Cheese in British Columbia - Poplar Grove Cheese

A boutique cheesery nestled amongst the vines with a spectacular view of Okanagan Lake, on the Naramata Bench, in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.  Visit the cheesery at Poplar Grove to experience their fine cheeses directly from where they have been lovingly handmade.

Wine and Cheese Pairings:

Pinot Gris - Double Cream Camembert - This is a match made in heaven, add some pear slices and you have a delicious afternoon snack.

Gamay Noir - Bench Blue - This "beginner’s blue" is mild and surprises many anti blue cheese consumers.  Great melted on a "just off the BBQ" lamb burger. Summer is complete!

Pinot Noir - Harvest Moon Wash Rind Cheese - this salty creamy pungent cheese is not for the faint of heart, a welcome addition to any cheese board and well suited for the earthiness of Pinot Noir.

Poplar Grove Cheese
1060 Poplar Grove Rd.
Penticton
phone (250) 492-4575
cheese@poplargrovecheese.ca

Cheese Shop Hours:
April and May: Weekends 11-5
June through October: Daily 11-5

Jun 30, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Canada Day Celebrations in Okanagan Falls

Join the Community Celebration in the heart of Okanagan Falls at Kenyon Park!

http://www.okfalls.net/

Jun 27, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Covert Farms - Oliver

Covert Farms has always been a busy place, but in the last few years there is a whole lot going on such as:  Farm Field Dinners, an event called the Freakin Farmer, Wine tastings, U-pick fruits and vegetables.  As well home delivery is available so that you can get the freshest vegetables delivered right to your door.  They even have summer camps for young farmers.  All of these things add up to a whole lot of activity going on.  And it is all organic.

Tucked up above the north end of Oliver is a hidden gem of the Okanagan.  Covert Farms, at the foot of McIntyre Bluff is a 600 acre terrace that has been growing organic produce since 1959. A large organic farm and country market that features in season organic produce fresh from the farm, in the setting of beautiful vegetable and flower gardens, a patio and playground.

Those who love recreation dually appreciate the location of Covert Farms, as it is positioned at the gateway to the iconic Okanagan Landmark, McIntyre Bluff, and makes a great place to picnic after a bike ride or hike.

Covert Farms is about tasty and healthy food and the relationships that are necessary to bring that about in a sustainable way. The relationships of the land are many and complex and most have yet to be discovered.  As these complex relationships are discovered so is interest, intrigue, humility and of course great food. Good food is not just about taste.  It's not just the nutrient value.  It’s about life, learning and exploration.  Visit Covert Farms, explore; learn about your food; and experience a place bustling with life and diversity.

Try Pick-your-own.  Friendly staff in the fields can assist you with your selections and guide you if you so choose.  Over 40 different crops to try and experiment with.  If you don’t care to pick, they have harvested produce in their market.   Most crops are available till mid-October or till first frost.

Looking for more one-on-one.  Take a guided tour with a farmer.  Explore the vineyards, fields, and the special places around the area in a vintage 1952 Mercury Truck.  The tour ends with a private wine tasting accompanied by small bites from the kitchen. Max 10 people per tour.

Covert Farms
107th St
Oliver
(250) 498-2731

Jun 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

An Evening of Effervescence at Linden Gardens

We invite you to join us on July 18th at Linden Gardens in Kaleden for an "Evening of Effervescence". Get ready for the party of the summer: an art deco celebration of Okanagan Bubbly! 

When is it?
Friday, July 18th from 6:30 - 9:30 with pours from some of your favourite sparkling wine producers Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars, Bella, Sumac Ridge, Therapy Vineyards, Orofino, 8th Generation, Elephant Island & Haywire!

How much is it?
Tickets are $99/person and can be purchased at http://www.joyroadcatering.com/contact.php

Where is it? 
Linden Gardens in Kaleden

Fabulous food pairings by Joy Road Catering.

Costumes are required (think Gastby!) and you'll be glad you dressed up for an elaborate setting of antique cars, food and wine stations hidden throughout the gardens, and vignettes for photo ops from Vintage Origami.

We have put together some clothing ideas on Pinterest, check our Pinterest page for inspiration.

Follow Blue Mountain Winery's board Evening of Effervescence on Pinterest.   

Chef Dana Ewart at Joy Road Catering was on CTV Vancouver on June 9th, 2014 making some tasty bites and telling the big city about the "Evening of Effervescence" event at Linden Gardens, click here to watch the video. Joy Road Catering also got featured on Breakfast Television this past Tuesday and Chef Dana made a delicious asparagus hazelnut pesto.

Come celebrate Okanagan bubbles in style!

Jun 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration 2014 - #i4c14

It has been 2 years since Blue Mountain attended the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration in Southern Ontario.  The Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration or i4C consists of three days spent exploring seductive shades of the most planted grape on earth.
Participants taste chardonnays from over 60 of the world’s foremost winemakers alongside the exceptional cuisine that pairs with it so well. With intimate vineyard luncheons, culinary showcases and the Cool Chardonnay World Tour signature event featuring all of the weekend’s wines, you can custom-blend your own unforgettable chardonnay weekend.

Here is a snapshot of last year's festivities.  Save the date!!

http://www.coolchardonnay.org/

Join brother and sister duo, Matt and Christie Mavety at this year's event July 18 - 20 , 2014 in Niagara.

Jun 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Okanagan Falls Party in the Park 2014

The Okanagan Falls Winery Association’s annual Party in the Park is back & tickets are on sale now!

Come join us and our neighbouring Okanagan Falls wineries for an authentic Southern-style BBQ dinner prepared by The Chef Instead, live music by local minstrels Uncorked, and wine tasting by 12 Okanagan Falls wineries (Blasted Church Vineyards, Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars, Krāzē Legz Vineyard and Winery, Liquidity Wines, Meyer Family Vineyards, Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Painted Rock Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard, Topshelf Winery, Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery)

Also, Blue Mountain Winery is giving away 2 tickets to the event. To enter, find your way to our Facebook page, "like" us (please!),  like our post about the Party in the Park event & share it with your friends. Simple!

When is it? 
Friday, July 11th, 2014 from 5pm till 9pm
• 5 to 7 PM taste and learn about each winery’s specialty
• 6:30PM – 9 PM dinner buffet & live music
• Wines by the glass will be available at a nominal fee

How much is it?
Tickets are $50 + tax and can be purchased at the following locations:
• Member winery tasting rooms
• Penticton Visitor Information Centre
• http://www.eventbee.com/v/ofwapartyinthepark2014

Where is it? 
At Kenyon Park in Okanagan Falls (on the shores of Skaha Lake behind the IGA)

Shuttles are available for your convenience
• from Osoyoos & Oliver, contact Landsea Okanagan Tours and Charters
• from Penticton, contact Grape Escapes Wine Tours

Accommodation discounts are offered for your convenience subject to availability
• 12% off rooms at the Ramada Inn and Suites Penticton, email Gord at gm@pentictonramada.com or call 250-492-8926 (mention Okanagan Falls Winery Association or Party in the Park when booking)
• discounted rooms at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, book online or email Courtney Fossett at cfossett@watermarkbeachresort.com

Participants must be 19 years of age or older. For more details on the event check out OFWA.ca

Jun 10, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Where to find our wines in the States- McCarthy and Schiering

A world of personally selected fine wine awaits your discovery… McCarthy and Schiering opened their first retail wine shop in 1980 and have spent over 25 years offering clients select wines that represent quality and value. McCarthy & Schiering Wine Merchants emphasize personal service in comfortable, friendly settings.

They carry an extensive selection of wines from around the world, specializing in wines from Washington and Oregon. Passionate about the small individual estates of France, Italy, Germany and Austria. New world wines from California, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina are well represented on their shelves.

As fine wine merchants, McCarthy and Schiering select their choices through daily tasting and evaluation. They were recognized in 1998 by Food and Wine magazine as “retailer of the year.” In April 2004, GQ magazine named their shops as one of the “50 best Wine Stores in America” and one of the “top 10 small specialty shops featuring wines from Piedmont and Tuscany.”

McCarthy and Schiering publish a weekly news email and a monthly newsletter. Click here to join.

McCarthy and Schiering
2401 B Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
206-282-8500
206-284-2498 fax
queenanne@mccarthyandschiering.com

Jun 5, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink

Bighorn Ridge Guest House, Okanagan Falls

Bighorn Ridge Guest House is owned by Blue Mountain's lovely neighbours Carla Leinweber and Roger Hawthorne.

Overlooking the most iconic photographed view (same view as Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars) in the South Okanagan sits Bighorn Ridge Guest House on 10 native acres in the Great Basin Desert. The award winning "adobe" styled Guest House is adult-only, pet friendly (with prior approval) and has 2 private suites (accommodating 2 adults per suite) and a common kitchen. Stunning views of sweeping vineyards, hills and Vaseux Lake place you midway between Oliver and Penticton and 45 minutes north of the US border.

Each non-smoking suite has an electric fireplace, A/C, Wi-Fi, flat screen TV, queen size bed and a 3 piece bathroom.  The common area has a fully equipped kitchen with cook-top, microwave, dishwasher and private fridge for each suite.  Not designated as a "bed and breakfast" the common kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals.  Covered outside veranda with common BBQ and private patio for each suite.  Pet friendly with prior approval (no pets allowed unattended in your suite).

Planning a weekend in the Okanagan? We suggest that you book with Bighorn Ridge Guest House, as this is the perfect spot for a getaway.

Click here to make your reservation

Bighorn Ridge
2357 Rolling Hills Rd
Okanagan-Similkameen, 
BC V0H 1R2

Reservation Phone: 1-250-497-8981
Toll Free: 1-866-339-8139
Email: crzretiredok@shaw.ca

Jun 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM Permalink