6-Day Multi-Region Wine & Culture

Summary
Itinerary
Optionals
What's Included
Accommodations

6-Day Multi-Region Wine & Culture

Looking for an alternative to the usual City stay program?

Consider lush, golden fields, quaint working farms, emerging vineyards, historic monuments and adrenaline pulsing action to enhance your current British Columbia itinerary. It's all here in the communities of the FRASER VALLEY and the OKANAGAN VALLEY. With an abundance of unique discoveries, from museums and historic sites to wildlife viewing and thrilling adventure opportunities, the FRASER VALLEY offers many places to create a truly British Columbian visitor experience.

Departing from Vancouver or arriving from the east, your group will experience a stunning drive through a green valley of fertile farmland situated along the constant presence of the legendary Fraser River. Side trips to lively communities each with their own rich history and distinct attractions will make your tour unforgettable. Orchards, vineyards, open markets and more! THE OKANAGAN has it all. Pick your own fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy the sun kissed delicacies of the region. Famous for its wines, the Thompson Okanagan also welcomes you to a choice of over 100 wineries. Breathtaking views, lush gardens, desert centres and unique landscapes create a foundation for some of the most alluring agritourism attractions in the Thompson Okanagan.

Day 1: Fraser Valley Wineries

Get a mid-morning start and travel east along HWY #1 from Vancouver. Due to the proximity of the wineries, visitors will enjoy a stunning drive through rolling pasture land, next to the constant presence of the legendary Fraser River.

1. Vista D’Oro: Start your journey in Langley and experience this local agritourism destination where you will find culinary herbs, heirloom tomatoes and orchard fruits grown on the farm as well as pastries, preserves, local & imported cheeses and more.

2. Domaine de Chaberton: The first of the Fraser Valley Wineries was opened in 1964 and today, after nine generations of dedication to grape growing and wine making, it is a true traditional winery. Taste the award winning VQA white and red wines and enjoy a delicious lunch at popular The Bacchus Bistro.

3. Visit Historic Fort Langley & Village of Fort Langley: the Village offers a wide range of progressive shops, in a relaxed historic setting, while the Fort is a re-constructed Hudson Bay Trading Post and National Historic Site, was the first European settlement in south western BC, and played a major role in the development of what is now the province of British Columbia. Visitors are treated to a taste of life during the time of gold fields, traders and trappers. Meal Option: Enjoy a casual lunch in one of Fort Langley’s quaint restaurants.

4. TheFort Wine Co.: Travel back in time as you step right up to an old-fashioned saloon bar to sample a delicious selection of multi-award winning table and dessert fruit wines. Tours available.

5. Glenugie Winery: Located in the beautiful Langley countryside, Glenugie is a family owned and operated estate winery. Sample their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, made from 100% BC organically grown grapes and fruit in a relaxing, cozy atmosphere. Tours available. Travel Time: 20 min. Visit Time: 30 min.

6. Lotusland Vineyard: The proprietors of the Winery planted their organically grown vineyard in a reclaimed gravel pit and offer visitors a chance to sample their wines in a rustic country atmosphere. All of their wines will be made exclusively from organically grown grapes.

Overnight in Abbotsford: Explore Historic Downtown Abbotsford, home to specialty boutiques and offers the perfect location to buy something uniquely “Abbotsford” amidst the history and character of old downtown. Or enjoy the ultra modern shops and shopping centers are the rage along the City’s urban centre of South Fraser Way.

Overnight Suggestions:
Best Western Regency Inn & Conference Centre
Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre

Day 2: Heritage & Farm Fresh Delights

From Abbotsford travel along Hwy 11 to Hwy 7- The Lougheed Highway- travelling east.

1. Little Farm House in the Country: Begin your day by visiting the Little Farmhouse in the Country, a charming teahouse with market. Enjoy a hearty home cooked country breakfast. Sit inside in our charming teahouse or on the patio and enjoy the view of our fabulous gardens.

2. Clayburn Village: a unique, secluded little village featuring the Clayburn Village Store & Tea Shop, farm produce, an art gallery and gift store, a heritage church and school, plus the site of the old brick plant. Founded in 1905, this village of brick bungalows was a company town to one of the country’s largest brick mills.

3. Xa:ytem Longhouse & Interpretive Centre: Xa:ytem is a 9000 year-old ancient Aboriginal village site that features a sacred transformer stone and “BC’s oldest house”. Xaytem welcomes visitors to learn, interact, and experience Sto:lo history, culture, archaeology and spirituality with a number of hands-on workshops. Follow Highway 7 for 32 km to Mission

4. Mission Springs Brewery: Take a break from wine and enjoy a tour of this local “microbrew house” and see the 10 different beers being processed plus classic automobile memorabilia. After the tour, make sure to have a bit to eat and sample the beer, while over looking the Fraser River from either of the big covered patios of the restaurant or patio.

5. Harrison Mills: Visit the lovely heritage community and a throwback in time. The Kilby Historic Site, a 1920’s living history site featuring the 100 year old General Store museum, and where costumed interpreters add to the time-traveling fun. Visit the old-style Post Office, explore the pantry and kitchen, milk house, and the Product Packaging Gallery.

6. Limbert Mountain Farm: Entering the district of Kent-Agassiz, experience a unique organic specialties farm offering over 100 varieties of potted and fresh cut herbs, custom tea blends and culinary herbal products including their gourmet basil pesto! Visit the shop for unique home and
garden items, heirloom tomato plants and ornamental grasses. Guided tours available. Follow Hwy 7 to Agassiz.

7. Canadian Hazelnut: Learn how they are organically grown, processed and see a variety of hazelnut products – including fresh, roasted, candied, chocolate bark, certified organic nuts, flour, protein powder, and cold pressed hazelnut oil.

8. The Farm House Natural Cheeses
Enjoy hand-crafted cheese made directly from the fresh milk produced on this family farm for the cows and goats milk cheeses. The milk is delivered directly from the dairy to the cheese room, where you can look in on the cheesemaking process, then take home a selection from their retail shop. Guided tours available.

9. Arrive in Village of Harrison:An area with a rich history as well as an abundance of natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities and hosts a number of annual events such as the Harrison Festival of the Arts and the always-popular, World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition.

Overnight at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort: A spectacular lakeside setting this full service resort offers 5 indoor and outdoor natural mineral hot spring pools, that range in temperature from 30C to 40C (85F to 104F) so you’ll be sure to find one that’s right for you. Enjoy an evening of fine and elegant dining and dancing in our historic Copper Room. Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate.

Day 3: Into the Heart of Wine Country

Savour the succulent flavours of our famous food and wine pairings The Okanagan valley offers a tantalizing experience for anyone who loves fabulous wine accompanied by fine cuisine. This is a perfect opportunity to taste the global culinary infusion of locally grown products complimented with renowned Okanagan wines.

1. Honeyview Farm: Before leaving the Fraser Valley, stop off at the largest beekeeping farm in BC and learn all about bees and honey. This will give you the chance to stock up on some fresh honey for your morning tea! Come see the harvest of honey, pollen, wax and propolis.

2. Minter Gardens: A world class 32 acre show garden, featuring 11 themed gardens, designed to dazzle the senses with fragrance and colour. Other surprises include topiary Victorian ladies and an English cottage. (Apr-Oct)
Return to Hwy #1 from Minter, traveling east to Hope, BC. Take the exit to Hwy 5, the Coquihalla Highway to the Okanagan (approx 3.0 hours) then take Highway 97 south to Peachland.

3. Hainle Vineyards & the Vineyard Restaurant: Your first stop in the Okanagan is for lunch VIP tour at Hainle Vineyards & Winery Bistro (www.hainle.com).  Here you can watch from your seat as the culinary team prepares fresh artisan creations from the exhibition kitchen. Framed by the Okanagan hills and nestled at the base of a vineyard, this is the perfect place to open your gateway to Okanagan wine country.

4. Summerland Sweets: Enjoy a visit to a small family owned jammery that creates delicious syrups, jams, jellies and candies from the bounty of nearby orchards and farmlands.

5. Summerland: A further 15 minutes south, you’ll arrive in Summerland for your overnight stay at the Waterfront Resort (www.summerlandresorthotel.com). Tonight, we suggest you head to uptown Summerland and a wine paired dinner at the Vanilla Pod Tapas Bar Restaurant. A selection of local VQA and imported wines will compliment to perfection, a variety of delicious flavours for their fun nontraditional style of dining.

Day 4: Penticton

1. Summerland Ornamental Gardens at the Agricultural Research Station: Before starting your day in wine country, enjoy a scenic stroll through 15 acres of lush gardens of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens. Your self guided tour will take you through the flora and fauna of this historic garden that overlooks Okanagan Lake and the famous KVR Railway Bridge.

2. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery (www.sumacridge.com): This is your next stop in Summerland for a VIP Tour and Tastings. Known as one of the pioneer wineries of the B.C. wine industry, Sumac Ridge produces a variety of excellent wines including a sparkling Brut that few Okanagan winemakers produce. 2007 marked their 25th anniversary!

3. Naramata Bench: After passing through the heart of Penticton, you’ll enter onto the “Naramata Bench”, home to 15 wineries with amazing vistas, views and vineyards along the way. Your lunch stop is at the Barrel Room Bistro at Hillside Estate Winery. With its high ceilings and cool shaded patio, it’s the perfect place to escape the midday sun. This is a great opportunity to try a wine the Okanagan is known for, a Reisling or perhaps Sauvignon Blanc. It’s time to tour as many wineries as you feel. They’re all located within minutes of each other.

Suggested Wineries:
Red Rooster Winery: Red Rooster is where award winning wines and world famous art meet! Sample some of their award winning blends and take a picture of “Frank, the Baggage Handler”, the controversial sculpture made famous by CNN.

Lake Breeze Vinyards: Just of the Road is Lake Breeze Vineyards - enjoy the magnificent views from their 17 acres of lush vinyards! This may be a good time to venture into the sleepy village of Naramata. At the general store, you can pick up some local Poplar Grove cheese along with some crackers and wine and take it to beautiful Manitou Park, located just four blocks away on Okanagan Lake.

Overnight Penticton, BC: Retreat to your luxury accommodation in Penticton. Your evening will feature a beautiful wine paired dinner at the Hooded Merganser. This is a lovely west coast style restaurant situated over the water at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. This award winning restaurant partners with area wineries to prepare a creative menu serving locally grown fruits and vegetables paired with Okanagan wines.

Suggested Accommodation:
Penticton Lakeside Resort
(www.pentictonlakesideresort.com)
Best Western Inn at Penticton
(www.bestwesternpenticton.com)

Day 5: Osoyoos

Your third day in the Okanagan will be a special one as you head even further south on Highway 97 toward Canada’s only desert region and the town of Osoyoos. Before you depart Penticton you may want to visit the B.C. Wine Information Centre. The wine store and gift shop offers VQA wine samples and educational seminars. The Centre also has a selection of wines from producers throughout the Okanagan valley. It’s a rare chance to find all your favourite BC wines in one location.

1. Arrive at Osoyoos: This oasis of agriculture and holiday beaches is not far from the USA border and is an important junction for roads leading in all directions. It’s also a favourite for recently retired Canadians because of its warm winters, hot summers and the country’s warmest lake! As well, Osoyoos boasts Canada’s only desert and your final stops for the day are located right next to it.

2. Nk’Mip Cellars (www.nkmipcellars.com) : Your lunch stop is Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery. Overlooking vineyards and Osoyoos Lake, Nk’Mip Cellars is a perfect place for lunch on their outdoor patio. The final destination in your busy day takes you subterranean.

3. The Nk’Mip Heritage Cultural Centre (www.nkmipdesert.com): built into the hillside but incredibly also features stunning views of the southern Okanagan Valley. Here you will be immersed in the Okanagan First Nation’s habitation with on site tours of a traditional village, performing arts theatre, water gardens and interactive displays. You can walk through the interpretive desert ecological zone located close by. To minimize impacts on this fragile ecosystem, you can view this conservation area on specially designed trails, bridges and viewing spots.

4. Burrowing Owl Winery: Two special tours afternoon tours will high light your day. The first is a VIP tour of Burrowing Owl Winery. This is a sprawling estate winery that produces some of B.C.’s most sought after wines. Buy them at the winery because they’re hard to find elsewhere.

5. Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery: Next, it’s on to a VIP tour of Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery. This winery is nestled in the hillside next to a former gold mining creek and near the site of an old ghost town. The self guided tour historical tour atop the “Golden Mile” provides some fabulous views.

6. Toasted Oak Bar and Grill: The lunch stop today is at the Toasted Oak Bar and Grill in Oliver, BC. Known as the “Wine Capital of Canada”, Oliver is a thriving agricultural community that’s home to the popular Fest of Grape and the Tomato Festival. The Toasted Oak has a large selection of B.C. wines by the glass and a unique menu that features many ingredients from this area. Don’t miss the cool misters on the patio!

Overnight: Oliver, BC: There are two dinner options in Osoyoos on this night to consider. There is the venerable Campo Marina with classic Italian cuisine and the recently opened Passatempo at Spirit Ridge Resort. Both restaurants offer Okanagan fresh ingredients paired with a wide selection of B.C. wines.

Suggested Accommodation in Osoyoos:
Best Western Sunrise Inn
 (www.bestwesternosoyoos.com)
Walnut Beach Resort
(www.walnutbeachresort.com

Day 6: Similkameen Valley to Vancouver

Your last day in the Okanagan sees you departing Osoyoos and climbing the scenic Richter Pass on Highway 3 out of the Okanagan to the neighboring Similkameen Valley. This relatively undeveloped valley has seen several new wineries and large vineyards sprout up in the last two years. The fertile soil of the Similkameen Valley allows farmers to grow exceptional fruits and vegetables. Numerous organic fruit and vegetable stands and u-pick farms await you.

1. Forbidden Fruit Organic Winery: The first stop today takes you a kilometer off the highway to the shores of the Similkameen River and Forbidden Fruit Organic Winery. The farm has grown organic fruit for years and supplies several large western Canadian stores with produce. This may be your first opportunity to taste fruit wines. Forbidden Fruit has a number of them including several white wines that are similar in taste to grape wines. Make sure you take crackers to go with the awesome jellies they make.

2. Crowsnest Vineyards: An early lunch stop takes you to Crowsnest Vineyards. This winery has just completed a new building that features a restaurant and overnight suite accommodation. Take in the sights on their vineyard side patio and enjoy a German varietal wine and delicious cuisine paired to perfection!

3. The Grist Mill & Gardens: Founded in 1877, and lovingly restored to grind fresh flour daily with power from a giant water wheel, the historic mill is over 125 years old. Colourful heritage gardens take you back in time to the pioneer days of pack horses, gold miners, and wood stoves. You might even be invited to share in the daily homestead chores, offering a truly hands-on experience of history. Or stop here for lunch in the Tea Room with vegetables right out of the heritage gardens and delightful baked goodies made with the freshest stone-ground flour in British Columbia.

4. Return to Vancouver: After lunch you will enjoy a leisurely trip back to Vancouver on Hwy 3. This Highway takes you through the village of Keremeos (don’t forget to stop at one of the many fruit stand in Keremeos) and on to Princeton where you will head West through Hope and onward to Vancouver via Hwy # 1.

For additional city information, go to:

Optional Two Day Excursion: Kelowna

Day 1: Travel from Penticton to Summerland north along Highway 97

1. Quail’s Gate Estate Winery: The next stop is Quail’s Gate Estate Winery for a winery tour and tasting and lunch. As one of Canada’s foremost family owned and operated estate wine producers, Quails’ Gate is internationally recognized as a top quality producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The outdoor patio overlooking Okanagan Lake is a great location to relax and savior handcrafted wines paired with culinary creations filled with fresh local ingredients!

2. Mission Hill Winery: Recognized as “world class” by Food & Wine Magazine, Mission Hill offers spectacular panoramic views of Okanagan Lake and an awe inspiring architecture and art collections. This is a must see winery!

3. Kelowna Museums: Next, it’s on to Kelowna’s bustling lakeside downtown cultural district(www.kelownasculturaldistrict.com). Two “must see” stops are the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the Wine Museum and VQA Wine Shop located in the same building. The Orchard Museum offers reflective and interactive interpretations of the local orchard industry while artefacts and exhibits chronicle the history of the local wine industry. The VQA wine shop also showcases all of the Okanagan Valley winery products.

4. Kasugai Gardens: A short walk away is Kasugai Gardens, a traditional Japanese Garden created in honour of Kelowna’s Sister City, Kasugai, in Japan. Kasugai is a completely walled classic Japanese heritage style garden with free public access to an oasis of manicured shrubs, grasses, and trees set amongst koi-filled ponds, bridges, and waterfalls.

Overnight in Kelowna:
Suggested accommodation:
Grand Okanagan
Lakefront Resort (www.grandokanagan.com)
Hotel Eldorado (www.eldoradokelowna.com)
Fairfield  Inn & Suites by Marriott
(www.marriott.com)
Lake Okanagan Resort (www.lakeokanagan.com)
The Cove Lakeside Resort (www.covelakeside.com)

Day 2: Exploring Kelowna

1. Kelowna Land and Orchard Company (www.k-l-o.com): Tour Kelowna Land and Orchard Company, a 140-acre working farm situated a short distance from the center of Kelowna. The farm is one of the largest and most modern orchard operations in Canada. Enjoy a guided tour on a covered farm wagon through the orchards and take in the breath- taking views of Lake Okanagan. Visit the petting zoo and farm store which boasts a great selection of fresh fruit, preserves, local crafts and souvenirs. Enjoy lunch at the Ridge Restaurant located on the farm or the Raven Ridge Cidery featuring tastings of sparkling apple cider products.

2. Elysium Garden Nursery: Take an afternoon tour to discover three acres of perennial gardens carved out of a lovely old apple orchard surrounded by unobstructed mountain views and pastoral countryside. The gardens are both inspirational and instructional as native plants coexist with their highbred cousins. Maintained organically, it is a Shangri-La for birds, butterflies and lovebirds. The Japanese inspired garden, Hi Sho En, is a perfect place for serenity and meditation.

3. Okanagan Lavender Farms: Originally planted as an orchard and for nursery stock in the 1950’s, the one acre property was re-planted in 1994 with lavender and now boasts over 18 varieties. You can pick your own lavender or browse their gift shop featuring many different types of lavender products. The fragrant fields overlook Okanagan Lake and the hustle and bustle of Kelowna far below.

4. Summerhill Winery: The last stop of the day features organic wine-making at its best. Summerhill Winery (www.summerhill.com), Canada’s largest certified organic vineyard, may well be the most-visited winery in all of Canada. The property also features a four-story-high, 8% replica pyramid of Egypt used scientifically for aging their wines. Overnight Kelowna.