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Jeremie Dyck
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Shawn Talbot Photography
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Jeremie Dyck
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By Perry Mack
With the new Kelowna Marina offering transient moorage at the foot of Bernard, it’s easier than ever to take in your favourite events attractions by boat.
One of Kelowna’s 5 wine trails, the downtown Grapes and Grains trail provides an enjoyable walking tour, which features not only BC’s first commercial winery, but also two distilleries and a Craft Brewery. It is the only trail in BC that offers this complete experience! It makes for a great tour for couples or groups as there will be something new to tempt everyone’s palate. Tastings rooms offer the nectars of the gods, in a profusion of handcrafted and artisanal liquids all while explaining the how they are distilled, blended and finished.
Number one on this savory tour is Calona Wines at 1125 Richter Street. Reveling in the distinction of being BC’s original winery, they’ve vaulted the Okanagan Valley to the forefront of oenophiles everywhere with their award-winning wines. But why stop at crafting delicious wines in the bottle, winemaking is an art so why not showcase BC’s artists by having artists create the labels. And so the Artist Series was born after a competition in which 142 artists submitted 1300 images for consideration.
At the same location you can sample the Sandhill wine collection. I can personally certify the quality of their wines after years and years of extensive testing. Easily some of the best wines you can purchase for under $20 bottle (and quite a few over as well).
It’s just a few steps to reach Tree Brewing where brewmaster Dave Gokiert crafts a range of beers from the classic ‘Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale‘ to the rich ‘Raspberry Porter’ (which can sway even those who don’t enjoy beer over to the dark side). If you’ve arrived in the spring or summer, there are two seasonal brews you must try. For the experienced beer drinker there’s the Captivator Doppelbock, a powerful lager with an 8% alcohol content that the original monks called ‘liquid bread’ – a Gold Medalist at the 2013 Canadian Brewing Awards. For the lighter weights in your group or those looking for an exceptionally refreshing summer beer, try the Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen. A pale beer made from wheat with hints of pineapple and citrus to quench the deepest hot summer thirst.
Perhaps I still haven’t persuaded everyone to stop at Tree, in which case I’ll pull out the final teaser for the non-beer loving holdouts – Dukes Dry Apple Cider – crisp, clean, gluten free cider made from world-class Okanagan apples.
Stay tuned for the opening of The Beer Institute from Tree Brewing, due to open Spring of 2014 on Water Street. View updates on the progress by visiting www.treebeer.com.
Continuing north on Richter we’re going to make a ‘hard’ left on Bay Avenue where we’ll come to Urban Distilleries. If you’re a believer in ‘Buy Local’ you’ve come to the right place as their all natural and gluten free spirits are crafted from 100% British Columbia grains and agricultural products. While they produce the Spirit Bear Vodka and Gin as well as Grappa Moscato, the coffee lover in me is always drawn to the Spirit Bear Espresso Infused Vodka (well, the vodka lover is drawn there as well) and the Urban Single Malt Whiskey (bottled with part of the cask) is the perfect accompaniment to spectacular lakeside sunsets.
Which is why we’re off to Okanagan Spirits, lakeside at the end of Bernard Avenue, close to the Sails fountain. If we’ve missed anyone’s taste buds so far we’re certain to satisfy them here. Over 20 types of spirits guaranteed to be free of artificial, colouring, flavouring or essences. In addition to what you’ve already experienced, you now have the opportunity to taste a broad range of liqueurs and brandies made from BC fruits and unique spirits including Taboo Absinthe and Scandinavian Aquavit. After producing 52 medal spirits, they were awarded the status of World Class Distillery and Distillery of the Year 2013. With credentials like that how can you not stop in for a visit?
You’ve completed the Grapes and Grains Trail so give yourself a hearty pat on the back and spill out onto Bernard Avenue where a plethora of fine establishments will welcome you with great food and entertainment.