When you visit Gray Monk Estate Winery in Lake Country, you enter a vibrant world of color and the quintessential Okanagan view, with lush vines framing the shores of Okanagan Lake. Along with the superb wines, it is an experience that entices locals and visitors alike to sip their internationally renowned wines, dine on gastric delights at the Grapevine Restaurant and discover the perfect gifts in their large and well-appointed wine shop.
Proprietor Trudy Heiss is heartened by the continued strength of their customers’ loyalty. They enjoy a huge Alberta following and their local customers, including over 2,000 Wine Club members, frequent the winery over and over.
Gray Monk is open daily from 9am to 9pm, with free hourly tours from 11am to 4pm. Participate in free tastings of four wines from each of their Latitude and Estate series, or for $5 pamper your palate with four exceptional samples from their Odyssey series.
Trudy has selected the 2014 Odyssey Rosé Brut as the perfect summer sipper. Made from a blend of Pinot Meunier and the traditional Pinot Noir grape, it displays fresh berry and melon followed by a smooth, creamy palate and crisp finish. The Rosé Brut is perfect on its own, or pair it with your favorite charcuterie.
She also recommends their newly-released Chardonnay and Ehrenfelser.
“They are both flying off the shelves,” she says. “Already, we have 1,000 cases gone!”
The Heiss family, including owners George and Trudy along with their three sons, deliver one of the best wine experiences in BC. Don’t miss it!
(photo of Gray Monk proprietors Trudy & George circa 1976.)
~ Deanna Rainey