Wine Country

The plan today is to visit just a couple of the many wineries the Okanagan Valley is famous for.
Gray Monk, a smallish estate winery is our first stop. The vintner here produces some fine wines based on the few we tried but the Gewürztraminer is the winner for us today. 

One of Gray Monk's beautiful vineyards. 

As a couple of these photos show, there is a consistent haze throughout the valley. Apparently an inversion is holding some remnants of smoke from a couple still burning, but distant wildfires.

A beautiful setting along the Okanagan Lake

This wine is still pretty young

The Gray Monk lane way through one of it's vineyards

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Next stop is the magnificent Mission Hill winery. This large winery is known as much for its spectacular grounds and dining as it is for its award winning wines.

The gang at Mission Hill. Note the bell tower in the background.

Just spectacular grounds.

The group is checking out a bell that was originally cast to be used in the bell tower mentioned earlier. Unfortunately it was mis-sized and could not be used in the tower, so the owners chose to display it for up close public inspection. It really is a work of art and produces a wonderful, warm tone by simply tapping it with a knuckle.

A work of art.

The dining area overlooking the vineyard.

Words of wisdom?

Wine as Art?

Art in the courtyard.

After another great day of spectacular views with some tasty wines thrown in, we were treated to one more sight as we rounded the corner to the house.

Time for a glass of wine!