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BRITISH COLUMBIA
Discover Four Seasons in a Glass
Detours around Hester Creek
By Waheeda Harris
Year-round, Hester Creek Estate Winery and Oliver offer tempting distractions for visitors looking for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacay.
Spring Time
Kick off spring with a weekend at the tasty Osoyoos Oyster Festival, hosted by Walnut Beach Resort and the Osoyoos Golf Club. Sip, slurp and savour Pacific bivalves paired with Golden Mile Bench wines, while for those wanting a laid-back weekend option, enjoy Hester Creek’s family-friendly afternoon “Music on the Patio,” showcasing local singer/songwriters on weekends from mid-May to October.
The 22-km Half-Corked Marathon is an incentive for active travellers to run through vineyards and wineries, stopping at wine-tasting stations along the way, which culminates in the ultimate finish-line celebration. Meanwhile, hikers can follow the International Hike and Bike Trail, a scenic 18.4-kilometre path that traces the winding Okanagan River. Flanked by rolling vineyards and golden grasslands, you are guaranteed stunning riverside views.
Summer Time
Celebrate summer and Canada Day at Oliver’s community park, with its annual picnic and live music. At nearby District Wine Village, find ample daily tastings. This time of year is the perfect time to experience the South Okanagan greens. NK’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course is a scenic public course with a mix of challenging and beginner-friendly holes that can be played as either nine or 18 holes. Over at the Fairview Mountain Golf Course, golfers have been attracted to this standout destination since 1925. Perched 60 metres above the valley floor, the immaculate greens have been rated one of Canada’s top public golf courses by SCOREGolf.
Harvest Time
Watch for Hester Creek’s popular Harvest Festival, featuring local artisans, garlic producers, fun games, tasty food and award-winning vintages. But the harvest season doesn’t end there. There are considerable fall festivals, and the big kahuna is of course, Oliver’s Wine Capital Weekend (September 19–21). The notable three-day festival has a batch of festivities from the Cask & Keg Festival (September 20) showcasing craft beer, cider and spirits, to the crowd-pleasing Festival of the Grape (September 21), which will celebrate its 26th season this year.
Winter Time
South Okanagan’s mild winters lure skiers and snowboarders. A seasonal favourite is Apex Mountain Resort. Only 30 minutes west of Penticton, the annual snowfall of 500 cm there makes the 85 runs a champagne powder dream. Stay locally at Baldy Mountain Resort, which boasts the third-highest ski elevation in British Columbia. Raise a glass to the holidays at “Winter in Wine Country,” a two-weekend celebration with Hester Creek Estate Winery participating in the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country events. Expect festive cheer with complimentary tastings, mulled wine, holiday shopping, and evening strolls through illuminated vineyards.
travel planner
To start your sip and savour road trip to Hester Creek Estate Winery, check out hestercreek.com
