Slip and Sip in The View’s vineyard

By Roslyne Buchanan

Snow blanketing the Okanagan is no reason to abandon wine touring in winter. Take, for example, fun events such as Slip and Sip developed by those innovative folks at The View Winery & Vineyard.

Last week thanks to Tourism Kelowna, we joined The View’s engaging President Jennifer Turton-Molgat for a sneak peek of the guided tour for a winter vineyard experience. Registered guests are invited to slip into snowshoes or hiking boots for the tour followed by a tasting in The View’s cozy wine shop. Registration is required and canine friends on leash are welcomed. Slip and Sip Unguided Tours are available in January and February for arrivals between 12 noon and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays for $10 plus tax per person.

Weather permitting, and by appointment only with parties of four or more people, Slip and Sip Guided/Educational Tours are available on Saturdays for $15 plus tax per person.

Despite the lack of snow, what fun we had hiking with Jennifer through her family vineyards as she shared the history of the orchard, vineyard, winery and cidery. The route would be a blast on snowshoes given enough snow. Either way, tasting The View’s wines and Wards ciders following our outdoor adventure was fine frosting.

We also previewed Fondue Fridays, back by popular demand, for which guests make their way to The View to enjoy fondue and wine/cider pairings held every Friday evening in February and March except for March 29.

For Fondue Fridays, there are two options: Purchase a $15 (taxes included) ticket for 5 pm start (It requires your arrival between 5 and 5:30 pm.) or for 6 pm start (It requires your arrival between 6 and 6:30 pm.). In either case, stay as long as you’d like. The timed arrival is intended to optimize each guest’s experience. By the way, for this event, the price is 25 per cent off for Wine Club members.

A family owned estate, The View Winery & Vineyards overlooks the City of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake on a parcel of land that’s been in the Turton/Ward family for five generations. Historically, apples were grown and the transition to cider apples and grapes began in mid-1990s. Tucked into an enticing vintage building, circa 1920s, that served as a neighbourhood apple packing house, is the winery and cidery since 2016. Inside, is also the eclectic wine shop that offers shopping in addition to wine and cider tasting.

You’ll notice the red shoe is a recurring theme on the wine labels, throughout the wine shop, and even to mark the vineyard trails. It’s a playful story about the love of wine. Learn more about it, plus details on other events, the wines and ciders of The View by checking out www.theviewwinery.com

Featured photo: Fondue Fridays Sneak Peek with Jennifer Molgat pouring. Photo credit: Roslyne Buchanan.