Craft breweries, artisanal distilleries and
cideries have also blossomed across the
nation. Spirits range from the unique
Birmingham's Dill Pickle Vodka to the
sublime Royal Crown Northern Harvest Rye
Whisky, selected by a British critic as 2016
World Whisky of the Year.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
SUNNY WAYS AND SUNNY
VINEYARDS
Sunny Okanagan is the place many
Canadians think about moving to for their
retirement years. The Canadian version of a
riviera, it has glittering lakes as a backdrop
to ski hills, golf courses, cycling and hiking
routes, and wine trails. Okanagan Wine
Festivals produces three seasonal festivals
in the Okanagan Valley and produces and
runs the province's most prestigious wine
competition, the Lieutenant Governor's
Wine Awards (www.thewinefestivals.com).
Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country has some
great signature events including the Half
Corked Marathon in May, an approximate
24 km (12 mi.) run through beautiful
vineyards, and Pig Out in September
(www.oliverosoyoos.com).
Many of the wineries have excellent res-
taurants and some have great accommoda-
tions. Mission Hill's Terrace Restaurant, open
May to October, offers an unforgettable alfresco
dining experience overlooking the vineyards
and set against the spectacular backdrop of
Okanagan Lake. Locally-sourced fare is comple-
mented with herbs and vegetables from their
own organic varietal gardens, along with locally
foraged ingredients (www.missionhill-
winery.com). Quails' Gate offers flights of
wines and locavore meals in their Old Vines
Restaurant and patio overlooking the same lake
(www.quailsgate.com). Hester Creek, one of
the oldest wineries in the region, has a great
restaurant, Terrafina, and unique accommoda-
tions (www.hestercreek.com). Nk'Mip Cellars
was the first Indigenous owned and operated
winery in North America. Here the Osoyoos
Indian Band People have created a wine and
cultural experience, bar none (www.nkmip
cellars.com).
On Vancouver Island, visit wine, mead,
cider, and premium spirits producers. The
first commercial vineyard was established in
the Cowichan Valley in 1970 and the Island's
first winery opened in 1992. Today, there are
around 30 wineries (vancouverisland.travel/
itineraries/vancouver-island-wine-guide).
The Gulf Islands nestled in the Georgia
Strait, which separates Vancouver Island
from the mainland, are home to an
additional 12 wineries.
THE PRAIRIES
CRAFTY TIPPLES
While the Prairies are not known for their
wines—the climate just isn't suitable—the
craft brewery business is booming and spirits
are on the rise.
Capital K Distillery, Manitoba's first craft
distillery, started with Tall Grass Vodka and
has since added Tall Grass Gin, Tall Grass
Oaked Rhumb, Tall Grass Dill Pickle Vodka
and others to its lineup (www.capitalk
distillery.com).
Saskatoon, in Saskatchewan, has nine
great distilleries. Black Fox Farm and
Distillery makes truly fabulous gins, whiskies
and liqueurs made largely from local grains,
fruits and botanicals (www.blackfoxfar
manddistillery.com).
Alberta also has a flourishing craft beer
scene. Canadian Craft Tours offers a Calgary
Brewery Tour that explores three unique
breweries (www.canadiancraft
tours.ca/products/calgary-brewery-tour).
Eau Claire Distillery, a farm-to-glass
operation in Turner Valley, produces its
spirits—including the province's first single
malt whisky—from local Alberta grain
(www.eauclairedistillery.ca).
Drink: A Toast
to Canada
BY MARGARET SWAINE
ICE WINE FESTIVAL, NOTL • DESTINATION ONTARIO
Canadians are sophisticated drinkers. This northern
country is home to licenced wineries stretched out
in select pockets of land from the Pacific to the
Atlantic Ocean, and is the world's leading producer
of icewine. The cool climate viticulture also makes
for elegant, finely structured table wines with crisp
fruit flavours from European Vitis vinifera grapes
such as chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, pinot blanc
and cabernet sauvignon.
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