Our first stop on the wine tour was at Recline Ridge A scenic drive through the countryside brought us to the vineyard with its log style tasting room. Mount Tappen and Similkimeen Valley provide a magnificent backdrop. Recline Ridge is BC's most northern winery and produces a full selection of cool climate wines. Once inside we were greeted with a cheerful hello and a warm smile, followed by those tantalizing words "Would you like to do a tasting?"

Our visit was highlighted by meeting Sue Smith, co-owner of the winery. We enjoyed our conversation while tasting their fine wines. I especially enjoyed their Shuswap Serenado. Their gift shop is well stocked with items that caught my wife's eye, I soon had a new hat and jacket. A 1999 Shuswap Serenado and a 1999 Marechal Foch became our first wine purchase of the trip.

To see more photos from our tour please visit Gallery

For a list of the wines we selected visit our Wine Cellar

Just as the name suggests Larch Hills is perched on the top of a hill. We followed a winding road to the top and were greeted with one of the most beautiful sites the world has to offer, vineyards covering the sloping hillside, and beyond a paramount view of lush green valleys on all sides. A sign on the winery door indicated everyone was working in the vineyard and to please ring the bell. While waiting we enjoyed the view and walked among the vines, admiring bunches of juice filled grapes. It was not long before the friendly voice of Hans Nevrkla, winemaker and proprietor welcomed us.

We were invited into the wine shop and offered a tasting. We were soon joined by Hans' lovely wife Hazel who aided in the development of the Hidden Wineries of British Columbia brochure. The Ortega and Siegerrebe tantalized our taste buds and became part of our purchases along with a 1999 Merlot.

Hans took us on a tour of the winery from the crushing pad to the bottling room where everything is done by hand. Things were quiet for the moment (a bottling had just been completed) so we were able to get an in-depth look at how things were done. We were amazed with his knowledge and devotion to his craft. Returning to the gift shop we selected some wines for our wine cellar along with a hat, fridge magnet and some wine jelly.

In the hills overlooking Okanagan Lake just north of Kelowna we found one of Canada's oldest and most successful estate wineries Gray Monk Estate Winery. Owned by the Heiss Family. The outdoor patio provided a fantastic view of the lake. However it was late afternoon and the winery patio food service had closed.

The winery tasting bars were very busy. We were, however, able to sample some of Gray Monk's finest wines. We enjoyed their unwooded chardonnay and a 1997 Gamy Noir. The staff were fully occupied handling their bustling gift shop so there was, unfortunately, little opportunity to chat. We joined the throngs at the gift shop and purchased a selection of wine glasses perfect for red wines.