Falling for wine
Routes and Vines, Ex Nihilo Vineyard, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Lake Country
A harvest celebration, in the Ex Nihilo Vineyard, showcasing locally sourced fruit, vegetables, herbs and artisan baked goods. Ex Nihilo’s chef Jeff Kreklau will create five mouth-watering food pairings. Shop in the vineyard’s Farmers Market while enjoying the area’s rich agricultural roots. The cost is $25 and includes five food and wine pairings. Contact Decoa Harder, events@exnihilovineyards.com; 1-250-766-5522.
exhnihilovineyards.com
A Tasting Of Wild Mushrooms & Okanagan Pinot Noir, Okanagan College Oct. 6, 6 to 9 p.m. | Penticton
Join Okanagan College chef instructor Roger Planiden in the B.C. Wine Information Society Sensory Centre. Learn about and experience dishes prepared with seasonal wild mushrooms and paired with Okanagan Pinot Noir. Tickets $98.70, all in, and available at valleyfirsttix.com; 1-877-763-2849.
Time Estate Winery at Local Lounge • Grille, Oct. 7, 6 to 10 p.m. | Summerland
Join Time Estate Winery owner/ winemaker Harry McWatters and his daughter, Christa-Lee McWatters Bond, for a four-course “family style” wine dinner. Harry is a legend and a wonderful B.C. wine storyteller. And if you haven’t had a chance to taste the seasonal, local fare of executive chef Brad Clease, this is it. It all takes place lakeside in Summerland. Tickets $75, plus taxes and tip; Contact christa-lee@encorevineyards.ca; 1-250-494-8855, ext. 225.
Noble Ridge Winery Harvest Work Day and Lunch, Oct. 7, 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Okanagan Falls
Want to be a part of the harvest? Join the owners, winemaker and staff at Noble Ridge Winery to pick grapes together. Your day will include a tour of the crush pad, barrel/tank sampling and a sit-down Mediterranean-style hot harvest lunch with Noble Ridge wines. Tickets are $99, plus tax. Contact info@nobleridge.com; 1-250-4977945. nobleridge.com
Kismet Estate Winery Exotic Food and Wine Experience Oct. 10 & 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Oliver
Have an exotic food and wine experience with authentic East Indian food paired with Kismet Estate wines, along with music and entertainment, over the Thanksgiving long weekend. It’s free, simply register at kismetestatewinery.com. Contact Dapinder Gill, info@kismetestatewinery.com; 1-250-408-9800.
kismetestatewinery.com
Wild Goose Winery 2nd Annual Beale St. Festival Oct. 10, Noon to 6 p.m. | Okanagan Falls
A day packed with amazing live blues music, smoked barbecue, award winning wines and family friendly activities. The feature artist will be Vancouver blues icon, Sherman “Tank” Doucette, who will be accompanied by other local musicians. This is an outdoor event. Tickets are $37.50 and include a souvenir wine glass. Contact Kate Durisek, kate@wildgoosewinery.com; 1-250-497-8919.
wildgoosewinery.com Thanksgiving Dinner at Hillside Winery & Bistro, Oct. 10 to 12, 5 to 8 p.m. | Naramata Bench There is no friendlier place to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner away from home than Hillside Bistro, especially when you can order a delicious Gamay, Merlot, Syrah or Viognier
Many hand-crafted cheeses are available on-site from Upper Bench Winery & Creamery.
— or all of them — to accompany the festive bird. Reservations will be offered Sunday and Monday evenings for the three-course set menu of traditional turkey dinner with dessert. Children’s portions and regular menu available. Tickets are $40, all in. Reservations are a must; Contact Lisa Henderson, lisah@hillsidewinery.ca; 1-250-493-6274.
hillsidewinery.ca
Thanksgiving Sparkling Brunch at Watermark Beach Resort Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Osoyoos
On Thanksgiving Sunday join chef Adair, along with a hand-picked selection of bottles from some of Okanagan’s finest sparkling wine producers and a farm-totable spread of Okanagan fare. The brunch will feature Okanagan sockeye caught in Osoyoos Lake and smoked naturally, an organic omelette station, a chef’s carving station, artisan local cheeses and chef’s house made charcuterie. Tickets are $35, plus tax and gratuity, per adult or $249 for a one-night stay in a luxurious one-bedroom suite and sparkling brunch for two. Call the Watermark at 1-888-755-3480.
watermarkbeachresort.com