Page 69 - Grapevine May-June 2019
P. 69
International News
terrain definitely allows for a variety of growing acidity. The microclimates in the Okanagan attract
ability. vintners from Australia, California, France, New
Zealand, and South Africa.
Traditionally B.C. has always been divided by into
four “Designated Viticultural Areas” by the VQA. Sassy and Classy
These include The Okanagan Valley, Vancouver
Island, Fraser Valley and Similkameen Valley. The Voted “the cheers of wineries” by Yelp, and “best
VQA is currently in the midst of changing their place to taste wine” by the readers at Okanagan
Appalachian areas to honor the diversity of the Life Magazine, Dirty Laundry Vineyard is all about
land, adding five or six new sub-Appalachians to the art of creating fun for their guests while helping
reflect the many smaller vineyards on Bottleneck them develop a better understanding of some of
Drive. There’s such a wide range of grape charac- the subtleties of viticulture.
teristics due to the diverse landscape here. It’s
often an interesting juggling act to get all of our For Spink and the other team members at Dirty
grapes harvested at the same time. We try to con- Laundry, there’s no reason you can’t educate your-
trol what we can, but in fact, we rely on Mother self, have a good time, and enjoy a high-quality
Nature above all else. experience. Their “where wine is fun” and “time
to wine down” attitude is evident around every
GM: What does Dirty Laundry’s elevated tasting bold corner. They eliminate the pomp and deliver
experience include? an unpretentious, colorful, and uniquely engaging
experience. Stop in at the winery’s Red Iron Grille
MS: Our wine shop is a favorite spot, but often for an Italian Forno wood-fired pizza, and unwind
people want a more personal experience where with locally made gelato and live music on Friday
they can learn more about our wines and find out nights. Beer lovers can indulge in the craft beer
how they’re made. Our boardroom overlooks the selections at The Bottoms Up Saloon. Experience a
vineyards and patio, guests can enjoy a cheese and historic ride on The Kettle Valley Steam Train, built
wine pairing, and if they’d like to enhance their between 1910-1915, where visitors are whisked
experience, they can also take a scenic vineyard along the only remaining preserved section of the
tour. Kettle Valley Railway, winding their way through
picturesque orchards and vast vineyards and stop-
Panoramic Perfection ping to catch breathtaking views of Okanagan
Lake. Perched on top of the canyon on Trout Creek
The second largest wine region in Canada, The Trestle Bridge, 238 feet above the creek, it’s easy to
Okanagan Valley boasts approximately 4000 hect- understand why you’ve arrived at the most paint-
ares of vineyards and produces 90 percent of the erly point in Summerland. Don’t forget to see Dirty
wine in British Columbia. Picturesque landscapes Laundry’s General Store and peruse their portfolio
run for miles along Okanagan Lake and the com- of award-winning wines, witty merchandise, cloth-
munities of Kelowna, Penticton, Naramata, Oliver, ing, and gifts.
Osoyoos, Summerland, and Okanagan Falls.
Sassy and classy, Dirty Laundry Vineyard’s vintage
The dry, warm climate of the southern B.C. inte- charm is sure to please.
rior is the perfect recipe for excellence in viticul-
ture, and the coastal mountain range protects the Dirty Laundry Vineyard is located at 7311 Fiske
grapes from any potentially threatening weather. Street, Summerland, B.C. Their tasting room hours
The many lakes running in the valleys control both are 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Sunday.
the heat in the summer and the colder winter air.
Moderate moisture combined with consistently For more information visit their website
strong sunlight allows the grapes to ripen to full https://www.dirtylaundry.ca/
maturity, and the night air helps them retain higher
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