Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery at Backyard Farm: All Aboard for Flavour
Owner Tara Mathison, and Winemaker Mireille Sauvé, Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery, generously invited me to their August 22 dinner at Backyard Farm, Oliver. On coming aboard, it would be no longshot I’d be sailing off on a journey of deliciousness.
I have been a fan of Chef/Owner Chris Van Hooydonk and his cuisine since I first met him in his role as Executive Chef, The Sonora Room, Burrowing Owl Winery. When I discovered the farm-to-table Eden, he and Mikkel created in transforming a two-acre plot into a farm and private dining facility, my admiration deepened. Their vision “to encompass all the things that inspire them in life, home and career” and share it with likeminded partners and clientele is truly inspiring. The sacrifices and stress they had to endure to find calm waters in their bucolic setting is a saga to be saved for another day or in a “Hallmark’ movie.
(For a bit more background of Backyard Farm, see its website, or check out an article Gonzo Okanagan previously published here: https://gonzookanagan.com/backyard-farm-book-fast-for-slow-food/)
Lakeboat, a Jewel in Kaleden
Formerly a Calgary lawyer, Tara has a passion for architectural restoration and bought a heritage home to rehab in Kaleden, 2016, when she discovered the community’s small-town charisma. Fate would place this project next door to the fading Topshelf Winery, which she bought in 2017. Under her leadership and sweat equity, the neglected vineyards and winery were regenerated. She established a strong support team to launch Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery.
A huge part of Tara’s vision was the acquisition of Mireille Sauvé as Winemaker. Mireille already was creating The Wine Umbrella fundraising wines to benefit Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Scholarship Fund and these are still featured in Lakeboat’s tasting room. As a 20-year veteran winemaker, legendary Sommelier – Canada’s youngest sommelier 1997, distinguished wine education and experience, Mireille has helped shine the light on Lakeboat wines with accolades, prestigious awards, and placement on top BC restaurants’ wine lists.
Lakeboat shines in Kaleden and collaborates with boutique wineries including Anthony Buchanan Wines, and Black Market Wine Co. sharing similar winemaking values. Respecting the land, they farm sustainably to achieve exceptional fruit to make wine employing low intervention.
In addition to honouring the agricultural history, Lakeboat gives a nod to lake life with a nautical theme in its name, labelling and wines.
The website states, “Lakeboat crafts small-batch wines exclusively from locally-sourced grapes – a first for this established winegrowing region!” Along with their peers, it is Lakeboat’s goal “to establish a long-overdue sub-GI for this established vinifera winegrowing area.”
The Chef’s Table and Lakeboat
The adage you’ve no doubt heard, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” is fitting for this collaboration. The brilliance of Lakeboat wines paired with the exquisite dishes prepared by the team at Backyard Farm was of benefit to all onboard.
For some guests it was first time dipping into the depth of The Chef’s Table dining experience. In the shuttle I received from Kurt, The Naramata Wine Tour and Taxi Co., I learned neither the couple from Naramata nor Penticton had attended previously. To say it did not disappoint is an unfathomable understatement. The Odyssey of the evening and paired menu was truly fulfilling! Both couples raved about it on the way home.
Upon arrival, we were handed the SS Wanderer, an off-dry aromatic white wine, conveniently in a chilled can to carry in our garden tour by Chris. At Backyard Farm, foodies learn as courses are presented where all the food was sourced. For fruit and vegetables, we also got to see where they were grown. On our plates were items picked that morning. Plus, we met and toured with the chickens whose eggs play such a key role. We heard about the importance of bees and saw the hives from which the honey was extracted.
Back on the patio, we socialized and were treated to the music of Argentinian Amaranto Duo. Their music ranged from peppy allegros to haunting folk tunes. We were served glasses of Rosé and passed delicate appetizers to tide us over until we were mustered to the galley for dinner.
Pictures of the chalkboard menu/wine pairings and courses hint at the thoughtfulness of each selection. What is best experienced firsthand are the descriptions. From the crow’s nest of the steps leading into the open kitchen, Chef Chris and Winemaker Mireille as ‘old salts’ told the stories of each choice. This is consistent with events by other partners at Backyard Farm and adds height to the elevated experience.
Check Backyard Farm’s and its partners website and social media for events with tickets available to purchase for the private dining experience. Say “Aye, aye, captain” and cast off for your own culinary adventure.
Visit Lakeboat’s Tasting Room
Be sure to visit Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery’s tasting room at 236 Linden Avenue, Kaleden. Open Easter to Thanksgiving, 11 am to 5 pm daily, it has a $10 tasting fee refunded with purchase.
The Crew Club is available to join with a commitment of two six-bottle shipments annually. Choose Mireille’s curated selection or choose your own. Membership gives you a 10 per cent discount on wine purchases, front-of-the-line access to events, dinners, special tastings, and new releases. Plus, you get free tastings for you and three guests in the tasting room whenever you visit (appointments recommended but not required).
