… has started growing again! M and I recently did a bit of a tour through one of the very dry, almost desert-like valleys just to the south of us where some very excellent Bordeaux-style blends and single varietals are produced. The Similkameen Valley has a couple of our favourite wineries.
We had a very enjoyable day. Have a good weekend.
We recently had company come to stay for a few days, and we lucked out with some beautiful weather.
We visited a winery near Kelowna where, although the vines hadn’t awakened yet and the opposite mountain tops still had snow, the sun was warm and inviting.
With a little wine, we sat outside, enjoying the warmth, view and soft breeze.
It was such a lovely and relaxing spring day.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. ☘️
The Okanagan Valley experienced a deep freeze for a few days in January. At times, the temperature dropped to -25C (-13F), leaving farmers scrambling to protect their trees and vines with heaters, fire pots and continuously flowing water. In this area, such low temperatures are extremely unusual; the last time this type of freezing occurred was 34 years ago in 1990.
As you can imagine, the owners of orchards and in particular, wineries, are very worried about the damage that has been done. Some reports are that as much as 60% of the grape vines have been destroyed and that there has been significant damage to some of the orchards.
Farming has never been for the faint of heart. When everything falls into place, all goes well. But the number of unexpected issues, especially from the weather, can cause catastrophe.
A lot rides on agriculture in this valley. It’s heavily connected to tourism and is also a huge employer, but the smoke and fires from last summer together with the January freeze may make it impossible for some people to continue. I hope not, but life is sometimes extraordinarily unfair.
The vines are sleeping …
… dreaming of plump grapes, green leaves …
… and sunny days. They will soon be back.
Happy Saturday.
With the many harvest and wine festivals at this time of year, we have been visiting some of the more obscure and smaller wineries in the southern Okanagan Valley between Oliver and Osoyoos. This area is only 35 km (22 miles) to the south of us from Penticton.
The area is classified as semi-arid desert and the summer temperatures regularly climb into the low 40s (105-107F). Much of the valley is irrigated with water from nearby valley and mountain lakes and this allows a rich diversity of fruit and vegetables to grow, especially wine grapes.
This combination of dry heat and soil moisture causes the flavours of the wine grapes to be very concentrated which can produce some excellent reds.
It’s also good rosé country. Rosé results from some contact with the red grape skins to give it the distinctive hues that range all the way from light pink to orange to a light red.
This is not only good wine country. Opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling, camping, swimming, boating, rock climbing and hiking are plentiful and varied. There are lots of good restaurants, and if you love fresh fruit and veggies, this might be your nirvana.
Happy Sunday.
One of the trails we like to walk/hike runs through dense agricultural areas with many orchards and grape vines.
I like keeping track of how everything is ripening; right now the peaches are being harvested. The wine grapes will be much later, however, especially depending on whether they will be used for ice wine. If that’s the case, they will remain in the fields until they have been frozen. This will concentrate the resulting juice, producing a very sweet dessert wine.
I don’t know what kind of grapes these are as the rows aren’t labelled but they seem to be doing well.
Happy Saturday.
This “orange rosé” has become very popular and is one of our favourite sipping wines. It always makes me feel like summer every time I see it.
Happy Sunday.
The wine grapes are becoming plumper and plumper as they bask in the warmth and enjoy the occasional showers.
This healthy-looking bunch is tucked safely among its protective leaves at the vineyard shown above.
Happy Tuesday.
We’ve had old friends visiting with us over the past week and of course, there have been winery stop-ins to some of our all-time favourites.
Happy Monday.
These grapes won’t be mature for at least two months, but in the meantime they’re nestled safely in the foliage.
Happy Thursday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 