Spring 2024 is here, and there is a lot to do
It’s Spring and you know what that means! The seasonal businesses in the Thompson Okanagan are opening and getting ready to welcome you. Farmers’ markets, wineries, cideries, golf courses, fruit stands, and so much more. Here is a Spring guide for the best local food and drink the Thompson Okanagan has to offer.
It’s Spring and you know what that means! The seasonal businesses in the Thompson Okanagan are opening and getting ready to welcome you. Farmers’ markets, wineries, cideries, golf courses, fruit stands, and so much more. Here is a Spring guide for the best local food and drink the Thompson Okanagan has to offer.
Farmers’ Markets
The Thompson Okanagan has over 20 farmers markets in almost every part of the region. They are the perfect place to experience slow-food and farm-to-table freshness. Not only are the markets filled with produce but they also include local vendors, small businesses, and artisans so you can support local. In peak Spring and Summer you don’t even have to go to the grocery store! Learn more about what the Farmers’ Markets have to offer by visitng our “Farmer's Markets in the Thompson Okanagan” blog:
Images by Kelly Funk
Wineries, Ciders and Distilleries
It’s wine tasting season! The wineries of Thompson Okanagan are open and gearing up for another great season. Spring is the perfect time to tour wineries before the summer rush. With more than 80 varietals planted in BC, you are bound to find the perfect taste, body, and texture of wine to fit your preferences. The Thompson Okanagan is such a unique place to grow wine with four beautiful regions all expressing their own flavours and wine styles. You can embark on a guided, or self-guided tour to the Similkameen Valley, Okanagan Valley, the Shuswap, or the Thompson Valley, and experience what the wines of B.C. have to offer.
Many wineries have events, tours and unique tasting experiences to offer you more than just a tasting throughout the Spring and Summer. By going to your favourite winery or city event pages, you can see what is happening at the local the wineries.
Image by Destination BC/Kari Medig
Guided and Self-Guided tours
There are many great wine trails that are the ultimate guide when it comes to first time tasters, or visitors looking to find a new spot. Wine trails offer you the chance to take yourself on a self-guided tour to as many stops as you like. There are even guided tours that often follow the wine trials’ routes to make your journey safe and fun for all. Some of these guides can be found on city event pages:
Wine tour companies
If you wanted to drive your self, or only stop at a few here are some great wine trails to follow
Kamloops Wine Trail - @kamloopswinetrail
Scenic Sip - @scenicsip
Westside Wine Trail - @westsidewinetrail
Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive - @bottleneckdrive
Naramata Bench Wines - @naramatawines
The Heart of Wine Country - @theheartofwinecountry
Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country - @uncorkthesun
Similkameen Indep. Winegrowers - @Similkameenwine
Keep an eye out for special events throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Book a reservation to guarantee your spot for a tasting and find details about your favourite wineries tasting fees and operating hours on their website.
Looking for more than just wine?
If you're looking to expand your wine tour, the Thompson Okanagan has more to offer than just great wine – Throw in a stop at a cidery along the way. Or better yet, a distillery! There are so many great cideries and distillers next door to your favourite wine shops. Often cideries have great patios, snacks and areas to hang out. It can be a great family outing, with many cider houses having games, and room for kids to run around. Distilleries can be a great choice for a date night, or a unique happy hour. With 23 different distilleries to choose from, you are bound to taste something different in everywhere you travel to. Upgrade your bar with award winning spirits, support small businesses, and taste local flavours.
Image by @woodwardciderco
The season for patio sipping and vineyard hopping is here!
Fore!
The greens have been groomed, the club houses are open and the sun is out. It sounds like golf season.
The golf courses of the Thompson Okanagan are ready for you! There is a golf course in every single region of the Thompson Okanagan, with Kelowna having the second most golf courses in B.C. Come and enjoy the beauty of golfing in the Thompson Okanagan and experience views of vineyards, mountains looking over lakes, and manicured and desert-like fairways.
Image by Darren Robinson Image by Destination BC/Andrew Penner
Try golfing in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Shuswap for some well-known, breathtaking courses. Or venture outside those cities for hidden gems and quiet courses.
The Thompson Okanagan is open and ready to welcome you this Spring and Summer! Check out accommodations on cities websites and make sure to reserve your spots at your favuorite wineries to guarantee a spot.
Written by Caroline Peterson
A local who went from the lower mainland to the Okanagan. As a student with a passion for tourism, she aims to highlight the Thompson Okanagan experience with a fresh, adventurous perspective.
Accessible Scenic Sips Wine Tour
Sonja takes you along on a Scenic Sips Tour including four of Lake Country’s beautiful wineries, highlighting accessibility features so you can plan ahead and enjoy this scenic Okanagan wine route to the fullest.
There’s nothing quite like wine touring along a scenic route on a sunny Okanagan day with your closest friends, catching up and enjoying the spectacular vistas that each winery has to offer. Read on for some Staycation inspiration featuring four of Lake Country’s beautiful wineries with great accessibility features.
“Accessibility can mean many different things to people with accessible requirements and our aging population. When businesses take simple action in designing space, services, products and experiences that are usable by people of any age, size or ability - inclusion and enjoyment by all becomes possible! ☺”
ARROWLEAF CELLARS
Start your day enjoying your packed Charcuterie picnic on the patio overlooking Okanagan Lake at Arrowleaf Cellars, or purchase your ingredients here. Relax, unwind and sip on any one of their fabulous white wines, the perfect pairing for conversations on a sunny afternoon.
Accessible Features:
Paved level parking lot
Two large accessible parking spaces
Wide main entrance
Great wheelchair accessible washroom
No-step level patio
Open concept tasting room
Friendly and accommodating staff
Level grass picnic area
GRAY MONK ESTATE WINERY
Photo by Sharla Pike
Experience the European ambiance and find some of your favorite gifts in the fabulous wine and gift shop at Gray Monk Estate Winery. Gray Monk's name comes from one of the first grape varieties they produced, Pinot Gris or “Grauer Mönch” in German, hence the translation to Gray Monk.
Accessible Features:
Paved parking lot - slightly sloped
Accessible parking space
Level main entrance
Good wheelchair accessible washroom
Large open tasting room - lower tasting counter available
Restaurant and patio - elevator access
O’ROURKE’S PEAK CELLARS
Next stop is O’Rourkes Peak Cellars. Request to experience your wine tasting at one of the bistro tables out on the vineyard-side patio as you take in another breathtaking view of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding orchards and rolling mountains. This is the perfect place to compare notes on some of the favorite wines you have tasted thus far!
Accessible Features:
Level paved parking lot
Accessible parking stalls
Level main entrance
Good accessible washroom - heavy door
Open concept tasting room
Accessible tables for tasting experience
Accessible restaurant & outdoor patio area.
50TH PARALLEL ESTATE Winery
Photos by Jon Adrian
Be WOWED as you approach 50th Parallel Estate Winery, an architecturally designed winery second to none! Experience your tasting in their large open spaced tasting room at a lowered tasting bar if you choose. This is a great place to wrap up a fabulous day with dinner at their open air restaurant. Consider anyone of their delicious menu options, perhaps a Forno Oven Wood Fire pizza paired with their award winning Pinot Noir and more great conversation to finish off!
Accessible Features:
Level paved parking lot - north entrance
One accessible parking space
Level paved sidewalk from parking stall to main entrance
Wide main level entrance to restaurant and wine tasting room
Tasting room - two lower tasting bars
Great accessible washroom
Restaurant - lower & higher height tables
… Enjoy! ☺
This tour can be done independently or you can book an accessible tour with our friends at Cheers Okanagan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonja Gaudet is a retired 3x Paralympic Gold Medalist and World Champion. She lives in Vernon with her golf-obsessed husband Dan and two adult children Alysha and Colten. Sonja has a passion in locating and creating accessible experiences in the Okanagan region. Some of her adventures include kayaking, exploring the accessible hiking trails with her dog Lina, and enjoying Charcuterie with her most recently discovered favorite glass of red wine, more than likely from somewhere in the South Okanagan or Similkameen region!
IG @sonjagaudet
6 New Food Ventures in Penticton
Recently, there’s been an explosion of new things to really kick up the food and drink scene in Penticton a notch. From our craft beer and cider trails to Asian eats to naturally fermented wines, there’s a lot going on.
The South Okanagan has always made me swoon. The drive alone from Peachland to Summerland is enough to do just that. Recently, there’s been an explosion of new things to really kick up the food and drink scene in Penticton a notch. From our craft beer and cider trails to Asian eats to naturally fermented wines, there’s a lot going on.
Here’s an insider perspective into what’s new with hopefully just enough background to make you want to get to know them better yourself:
Wayne & Freda
The Okanagan is known for its power to draw people back in. It is an all too familiar tale that you hear over and over again, especially as I was also one of those people. Sometimes, you need to move away in order to really see how special it really is and that’s when the magic happens.
This has been the case for Wayne and Freda’s owners, Jen and Ryan, who moved back from Vancouver to set up shop and make their romantic 10-year coffee shop dream a reality. Oh, and how they’ve blown it out of the water since opening this year.
Whether its the inviting look and feel with all its small touches by former interior decorator, Jen, the lightly caffeinated atmosphere, the sustainable choices on their menu or the tribute to both their grandparents with choice of name, Wayne and Freda is a business with intent.
“We very much wanted to create a space that would elevate the neighbourhood and connect the community. Almost daily we get to see people run into each other here. Big smiles, often even bigger hugs are exchanged. Daily, there are tables of families and friends gathered to spend time together, to joys or to soften the blows of a hard day – these moments and exchanges are the life force behind this place”, says owner, Jen.
Well, how do I top that? The Okanagan is a place where people can truly dream. W & F has been a great addition to our community. Within walking distance to pretty much everything in the downtown core, this is the perfect spot to start your day before heading to the Penticton Farmers’ Market (or any day at that), to scheme away in one of their many nooks or to just say hi.
105-249 Westminster Avenue W, Penticton
Credit: Wayne & Freda
Sushi Genki
Husband/wife tag team originally from Kumamoto City in Japan, who made their way to Canada via the Fairmount Banff Springs hotel before deciding to call Penticton home. As a former small family business, I applaud their ballsy open hour decisions in search of some work/life balance. Closed on weekends and open until 7:30 PM on the other days, I hope more follow.
Their tiny location is buzzing with takeout orders for their stellar sushi, ramen and udon. The washroom is behind the curtain through the kitchen, so that’s a pretty cool adventure in itself. Sushi Genki has been around for a number of years, but they’re new to me, so think of it as more of a hidden eat of the Okanagan. You’re welcome!
104-95 Eckhardt Avenue E, Penticton
JoieFarm
Winemaker/Owner, Heidi Noble is a chef turned self-taught winemaker and she makes delicious small lot wines. This year, JoieFarm has amped up their collaboration game by teaming up with Yellow Dog to conspire on a barrel-aged beer/wine hybrid called ‘Like Minds’, which is available on tap in the winery’s Picnique area.
They also continue to spark conversation with their limited release experimental label called Chic Fille. It was also an opportunity for Heidi to revisit her self-taught roots and an opportunity for apprentice winemaker, Alyssa Hubert to shine.
Under this label is their, now sold out, Pinot Noir Rosé, which had an incredible raspberry lemonade colour to it with added sparkle, a Gewürztraminer that was left on skins for a sexy pink hue, a Pinot Blanc and two Pinot Noirs (fruit from the same vineyard, one fermented with ambient yeast and the other fermented with a Burgundian cultured yeast strain). In their words, ‘This collection is fun, flavourful, très chic adventure: a tour of cool-climate, lake-moderated terroir at its purest and natural winemaking techniques at their most elegant.’
The Picnique area is open with Benton Cheese, True Grain Baguettes and Oyama Sausage providing snacks for a non-pretentious, picnic blanket filled winery experience overlooking the lake. I was fortunate enough to have a tasting with Alyssa who was working the outdoor tasting bar that day. If you go, ask for her.
2825 Naramata Road, Naramata
Gusto Ferrari
How does a woodfire pizza besides the Penticton Rec. Centre sound? Random and awesome is the answer. Family owned and operated by a real life northern Italian family, with Chef/wife, Roberta in the kitchen, and husband, Flaminio, front-of-house and the kids helping to serve.
Italy is known as the land of fast cars and slow food. Opened in December 2018, The Ferrari family combines both those things with 48-hour fermented dough, sauces made from imported San Marzano tomatoes and the likes of Cannery Brewing, Truck 59 cider and a South Okanagan wine selection going hand-in-hand with the Italian stuff.
Another random fact is that Flaminio used to sell pizza ovens in Italy, so it’s definitely safe to say pizza is their forte with around 15 pies on offer.
201 Okanagan Avenue E, Penticton
Creek & Gully Cider
This is what happens when two former Joy Road Catering alumni’s with farming backgrounds put their brains together and take a chance.
The unfortunate reality of our food system means that there is little economic value in organic apples nowadays. So, first time small business owners, Kaleigh Jorgensen and Annalise Simonsen decided to turn their orchard’s apples into cider with their Slow Food thinking philosophies in mind.
In their words, ‘We believe small actions have a big impact’.
With 4 releases in their portfolio, there is one thing in common: their ciders are made using just one ingredient - apples! Leaning towards drier styles with no added sugar or water, they let the cocktail of apples do the talking with natural fermentations and a bit of Okanagan sparkle.
Credit: Creek & Gully Cider
You can meet the ladies, as well as Spooky the dog, in their beautiful ‘cider cathedral’, have a tasting in thrifted mis-matched glassware or sip on their natural cold pressed juices. Oh yeah, I should mention that this is a cidery where the apples come directly from their orchard(s) and you’re welcome to wander and ask questions. They’re down the road from Poplar Grove Cheese and Lock & Worth for a really diverse tour of ‘The Bench’.
1053 Poplar Grove Road, Penticton
Credit: Creek & Gully Cider
Neighbourhood Brewing
Ok, this one is exciting.
The BC Ale Trail has been exploding with craft brewers popping up everywhere. Port Moody is home to some excellent breweries, including Yellow Dog. Now, the Yellow Dog family is expanding with a second location in Penticton. The head brewer from Yellow Dog relocated his family to the South Okanagan, meaning we’re seriously stepping up our brew game with Neighbourhood Brewing. Another cool thing to see is the support from their neighbours at Cannery, Bad Tattoo and Slack Water, to name a few.
Although they haven’t been able to break ground on their building yet, they have recently launched their brand new beers in cans. Good things come to those who wait and all.
187 Westminster Avenue, Penticton
Credit: Neighbourhood Brewing
Doing things the right way is often the hardest way. Good people deserve good things, and when we support small, independent or family-run spots, your spending choices really does matter and make a difference. I closed the doors of my own family-run restaurant in 2016, but I always promised to do what I can to try and help.
The Okanagan is this change that’s happening and that’s pretty bloody exciting to watch.
About Aman Dosaj and the Paisley Notebook
Food geek, marketing geek, former England footballer (soccer), people watcher, middle child, Slow Food member, adventurer, imperfect environmentalist, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’, organizes pop up dinners across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. The Paisley Notebook was the winner of the ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ category at the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards, and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards ‘Remarkable Experiences’ category, and has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.
Website: PaisleyNotebook.com
Instagram: @paisleynotebook
Facebook: PaisleyNotebook
Youtube: The Paisley Notebook
Edible Adventures
I’m all about stories and adventures. My adventures, however, always tend to be of an edible kind. Leaving my pop up dinners aside, this particular one started with a little scavenger hunt across Kelowna, sourcing local goodness for the orchestrated 3-course moveable feast to come.
I’m all about stories and adventures. My adventures, however, always tend to be of an edible kind. Leaving my pop up dinners aside, this particular one started with a little scavenger hunt across Kelowna, sourcing local goodness for the orchestrated 3-course moveable feast to come.
Ok, the initial plan was for us to check out the sacred and very cool looking Spotted Lake in Osoyoos (I even created a dish inspired by the place in preparation), but sometimes Mother Nature interrupts adventure plans, but that’s when new plans hatch on the fly, which leads to epic new memories. So off we went to chase waterfalls at Christie Falls. Oh, wait…we also didn’t quite make it there either. With no cell service, we stopped at coordinates unknown because, well, we got hungry and there was a tranquil lake to help slow things (and us) down.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
First up, an ‘Onion Tea’, prepared using first of the season onions that were boiled then steeped like a tea, then finished with a green onion oil to make the broth look like the lake itself. Food is precious, even if it seems abundant, so I tapped into that mindset by using all parts of the onion (zero waste and all) to reflect the ‘sacred’ nature of the lake. Did I mention that I tell stories with food?
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
And off we went, this time to Bear Creek Provincial Park in West Kelowna. At the base of our hike, we had two choices – left, which winded around the mountain, or right, looking upwards at the wooden stairs. We opted for the not-as-widely-used stairs route, followed by the sound of water to zigzag our way. As we left the stairs behind and looked up, we noticed a tree standing tall at the very edge of a rock – a little reminder that you can grow anywhere. Thank you for the lesson, nature.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
With a backpack loaded with our locally inspired picnic, eco-friendly water bottle and Mr. Sun making a dramatic appearance, we had to work for the rewards of lunch, but to be honest, that is the best way to feel. Food has become so accessible that eating is something we just do. My project is all about trusting my local ingredients by learning about the people and stories behind it - it’s only when you get hands-on and play with your food, do you see the value in it. That is something I try to hang onto, even with something as simple and routine as lunch.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
As we got to the base, the landscape shifted to this shaded lush green, sounds of the stream for added ambiance and a gigantic fallen tree. It was time to make a reservation for the restaurant at the north end of the woods. In a few short moments, our naturally constructed feast magically appeared. From cheese, pickled carrots, snap peas, salad greens, duck rillette and a freshly made baguette – everything from here by people with names and faces and families and all crazy and sustainably delicious.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
There was no wait times or delays in our food, we took our time whilst eating and enjoyed each other’s company without the usual thoughts of turnaround times and average check sizes with restaurant life. It was definitely a Slow Food-dining experience that we’d both remember for a really long time, even if our restaurant were a made-up one.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
Finally, we ventured over to the Bear Creek beach across the road to end our 3-course meal with dessert and a familiar Okanagan Lake view. On the menu, a simple homemade chai spiced baked yogurt (using local milk) with first-of-the-season cherries. And so, our edible adventure was over.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj and Sian Flanagan
The best thing about living in the Okanagan is that the Valley can make even locals feel like tourists. Each sub-region is beautifully imperfect in its own right with all its twists and turns to keep you on your toes. You definitely need to experience a place in each region to really see how magical the Okanagan is.
If you’re willing to do a little work, these adventures really are accessible to everyone. Dining in the Okanagan or supporting local doesn’t necessarily have to be really expensive to create epic food memories.
Until next time.
Today’s sustainable eats included:
Duck Rillette from Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate
Organic Carrots (pickled in-house), Salad Greens & Snap Peas from Crooked Sky Farm at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market
Organic Cherries from Forbes Farm at the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market
Bella Stella Organic Brie and Organic Plain Yoghurt from the Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market
The Paisley Notebook’s Plum Chutney, made with last season’s Claremont Ranch Organics Plums, Brainy Bee Honey and NOMAD Cider Vinegar (by-product of the cider making process) and homemade local Raspberry Vinaigrette
Baguette from Sprout Bread
Abeego beeswax wraps to keep that leftover baguette alive
Nomnomnom
About Aman Dosanj and The Paisley Notebook:
Food geek, marketing geek, former England and Arsenal footballer (soccer), people watcher, middle child, Slow Food Member, adventurer, imperfect environmentalist, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’, organizes pop up dinners and collaborative events across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. The Paisley Notebook was the winner of the ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ category at the 2018 Canadian Tourism Awards, and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards' 'Remarkable Experiences' category, and has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.
Website: PaisleyNotebook.com
Instagram: @paisleynotebook
Discover the Edible Okanagan
The Okanagan is not only a beautiful place, but a delicious place, too. When you take the time to really look at it and explore our land, you start to see things a little bit differently.
Where the Wild Things Are
Let me start by saying this: the Okanagan is not only a beautiful place, but a delicious place, too. When you take the time to really look at it and explore our land, you start to see things a little bit differently.
For this particular edible adventure, I met fellow Slow Food thinking friends, Kevin Kossowan (From The Wild director and multiple James Beard award nominee) and Tyler Harlton (top class little intervention winemaker of TH Wines) for a spot of foraging in Osoyoos. I’d like to also add that when your adventure starts with a dropped pin with the meeting point, you know it’s going to be a good one.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj / Apple Maps
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj / Apple Maps
Before unloading my camp stove, hefty cast iron pan, homely spice blends and knife roll, we took a little wander to see what we could scavenger hunt for a field lunch with a five-finger discount. Blue skies stretched for miles, the path ahead muddled muted desert lands with the idyllic and familiar backdrop of lush blooming vineyards further away.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
From a local perspective, the subdued trail was used for the every day - walking the dog, a leisurely stroll or pretty straightforward flat run. That wasn’t our perspective or purpose. We literally travelled to Osoyoos to eat lunch together, but it wasn’t just a lunch date, it was a four-hour experience with the freshest, most local produce around.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Everywhere we looked, there was something new to feast on. We walked down the path, looking in every direction, losing track of each other in search of something delicious. ‘Is that…?’, ‘look over here…’ – the questions and answers kept on coming. Amongst the sameness came wild asparagus, nettles, rose petals, sumac, lamb’s quarter, pineapple weed, tarragon, mustard greens and lot and lots of poison ivy (danger is my middle name!) – all of which (minus the poison ivy) completely and magically safely edible.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
With a bucket load of food stimulus around us, we quickly came up with a plan to bust out the old camp stove and cast iron pan and set it down under a tree along the river trail. It was only until we unloaded our haul did we realize the extent of what Mother Nature gifted us. And then it was my turn to add a little Indian vibe and create some new food memories.
Photo credit: Aman Dosanj & Kevin Kossowan
Mother Nature really does have your back.
When you start foraging or growing your own food, you start to see the environment as the delicious place it’s supposed to be - proving it’s not necessarily expensive to eat locally and in-season.
Just remember that the land is borrowed and it’s not only ours. Share with the other members of our little eco-system and leave enough behind.
About Aman Dosanj and The Paisley Notebook:
Food and marketing geek, former England and Arsenal footballer, people watcher, feminist, BSc Business Graduate, middle child, Virgo, planner, Slow Food Member, adventurer, From The Wild alumni, imperfect environment, storyteller, and just weird enough to be interesting. The former Poppadoms owner and Western Living Magazine ‘Foodie of the Year’ organizes pop up dinners and collaborative events across the Okanagan aimed at bringing the community together. Winner of the Canadian Tourism Awards’ ‘Culinary Tourism Experience’ and a two-time finalist in the BC Tourism Industry Awards' 'Remarkable Experiences' category, The Paisley Notebook has raised over $47k for local charities since 2017.
Website: PaisleyNotebook.com
Instagram: @paisleynotebook
Eat With The Season
Gay men take vacations seriously. It takes months to decide on the destination, set the budget, plan activities, and coordinate with friends. For an agri-tourism adventure with a gay twist, here’s why you need to know for your visit to the Thompson Okanagan.
Agri-tourism gaycations in the Thompson Okanagan with local-first ingredients
Gay men take vacations seriously. It takes months to decide on the destination, set the budget, plan activities, and coordinate with friends. It’s an entire production. Gaycations range from week-long rager getaways to European cities to parties with half-naked, ripped hotties, private island beach vacations in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, luxury cruises with circuit parties that go on non-stop for 72 – 120 hours, or educational with museums, arts, and culture.
However, agri-tourism has seen an increase on the gaycation scale, as gay men look for fresh and new vacation options that are healthy, full of adventure, and experiential. The Thompson Okanagan, in the interior of British Columbia, is one of the best gaycation destinations for agri-tourism, not just for the amazing options below, but also because of the hot temperatures, beaches, outdoor recreation activities, luxury accommodations, and tours. For an agri-tourism adventure with a gay twist, here’s why you need to know for your visit to the Thompson Okanagan.
Agri-Tourism Gaycations
Photo credit: The Homoculture
Gay men love cooking, preserving, and amazing food. While this isn’t totally about gastronomy, the Thompson Okanagan region boasts incredible eating! The Thompson Okanagan boasts multiple climates and terrains, providing rich farmland to grow delicious food. The region is a cornucopia of farm-fresh ingredients. Farm-to-table. Up-and-down the valley there are so many amazing places to pick up fantastic ingredients. This area is known for road-side kiosks full of fresh fruits, grains, honey, and produce! There’s an abundance of Okanagan fresh ingredients for farm-to-table cooking, healthy eating, and to take home for canning, freezing, and dehydrating.
When it isn’t the food, another treasure of the region is the plethora of wine and wineries in the area. Some of the best Canadian wines come from the Okanagan Thompson. You can wet your whistle at nearly every turn because there are more than 120 vintners within the region. There’s always new wine and wineries to discover. Wine touring is an excellent way to taste some of the finest wines. Kamloops has become a budding wine region, with three new wineries, and the Okanagan Valley has become one of the few places in the world to produce late-harvest and ice wine. Wine tasting in the Thompson Okanagan is some of the boujiest agri-touristic activities you can partake in.
Agri-Tourism Gaycations
Photo credit: The Homoculture
The North Okanagan is home to the most famous cheese in Canada, Armstrong Cheese. While the original award-winning Armstrong Cheese brand was bought up by a conglomerate company and centralized cheese making in other, larger markets, another cheese company entered the market. The Village Cheese Company respects the heritage of cheese-making in the North Okanagan, making dozens of kinds of flavoured cheeses and the best cheese curds for making homemade classic Canadian poutine you’ll ever squeak between your teeth...or cheeks. Make like a (gym) rat and get ahold of some of that milky, creamy goodness for an evening of wine and cheese pairing unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
There’s a big push to save the newly endangered honey bee in North America, and there is no better place to get the entire beekeeping experience, honey, than at Planet Bee. Planet Bee has the absolute freshest and best honey in the Okanagan—and visiting this cool beehive comes with a complete education experience. There are a variety of delicious honey flavours, honey. Don’t forget that this sweet stuff is loaded with antioxidants and is a good dietary sugar and sweetener, plus it is amazing for curing a hangover. Do it for your health and the health of the world, by checking out the honey and bees at Planet Bee.
Jellie’s last jam just might be at a well-known Okanagan fixture: The Jammery. The Jammery specializes in jellies, jams, and all things preserved. The only “Jammery” in the world, The Jammery is so awesome it has been featured on the Food Network! You can check out the entire process from fruit to jam: it’ll blow your mind how cool the process is. Get the red pepper jelly to put on a crostini with baked brie and roasted garlic to have a complete agri-tourist experience at The Jammery.
Agri-Tourism Gaycations
Photo credit: The Homoculture
No agricultural tour of an area is complete without some libations. Sure, there are plenty of wineries in the region, but you should also check out two very fun distributors of natural alcohol. First is the BX Express Cidery, located in Vernon, BC. BX Express produces delicious craft-cider honouring the history of the region, infused with Okanagan ingredients. You’ve not had true, proper apple cider until you’ve tried cider from BX Express Cidery. Second to no one other than Okanagan Spirits. You can take your cocktailing to new heights with these spirits, produced locally from the apple orchards of the region. Okanagan spirits are made with a gluten-free spirit–thanks to their usage of those tasty red, yellow, and green fruits. Apples, not grain, are the principal ingredient used at Okanagan Spirits.
There are so many other amazing places to visit and discover in the Thompson Okanagan for a culinary adventure. Each city, town, and community offer seasonal crops and ingredients to inspire your next meal, snack, and party.
Fill your stomach and your soul full of delicious goodness with an agri-gaycation in the Thompson Okanagan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Webb is a celebrity social influencer, advocate for LGBT rights, role-model for the LGBT community and the winner of the prestigious Mr. Gay Canada – People’s Choice award. Brian has a passion for discovering and sharing special, life defining moments. Originally from the beautiful Thompson Okanagan, Brian is well known for making regular appearances throughout the year at Pride parades, festivals, street fairs, competitions, circuit parties and LGBT-friendly destinations.
IG @br_webb
8 Ways to Reduce Your Travel Impact in the Thompson Okanagan
Embrace land to table, take the road less travelled, and plan ahead. These tips will change the way you travel.
Easy Travel Tips that Help the Planet
1. Plan ahead & pack wisely
Planning ahead will help you avoid single use plastics like cutlery, shopping bags, takeout containers, coffee mugs and disposable water bottles. Pack these this with you ahead of time to cut down on waste during your trip.
Two of my favourite local products that would be on my packing list are produce bags from The Market Bags and my Okanagan Lifestyle growler.
Okanagan Lifestyle Growler & The Market Bag
Credit: Meghan Reading
2. Shop Locally
I could go on forever about how the Okanagan is one of the best places for local goodies. There are so many artisans creating beautifully crafted goods for you to enjoy and take home as souvenirs.
Picking Fruit & Farmers Market
Credit: Destination BC
Instead of heading to the grocery store, stop by one of the numerous farmers’ markets or road-side stands for local fare that’s in-season.
Some of the goodies that I can’t live without are Karat Chocolate, Broken Ladder Cider (bring your own growler), Queen B Kettle Korn and WINE!
3. Take the Road Less Travelled
In the summer, crowds flock to the Thompson Okanagan to enjoy the relaxed lakeside lifestyle. As the temperatures cool down, visitors disperse and you’ll oftentimes have an entire beach, trail or lookout to yourself.
Plan on visiting popular areas in the off-season. Wells Gray Provincial Park makes a fabulous getaway in the winter - the frozen waterfalls are arguably even more magical in a frosty state.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Credit: Meghan Reading
Get off the beaten path and visit some of the Thompson Okanagan’s less well-known destinations. One of my favourite location is the Similkameen Valley - both Keremeos and Cawston have incredible wineries and fruit stands, but are less on-the-radar than the popular Okanagan Valley benches.
Similkameen Valley & Harkers' Organics
Credit: Meghan Reading
Visiting the Thompson Okanagan in the shoulder season also allows small businesses who might be financially reliant on a single season to grow and become more sustainable for the long-term. Win-win.
4. Try a New Kind of Transportation
Take a guided tour, splurge on an electric vehicle rental or opt for a bike trip to reduce your travel impact.
Kelowna (Kilawna) recently adopted Drop Bike, a great way to see downtown Kelowna. There are also some incredible bike tours along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, you’ll cover a lot of distance and can even choose between a traditional bike or an electric bike to make the ride even more comfortable.
Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Naramata Bench
Credit: Destination British Columbia
Power Trips is an electric vehicle rental company in the Okanagan (Suqnaqinx). If you are looking to splurge, take one of these luxurious Teslas on a scenic drive through the valley. Definitely a road trip to remember.
5. Choose Sustainable Accommodation
Choose accommodations who value environmental stewardship, social responsibility and supporting local Indigenous cultures.
Keep an eye out for accommodations who have sought out third-party certifications like Biosphere Tourism and Green Tourism Canada. This shows they have taken steps towards improving their external impact.
Myra Canyon Ranch
Credit: Destination BC
Check out these unique and interesting sustainable places to stay for some inspiration.
6. Stick to Designated Trails While Hiking
It can be tempting to venture off the trail for a viewpoint or a unique photo opportunity, but this can be extremely hard on the local flora and fauna. Stick to the trail and take breaks on hard surfaces like rocks instead of on mosses or forest floor.
Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Myra Bellevue Provincial Park
Credit: Destination BC
For more tips on how to reduce your impact on trail systems click here.
7. Embrace Farm-to-Table Experiences
The Thompson Okanagan celebrates sustainable farming and local fare. Throughout the year you will find a variety of restaurants and events to showcase the bounty of the valley in a variety of ways.
Quail's Gate Winery & God's Mountain
Credit: Destination BC
Some of my favourite foodie experiences are:
Quails’ Gate Dinner in the Vineyard Series
Gods’ Mountain x Joy Road’s Alfresco Dinner
Start Fresh Kitchen Cooking Classes
Okanagan Select Salmon Tasting Room
8. Participate in Carbon Offset Programs
There are many ways in which we can reduce our travel impact. Ultimately, travelling produces a carbon footprint in many ways - emissions from a car rental or a flight to the destination are two fairly large culprits. Carbon Offset Programs work to compensate for this carbon footprint in a variety of ways. Many of these programs are still in their introductory phase, so make sure you do your research to determine if they are a good fit for you.
Have sustainability suggestions to add? We would love to hear your input on our Facebook or Instagram.
Safe travels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meghan Reading is a Canadian travel photographer. She grew up in the rocky mountains of Alberta but now calls British Columbia home. While she looks forward to continuing to explore the world with her camera, her favourite destination will always be her own backyard.