What a great weekend! The Vancouver Branch of the IWFS visited BC's Okanagan Valley with a focus on the wineries of the Naramata Bench, just outside Penticton. From our base at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, we started our tour at noon on Friday June 4, 2010 with a visit to Hillside Estate Winery for an introduction to the terroir of the bench, a tasting and winery tour followed by lunch at the Bistro. Then, back on the bus for a visit and tasting at Therapy Vineyards followed by a passionate presentation by Rob and Tammy Van Westen at Van Westen Vineyards. Our excellent dinner that evening was in our private dining room at the Naramata Inn.
Saturday saw us at the Farmers' Market in Penticton, with visits to Foxtrot Vineyards to taste their fine pinot noir and chardonnay, Howling Bluff Winery, and Lake Breeze Winery where we also enjoyed an al fresco lunch before moving on to Laughing Stock Vineyards and Poplar Grove Winery, followed by dinner at Amante Bistro in Penticton.
On Sunday morning, following a buffet breakfast, we visited Kettle Valley Winery for a tasting of wines and a lesson on the geology of the valley by owner Tim Watts, and La Frenz Winery for an outdoor tasting before our trip home to Vancouver.
Our thanks to long time member Dr. Larry Burr for his hard work in organizing an informative and very enjoyable weekend that will be remembered for many years to come. Thank you Larry!
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Photos by Milena & Jim Robertson and Bill Hornell
