, the Delta Grand Okanagan is a huge resort right on the lake and within walking distance to town.

Can't Miss Wineries
The top-notch riesling at Tantalus is made at a modern, fully sustainable facility. Make a quick stop in Oliver for Road 13, where the views are as wonderful as the Chenin Blanc. Dirty Laundry in Summerland is a must stop for both great wine (their 2010 Pinot Gris is a perfect show of that grape) and fun stories about this property which was a combination Chinese Laundry and Bordello. Sumac Ridge has a chardonnay called Tribute that is so good it was named the official sparkling wine of the 2010 Winter Olympics in nearby Vancouver. Summerhill Pyramid also has great sparklings, food and scenery.

One of the interesting things about Okanagan wines is the variety brought in from different cultures. Look for lots of Bordeaux varietals, in addition to surprises, like German wines such as gewÆ'" ''''¼rztraminer at Cedar Creek and unusual Swiss ones like chasselas at St. Hubertus. The micro climates in the Okanagan allow for many different grapes within the valley.

Other Wine Experiences
Three times a year, the Okanagan Valley holds events to showcase and award its best, with the Spring Wine Festival in April, the Summer Wine Festival in July and the Fall Wine Festival in September. Before you leave the region, stop at the VQA Wine Store at the Wine Country Visitor Centre in Penticton. It is a great place to stock up on wines you wished you had purchased along the way. You can also taste new ones there. The best part is that the store, a promoter of British Columbia wine, is non-profit so the prices are competitive.

You can get to the Okanagan Valley through the Kelowna Airport, which has direct flights to Seattle, Las Vegas, Mexico and other Canadian provinces.