With its hot, arid climate and picturesque views, it’s no wonder the southern Okanagan is home to numerous outstanding wineries. Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is no exception.
Established in 1993, Tinhorn Creek has been making award-winning wine for almost 30 years. They’ve grown from producing a couple of barrels in the basement of a house to becoming a flourishing winery and an industry leader.
Located on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, BC, Tinhorn Creek overlooks the South Okanagan, providing unobstructed views of the desert-like landscape that makes this part of the country so distinctive.
Explore the Area
When you visit Tinhorn Creek, you can really immerse yourself in the surrounding environment by exploring the Golden Mile Stamp Mill Trail, which backs onto the winery property. One of the only remaining access points to the Mount Kobau Range, the trail takes hikers to the ruins of a 100-year-old stamp mill. From there you’re able to see Tinhorn in two forms: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, and its namesake, Tinhorn Creek itself.
If you don’t have time for a hike, Tinhorn Creek offers an immersive vineyard experience so you can learn about the unique terroir of the region right on the winery estate. Off of their back patio, the winery has a demonstration vineyard with a few rows of the original vines from when the winery was founded, where guests can taste the grapes right off the vine.
“We want to encourage guests to check out what’s currently happening in the vineyard and see the growth and development of the grapes for themselves,” said Mike Johnson, Tinhorn Creek’s retail and experience manager. “Guests can go from sipping on a glass of Cabernet Franc to actually sampling the grapes, exploring how similar or different the grapes taste before and after the winemaking process. We’re one of the only wineries in the region to offer this experience. It’s a great way to learn more about winemaking.”
Bring a Picnic or Get Takeout
Guests can even pack a picnic and purchase a bottle of wine to go with it or stop by the estate’s restaurant Miradoro to order takeout and sit in the winery’s picnic area nestled in the demonstration vineyard. The winery even has a beautiful natural amphitheatre where kids are welcome to play on the grass and dogs are allowed on-leash. As Tinhorn’s guest, sit back and enjoy a relaxing afternoon sipping on delicious wine.
Summer Menu
Miradoro has just released their seasonal summer menu highlighting local southern Okanagan ingredients. The menu changes frequently, so it always features the freshest produce and there is always something new. Award-winning chef Jeff Van Geest expertly combines the taste of the Okanagan with hints of the Mediterranean. With a panoramic view of the valley, Miradoro offers an idyllic dining experience.
If you can’t stay for a meal or a tasting, Tinhorn Creek has you covered with their tasting-to-go package. The package includes stemware, a bottle of each wine Tinhorn is sampling, and information sheets to help guide you through your at-home tasting. Pair the tasting-to-go package with takeout from Miradoro, and you can treat yourself to Tinhorn Creek in the comfort of your own home.
Small-Lot Wines
This summer, Tinhorn Creek is releasing two small-lot wines—the first of their new Barrel Lot series, available exclusively to their wine club members.
“We only have about 40 cases of the one wine, and 90 cases of the other, so they’re super special,” said Johnson.
Crush Club
If you want to be the first to know about Tinhorn Creek’s new wines, their Crush Club always gets first access to new releases, as well as many other perks such as complimentary tastings, and discounts on wine, merchandise, tours and experiences. For more information, visit tinhorn.com/club.
Tinhorn Creek is open seven days a week from 11 am to 6 pm. The winery strongly encourages reservations; however, they will do their best to accommodate walk-ins.
For more information about the winery, or to book a wine tasting or dinner reservation, please contact 1-888-484-6467.