(pictured Super chef duo Cam & Dana of Joy Road Catering)
Black Hills Estate Winery’s Wine Experience has opened a gorgeous eatery where guests can enjoy spectacular views right in the vineyards. Housed in a recycled shipping container the kitchen will be run by culinary stars Joy Road Catering and will feature the freshest ingredients from local producers. “Joy Road Vineyard Kitchen” is fully equipped and even has a traditional pizza oven, allowing the chefs to serve not only their house-cured salumi and local cheeses but hand-tossed pizzas too, all perfectly paired with Black Hills wines.
Joy Road’s Chef Dana Ewart describes the cuisine as “quick, uncomplicated and delicious seasonal fare” with direct farm to table items such as “house-cured charcuterie made from our own backyard heritage whey and beer mash fattened pigs”. They will offer ‘build your own small plates’ with your choice of combinations such as burrata cheese with heirloom tomato salad or perhaps some grilled Similkameen asparagus. Pizzas will be crafted with seasonally selected garnishes such as this spring’s selection of green garlic pesto, tiny handmade fennel sausage meatballs and kale with pecorino. Joy Road works carefully with regional farmers and producers to ensure that they are using the freshest, in-season ingredients. The kitchen is open from 11:30 to 5:00 pm each day of operation. This will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 14 – 29. Then on Thursday to Monday from July 3 to Sept. 1. Then for the Fall season from Sept. 4 to Oct. 12 on Thursday to Sunday.
This summer the Wine Experience Centre will also host a “Sunset Happy Hour” from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from July 1 to Labor Day. Rotating DJ’s will spin tunes by the poolside cabanas. Full wine tasting experiences will be on sale for two for one and special menu items will be created to pair with Black Hills Estate Winery’s stellar wines. Enjoy the sunset in the vineyards to wind down your day in wine country.
For wine collectors who are interested in the Double Magnums, the 2012 Nota Bene is now for sale! The three-litre bottle equals four regular sized bottle of wine and is perfect for that special gift or as a special treat to impress guests at your next dinner party. The 2013 Alibi (75% Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) and the 2012 Carmenere have also just been released and are garnering rave reviews.
~ Cassandra Anderton