spaswinefood: Road 13, Tinhorn, Spirit Ridge and more: Spaswinefood stops on the Southern Okanagan Valley Wine Trail

June when the Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC13 met in Penticton, British Columbia it was perfect timing to visit Southern Okanagan Valley wineries. Spaswinefood was so delighted to return to the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia's oldest and largest wine producing area. Wine bloggers who had come for their first Okanagan Valley Wine Country visit were not disappointed. The weather, the hospitality and the wines were all spectacular.

Southern Okanagan Valley from Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

On the afternoon of day two wine bloggers selected from a number of mystery tour options. The mystery tour I selected was a great opportunity to check out the wine scene at the south end of the Okanagan Valley. Our three stops included Road 13 Vineyards, Tinhorn Creek and Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa.

Road 13 Vineyards

Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Our first stop was at Road 13 Vineyards, an impressive winery with a great view of the valley. The viticultural history of the property dates back over 50 years. Today's owners acquired the property in 2003. Our wine tasting was in the barrel room.

Barrel Room at Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

During our Road 13 Vineyards visit we also sampled wines from other wineries. Two of the wineries that I tasted wines from were Hidden Chapel Winery and Maverick Estate Winery.

Hidden Chapel Winery Rosé © Spaswinefood

Maverick Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2011 © Spaswinefood

A View onto Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

But of course, we also sampled wines from Road 13 Vineyard too. In fact I remember the owner pouring a very nice sparkling wine.

Time for sparking wine at Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Before we left we took time to take in the awesome view at Road 13 Vineyards. It sure is a beautiful winery. Here are more photos from our visit.

Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Grape vines at Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Grapevines at Road 13 Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Tinhorn Creek

Our next stop was at Tinhorn Creek winery, which has been producing wine since 1993.

Tinhorn Creek, Oliver © Spaswinefood

We were fortunate to have on our tour Sandra Oldfield, Winemaker/President/CEO at Tinhorn Creek. Sandra Oldfield is not only a great winemaker but also a great advocate for the Okanagan wine region. It was so much fun to be touring Southern Okanagan wineries with her as a guide.

#WBC13 wine bloggers at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood

When 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.

Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé © Spaswinefood

Covert Farms Family Estate Rosé 2012 © Spaswinefood

The Okanagan Valley is known to 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 Southern Okanagan winery restaurants Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek is a must visit. The Miradoro Restaurant is a partnership between Tinhorn Creek and Manuel Ferreira, owner of Le Gauroche Restaurant, Vancouver. We were so fortunate to have dinner there. In fact when we arrived at Tinhorn's Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest was busy putting the finishing touches on the paella, our main course for dinner.

Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest preparing paella for dinner © Spaswinefood

Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood

Wine bloggers dining at Tinhorn Creek © Spaswinefood

Our dinner that evening was amazing. The Okanagan wineries pouring wine during our dinner at Tinhorn Creek were:

Black Hills Estate Winery

Black Hills Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

Castoro de Oro Estate Winery

Castoro de Oro Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

Castoro de Oro © Spaswinefood

Church & State Winery

Church & State Wines Viognier 2012 © Spaswinefood

Covert Farm Family Estate Winery

Covert Farm Family Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

Platinum Bench Estate Winery

Platinum Bench Gamay 2011 © Spaswinefood

River Stone Estate Winery

River Stone Estate Winery © Spaswinefood

Rustico Farm & Cellars

Rustico Farm & Cellars © Spaswinefood

Tinhorn Creek

A very special thanks to Tinhorn Creek and the wineries who kindly offered their wines to taste.

Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa

It was late evening when we arrived at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa. After a long, exciting day of tasting I was ready to take in the beautiful evening view.

The view from the roof top, as the sun was going down was stunning.

Yes, there was not only wine but food and a jazz band waiting to greet us.

Just like the grapes at that time of a long Okanagan day all I needed was an awesome view, as the sun went down.

If you are interested in “a wine and food adventure” then put the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia on your list. It was so much fun for this wine blogger 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 so perfect for grape growing. In fact Oliver, the town at the south end of the Okanagan Valley, calls itself Wine Capital of Canada.

If you are interested in “a first rate wine and food adventure” then put the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia on your list. The Southern Okanagan Wine Country has great food, wine and yes, spas too. Here is some useful travel information to help you plan your wine country getaway to Okanagan wineries. 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.

Sharon

June 2013

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

©Spaswinefood

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Road 13, Tinhorn, Spirit Ridge and more: Spaswinefood stops on the Southern Okanagan Valley Wine Trail

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