With some of the most stunning lake views and rural settings amongst the rolling hills of the Okanagan, the wineries along the Westside Wine Trail are a joy to visit any time of year.
But be sure to mark the first Sunday in June on your calendar when all 13 Westside wineries will be showing off their summer whites and summer sippers as part of the Westside Wine Trails’ “Sip into Summer” event. Along with tastings, visitors will be treated to live entertainment – music, art and demonstrations – along with tasty bites to tempt the palate.
One of the most popular activities of the event is the blind tasting challenge. “The wine may be something that is about to be released, a library wine or something that is already available,” says Westside Wine Trails’ Salina Curtis. Blind tastings are rare, and they’re a great way for guests to test their noses and palates. Participants can pick up a passport and challenge themselves at each winery along the Trail.
With 13 wineries on the Trail, it’s hard to visit them all in a day. Don’t fret if you miss a few during this “Sip into Summer” event. There are plenty of reasons to visit Westside wineries all summer – picturesque patios, memorable meals, concerts, even yoga classes.
Between winery visits you’ll also find lots of activities for the family along the Westside trail. Parks, picnic areas, fresh fruit markets, hiking, cycling and lakeside activities are all within easy reach of the Trail.
All the wineries are listed on the Westside Wine Trail website thewestsidewinetrail.com.Visitors exploring the site can learn a bit about each of the wineries, see where they are on the handy map and plan their “Sip into Summer” day, saving those they can’t visit for another day.
~ Sue Harper