Summerhill Winery (Kelowna)

At Summerhill, tradition meets the mystical to createwhich has won awards internationally against sparkling
a winery experience that is somewhat out of thewines from Champagne. The winery tour includes an
ordinary. Visitors may try some of Summerhill's manyexplanation of the sparkling wine vinification process.
wines in the wine shop before heading out on one ofThere are several lines of Summerhill wines, including
the many tours that are conducted throughout thePyramid wines, Star Galaxy, Summerhill Organic,
day. The winery also features Sunset Bistro, aEnchanted Vines (featuring folklore artwork and
restaurant at the winery's front with an ample patioorganic grapes) and Summerhill Estate.
and view of Okanagan Lake. Before entering theSummerhill currently produces an array of wines too
winery, visitors can also take in the World Peace Parkwide to list in its entirety. We have included a
with a waterfall, lovely vista, and koi pond to boot.selection of some of its best-sellers:
Immediately upon entering Summerhill's grounds,Cipes Brut N/V
visitors will notice a white concrete pyramid. This isPyramid Ehrenfelser (quite popular according to
the jewel in the winery's crown and the place wheretasting staff)
many of Summerhill's wines are aged. It is thoughtPyramid Gewürztraminer
that the aging of good wines in the 'sacredPyramid Cabernet Franc
geometry' of the pyramid has a positive,Organic Pinot Blanc
flavour-enhancing affect on them (tastings conductedOrganic Gewürztraminer
in the pyramid revealed that 9 of 10 tastersLate Harvest Riesling
preferred pyramid-aged wines).Riesling Icewine
During the tour of the cellar, which somewhatNotes on Tastings:
resembled a séance, we were informed thatSummerhill has a well-equipped tasting room with a
the pyramid could also strengthen one's life-force. Atlong tasting bar. Some staff members are fluent in
the very least, the carefully constructed buildingCantonese or Mandarin. The winery is often very
keeps the wines at a cool temperaturebusy in the summer, sometimes with several tour
(11º-15º C) and provides welcome reliefbusses passing through at a time. Up to four wines
from the hot Okanagan sun outside.can be tasted free of charge.
Wines:Last Word:
Summerhill derives its grapes from 45 acres ofDid we feel the Pyramid's energy?- Perhaps. We
organic vineyard as well as from growers up andrecommend that you visit this winery and see for
down the valley. The winery gained early attentionyourself.
for its sparkling wines, particularly the Cipes Brut,