Day two of our winery tour started out at NK’MIP Cellars - the first aboriginal-owned and operated vineyard and winery in North America. While the wine was exceptional, I really enjoyed the storyboards recounting this history of the vineyard and the artwork that was displayed throughout the winery.
From Spirit Ridge and NK’MIP, we headed into Osoyoos to find a little place called 'Dolci' that was highly recommended as a place to go for breakfast. Mandy wasn't wrong - Dolci's was fresh and the outdoor patio was surrounded by plants of every type - flowers, herbs, vegetables.
We tasted several wines there, and I found that I am starting to develop a taste for red wine - as long as they aren't oaked!!
From Cassini Cellars, we continued up the valley, stopping at a cute little quilt store before heading to Okanagan Falls and a visit to Tickleberries. You can't stop there without trying at least a small piece of fudge or having an ice cream cone.
I also had a chance to add a photo to our 'Little Book of Big Things' album when I spotted an oversize adirondack chair outside. Patti F took the photo - I sure felt like Edith Ann from Laugh In (I think I just dated myself - although I might have only been 8 when I saw that show lol)
From Okanagan Falls, we headed over to Naramata - our mission - check out Blasted Church Winery and Poplar Grove Cheese. We headed to Blasted Church first -what a fun place! The wine labels alone make you want to drink the wine - which is also very good. At the entrance to the vineyard, there is a church pew and the sign made us laugh!
From Blasted Church we headed to Poplar Grove - where they have a new wine tasting lounge - and have a separate place to try out the cheese. And what cheese!! Harvest Moon, Double Cream Camembert , Naramata Bench Blue - all are rich and creamy - the blue has been brine salted, not dry salted, giving it no internal blue veining. It has a hint of salt, and becomes slightly runny with age. If you like something stronger, try the tiger blue! You can't go wrong with taking any one of them home!
Our last stop before heading home was a fortunate coincidence - one of Patti F.'s favorite wines is Red Stiletto, made by Ruby Blues Winery and we happened to pass the winery on our way back down the road from Poplar Grove. We didn't expect to find Red Stiletto - but thought it would be fun to see what the winery was like.
Much to our surprise - and Patti's delight - the winery had brought out a few more cases of Red Stiletto - and there were a few bottles available for purchase. It really was a fortunate coincidence! With the bottles of Red Stiletto tucked safely away in the trunk, we headed for home with our treasures - wine, cheese and memories of a fun 36 hours exploring the wineries of the Golden Mile and Naramata!
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