Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/500391
S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 45 K E T T L E V A L L E Y L A K E B R E E Z E FOXT R OT H O W L I N G B L U F F R E D R O O ST E R L A F R E N Z P E N T I CTO N & W I N E C O U N T RY V I S I TO R C E N T R E D I RT Y L A U N D RY S E E YA L AT E R R A N C H U P P E R B E N C H W I N E RY & C R E A M E RY Swirl, Sni , Sip and Spit e Wineries With so many wineries in this area it's hard to work out an itinerary, but here's a start. Head to Dirty Laundry Vineyards' patio and, while you wait for the historic Kettle Valley steam train to whistle into sight, sip a glass of Bordello, their naughty, aromatic big red blend. At See Ya Later Ranch, high above Okanagan Falls, raise a glass of complex, full- bodied Ping Meritage. On the Naramata Bench, you'll get an eyeful with the art collection at Red Rooster. But keep your head and remember to sample the Reserve Viognier. One of the lesser-known white varietals, this medium- bodied wine will make you a fan. Don't miss Lake Breeze (above), where you can pair the premium Seven Poplars Chardonnay with a bite in the garden- lined Patio Restaurant; La Frenz with its big red Bordeaux blend, Grand Total Reserve; or Lang Vineyards for its juicy, o - dry Riesling Farm Reserve or Marechal Foch, made from 50-year-old estate- grown grapes. Also look in on little gems such as Upper Bench Winery & Creamery with its hand- crafted cheeses; Township 7 for its hearty Bordeaux blend, Reserve 7; and family-owned wineries such as Howling Blu Estate with its oral and fruity Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon blend – if it's not sold out – and Foxtrot Vineyards, known for its premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. PENTICTON AND NARAMATA Straddling the narrow strip between Okanagan and Skaha lakes, Penticton is all about hot sand beaches and cool water sports. Ideally located for wine touring, this compact city is the gateway to three major regions: Summerland's Bottleneck Drive, Okanagan Falls' Corkscrew Drive and the renowned Naramata Bench. P E N T I CTO N N A R A M ATA EAT & STAY Try to time your visit for Saturday morning when the north end of Main Street morphs into the pedestrian-friendly Penticton Farmers' Market, ideal for a grazing brunch. Locals swear by the piled-high deli sandwiches at Il Vecchio Delicatessen for lunch, while a "hybrid" paella, stuffed with extra seafood like scallops, is featured on the Vanilla Pod (left) menu at Poplar Grove Winery for both lunch and dinner ($26/$34). If you're into global fusion, book ahead for the food, entertain- ment and ambiance of the Dream Café before snuggling into the period elegance of the Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa, about a 20-minute drive north of Penticton. Tasting newbies should be sure to hit the BC VQA Wine Information Centre in Penticton (left), where sta will teach you to swirl-sni -sip – and spit. You may be shy about spewing a mouthful of premium plonk, but demonstrate that you can spit like a pro and a winemaker might just pull out something really special from under the counter.