British Columbia makes prize winning wines and while I drink [a lot of 🙃] them, I have never “tasted” them. Last spring a wine tasting tour seemed like a great idea but since then BC has been hit with the worst wildfire year in its history. So what to do – go or not?

Given that I am writing this blog, I’m sure you have anticipated the answer – YES! The map looks scary – you can view it here – all those red dots are small fires, the bigger flame icons are large fires, in some cases uncontrolled. But life goes on, and the company that has arranged our tastings says we will be hard pressed to find evidence of fires. I hope they’re right.

Yes, “we.” My friend Joan is travelling with me because, as you know, drinking alone is not recommended! First stop is Osoyoos, the furthest south of the green circles where we stay a couple of days. Next up is Pentiction for another couple of days, and then north again to Kelowna for a final two days. Over the trip we will do tastings in at least 15 wineries. Our final tastings list has not been confirmed as West Kelowna is under a worrisome wildfire threat.

I am not a wine aficionado but perhaps may become one … or not. I’ve already learned a lot from this great primer on BC wines. Along the way I’ll post some photos of BC’s beautiful Okanagan Valley and let you know what Joan and I like best of the wines we taste. I hope you’ll raise a glass as you read my blog and travel along with me!

“May our children have wealthy parents.”
from Atlas Obscura, Raise a Glass to our Readers’ Favourite Drinking Toasts