Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/506697
OLIVER AND OSOYOOS Smell the sagebrush! You're in the dry south, land of big Okanagan reds. Between Oliver and Osoyoos, the Okanagan River divides the Golden Mile on the western slope from the Black Sage Bench to the east. A third group of wineries rim Osoyoos Lake on the Osoyoos Bench, while options north of Oliver include the mother-daughter-run Cana Vines. Osoyoos Lake Bench e Black Sage Bench e Nk'Mip complex (left) encompasses Nk'Mip Cellars – the rst aboriginal-owned and operated winery in North America – and the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Gain insight into the Okanagan First Nations people on a guided tour of the endangered antelope brush ecosystem, then treat yourself to the classic Mer'r'iym Meritage. Nearby, Moon Curser Vineyards plays up a local legend about gold smugglers foiled by the light of the moon. Afraid of the Dark is their white Rhone-style blend. EAT & STAY R U ST I C O FA R M & C E L L A R S T I N H O R N C R E E K R OA D 1 3 G E H R I N G E R B R OT H E R S Q U I N TA F E R R E I R A B L AC K H I L L S B U R R O W I N G O W L N K ' M I P M O O N C U R S E R O S OYO O S Pair your Tinhorn Creek tasting with a hike to the historic ruins of the Tinhorn Creek mine stamp mill on the Golden Mile Trail – or take in a summer concert at Tinhorn's grassy amphitheatre. Next door, Gehringer Brothers is known for its whites. Storm the castle tasting room at Road 13 Vineyards to sample their Jackpot series, including the honey- avoured Chardonnay and the Southern Rhone-style Viognier Roussanne Marsanne. For pure quirk- value, check out the squared-timber, sod-roofed heritage home at Rustico Farm & Cellars, once the bunkhouse of the Sally Silver Mine. Across the valley on the Black Sage Bench, take the self-guided tour of Burrowing Owl's bell tower to learn about the winery's role in saving the eponymous endangered species. en indulge in their full-bodied Meritage and Syrah. You'll nd more memorable reds at Portuguese-style Quinta Ferreira where the award-festooned Obra-Prima will ll your mouth with avours like black cherry, co ee and vanilla. But probably the best known of all the Okanagan reds is Black Hills' (above) legendary Nota Bene. You may only be able to nd it in restaurants known for their wine cellars; instead, console yourself with their seductive Syrah. W e Golden Mile With all that wine, you're going to need some food. The charcuterie is made on-site and the pizza crust is wafer-thin at Miradoro (right) in Oliver. For dinner, locals love the eclectic menu at Diamond Steak & Seafood House in Osoyoos. Another good bet (especially if you don't want to appoint a designated driver) is the Sonora Room at Burrowing Owl in Oliver. If you book far, far in advance, you can spend a luxurious night surrounded by vineyards in Burrowing Owl's Guest House and hang out by the pool in the morning. British Columbia grapes of grapes must come from speci c region mentioned on the label of grapes must come from the vintage stated on the label of grapes must be the stated varietal WHAT MAKES A WINE BC VQA (VINTNERS QUALITY ALLIANCE)? O L I V E R 85% 85% 95% 100% s u m m e r 2 0 1 5 | w e s t w o r l d 27