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.