Osoyoos: A Beautiful BC Hotspot with Breathtaking Wineries
Updated: Oct. 31, 2019
Wine! Lakes! Desert landscaped! Did we say wine?
Located at the southern-most point of BC’s Okanagan Valley, the town of Osoyoos boasts riverside trails, sparkling lakes and breathtaking wineries. Here’s what you should add to your itinerary.
Best resort to stay
Spirit Ridge Lake Resort, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is a relaxed luxury retreat overlooking Osoyoos Lake, with breathtaking views of the mountain ranges beyond.
Dine at The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry, where chef Murray McDonald and his culinary team create Indigenous-inspired fare using locally sourced ingredients. Adjacent to the hotel, Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first Indigenous-owned and -operated winery, offers a wide selection of acclaimed bottles to taste, buy or sip in the private cellar, paired with food bites as part of a guided wine tour experience. (Curious if natural wine is actually healthier? Find out what the experts have to say.)
Best sips
The Young & Wyse Collection is a family-run winery located as close to the US border as possible (though Lariana Cellars is a tad closer). Fun fact: A Duty Free sign is visible just beyond its rows of grapevines. The Black Sheep Blend 2015 is exceptional, and all wines are produced from fruit grown in the vineyard. A grape’s throw away, Moon Curser Vineyards is named for gold-smuggling miners who worked under the cover of moonlight during the gold rush. Try its award-winning Touriga Nacional, a Portuguese grape variety that isn’t often seen in Canada.
Best neighbouring town
Located just 20 kilometres north of Osoyoos, the town of Oliver is the official “wine capital of Canada.” Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country consists of more than 40 wineries that are united in making carefully crafted vintages that are reflective of the region and celebrate its unique terroir. Together, they produce more world-renowned and award-winning vintages than you can pop a cork at. Oliver-based wineries of note include the Triggs family’s Culmina Family Estate Winery, the boutique River Stone Estate Winery and the brand new Phantom Creek Estates.
Best wine with bread
Located halfway between Osoyoos and Oliver and overlooking rolling hills and vineyards, Platinum Bench Estate Winery is part vineyard and part artisan bakery, with a side of local cheeses and preserves on the menu for good measure. Partner its fresh-baked Brie and Pear Preserves Epi with Pinot Gris or its Gorgonzola and Fig Preserves Epi with Meritage and picnic among the vines or pack it all to nosh on later. These outstanding sourdough loaves sell out quickly, so plan your visit accordingly.
Now that you’ve checked out the top Osoyoos wineries, while you’re in BC you might as well hit up Vancouver’s most celeb-loved workout class.
