Seriously. Lucky.

How lucky are we to be here?
How lucky were we to be here?

Even as the weather has cooled down the last week or so here on the coast, we're still pinching ourselves that we had such a glorious, warm & sunny week in the Okanagan. This photo showing a happy Stacey reminds me of what we had, an affordable accommodation in the beautiful surroundings of the Naramata Bench looking over Okanagan Lake.

For those of you who've ever thought about traveling BC's interior and visiting wineries, but haven't yet done so, we highly recommend that you try it.

There are many spots where you can travel from, at many price ranges. Kelowna is a bit too busy for our tastes, but you could base yourself there or in neighbouring West Kelowna (aka Westbank) where the Mission Hill and Quail's Gate Wineries are located.

Further south, you could stay in Peachland or Summerland, right in Penticton or Naramata. Accommodations exist near Okanagan Falls, Oliver and right down the valley into Osoyoos.

Check out Tourism BC's website for a start and try it. You'll like it.

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.