Off to the cooler!

Successful wine travel means more than a tankful of cheap gas. You need a few accoutrements, like a good cooler to beat the heat. You don't want to experience the shock of driving around with your case of Cab-Merlot bleeding past the cork into the trunk of your car. It only takes a little Okanagan sun to cook your car into the mid-40s with the windows rolled up.

Invest in a good cooler before your wine tour. Canadian Tire has the collapsible California Innovations cooler (which will hold a full case of wine) for about $30. Toss in an ice pack or a cup full of ice before your drive and you'll be glad you spent the $$.
Along with the wine we bought on today's Northern Adventure, we nabbed a block of smoked salmon from the fridge at Dirty Laundry Vineyards. Note to other wineries — do like DL and offer yummy foodstuffs for weary wine travelers if you can.

+++ Addendum to this post. Today, while departing Sonoran Estate Winery, we spotted that another group of visitors had left their dog in the car in insufferable Okanagan heat. We immediately dialed Sonoran to report this, and their response was sincere and immediate to this matter. Thanks, Sonoran. If you are traveling with a pet, please don't expose them to temperature extremes.
 

Author

  • Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.

    In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.

    His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.