When we came across one of the newer and quickly expanding wineries in the Okanagan, O'Rourke's Peak Cellars, we knew our readers wouldn't mind making a day trip to experience this beauty located in Lake Country.
So we've prepared three reasons to inspire you to visit this property with panoramic views of surrounding orchards, vineyards, rolling mountains and the glistening water of Okanagan Lake.
Lake Country features marvellous vineyards aligned with breathtaking views of lakes and rolling hillsides. It's so beautiful that no matter where your perspective is from, be it the shore or the hills, you feel like you're in a painting. And when you visit one of the most picturesque places in Lake Country, O'Rourke's Peak Cellars, you'll appreciate a brushstroke in history formed from glaciation.
Throughout the vineyard, situated on the northern end of Lake Okanagan, are the big stones and boulders that remain from 100,000 years ago.
These ancient remnants rest next to the waters of Okanagan Lake in an environment that provides cooling in the summer and warmth in the winter... which are well utilized by talented winemakers.
The vineyard on Carrs Landing estate is relatively new, but it is not without its special growth of excellence. Originally planted in 2013 and 2014, additional plantings came in both 2015 and 2016. In these plantings, the Peak Cellars Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are maturing nicely and the unique terroir and special clones are leading the way to what you will see coming next.
Now while you go off adventuring the Lake Country scenery, be sure to pair it with Peak Cellars' new and exciting Unoaked Chardonnay. It was created by one of Peak Cellars' two winemakers, Stephanie Stanley, a true adventure winemaker. Stephanie produced a classic style that uses Lake Country's unique cool-climate growing region of the Okanagan to give you something that's crisp, refreshing and bright, reminiscent of Burgundy, France.
From the scenery, the vineyard has a unique terroir perfect for a classic Chardonnay. This experience is served best with wine and you'll really love this reason to visit Lake Country!
The second reason to visit Lake Country is to step into the Inner Circle.
When you've seen all the scenery you can come for a special Lake Country tour of O'Rourke's Peak Cellars half-acre garden during an "Inner Circle Experience."
While you wander through the Pinot Gris vines and relax on an outdoor vineyard patio, you'll be treated to a seated tasting of five wines and cheese and charcuterie. You even be able to visit the winery production and learn about their winemaking techniques and philosophies.
This intimate reason to visit Lake Country can be booked for up to six guests and is available from noon to 5:00 pm daily. Book online or call (250) 766-9922 or email tastings@peakcellars.com to make a reservation.
Some of the wines you taste during the Inner Circle Experience include the Single Block Rosé. This sought after clone, 828, is not widely found in Canada. While developing a Pinot Noir, winemaker Nikki Callaway chose the best way to express its character by making a Rosé instead of blending it into Peak’s Pinot Noir. All of the wines you'll taste have this careful attention and planning.
Coming soon, the new winery will produce its first vintage of wine with head winemaker Nikki Callaway focusing on bright and expressive Chardonnays and elegant and stunning Pinot Noir, while the wine adventurer, Stephanie Stanley, focuses on Peak Cellars and the large aromatic portfolio of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Rose, Unoaked Chardonnay, their fabulous Block 26 blend and a ‘secret’ new red!
Admittedly, it was difficult to narrow this down to three reasons to visit Lake Country, but for our final reason of the three, we suggest that you make the trip to enjoy Chef Frederic Czapek's incredible Garden Bistro and outdoor pizza oven!
Open daily, Garden Bistro is led by Chef Frederic Czapek, a German-born chef who was trained in Europe, was certified in Austria and has had the good fortune of working with Chef Bernard Casavant while they develop an outdoor forno pizza menu!
O'Rourke's Peak Cellars has an on-site half-acre garden with two greenhouses, two vineyard rows of berries and 35 assorted fruit trees, which all infuse into the dining experience. Their Irish gardener, Eric Feehely, works closely with Chef Frederic to provide the freshest ingredients to the culinary team.
Unlike most restaurants, the chef spends time tasting wines with the winemaking team of Nikki Callaway and Stephanie Stanley and once they've determined what the vintage expresses, they create the menus!
This focus on expertly paired menus is a challenge that Chef Frederic thoroughly enjoys and we're positive you will enjoy the outcome too!
Along with these three reasons above, O'Rourke's Peak Cellars just opened a gorgeous log home guest house that is nestled amongst the vines in Carr’s Landing Vineyard and they can assist with booking golf, ziplining, paddleboarding, wine touring and many more Lake Country experiences.
To relax in any of the suites that overlook Okanagan Lake and experience Wine Country at its best, send an inquiry to Heather Courtney, General Manager at O'Rourke's Peak Cellars by emailing heather@peakcellars.com. Your stay also includes complimentary continental breakfast and wine tasting.
For an experience like no other, look no further than O'Rourke's Peak Cellars and see how this special place is "100% Lake Country, 100% Estate Grown, on 100+ acres."
For directions to O'Rourke's Peak Cellars, go to 2290 Goldie Road, Lake Country, BC.
To see a list of their collection, click here and let us know which one is your favourite by commenting on Facebook. We'd love to hear about your experience and testimonials. With your help, we can continue to provide fellow readers with unique O'Rourke's Peak Cellars experiences.
O'Rourke's Peak Cellars at the Carrs Landing estate is a 300-acre property with panoramic views of surrounding orchards, vineyards, rolling mountains and the glistening water of Okanagan Lake. Inspired by Europe’s most famous wineries, the property features 300 metres of winding tunnels and 12,000 square-feet of cave space to store and age wines. O'Rourke's Peak Cellars talented winemaking team strives to produce complex, bright and exciting wines. The estate-grown portfolio showcases Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Rosé, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Noir.
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