The African proverb “Where the rooster crows there is a village” was never more true than it will be Saturday, September 12th, when Red Rooster Winery hosts the Naramata Tailgate Party, 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Red Rooster welcomes on-site its Naramata Bench Wineries Association colleagues, a collaborative group of 24 distinguished wineries nestled along the lakeview route between Penticton and Naramata. Distinctive wines will be poured by each of the 24 wineries to be savoured along with delectable cuisine from local chefs. As if that isn’t enough to crow about, there’ll be live music to enjoy along with Red Rooster’s eclectic art exhibits and the stunning vineyard and lake view. This annual event is perennially sold out so get your tickets soon (naramatabench.com), or the “yolk’s on you”.
Of course, the unusual is usual at Red Rooster and you can anticipate a unique and fun winery experience. Art permeates the winery and much of it is not what you’d typically expect. There’s local celebrity, Frank the Baggage Handler, a large statue of a naked guy greeting you. Or Caroline, the generously endowed mermaid, ready to pose for all your photo memories. The highly knowledgeable (and clothed) staff will lead you through an informative tasting of the luscious wines of Winemaker Karen Gillis. Consider hands-on and lip-smacking experiences such as “Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate & Wine Pairing”; lessons in “Tasting Room Lingo”; or a “Food Pairing at its Finest” seminar. See details on www.redroosterwinery.com and sign up for the email list to receive the latest news on events and new releases of wine. If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll want to explore Red Rooster’s Pecking Room Patio and Grill. Open daily, noon to 5 pm to October 12th, it showcases international flair and love of diversity on the menu crafted by Chef Darin Paterson, proprietor of Bogner’s in Penticton. The delectable farm-to-table menu offers “small peckings” such as fresh baked flat bread with accompaniments such as tapenade, crushed eggplant and flavoured yogurts or quinoa salad; a charcuterie plate; selections of hand-pulled pizza; salads; soups; summer plates such as empanadas, tostadas, smoked trout, and vegan bean curry; as well as desserts and non-alcoholic beverages or Red Rooster wines. Keep current on all that’s hatched by following Twitter @RedRoosterWine and www.facebook.com/RedRoosterWine
~ Roslyne Buchanan