We’re all seeking something extra-special from our hard-earned holidays. Spontaneous trips to the coast for a quick break from the city will forever have a place in our hearts, as do the sun-drenched resort destinations we’ve been returning to for some guaranteed downtime. But this is the year to take a risk on somewhere less familiar.

I suppose that’s how I made my way to British Columbia, Canada’s most western province, which is full of mountain ranges and national parks that’d give your desktop screensavers a run for their money. 

Now, I’m not someone who does well in the cold. Neither am I an ‘adventure holiday’ type of gal. But I will travel for good wine. And that’s exactly what I did… 

Yes, you read that correctly: wine! Canadian wine! Though comparatively young on the global wine scene, exceptional vino has been produced in Canada – predominantly in Ontario and British Columbia – for centuries. It’s an overlooked fact I learned when Irish Distiller’s Green Spot Whiskey launched the third edition of its Wine Geese series (whiskies aged in wine barrels), using pinot noir casks shipped from Quails’ Gate winery in Kelowna, BC. Smell it, and you get the classic oaky vanilla you’d expect from the whisky. Drink it, however, and you’ve got a silky and almost spiced tasting experience.

An eight-hour flight to Calgary followed by a one-hour connecting plane journey to Kelowna landed me in a breathtaking landscape for a four-day whirlwind tasting the local wines. Here’s my guide to making the most of an area that offers pockets of luxury within its invigorating terrain.  

L-R: The in-room bathtub views at Sparkling Hills; view of the Okanagan lake at Hotel Eldorado

The Hotel Eldorado is a bit of a local institution in the city of Kelowna. Perched right on Okanagan Lake, its charming and modest resort properties are perfectly situated for exploring the marina, with easy access to surrounding parks for all your immersive nature needs.

For a completely different experience, make the drive through the hills up to Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon. This luxury resort is less about action and more about tranquillity. From every window, you’re engulfed by views of the Okanagan Valley. It’s an adult-only wellness resort where the use of spa robes and slippers is encouraged at breakfast and lunch, and local taxi drivers describe guests’ reluctance to return to the real world.

Room prices vary across seasons. Stay at the Hotel Eldorado from $219 per night, and at Sparkling Hills from $273 per night 

The paired wine tasting lunch experience at Old Vines Restaurant

A visit to Quails’ Gate isn’t complete without sampling the menu at the winery’s Old Vines restaurant. A favourite haunt for West Kelowna locals and tourists alike, the food showcases the best of local produce.

Raudz Regional Table is another popular restaurant that champions ingredients from the surrounding area, while Home Block at CedarCreek Estate winery offers a vast variety of wine pairing experiences for a long and leisurely evening sampling a bit of everything.  

L-R: Panoramic views from the spa at Sparkling Hills; wine barrels in the cellar at Quails’ Gate winery

One of the most unique things about Canadian wine is that it’s pretty difficult to find, let alone sample, outside of the country. And Okanagan wineries have something very special to offer thanks to the dual climate conditions the valley boasts, positioned between two mountain ranges bordering a glacial lake.

Quails’ Gate is a glorious one-stop destination with two restaurants and the opportunity to tour, taste and stay on-site in one of the winery’s holiday rentals. Beyond the Quails’ Gate estate, Mission Hill comes highly recommended for a visit to taste award-winning organic wines overlooking vineyards and the vast lake.  

When you’ve had your fill of wine, retreat to the KurSpa at Sparkling Hills to relax in one of seven steam rooms and saunas, before reclining in the silent tranquillity room to drink in those unobstructed views of the Monashee mountains. 

Images: courtesy of writer