The GOODS from Miradoro

Oliver, BC | Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has become one of the first “Salmon-Safe” certified vineyards in B.C. Their award-winning restaurant, Miradoro, has also joined the Ocean Wise program. “We’re very proud to announce that Tinhorn Creek has successfully passed a rigorous assessment that verifies our commitment to protecting the environment as well as advancing more eco-friendly practices throughout the Okanagan,” says Tinhorn Creek Winemaker and CEO Sandra Oldfield. The Salmon-Safe program looks at agricultural practices to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and overall watershed health based on a detailed set of peer-reviewed guidelines. Examples of Tinhorn Creek’s management practices that address Salmon-Safe principles include: increasing water efficiency by switching to a drip irrigation system; active in planting native vegetation around riparian zones; choosing pesticides with less harmful impacts on aquatic life; and supporting biodiversity on the property through inter-seeding native species in the vineyard alleys.

As part of their commitment to Salmon-Safe principles, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards plans to enhance the ecosystem well-being of their vineyards by developing specialized “biodiversity islands”, which will help to ensure beneficial insects and wildlife have access to appropriate habitat. They also have plans to implement further measures that will slow down or capture water from major storm events.

Salmon-Safe and Tinhorn Creek’s certification is significant for the whole region as water conservation is a key priority in the Okanagan. Tinhorn Creek is committed to supporting the recovery of salmon in the Okanagan Basin, including Okanagan River sockeye (one of only two remaining populations of sockeye salmon in the international Columbia River Basin), by helping to set a high standard for land management practices and to raise awareness of the connection between agriculture and ecosystem health. For more information on the certification program visit www.salmonsafe.org/bc.

Not content with simply making changes to benefit the immediate environs of Tinhorn Creek, Miradoro Restaurant—named Best Winery/Vineyard Dining at the 23rd Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards—recently confirmed its participation in the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. “Conservation is important to us,” says Miradoro Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest, “Joining the Ocean Wise program is a great opportunity to educate and empower our guests about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.” Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants, markets, food services and suppliers ensuring that they have the most current scientific information regarding seafood and helping them make ocean-friendly buying decisions.

For more information visit www.oceanwise.ca.

About Miradoro Restaurant

Miradoro Restaurant was named one of the “World’s Best Winery Restaurants” by Wine Access Magazine, and the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Wards Best Winery/Vineyard Dining. Perched on the picturesque Tinhorn Creek Vineyards estate on the famed Golden Mile, the destination restaurant offers stunning views of the South Okanagan Valley wine country. Mediterranean-influenced cuisine by Executive Chef Jeff Van Geest showcases the region’s finest ingredients, while Sommelier Justin McAuliffe’s wine list highlights the award-winning wines of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. Seamlessly integrating a modern look with the natural landscape and the more traditional design of Tinhorn Creek’s winery and barrel cellar, the 4,000-square-foot space features 65 seats indoors and 65 seats outdoors on a wraparound deck. Ample use of natural woods and cork creates a room that is simple, elegant — and lets the food, wine and view be the stars of the show.