Napa is Crapa Compared to the Okanagan

Having just returned from a 5 day road trip to the Okanagan (B.C.’s wine country for my international subscribing possums), I’m left with sand in my shoes and an impressive wine rack. With my BF in tow, we hit up some spectacular spots, which inspired me to compile…

The Urban Cowgirl’s Favorite Places to Play in the OK

Sun worshiping at Skaha Lake is a must for soft, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and the often obnoxious (yet entertaining) wake boarders whizzing by waling an eclectic mix of G-unit and Jimmy Buffet.

Hit the sleepy but quaint village of Naramata for lunch before embarking on your tour through the Naramata Bench wineries. Starting off at Kettle Valley for an out-of-the-garage wine tasting…very grass roots. They also serve Geverztraminer slushies which sounds tacky but is surprisingly tasty. Move on to Lang Vineyards for a glass of Optima, whilst enjoying stunning views of the vineyard and Okanagan Lake. Next up, La Frenz for the must try/must buy Chardonnay Reserve; delicious and creamy and oaky – oh my! Cap off your day with dinner at the Barrel Bistro at Hillside Estate Winery. We sat on the patio, surrounded by cherry trees with a grand view of the vineyard and the lake. The food, accompanied by the fabulous wine pairings, put us both into a culinary coma. Excuse aime moi monsieur, are we in Bordeaux?

Penticton offers up some delish dining options with Salty’s Beach House on Lakeshore Drive (the strip), a tourist fave for years, owned by a seasoned traveler who has developed his menu based on international cuisine. Where else can you order sangria, paad thai and seared ahi tuna all in the same sitting? Also, the Hooded Merganser (did you know that’s a duck?), aka ‘The Hood’ is situated next to the Lakeshore Resort, built hovering over the lake with a good atmosphere and food to match. Star sighting – Sean Kingston eating dinner with his crew before performing at the local club The Blue Mule. I use the term ‘star’ loosely.

Lastly, an Okanagan road trip isn’t complete without a stop in Keremeos to stock up on fresh fruit for a fraction of what us city slickers pay. C’est bonne.

Photo credits – Urban Cowgirl