If you are a wine lover and an outdoors-man/woman, Sun Peaks is the place to be in the next few weeks.  From January 14-22 the village offers wine seminars, dinners and tastings in various restaurants and bars around the mountain, and the skiing, snow shoeing and sleigh rides are all worth discovering.  Deals on accommodations are icing on the cake.  I went up last year for the second time to check it out and there’s even more on offer this year.

 

First up was a seminar on BC Bubble with Crista-Lee McWaters Bond where we sampled our way through 8th Generation, Sumac Ridge, Summerhill and See You Later.

After checking into the comfortable Sun Peaks Lodge where I spent Thursday and Friday night, I attended the Delta Sun Peaks Winemaster’s Dinner with wines from Hester Creek Winery, Mission Hill Winery, Sandhill Winery, and Blue Mountain Winery all paired expertly with a five course meal.  While it looks like this year’s dinner is sold out, the Delta Hotel’s Restaurant (Mantles) offers a wine dinner  and there are other wine dinners around Sun Peaks offered nightly. I’d recommend trying any of the following.

Download Black Garlic Bistro’s Wine & Dine Menu >
Download Globe Café & Tapas Bar’s Wine & Dine Menu >
Download Mantles Restaurant’s Wine & Dine Menu >

The following night we took the  horse-drawn sleigh ride around the village and along the snow covered golf course.  We spent a relaxing 30 minutes bundled up in blankets listening to the sound of the sleigh bells and horses hooves.

The Progressive Tasting around the village was next on the agenda.  Dress warmly and tour about the village sampling wines along the way.  Probably a good idea to have dinner first, or at least a slice of Mountain High Pizza, as you’ll need something in your stomach to avoid falling into a snowbank after all the wine that is offered.

We went out for a snowshoe with Sun Peaks Adventures.   It’s worth getting the guide as while the trail systems are well marked, the guide stops at bird feeding station, snow cave and the trapper’s cabin and serves you hot apple cider. Regular tours depart Friday to Monday at 1:30pm and cost $18.  There’s also brunch and moonlight versions of the tour.

Saturday the Winter Okanagan Wine Festival Brunch was on the agenda with wine optional. Download the menu > It’s was at the Delta Sun Peaks, and is again this year.  I then checked into for Sunday night and went for an afternoon ski.  Temperatures are mild at this time of year and there’s little fog and lots of sunshine, hence the name Sun Peaks.

The Sun Peaks cocktail challenge held outside MacDaddy’s was the last of my stops before heading in for a much needed rest at the Delta and home on Sunday.

Details of this year’s festival below.

http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/events-and-festivals/winter-festival-of-wine

And more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/goodlifevancouver/sets/72157628817492127/