59 Bottles, Bday, and Bikinis

Hello loves! I know it's been a while since I've written. In between watching hockey and planning my Europe trip, I haven't found the time. I really wanted to take some outfit pics over the weekend but the weather wasn't cooperating.

Last week, I came into about 60 bottles of vintage wine. FOR FREE. Someone we knew (immensely wealthy, multimillionaire) just sold his mansion which had a stocked wine cellar. He doesn't actually live here, and he wanted us to get rid of his goods. So away we went and carted out boxes after boxes of wine, some dating back to the mid 80's. I'm not sure how much of it is still "good", since half of it was white wines, but I know there's definitely a bottle or two that might be worth something. I will be documenting my journey through these mystery bottles over at The Unreserved, a wine, foodie, and lifestyle publication and community (I'm one of the editors). So come check it out if you're interested. I should be posting the first bottle over the weekend.

Above: Me marveling at all those cases of wine at a winery in South Africa.

I also had a great bday celebration on the town with my closest besties. We headed to Judas Goat, a small Spanish tapas bar with a great wine list on the recommendations from my friends at Noshwell (review here) and Senses and Style. It didn't disappoint, and we were fully stuffed. I didn't take very good pictures but here's a sampling of what we ate: mini bruschettas (mushrooms and melted cheese, chorizo and onion, roasted pepper), brisket meatballs with tomato sauce, slow cooked sablefish with Israeli couscous, and cured salmon pastrami.

Now something completely off-topic - my new Reef bikinis arrived! Although it hasn't exactly been beach weather here, I can't help but be excited about the two mix-and-match tops and bottoms I got (especially when I could be wearing them in the South of France...).

I got this above top but in dark purple and black so the reef label isn't quite so loud. Then the matching bottoms below but in black. In "cheeky" fit too =D.

I couldn't resist this beautiful multi-coloured triangle top - love the hippie vibe.


The detailed braiding on the sides of this pair was so unique so I picked that up too.

I bought everything from Spyder Surf and they were great about the order. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering swimwear online but everything turned out great! I can't wait to test them out, even if I have to wear them underneath my thick "seal suit" (aka wetsuit) when I'm in Tofino in a couple of weeks.

Great Grapes in the Okanagan

The May long weekend beckons, and I'm thinking what a great time to take a grape roadtrip. By that, I mean a lovely wine tour in the Naramata Bench region near Penticton, BC. I'm a bit of a wino, having wine toured twice in South Africa, New Zealand, and Napa Valley. My friend Maxine was recently in Naramata, and she brought back a couple of bottles from one of my favourite wineries, Therapy Vineyards. It reminded me of a trip Rob and I took to the Naramata a few years ago. We still regularly order from the wineries we visited, as well as those from Oliver and Osoyoos. Many are home-grown operations with limited yields, so we make sure we are on their mailing list. Most of the good stuff never makes it to the liquor stores. We feel the wine tastes that much better when you've been to the place of origin, and you have a feel for the winery, the winemakers, and the history.

The region is beautiful wine country, complete with gentle hills, farmsteads, and fruit orchards. Naramata has developed into a gourmet foodie destination, and I highly recommend staying there versus Kelowna. I'm not a big fan of the large scale wineries anyhow, and I find the people and stories behind the smaller places so much more intriguing.

I've put together my Great Grapes List below, which outlines my favourite wineries in Naramata Bench, as well as some of the neigbouring Oliver and Osoyoos. Don't forget to pack a picnic basket so you can enjoy your finds with some bread and cheese.

Lake Breeze: Located on a beautiful viewpoint over Okanagan Lake, I love this winery for their fabulous whites like the Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. I even love their Seven Poplar Chardonnay - incredible considering how much I dislike America's favourite grape. Plus, their patio restaurant serves the best food in Bench.


Above: Lunch on the sun-drenched patio of Lake Breeze.

Therapy Vineyards: This plot of land formerly grew grapes for Red Rooster, and luckily for us, it's now Therapy Vineyards. Freudian Sip is a wonderful summer sipper, as lighthearted as the colourful label. With names like Super Ego and Pink Freud, I'll take this kind of Therapy anyday. Oh, and did I mention they have a luxurious guesthouse B&B too? Heaven.

Black Hills Estate Winery: Sleek and sophisticated, Black Hills in Oliver is well known for its Nota Bene Bordeaux style red that packs a bold punch AND it sold out in 47 minutes (I grabbed a half case for the 2nd year in a row). If you want the best of hand-crafted, small lot wine, this is the place to be. Didn't make the wine club list this year? Sign up or go on their private tour, which will guarantee exclusivity and an intimate setting.

Burrowing Owl: Possibly the only wine estate in the area that gave me an old-world feeling. The setting is breathtaking. There's something in that hot Oliver soil that keeps producing juicy big reds, and Burrowing Owl is no exception. Take your pic of Merlot, Cab Sauv or Meritage, they won't disappoint.


Above: Wine and Cheese at Burrowing Owl.

Poplar Grove: Not so much for their wines, but I'm here for their cheese. Double cream camembert, tiger blue (nice bite) and the creamy Naramata Bench blue. You can pick these up at better fromage places around town but isn't it more fun getting it there?

Laughing Stock: Created by former stock brokers looking for a greater passion, Laughing Stock is a clever little enterprise that happens to make great reds. Specifically, look for the Porfolio which has picked up its fair share of awards. The tasting room (a small but sleek room) is open by-appointment only, so call ahead.