Oliver Twist Estate Winery is geared up and ready to go for the summer wine season. The wine shop recently had a makeover, giving it a desert theme to reflect their hot south Okanagan surroundings with a sunny, burnt orange and rusty colour scheme. Local artists’ work is displayed and is for sale in the wine shop featuring paintings, pottery and more. Adding to the new ambiance of the winery is friendly English Bull dog Chunk, whose name could not be more fitting. The welcoming wine shop ladies Gina, Judy and Sherry are ready for a fun summer season of tastings and good times. Notably featured on the tasting list is the winery’s unique wine called Patio Passion, which is a actually a white Merlot – that’s right, a white Merlot!
Patio Passion is a spicy Merlot with bright fruit aromas of raspberry jam, canned cherries and caramel with a finish of black currant vanilla, strawberry and a touch of pepper which pairs perfectly with bbq food and is great for summer patio season. From July 3-14, Patio Passion is featured and can be enjoyed on the winery’s sunny outdoor patio for $5 a glass. There will be summer wine specials, music and a draw for a beautiful gift basket full of Oliver Twist’s favourite summer sippers. The shop also has a deli fridge featuring various charcuterie and cheese plates that can be enjoyed on the patio or guests are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets.
Trevor Mitchell and his hardworking crew have been busy in the vineyard tending to the grapes. The 2013 crush plan is coming along, with an exciting possibility of new wines.
(photo: Gina (centre) with Judy, Sherry and fabulous Chunk, the winery dog.)
~ Natasha Chudyk