He's ridin' inta Hell
The wine is OK but the view is fantastic
Every building in Silver Star is painted with at least 5 different coloursAs we were enjoying lunch and a glass of wine on the outdoor patio of a winery/bistro overlooking Lake Okanagan, a groom and his attendants arrived for a brief lunch before his “big day”. After quickly finishing their meal, the group prepared to leave when the groom, resplendent in cowboy boots, silver spurs and, a western motif suit, produced a saddled horse, mounted up and prepared to ride the 2 miles down the hill to a large marquee set up on the lakeshore in anticipation of his wedding. As the horse twisted to leave, the Best Man turned to the audience and proclaimed, “He’s ridin’ inta Hell”! A loud protest erupted immediately from the female diners on the patio. The men however, all seemed to think it was very funny. Go figure.
In the words of the old Buffalo Springfield song – “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear…”. The Okanagan Valley produces some good wines. We did not taste any great wines or, even any special wines. But, try telling that to the people around here. Admittedly all their good stuff seems to sell out in minutes after it is put in a bottle but, for the wine that is left, $30, $40 or $50 a bottle is NUTS. The wines here are selling for at least double what they’re worth anywhere else and, I mean ANYWHERE else that we have ever been; North America, South America, or Europe. I’m glad that we are still stocked with some really good $20 - $25 California wines. But…….. it’s a very beautiful wine producing area. Compromise, compromise….. And, watching kids swimming and playing on the beach when it is still 29°C at 5:30 P.M. is OK too.
Today, we got together with some more Brockville transplants. Dave and Pat, former Brockville neighbours of ours, left five years ago to settle in the Okanagan at Silver Star and, are living their dream lifestyle. Silver Star is located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet and is modeled on an 1880’s silver mining town. Dave claims that they will have snow before the end of September and, will be skiing before the end of October. The mountain has no snowmaking equipment and, based upon the marks people put on trees to indicate previous years’ snow levels, none is required. Every residence in town is “ski in – ski out” by by-law. Another by-law requires that each building be painted with a minimum of 5 different paint colours. Very unique. We had a great visit and a great lunch with Dave & Pat before returning to the valley floor.
In the words of the old Buffalo Springfield song – “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear…”. The Okanagan Valley produces some good wines. We did not taste any great wines or, even any special wines. But, try telling that to the people around here. Admittedly all their good stuff seems to sell out in minutes after it is put in a bottle but, for the wine that is left, $30, $40 or $50 a bottle is NUTS. The wines here are selling for at least double what they’re worth anywhere else and, I mean ANYWHERE else that we have ever been; North America, South America, or Europe. I’m glad that we are still stocked with some really good $20 - $25 California wines. But…….. it’s a very beautiful wine producing area. Compromise, compromise….. And, watching kids swimming and playing on the beach when it is still 29°C at 5:30 P.M. is OK too.
Today, we got together with some more Brockville transplants. Dave and Pat, former Brockville neighbours of ours, left five years ago to settle in the Okanagan at Silver Star and, are living their dream lifestyle. Silver Star is located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet and is modeled on an 1880’s silver mining town. Dave claims that they will have snow before the end of September and, will be skiing before the end of October. The mountain has no snowmaking equipment and, based upon the marks people put on trees to indicate previous years’ snow levels, none is required. Every residence in town is “ski in – ski out” by by-law. Another by-law requires that each building be painted with a minimum of 5 different paint colours. Very unique. We had a great visit and a great lunch with Dave & Pat before returning to the valley floor.
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