DAY 1: PENTICTON, NARAMATA & OKANAGAN FALLS
Follow a winding country road through orchards and vineyards toward Naramata. Watch for the signs to Elephant Island Winery.
• Elephant Island Winery 250.496.5522
Elephant Island Winery, where wines are crafted from fruits other than grapes! The winery has an interesting history. The grandmother was the Dean of Architecture at UBC, and the winery was the family summer home – hence the name. The grandchildren have taken the age-old family fruit wine recipes and updated them -–and have the awards to show for their efforts. Meet the winemakers, and listen to their story. Be sure to sample their apple and crabapple wines.
• Spillers Corner Fruit Stand and Estate Winery 250.490.4162
On your return to Penticton look for this unique fruit stand and newly established fruit winery at the crossroad of Upper Bench Road and Naramata Road. Check out the apple muffins and apple wines.
Follow Upper Bench Road past more fruit stands. Wind down Johnston and take a right on Haven Hill. Turn left at the lights on Government. Travel to the other end of town, and turn right on Dawson. Here you will find the BC Fruit Packers Cooperative.
• BC Fruit Packers Cooperative 250.494.7581
Featuring a fruit stand in addition to the fruit packing plant. Take a tour and talk to the people who have hands on experience with Okanagan Valley fruit.
Follow South Main Road along the eastside of Skaha Lake toward the community of Okanagan Falls.
• Matheson Creek Farm 250.497.8989
Sample some amazing apple juice and apples. Enjoy a guided tour of the orchard, and marvel at the hay-bale construction of this unique fruit stand. Linger on the patio, and savour the view.
Carry on into Okanagan Falls.
• Tickleberries 250.497.8862
Famous for their ice-cream and kettle corn, Tickleberries also produces many fruit inspired treats. Try the apple butter or the apple crunch, or for something even more decadent, the chocolate covered dried fruit.
Loop around the lake north toward Penticton. There are many fruitstands located along this stretch of Highway 97. Stop in and visit with the farmers, and enjoy their fresh Okanagan produce.
DAY 2: PENTICTON & SUMMERLAND
Begin your day with a visit to Victoria Road in the downtown core of Penticton. Here you will find Two Clucks Home, a delightful home-based business.
• Two Clucks Home 250.487.1171
You will find quality country-style linens for every room in your home. They also carry an adorable line of Stuffy barnyard animals and hand-painted dinnerware designed and created in the sunny Okanagan Valley. How about some apple-decorated gardening gloves?
Now for a short drive to beautiful Summerland. If you have time, stop in at the Pacific Agri-Research Station, just before Trout Creek, where many of the amazing new apple varietals were invented. Follow Highway 97 North through Trout Creek to Summerland. Be sure to stop at some of the fruit stands along the way, and watch for signs to Summerland Sweets.
• Summerland Sweets 250.494.0377
Take in a factory tour and visit the country gift store. See how syrup and jam are made and bottled. Enjoy a free sample of these time-honoured original family recipes. Try the apple fruit jelly candies and the apple syrup.
Don’t miss Kettle Valley Dried Fruits as you enter Summerland.
• Kettle Valley Dried Fruits 250.494.0335
Need some energy for your explorations? Sample a “real fruit” Fruit Snack!
• Dickinson Family Farm 250.494.0300
Enjoy orchard tours