[trip style = weekend getaway + wine tasting]
{Editor’s Note :: Two months ago I flew up to the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, BC with a bunch of sommeliers to surround myself in all things wine country at Hester Creek Winery. I'm a big fan of the place---the people, the location, the Villas and the 2007 merlot. The 2007-built Hester Creek Villas are Trip Styler Approved!}
What
Hester Creek Winery had me at their cascading slopes of syrah and chardonnay. When I found out there was six Mediterranean villas, I was sold. Twist my rubber arm to stay and sip not just IN wine country, but AT a winery.
Resting high on the hillside above the hustle and bustle of the winery, one glance out the window and my soul begins to settle. Hester's villas are each positioned so you never forget you're surrounded by grapes. Arched entrances, Italian porcelain tile and a colour scheme of pinot blanc and cabernet merlot punctuate the nouveau-Tuscan design.
My steaming coffee in-hand, I open the double doors to my patio's black iron bistro table and pillow-topped loungers, and decide happy hour isn't just about a glass of cab franc in the afternoon, in wine country, it's every moment. Cheers.
PS. If you need any convincing to visit BC's wine country, in this short video, Kim Cattrall asks you to stop by.
Where
In Oliver {South Okanagan}, BC, Canada's westernmost wine country and the self-proclaimed wine capital of Canada. By car: 5 hours from Vancouver. By plane/car: fly into Penticton or Kelowna and rent a car from there for the 1-2-hour journey.
When
Late spring, summer and early fall are the ideal seasons to visit. The desert landscape, cooled by "air drainage" {wine speak for cool air rushing along a downward slope}, makes the temperatures hot-to-trot but bearable.
Who/Why
You're looking for a lifestyle escape among the vines. Something with character, bunched in with grapes. A place you can dine al fresco under a vine-tangled terrace, listen to a summer concert in the vineyard or take an executive chef-led cooking class.
Cost
Rates start at $225/night in mid-winter and top out at $295/night in the summer high season {closed November 1st-Feb 9th}. Prices include a welcome bottle of Hester Creek wine {naturally}, breakfast in your room or on your patio, wifi and parking. No pool or hot tub, but cool down or heat up in the soaker tub. Fido will have come on your next vacay, pinot isn't good for pups. Over weekends there's a two-night minimum stay.
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[photos taken by @tripstyler when a guest of Hester Creek, bottom right photo via Hester Creek]