Que Syrah Syrah in South Okie

Cruise the Crowsnest Highway while the pine tree hillsides are peppered
with autumn gold on your way to wine country for a weekend where life
imitates a luxury car commercial.

stay
With shades of maize and sienna both inside and out, a
fully outfitted suite at Spirit
Ridge in Osoyoos lends itself well to hunkering down with a bottle
of a new fall release. For the best vineyard view, book one of their
private, spacious one bedroom villas close to the adult-only pool area
and invite a couple of gal pals along. Villas from $199, www.spiritridge.ca

spa
Treat yourself to the new Young & Wyse organic treatment
at the Sonora
Desert Spa. The anti-aging body polish/facial/massage all-in-one
treatment uses certified organic products by Italian line Comfort Zone.
Named for the new Osoyoos winery, it includes a glass of their shiraz to
warm you up for the rest of your October wine tastings. $149, 75
minutes, www.sonoradesertspa.com

stop
Get pesticide-free squash at Harkers
Organics in Cawston and a pint of pumpkin pie gelato at Osoyoos
Gelato on Main Street. On your way home, take a pie stop in Hope
at Home Restaurant for diner-style apple à la mode.

dine
Ask for the plush blue velvet corner booth betwixt two
walls of white frames at Passa
Tempo and order the Ocean Wise ahi tuna with a glass of local chard
or pinot noir. For a cocktail cleanser, take a Bison Grass Caesar at the
bar. www.passatemporestaurant.com

do
If youre new to wine touring, start your journey with an
in-depth tour and tasting ($7.50) led on-site by a wine educator at NKMIP
Cellars. With this years late harvest, you could get a glimpse of
grape action (we saw pinot being pressed). After Olivers bounty, be sure
to head due north to Okanagan Falls for the 2009 gewürz and pinot gris
releases from Meyer
Family Vineyards and Wild
Goose.

See photos from our trip on today’s Editors’
Diary.