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This trip focuses on roading bikes through the southern Okanagan. The Okanagan has all the elements that cater to great road bike routes. Quiet roads, beautiful vistas, and a ton of options to extend or shorten the route to suit your preference. We’ve rated this trip as moderatley difficult. The daily distance is approximately 35km and there will be long options which extend the ride to ~70km each day. Of course if you are keen to do more or less each day, we have the support to pick you up and the recommendations to let you hammer. But keep in mind we have full days focussed on fantastic wines that we wouldn’t want you to miss!

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – ARRIVAL IN PENTICTON

Welcome! From the Penticton Airport, we’ll head to the Naramata Heritage Inn, and relish in the ambience of our boutique hotel, which has preserved a large portion of its original 1908 architecture and furnishings. In the evening, we’ll attend a private BBQ hosted by Serendipity Wines, including a tasting, with owners/winemakers Judy and Jason. (D) • Naramata Heritage Inn

Day 2 – EXPLORING THE NARAMATA BENCH

After fresh croissants and other breakfast delights we’ll depart from the hotel grounds on bike. Performing a wide loop around the rolling hillsides of the Naramata Bench, we’ll take in a number of regional sights. Around mid-day we’ll stop at Poplar Grove’s landmark new building to sample the cuisine of their locally focused menu. Afterwards we’ll stretch our legs on a short ride to Laughing Stock vineyard. Here, we’ll enjoy an exclusive event showcasing the conversion of owners David & Cynthia from urbanites to winemakers, as we taste their award-winning wines. This involved visit will include an array of barrel tastings, giving insight into the process of production and varitals. Afterwards, we’ll move on to the Van Westen Vineyards to meet with the winemaker, Robert. He’ll focus on the viticulture of the Naramata Bench, including Van Westen’s focus on sustainable practices. Of course to truly understand the process, we’ll have to indulge in some of the results! We’ll head back to the hotel for some free time – either to relax at the spa, or to join the guides on a walk to a scenic look-out over the lake. Dinner this evening is accompanied by a nice surprise. (B,L,D) • Naramata Heritage Inn

Day 3- OKANAGAN FALLS

After our breakfast we hop on the bikes riding south along some of the best road riding routes in the country! A scenic picnic is the setting for lunch before we focus on a mixology lesson from wine maker Mark Simpson of Siren’s Call. After getting into the mix and practice our hand at blending, we head across the way to Meyer’s Family winery to taste one of the premier whites of the Okanagan. We transfer on to Burrowing Owl to check-in and take some time for a bit of relaxation. Before dinner we tour their gravity fed facility and then sample a selection of their vinatges as they specially paired to multi-course meal. (B,L,D) • Burrowing Owl Estate

Day 4 – OSOYOOS and the GOLDEN MILE

After a panoramic breakfast, we’ll head south towards the town of Osoyoos, in the heart of Desert Wine Country. We’ll work our way along a network of country roads to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Center. Here we’ll learn about the unique landscape of the region from the perspective of North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery. Situated on the shores of Osoyoos Lake, adjacent to Canada’s only pocket desert, this stunning location is enhanced by the property’s architecture and rich history. Next we’ll head to Hester Creek Winery, where we’ll indulge in a vertical tasting of their merlot wines from three previous years to exemplify the change in the structure of the wine with age. After a truly gourmet lunch, we’ll ride further along the Golden Mile to meet with Bill Eggert – owner, winemaker, but preferably titled grape grower of the acclaimed Fairview Cellar. Hopefully he’ll share a few of the secrets that have made his grapes so highly regarded. Then it’s onwards to Black Hills winery for some gorgeous canopies and a private tasting at the “Crushpad” of a variatal not typical to North America. Afterwards we transfer back to Burrowing Owl to get changed for the evening’s events. Tonight we celebrate with an an alfresco dinner in a special location — certainly one to remember! (B,L,D) • Burrowing Owl Estate

Day 5 – BLACK SAGE and DEPARTURE

This morning choose between a morning of leisure, or a refreshing bike ride around the Black Sage. By mid-day we’ll rendezvous and head out to take in a wine tasting at Church and State before making our way onwards to our lunch spot: Painted Rock. This stunning site is home to one of the premier cult wineries of the Okanagan, and John the owner will host us to try a few of his award winning wines over lunch. When we are finally able to pull ourselves away, we’ll head to Penticton Airport for the late afternoon flight. (B,L)

 

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Trip Highlights:

• Al Fresco dinner set in a vineyard under the stars, while sipping wine from the estate
  
  
  
• Meet 10 of the top winemakers in the Southern Okanagan at their properties for exclusive visits focusing on what sets their wines apart
  
  
  
• Enjoy some of the best road riding routes in North America with quiet roads weaving through lakes, mountains and vineyards!