The holiday season is quickly approaching and taking in a winery tour is a great way to get into the festive spirit.
Wine tastings, food pairings, decorated wine shops, art, gift ideas and holiday joy and cheer await in the third annual Similkameen Country Christmas Winery Open House Tour which runs Dec. 6 to 8 daily from noon to 4 p.m.
George Hanson, president of the Similkameen Wineries Association explained, “All nine of our member wineries will be open and serving up holiday cheer as part of the annual Keremeos Christmas Light Up celebration.”
In traditional holiday open house style, meander through the beautiful Similkameen and visit Cerelia, Clos du Soleil, Eau Vivre, Forbidden Fruit, Orofino, Robin Ridge, Rustic Roots, Sage Bush and Seven Stones wineries. While looking at the decorated wine shops, enjoy wine tastings at each winery including some new releases. Every winery will delight your senses with different holiday traditions, ranging from wine pairings with festive nibbles such as cheese, chocolate and baked goods to hot mulled wine by a firepit. There will be fun and festivities throughout your tour, and maybe even some crush-pad ball hockey.
At each winery, you can shop for your holiday entertaining and gift-giving wines as well as unique wine gift sets and magnums, artisan food items such as wine jellies, wine-lover accessories and gift baskets, jewellery, purses and more. Maybe Santa will come early and you will win one of the door prizes offered throughout your tour.
“With special thanks to the Keremeos & District Arts Council, a number of wineries will also feature art including paintings, sculptures and photography by various local artists,” said Hanson.
After you complete your winery open house tour, you’ll be set for all of your holiday entertaining and gift-giving times. Rumour has it that even Santa loves to give (and receive) amazing, award-winning wines from the Similkameen Valley. For more information, visit SimilkameenWine.com, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.