The GOOODS from Westside Wine Trail

West Kelowna, BC | Take a self-guided tour of the Westside Wine Trail on Saturday, June 6th as the wineries invite you to celebrate the start of summer with them during their third annual ‘Sip into Summer’ event. During this event, which is part of the ‘Sip Series’ events that the wineries host each year, visitors will be able to travel from winery to winery where they can enjoy live entertainment, blind wine tasting challenges and sips of summer whites.

The blind wine tasting challenge passport is new this year. For those who participate in the tasting challenge, there is a chance to win a Westside Wine Trail Prize Package consisting of a gift certificate to each winery! This is a fun event where participants are challenged to guess the varietal, alcohol level as well as the vineyard that the grape comes from.

This event is the perfect time to not only meet the people behind the labels but to discover some new ones as well. Bubbles are making a debut on the wine trail with the release of a new sparkling wine from Beaumont Family Estate Winery, which will be available for visitors to sip on June 6th and ‘the hatch’, the newest winery to makes its home along the Westside Wine Trail, is sure to be an excellent place to discover a new favourite summer white.

Other treats and surprises that visitors can enjoy during the event are decadent wine and chocolate pairings by Purdys Chocolates at Little Straw Vineyards and Rollingdale Winery along with tastings and entertainment at winery tasting rooms along the wine trail. For those who stop by Rollingdale, they may be greeted by some familiar faces, as Wesla and Duane of Global Television will be showcasing their musical talents on the crush pad. A full list of featured wine and entertainment offerings, as well as information on the blind wine tasting challenge can be found on our website at thewestsidewinetrail.com.

This event and the tasting challenges are complementary and will take place from noon to 5 pm on June 6th. Individual wineries may also have specials and additional activities on site.

Visitors are encouraged to start at either end of the trail, either on Glencoe Rd or Boucherie Rd and to pick up a copy of the Westside Wine Trail map at the wineries so they don’t miss out on the fun.

For those who would like a guided tour or are coming from out of town and would like a place to stay, they are encouraged to contact one of the Westside Wine Trail tourism partners, Distinctly Kelowna Tours, Uncorked Okanagan Wine Tours, Casa Loma Lakeside Resort or the Cove Lakeside Resort.

Wineries participating in the ‘Sip into Summer” event include Beaumont Family Estate Winery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Little Straw Vineyards, Mission Hill Family Estate, Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, Rollingdale Winery, the hatch and Volcanic Hills Estate Winery.

When: Saturday, June 6th | noon – 5 pm
Where: Westside Wine Trail | West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, BC
What: Sip into Summer.
Cost: complimentary, although some fees may apply at various locations.

DETAILS

Address: 2376 Dobbin Rd. | West Kelowna, BC | (West Kelowna Visitor Centre)
Phone: 250-768-2712 (West Kelowna Visitor Centre)
Email: westsidewinetrail [at] gmail.com | Website: thewestsidewinetrail.com
Social Media Links: www.twitter.com/westwinetrail | www.instagram.com/westsidewinetrail | www.facebook.com/westsidewinetrail

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Address (Admin Purposes) c/o Little Straw Vineyards, 2815 Ourtoland Road, West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2H7
Contact: Salina Petschulat Curtis, Association Coordinator
Phone: 250-707-1298 | email: [email protected]

GALLERY

The People

The West Kelowna Vintners Association (WKVA) is better known by its destination brand, the Westside Wine Trail. These nine wineries are proud of their deep roots in the BC wine industry and are passionate about their craft. Beaumont Family Estate Winery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Little Straw Vineyards, Mt Boucherie Family Estate Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, Rollingdale Winery, the hatch and Volcanic Hills Estate Winery welcome you to explore and discover the area, one sip at a time.

About The Westside Wine Trail

Discover a deep & fascinating blend of experiences…

The Westside Wine Trail is home to some of the oldest and most well established vineyards and wineries in the Okanagan Valley. It is a place where the tasting room experiences are diverse and moments turn into lifelong memories.

Rolling hills of vineyards, scenic lake views and leisurely rural roads provide an idyllic backdrop for discovering local flavours one sip at a time, while an alluring pinot noir or a crisp sauvignon blanc, a vineyard concert or an encounter with a winemaker is sure to delight you.

The Westside Wine Trail is a year round destination. In the summer visitors can expect to not only enjoy warm summer days, but they can also relish in the roadside fruit stands that dot the landscape and provide farm to table opportunities. During the winter months the wineries are open for tastings with special events taking place like holiday open houses and culinary workshops and the hills are just minutes away for a morning of skiing or snowshoeing.

The cluster of wineries host three signature ‘Sip Series’ events during the year, each with a different theme and tasty sips. The Sunday of the Family Day Weekend, a wine & chocolate extravaganza is held, called ‘Sip With Your Sweetheart’. The first Saturday in June is when the wineries celebrate their summer whites with a ‘Sip into the Summer’ event and the holidays wouldn’t be complete without a wine & craft tour event. On the first Sunday in December visitors can travel from winery to winery where they can see local artisans and crafters in the tasting rooms and cellars for the Sip into the Season event.

The terrior varies depending on where in the Okanagan Valley grapes are grown. For wine growers along the Westside Wine Trail in West Kelowna, the bud bread usually happens in late April with crush beginning by mid-September and lasting into the third week of October. The harvesting of Icewine grapes can take place anytime from December to January, depending on the temperature. The soils here are very unique in that they are loaded with mineral deposits as well as glacial till, volcanic rock and large boulders. This is because the vineyards in area are derived from Mt. Boucherie which is the remnant of an ancient volcano. This volcano is a focal point in the community and is worth a hike up, as the views are spectacular.

There is always something new to discover, no matter the season. The wineries of the Westside Wine Trail are easy to find, within easy reach of major centres and are open year round. We are a 3.5 hour drive from Vancouver, 10 minutes from downtown Kelowna and a very leisurely and scenic 40 minute drive from Penticton.