Wine and Spirits Travel

I had a glimpse of Summerland when I was at the Local Lounge & Grille dinner at the Greenhouse. Everyone seemed to know each other and acted as if they had known me just as long. The welcoming was most definitely a sign of things to come in that town. We got up early and headed out of the Ramada Inn Penticton for the short ride to Summerland. With a day starting in a place called “ Good Omen ,” we had a good feeling. That is the name of the coffee house that Lisa Jaager, General Manager of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce , met us at.  Susan had the Pour Over, a freshly made cup of an Ethiopian Blend that Good Omen is known for. I enjoyed my usual non-fat latte (with cinnamon) and a great cinnamon roll that wasn’t too sweet or sticky. We chatted for awhile about Summerland before heading to Vinegar Works at Valentine Farm . Valentine Farm has everything from vineyards to horses, but John Gordon and Kim Stansfield are best known for their vinegar. The couple has owned 10 acres

As I travel through the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia , I’m continually amazed by the food, the wine, the scenery and the people. Every town is full of quaint places to discover and everyone has made me feel welcome. That was not going to change on this day as I explored Penticton and finished the day with a most unusual (and wonderful) dinner in a greenhouse. Susan and I headed out early to Penticton, where we met Tracy Reis of the Wine Country Tourism Board.  She greeted us with a smile in her “optimistic” summer dress, ready to immediately warm the breezy day.  We headed over to Munsons Mountain for sweeping views of Lake Okanagan, at a point that is deeper than the Grand Canyon. The town is known for the lake and the mountains, and a juicy fruit that has it nicknamed the land of “peaches and beaches.”  We enjoyed coffee and treats from Bench Market before heading over to Hillside Estate Winery for lunch, tastings, and more great views. We sat down at Hillside’s Bistro