The Westside Wine Trail is renowned for its stunning vistas and delicious wines but this is only part of the story. It’s also a creative centre. A place where visitors can enjoy local art, world-class architecture and yoga.
The Art in the Park series pairs great art with great wines as it travels from one winery to another. Curated by Louise Lambert, owner of Wine Country Studios, and sculptor Allan Waidman, this series lets visitors mingle with artists working in a wide variety of media in some of the most beautiful settings imaginable.
The Mezzanine Gallery at Little Straw Vineyard is a popular venue. Recent exhibitions include “Beyond the Grey” with painter Anita McComas and fiber artist Anette Boldsen Cameron. At Volcanic Hills, there’s always much to admire. Their shop has an assortment of decorations and treasures from India. At Indigenous World Winery’s Red Fox Club, their chef creates simple indigenous foods that are both delicious and beautiful works of art.
Other wineries are works of art in themselves. Grizzli Winery built with ancient yellow cedars is an exceptional example architecture that combines old world elegance with new world funkiness. The Kalala Organic Estate Winery emblem has a magical Eastern flavor and their front doors are a gorgeous example of craftsmanship. At Off the Grid Organic Winery, their straw bale tasting room has goats living on its roof. The philosophy here is about creating a sustainable future. In keeping with this they offer Sunday morning drop-in yoga classes.
The Sip Series is a fabulous way to get acquainted with the unique features of the wineries while enjoying something new. Sip into the Season: Wine and Craft Tour in December allows visitors to escape the madness of the malls and combine their holiday shopping with wine touring. It’s the perfect pairing.