Wine Culinary Vacation Canada's Warmest Lake Osoyoos British Columbia

Forbes

6 days ago

Looking for an unexpected vacation destination? Consider Osoyoos, in the Okanagan Valley—a lake-filled region in south-central British Columbia that stretches north from the U.S. border. The entire region is known for its hot summers, vineyards, orchards, and its welcoming atmosphere ... a sunnier Sonoma of sorts.
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. getty
The Okanagan's most southerly city is Osoyoos, likely your first stop on a driving trip up from the U.S. Osoyoos is home to lakeside resorts, restaurants, wineries and Canada's warmest lake, Osoyoos Lake, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border. Thanks to beneficial exchange rates, Americans currently see a discount of almost 40 percent off the sticker price.
Sunset on Highway 3, near Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty
Osoyoos Lake is Canada's warmest, averaging about 75°F in the summer months. Given the surrounding desert-like conditions and summertime highs in the high-80s and low-90s (and with a record high of 102°), Osoyoos is one of Canada's hot spots.
The entire region of the Okanagan—from south in Osoyoos and north past the city of Kelowna—is known for its vineyards and orchards. The Okanagan Valley has almost 11,000 acres of planted vineyards (more then 85 percent of the vineyard acreage of the whole province of British Columbia) and 11 wine sub-regions each with a distinctive terroir. The Okanagan's hot sunny days and cool nights encourage wine grapes to retain their natural acidity.
Wine grapes ready for harvest, Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty
The hot spot is Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, where the peak growing season gets almost two hours more of sun daily than the Napa Valley receives. The sunny slopes of the region bring crisp whites and exceptional red wines. Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country is also the perfect place to enjoy award-winning wine and food experiences, often right next to the vineyard.
And what about winter? Osoyoos is a winter destination too, though you'll probably want your wine tastings indoors then rather than out. Average wintertime temperatures are in the mid-30s though golf courses remain open from February until almost December, sometimes even year-round. Up at altitude, skiing is on offer at Baldy Mountain Resort—thanks to one of the highest base elevations in the province, it gets 20 feet of snow annually.
Read on for what to see and do in this sunny southern Canadian town.
Walnut Beach Resort, on the shore of Lake Osoyoos, British Columbia. Walnut Beach Resort Where to Stay in Osoyoos
Walnut Beach Resort offers condo-like suites right on the eastern shore of Osoyoos Lake. The resort has its own sandy beach (the Okanagan's only private beach that's licensed to serve alcohol) plus docks for boating. There's also a large year-round heated outdoor pool with two hot tubs. Stargaze next to a firepit, wander the gardens (maybe taste one of the Saskatoon berries growing there), rent kayaks and ski boats to get out on the water, and scooters and bikes to explore around it.
Walnut Beach Resort suite. Walnut Beach Resort
The hotel has 96 suites in your preferred format: studio with fully-equipped kitchenette and one- or two-bedrooms (some with den too) with fully-equipped kitchen. Each type is named for one of the wine varietals available in the south Okanagan. Views are over the pool or gardens or out to the lake, plus the surrounding mountains. Top floor rooms have taller ceilings and half-circle windows to catch even more of the beautiful views. For the best of all, choose the penthouse suite with its two corner king-size bedrooms.
In addition to a king bed (or two), all suites have at least one queen-sized sofa bed. Studios have a Juliette balcony while other suites have a larger balcony or patio with seating. One- and two-bedroom suites also have an electric fireplace plus time savers such as dishwasher and washer-dryer. Cook meals in your kitchen or use one of the poolside barbeques to grill exactly as you like.
The beach at Walnut Beach Resort, Osoyoos, British Columbia. TravelEater.net
The resort's restaurant, Pointe 49 Kitchen and Bar, has dining indoors and out with views over the pool to the lake and mountains beyond. Westward facing, its sunny in the afternoons and has great sunset views. The friendly professional staff are welcoming and will help you choose from the restaurant's elevated bar food such as poutine, fish tacos, and burgers plus steaks and Asian-fusion options like the Mongolian beef bowl. Taste Wines In and Around Osoyoos
Stopping for tastings at wineries and enjoying pairings at their restaurants is an ideal way to spend a vacation in the Okanagan. There are many on offer in and around the towns of Osoyoos and Oliver.
1. Just a few minutes walk along the lakeshore path from Walnut Beach Resort is Lakeside Cellars and their wine tasting room. Often with live music, sip samples indoors or out on the garden patio that faces the lake.
Wine tasting on Lakeside Cellars' patio. TravelEater.net
The reds are particularly excellent here, and that includes the Blanc de Noirs—the white sparkling wine made in the traditional method from red-skinned grapes. The 2020, for example, is crisp and delicate with jasmine and tangerine on the nose and honeyed pear and crunchy apple on the palate. Lakeside Cellars' Provenir is another exceptional choice. The 2019 version is rich in dark fruit and exhibits its namesake 'source of origin'—it's made from the estate's favorite barrels and tastes of the desert lakeside terroir.
Maverick Estate Winery, Oliver, British Columbia. TravelEater.net
2. A can't miss spot is Maverick Estate Winery, halfway (a 10-minute drive) between the towns of Osoyoos and Oliver. Made from sustainably-grown grapes with minimalist but exacting interventions, Maverick's wines are known for their complexity and balance. The winery is led by proprietors CEO Jan Nelson and winemaker Andrew Windsor (formerly of acclaimed Tinhorn Creek Vineyards), who follow the 'slow wine' philosophy.
Maverick Estate Winery's Short Table Dinner Series. TravelEater.net
Tastings are on offer in Maverick's tasting room, private room and in the garden (where picnics are welcome). Those in the know book one of Maverick's special events such as the short table dinner series and al fresco lunches. Each exclusive and unique event includes a tour of the winery, gracious hospitality, and chef Janik Livera's innovative dishes paired with Maverick's wines. A summer example: ahi tuna poke with Invisible Line Sauvignon Blanc, beet mille-feuille with the bright Pinot Noir, chicken Ballotine with the caramel-buttery Chardonnay, and a strawberry parfait paired with Ella sparkling brut rosé.
3. Another winery—with an on-site museum to explore—is Nk'Mip Cellars. It's the first Indigenous-owned winery on Turtle Island (i.e. North America). You will certainly feel like you're in the desert here, and the arid terroir shows in the wines' concentrated flavors. For tastings, choose between the four-flight winemaker's series, the premium series, as well as the Qwam Qwmt Riesling icewine served in a Bernard Callebaut chocolate cup.
Sculptures at Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos, British Columbia. TravelEater.net
In the same complex is the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, housed inside a rammed earth building that's energy efficient and earthquake resistant. The Centre has indoor and outdoor exhibits, two theaters, plus walking trails dotted with sculptures by Smoker Marchand. A walk in May and June shows off native plants including the purple Mariposa lily, pink phlox, and antelope brush which smells of cloves and cinnamon as it blooms. September and October feature purple tansy aster, yellow rabbitbrush and fall tree color.
kłlilx'w / Spotted Lake, Osoyoos, British Columbia. getty
Nearby, pull off at the highway-side viewpoint to admire kłlilx'w/Spotted Lake. A natural phenomenon, summertime evaporation leaves hundreds of separated pools of water in various shades of yellow, green and blue, each different depending on its minerals. The site is scared to the Syilx Okanagan Nation. More Osoyoos Treats
Need something to supplement your wine tasting? Stock up on local fruits and veggies at multiple roadside stands. British Columbia cherries and peaches are some of the most favored here, but you'll find a wide selection that changes with the seasons including apples, apricots, asparagus, peas, pumpkins and squash.
Roberto's Gelato will cool you off from Osoyoos' summer sunshine. Roberto's have 30 flavors of sorbetto and gelato in high season, all made in-house. You'll find favorite classics but also unusual flavors such as blackberry merlot sorbetto and root beer gelato. The shop is open afternoons and evening—look for when the flags are up outside.
Gelato at Roberto's, Osoyoos, British Columbia. TravelEater.net
For breakfast or lunch, try Barn Owl Eatery + Café. Their hand-cut French fries are double fried in beef tallow and dished up multiple ways, including as quintessentially Canadian poutine. Smash burgers and sandwiches are on potato buns, with the sammies modified into both breakfast and lunch versions. Desserts for breakfast include Belgian waffles and French toast plus pastries like cinnamon buns and, for afternoon pick-me-ups, date squares and brownies. Don't skip the milkshakes and smoothies, particularly the Osoyoos Berry smoothie with strawberries and blueberries. Getting to Osoyoos
Coming from the U.S., it's a five-hour drive from Seattle and under four from Spokane. From Vancouver (where you can sample many Michelin-recognized restaurants), it's a five-hour drive east first along Highway 1 then Highway 3 through Princeton (watch for waterfalls once you're out of the metro area).
Watch for waterfalls in the mountains during the drive from Vancouver to Osoyoos. getty
Or, fly to Kelowna, the region's largest city. It has seasonal direct flights from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix plus via Canadian cities like Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Then, drive south to Osoyoos, exploring the wine regions as you go. For more on Kelowna: Forbes Fine Dining And Wining At Kelowna's Top Hotel In Canada's Okanagan By Johanna Read
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tip: While many Canadians pronounce Osoyoos as 'oh-soy-oose', the proper pronunciation is 'oo-soo-yoose'. This is because the name is from the original word 'Sooyoos' in the Indigenous Okanagan language, meaning 'the narrows of the lake' or 'the place where two lakes come together.' Indeed, there are two peninsulas in the center of the town of Osoyoos that almost touch each other. Just south, in sẁiẁs Provincial Park, another peninsula reaches more than 1000 yards eastward toward the opposite shore. sẁiẁs (pronounced 's-wee-yous' has the meaning of 'a place that is shallow or narrow at the center of the lake.'
Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada. getty