Many professional golfers are wine aficionados and recognized names such as Luke Donald, Ernie Els, Mike Weir and the LPGA’s Christie Kerr have launched or are in partnership with vineyards throughout the world. Their commitment and the efforts of wine marketing consortiums have led to increased investments by golf facilities in making wine a part of the game. No longer is ale the beverage of choice as golfers now can savour an aromatic red, crisp white or bright rose as they reflect over the
days’ accomplishments.
In the past ten years, a partnership between golf and the wine industry in British Columbia has developed as golf attempts to grow the game’s participation and the showcasing of regional wines is a step in the right direction in the appreciation of the many quality vintages and courses our province has to offer.
On a recent visit to one of British Columbia’s most beautifully crafted golf facilities, the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa on Vancouver Island, that features two Nicklaus Design courses, I had the opportunity, following my round, of interviewing the Head Professional and Hotel Manager, to discuss their commitment in presenting domestic wines to the players and visitors at the Resort and this mountainside residential community.
“Wine is a key element in maximizing our guest’s experience and many popular and rare vintages of international as well as British Columbia wines are featured in our restaurants and golf course lounge” said Hotel Manager, Colin Mantell.
As we toured the premises we entered, through a private entrance, a rich, dark-wooded wine tasting room, The Cellar, showcasing one of the provinces largest collections of wines, valued at over a half million dollars. Truly impressive it has become a popular setting for private tastings and wine receptions. An opportunity to participate with a sommelier on Friday Night Flights should not be missed as the variety of locally grown wines is impressive.
Over dinner, at the recently opened Bella Montagna, the Tuscan inspired Okanagan Valley’s 2008 La Stella Fortissimo, recommended by Restaurant Manager Adam Walker, was a personal favorite with aromas of cherries and a hint of tobacco and coffee – a perfect accompaniment for many of the Italian entrées on the menu.
Besides the Island’s Westin Resort the province is home to many other fine golf escapes as they pair golf with fine dining and wine packages. One of the great escapes is to experience the Resort and the Sandpiper Golf Course, a beautifully manicured course which features, on the signature par 5 15th bunker which provides protection to the well contoured green. The resort is home to the beautiful and intimate Rowena Inn’s Inn on the River renowned for its gorgeous setting on the banks of the Harrison River, a 90 minute drive east of Vancouver or flies in, as the resort features a gravel airstrip.
A few moments with the elegant and cultured owner Betty Ann Pretty turned into an hour as we shared a bottle of Naramata Bench’s rich, salmon-hued 2010 Kettle Valley Pinot Gris. With a bouquet of key lime and strawberry, it was the perfect wine on this cool and sunny day as we discussed, amongst a setting of worldly antiques, her passion in creating an unforgettable get away experience.
The Inn, named after her late mother and purchased by the family in 1924, features beautifully appointed rooms as well as four charming cottages on the property, complete with rock fireplaces and soaker tubs. Guests at the cottages are greeted in the morning by a wicker food hamper containing a breakfast fit for royalty.
The resort’s Rivers Edge restaurant was designed by Betty Ann’s architect husband, Doug, so golfers and guests could enjoy the scenic river views and experience fine food on the terrace or dining lounge in a sophisticated west coast atmosphere. The selection of wines shows their commitment to the promotion of smaller BC wineries while maintaining their dedication to the province’s most popular varietals.
A three hour drive east to the South Okanagan, you will discover Osoyoos and the Nk’Mip Resort [inka-meep] and North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery, Nk’Mip Cellars. The winery site is one of the most attractive in the South Okanagan with outstanding views in a setting of natural beauty and the vineyards and orchards provide a stunning contrast for the nine hole desert course, Sonora Dunes Golf Club, a good test of one’s game and one of four premium courses in the area.
A glass of 2008 Syrah from the wineries premium label Q*AM Q*MT [kw-em kw-empt], translated as ‘achieving excellence’, was a taste sensation with its richness and peppery notes and, sitting on my balcony at the 4.5 star Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa overlooking the lush vineyards and waters of Lake Osoyoos on a warm day, I surmised that this is how life was meant to be enjoyed.
The Resorts’ Spirit Ridge Restaurant is now under the ownership of the well known restaurateur Dave Keeler, whose knowledge and focus on exceptional service have been key factors in all of his successful ventures; including the exceedingly pleasing Sonora Room Restaurant at Burrowing Owl’s Estate Winery in Oliver. “We enjoy the opportunity of sharing with our guests many of the fine vintages that are available from our winery neighbors” said Operations Manager Mike Campol. “It is our desire to provide a wide variety of locally produced wines that represent the diversified grapes that grow in the Okanagan Valley”.
A short drive from Vernon, off Highway 97, is the impressive Predator Ridge Resort, one of the finer golf resorts in North America that features 36 holes of premium golf. The original Les Furber design and the 2010 Best New Canadian Golf Course, designed by Doug Carrick, are set in a semi-arid mountainous landscape that truly captures one’s obsession as to why we play the game. The Resort provides a wide variety of accommodations and a number of dining options including the sophisticated Range Restaurant, 2011 Award of Excellence winner by Wine Spectator Magazine, for their extensive wine collection.
On my most recent visit I had the opportunity of tasting the Naramata Bench’s La Frenz, Rattlesnake Vineyards’ 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, voted Best White Wine in the Okanagan by Okanagan Life Magazine, 2011. The strong hints of grapefruit, green beans and fresh cut grass were the ideal accompaniment for my exquisite fresh pacific salmon and would be a perfect choice following a round to savour on the clubhouse patio.
British Columbia is blessed with great golf courses that reflect many of the same attributes as quality wines: strength, character, length and finish and that, over time, can become true classics. Over the past ten years, the province has become one of the continent’s most popular destinations as the diverse terrain that nature created became the perfect terroir in attracting distinguished golf course designers and wine makers to develop and nurture their creations into award winners.
The similarities between the wine production and golf are striking with five distinct wine and golf regions and two hundred wineries and comparable number of golf courses the similarities do not stop there as the international and domestic recognition reflect why British Columbia is being recognized as featuring the very best in reds, whites and greens.
