Leave the City Behind and Experience Smalltown Hospitality on Summerland's Bottleneck Drive — Miss Eileen Soo

Leave the City Behind and Experience Smalltown Hospitality on Summerland's Bottleneck Drive

Put Okanagan’s burgeoning wine touring region on your must visit list

Summerland, British Columbia, is inviting visitors to slow down, relax, and lose themselves in the stunning beauty of its Bottleneck Drive. This idyllic region offers a unique collection of tasting experiences making it the perfect destination.

Situated in the picturesque centre of Okanagan Valley, Bottleneck Drive is known for its award-winning wines, ciders, beer, and spirits, produced by passionate and skilled artisans. Visitors can enjoy tastings, take tours, and attend special events that showcase the very best of the region and enjoy the small-town charm of Summerland.

Three distinct touring routes take visitors off the highway and along the scenic country that winds past farmsteads, lush vineyards and orchards around every turn, and uncovers a quaint town where locals are friendly and down to earth. Visitors can stroll the very walkable Main Street's charming shops, restaurants, and coffee bars. It's no wonder that Summerland was recently named one of the Top Ten places to live in British Columbia.

"We are thrilled to invite visitors to experience the unique charm and beauty of our town and Bottleneck Drive," said Christine Coletta, chair of the Bottleneck Drive Association.

"Our members are dedicated to offering visitors a friendly, engaging experience, where they can taste the best of our region, and explore the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds us."

Along the route, visitors can sample delicious ciders, crafted from locally sourced apples and other tree fruits, or try the smooth and flavourful spirits, and refreshing brews and wines made using traditional and new techniques.

Image: @ Bottleneck Drive offers scenic stops around every turn - Stephanie Seaton photo

Here's what's happening:

Father's Day: Celebrate on June 19 with complimentary wine tastings and live music, honouring all father figures.

Open House: Join the highly anticipated Blasted Church free event on June 24, featuring a refreshing poolside rosé tasting, live music, and complimentary wine tastings. Select wines chosen from the cellar library will be released for sale. Save the date as this is one you do not want to miss!

Frälik in the Falls: Experience wine tasting, dinner, live music, and dancing at Centennial Park on July 22 with the wineries of the Okanagan Falls | Skaha Lake Winery Association. Enjoy dinner prepared by BRODO Kitchens, live music by Uncorked!, a silent auction in support of Penticton Excel, and dancing in the sweet summer sunshine. Tickets are $100 per person via Eventbrite.

The Virago Collective: On July 15 Blasted Church Vineyards will be the venue for the Virago Collective theatre production, Atlantis. This will be an exciting live production at the winery. Tickets coming soon.

Image: @ The Grand Sommelier Express celebrates Bottleneck Drive and the Kettle Valley steam train

For wine lovers, Summerland also has three unique sub-geographical indications (sub GIs) - the Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, and Summerland Bench. These regions offer a diverse range of soil types, topography, and microclimates that give rise to award-winning wines. Wine enthusiasts can take the time to enjoy each sub GI within each of the touring routes, taste, and appreciate the unique character of the wines that come from the area. Here, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are a few of the signature varieties that thrive in this exceptional and diverse landscape.

And in each touring route visitors are encouraged to get out their mobile phones, not only to take tons of pictures, but also to scan the QR code on signs displayed at each Bottleneck Drive member location to enter online for a chance to win a weekend getaway for two. Entry is fast and simple, encouraging visitors to enter each time they visit a new member location. The prize package includes a two-night stay at the Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa, two days of VIP touring and tasting, and meals hosted by various producers.

Beyond wine and beverages, Bottleneck Drive offers a range of exciting events throughout the year, such as the Grand Sommelier Express and Light Up the Vines. The Grand Sommelier Express is a unique beverage and food experience, where visitors can enjoy gourmet meals, award-winning wines, and more, and ride on the Kettle Valley steam train, while taking in the breathtaking views. Light Up the Vines is a magical winter event, where visitors enjoy a festive atmosphere while touring the vineyards, sipping on local wines, and admiring the stunning light displays.

To plan your visit to Bottleneck Drive and learn more about the region's wineries, cideries, distilleries, and events, visit the official website at bottleneckdrive.com.

Follow Bottleneck Drive on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest from members.

About Bottleneck Drive:

Bottleneck Drive is a collection of 20 wineries, cideries, distilleries, and breweries located in the central Okanagan Valley in Summerland, BC.

The region is known for its award-winning products, as well as its stunning natural scenery and small-town hospitality. Leave the city bustle behind as you explore three distinct touring routes each designed to help you get to a handful of places to taste and enjoy while you also discover the hidden back roads of the area. Leaving Highway 97 by turning right or left takes you past lakefront parks, orchards and vineyards, down quaint country roads or along Main Street shops and restaurants.

Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours, and special events throughout the year, and discover the special small-town charm that sets Summerland as one of the friendliest places in the Okanagan Valley, while exploring the best of what the region has to offer.