Tinhorn Creek winery in the Southern Okanagan Valley has been producing wine since 1993. This inviting winery was one of our winery stops during Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC13 in Penticton, British Columbia. Two years ago Spaswinefood spent a week in the Okanagan; so it was time to return to taste more Southern Okanagan wines. During the conference a number of winery tours were available. The tour I selected included a visit to Tinhorn Creek and other Southern Okanagan wineries. This article will highlight our visit to Tinhorn Creek.
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| Tinhorn Creek, Oliver © Spaswinefood |
The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia's oldest and largest wine producing area. The region has attracted great winemakers who have put their experience and passion into making great wines. We were fortunate to have on our tour Sandra Oldfield, Winemaker/President/CEO at Tinhorn Creek. Over the course of the conference we had the opportunity to interact with Sandra Oldfield. She is not only a great winemaker but also a great advocate for the Okanagan wine region.
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| Tinhorn Creek Vineyard in early June © Spaswinefood |
British Columbia 's Vitners Quality Alliance (VQA) designation is an appellation of origin that is modeled after the European system. British Columbia's wine appellation has four "designated viticultural areas" (DVA's). These DVA's include Okanagan Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Similkameen Valley.
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| #WBC13 wine bloggers at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
The afternoon we arrived at Tinhorn Cellars there were some welcoming Rosés waiting. The wines were Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé and Covert Farms Family Estate Rosé.
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| Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé © Spaswinefood |
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| Covert Farms Family Estate Rosé 2012 © Spaswinefood |
Spring through fall the Okanagan Valley gets thousands of culinary adventurers who come in search of great wine and food. These insightful adventurers come to explore Okanagan wineries and its winery restaurants. From the list of winery restaurants Miradoro at Tinhorn Cellars is a must visit in the Southern Okanagan. The Miradoro Restaurant is a partnership between Tinhorn Creek and Manuel Ferreira, owner of Le Gauroche Restaurant, Vancouver. When we arrived at Tinhorn Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest was busy putting the finishing touches on the paella, which would be our main course for dinner.
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| Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest making paella © Spaswinefood |
If you are looking for an outstanding culinary adventure then check out the Okanagan Valley. You will experience excellent cuisine with a regional flavor. Anita Stewart notes "Nowhere else in Canada has such a selection of top chefs gathered in a wine region to open such approachable, outstanding restaurants." This is so true.
Dining at the Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek
Not long after arriving at Tinhorn we were all off to dine at the Miradoro Restaurant. Dining at the Miradoro was indeed a very special treat.
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| Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Miradoro Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
The wines we tasted during our Tinhorn Creek visit included Blackhills Carmenere, Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé and Oldfield Series 2Bench Red, Covert Family Estate Rosé and Amicita, Rustico Farm & Cellars Zinfandel, Castoro de Oro Viognier, Church & State Viognier, Platinum Bench Gamay and River Stone Pinot Gris.
Now that I covered the wines here are a few dining highlights:
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| Appetizing appetizer at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
The entrée was paella.
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| Paella at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
The dessert was hot chocolate with churros.
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| Churros with hot chocolate at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
But of course, there was great wine and great conversations.
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| Wine bloggers dining at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
Our dinner that evening was amazing. You can check reviews for the Miradoro at OpenTable , Tripadvisor and UrbanSpoon.
Let me not forget the wineries pouring wine during our dinner at Tinhorn Creek:
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Black Hills Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
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Castoro de Oro Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
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Castoro de Oro © Spaswinefood
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Church & State Wines Viognier 2012 © Spaswinefood
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Covert Farm Family Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
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Platinum Bench Gamay 2011 © Spaswinefood
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River Stone Estate Winery © Spaswinefood
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Rustico Farm & Cellars © Spaswinefood
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Rustico Farm & Cellars Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 © Spaswinefood
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Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2Bench Red 2009 © Spaswinefood
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A very special thanks to the wineries who kindly shared their wines.
South Okanagan Valley Wineries
It was so much fun to explore the wine scene at the south end of the Okanagan Valley. Many of the Kelowna wineries also have vineyards in the Southern Okanagan. The temperature at the south end of the valley is reported to be up to four degrees warmer. This makes it perfect for grape growing. In fact Oliver, the town at the south end of the Okanagan Valley calls itself Wine Capital of Canada.
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Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood
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At Tinhorn Cellars you will find some great wines that you will enjoy tasting. You can check winery visitors comments at Tripadvisor and Yelp.
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| Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood |
If you are interested in “a wine and food adventure” then put the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia on your list.
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| View from Tinhorn Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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| Tinhorn Cellars, Southern Okanagan Valley © Spaswinefood |
The Southern Okanagan Wine Country has great food, wine and yes, spas too. If your wine country plans include a visit to the Okanagan Valley here is some useful travel information. Kelowna, the largest city in the Okanagan Valley is within driving distance from Vancouver (237 miles). Kelowna’s international airport has direct flights from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Seattle. Check out my travels in the Okanagan Valley and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or visit my travel column at the Examiner.
June 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
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