PENNY POWER | Six-year-old boy earns praise for collecting coins for thrift shop in Lumby [A6]
0 Morning gStar
% 84
The
FINANCING FOR MONTHS
2012 CHEVROLET
MALIBU
Sunday, July 8, 2012
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
O V E R
2 0
Y E A R S
BANNISTER 4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
GM
DL#9133
Tour reveals an Okanagan tradition Wineries gain popularity with valley visitors JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Staff
G
rape growing is quite literally in the Okanagan’s roots. Stemming from the trial and error growing pains in the pioneer days of the 1800s to today, where world-class wines are being uncorked annually. Of B.C.’s approximately 180 wineries, most are located in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Even though the south (where red grapes thrive) virtually dominates the Okanagan’s wine industry, the north (where whites do well) is increasingly tapping into the prestige. “Most of them are (in the South Okanagan) but we have some very good ones here (in the North Okanagan) and the original one is here,” said Mary-Jo O’Keefe, owner of Vernon-based MJO Tours, which gives guests a taste of the industry up and down the wine valley. Gray Monk has been grape growing for 40 years at its Okanagan Centre location in Lake Country and wine making for 30 – it is celebrating those milestones this year, along with the 50th wedding anniversary of George and Trudy Heiss. Established in 1972 by George and Trudy, Gray Monk is the Okanagan’s only original winery still operated by its founders. At the time of its inception, Gray Monk was one of only eight wineries in the valley. But that is changing as more wineries are planting their roots in the north (whether it be Lake Country, Vernon’s Bella Vista hillside, Spallumcheen, Grindrod or yonder into the Shuswap). “The industry here is changing
Featuring its very own meadery, the site is a buzz with tourists and wine connoisseurs seeking a distinct taste for their palate. With the existing and up and coming wineries/meaderies in the area, O’Keefe is working to help introduce the tastes to locals and tourists alike. “We’re in the process of developing another tour that does the Bella Vista wineries,” said O’Keefe, who already offers tours to Planet Bee. But the valley isn’t all about vino. Downtown in both Vernon and Kelowna, Okanagan Spirits is churning out its own awardwinning varieties. Fruit liqueurs, gin, grappa and absinthe are among the awardwinning products being distilled. So while the number of South Okanagan wineries is still more than double what the north has to offer, the local scene is growing, and flourishing. “We’re getting better and better at what we do,” said O’Keefe, adding that while two-thirds of JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR her tours used to be strictly out A family (above) gets a look at Gray Monk Estate Winery while Mary-Jo O’Keefe (below left), with MJO Tours, explains of Osoyoos and Oliver, that’s no longer the case. the wine-making process to Karen and Bill Seward, from New York, at Ex Hihilo Vineyards in Lake Country. And although tourists still the north’s founding winery, over- make up a significant number looking Okanagan Lake, Arrowleaf of those on tour, more locals are Cellars opened its doors in 2001. emerging to taste the influx of Directly above Arrowleaf sits locally-grown products. Ex Nihilo (Latin for ‘out of noth“The whole experience has ing’) – which includes a modern changed so much the last two tasting room paired with art or three years. There is so much (some of which depicts the history more that the wine industry is of how the winery came to be). offering.” Another winery, called The proof is in the sales. Intrigue, is already producing After tasting the offerings at wine from its Lake Country vinethree Lake Country wineries (plus yards and has plans to open to the Ancient Hills in Ellison), a New public this year. York family was so impressed with Even further north to Vernon, the quality of Okanagan wine two wineries are in the restructhat they headed home with five turing/making: Turtle Mountain bottles. Vineyards and The Cellars “I loved it, it was very nice,” (which has released under the said Karen Seward, while visiting StompinGround label). her daughter in Vernon. And between the two Bella For more photos and video foota lot. Initially here all we had was and years,” said O’Keefe. Vista sites sits a unique attraction age of a few local wineries visit Gray Monk for years and years In fact, just up the hillside from to the area – Planet Bee. www.vernonmorningstar.com
Exposure to Buyers From Around The World
www.global.remax.com Globally Connected …… Locally Respected