Wine trip

So for my birthday treat I went with a few chums over to the Okanagan to visit some vineyards to try & buy lovely wine, eat delicious food & hang out with good friends. Only read on if you are interested in delicious indulgence well suited to celebrating my birthday.

On the way to our home for a couple of nights we stopped in Oliver at Borrowing Owl.

Just in time for lunch!

Colin, Andrea & Stephen.

And for desert…..

Andrea & Stephen ready to move on to the next place. One of my other favourite wineries is also in Oliver, Church & State, where I make a few purchases too.

And Stephen take some time to catch a few rays that have been noticeably absent back in Vancouver!

Next we are at Silver Sage which was a new one for us and turned out to be a great tasting. Some really interesting wines so many more purchases by all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are done for the day after the 5 Hour drive up, lunch & several sips of wine so we head up to Penticton where we are staying at the Crooked Tree suites. Before we head off some more relaxing in the sun.

The accommodations are fantastic (well done Andrea) & we quickly settle in with some nibbles & yes you guessed it, some lovely wine.

And the view from the deck is stunning!

Great end to the day.

Staying as we were on the Naramata Bench the next days activities were predictable visiting more wineries. This area has some of my favourites but we start with a new one to us, Therapy.

Then on to my favourite spot for wine & lunch, Lake Breeze. Here we meet up with Launa & Teresa & friends who are also in the area celebrating their 40th birthdays.

The food is as ever superb. I start with Wine Poached Pickerel & BC Spot Prawns
Chilled, on gazpacho with anise seed, and saffron marinated vegetables. Yum!

Being with good friends we get to try each others and I particularly like Colin’s Warm Chevre, Butterhead lettuce & Chicory Salad Goat yoghurt & honey dressing, fresh pear and Lake Breeze Merlot syrup.

Having done our wine tasting before lunch we knew we had to have a bottle of their 2008 Tempest. A delicious red that is sold out except on their patio restaurant.

Choosing red for our lunch helped me decide on the main course,  The Bench Burger -
Sirloin burger with bocconcini cheese, pancetta, arugula, tomato & balsamic relish, served on our house-made brioche bun, served with baked Pont Neuf potatoes.

Pure indulgence!

Not sated yet we move on to another favourite, Ruby Blues. Our now Party of 14 gets treated to our own full outdoor tasting complete with knowledgeable explanation of the wine making process for the various blends.

And Launa the birthday girl goes for the cheeky double tasting approach.

A great trip with lovely friends which resulted in the consumption of delicious wines, food & purchases for the consumption over the summer. Could only have been better if my darling Adrian had been able to come but who was waiting for me to return home giving me loads of gifts & love. X

Please Can I Have Your Seat ?

There are some who think a dogs place is on the floor and no room on the sofa for them keeping them firmly last place in the family pecking order.  They’re probably right but both Charlie and Mojo (and Aussies in general) are such snugglers its a wasted opportunity not to occasionally invite them up for some fuss.  While Mojo may be slightly confused on his place in the home getting his sofa cuddles, he at least has kept his manners – when a more comfortable option beckons him he does politely ask ‘Please Can I Have Your Seat’ ?