Does the warm summer sun leave you craving the refreshing taste of a cold craft beer on a shaded lakeside patio? Does your perfect vacation consist of wine tasting among acres of grapes in a valley bottom vineyard? Or are you after the finest hand-made gin to make the tastiest martini in the comfort of your own home?
No matter your pick, the Kootenay Rockies is home to more than 35 craft breweries, wineries, distillers, cideries & meadery for you to sip and savour your way around the region. Try something new at the Kootenays only Meadery, or learn a little more behind the craft of winemaking on a vineyard tour.
Below are 19 of the sip and savour experiences to tickle your tastebuds when travelling in Kootenays.
Baillie-Grohman Winery (Creston)
Take a private tour with winemaker Wes Johnson as he shows you around the family-owned winery and vineyard. Learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a wine tasting among the grapes of the estate.
Hand-crafted, dry ciders made in-house with local fruits? What could be better?! Sample their Ginger Apple Cider or their Apple’N’Rye, aged in Oak barrels previously used to cellar whiskey.
Columbia Garden Winery (Trail)
Try before you buy at The Burl Tasting Room & Gift Shop at the Columbia Garden Winery, where you can taste the fine wines on their deck overlooking the vineyard. If you over-imbibe, grab a room at their on-site guesthouse.
A small-batch distillery in the heart of downtown Fernie, this distillery makes less than 200 bottles per batch. Staples include the No 9 Mine Vodka and the Fernie Fog Liqueur, with various infusions available throughout the year.
Fisher Peak Brewing (Cranbrook)
Downtown Cranbrook’s award-winning craft beer is available in the pub or restaurant of The Heid Out. Try their Wild Horse Belgian Wit, an unfiltered wheat ale with a hint of orange perfect for our hot afternoons.
The century-old Mountain View School at the centre of Revelstoke now hosts one of the Kootenays finest distilleries, Jones Distilling. Their premium vodka and London Dry Style gin have won prizes at the SIP Awards.
Over Time Beer Works (Kimberley)
After you’ve put in that extra ‘shift’ of riding Kimberley’s trails, hit up Over Time Beer Works for your post-adventure brew. Sit on their expanded patio and sample their Copper Top Summer Seasonal, a well-balanced wheat beer with citrus and spice notes.
Pommier Ranch Meadery (Skookumchuck)
The Kootenays only meadery! Located on a family-owned ranch near Skookumchuck, locally raised bees produce the honey needed to create their homemade Mead. Tours and tastings are available upon request.
Opening in the Spring of 2021, the Kootenays latest brewery will help you quench your thirst on their inviting patio overlooking the Purcell Mountains.
Red Bird Estate Winery (Creston)
Creston’s micro-climate makes for a perfect grape-growing region, and Red Bird Estate Winery has taken full advantage. Try their Gewurztraminer, a light, fruity white wine with a subtle hint of citrus. Open for tastings and sales by appointment.
Grab a pint with the locals at the award-winning Rossland Beer Co. Their tasting room and patio are where you will find the residents of this small mountain town after a day on the trails.
Beer inspired by their surroundings – fun, full of character and a little wild! The small brewery and lounge is Revelstoke’s newest home for craft brew lovers.
Grab a growler for your day casting your line in the local streams, or join them post fishing for a pint in their taproom. Made with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, Tailout Brewing brings the regional taste to your pint glass.
Tonik Distillery (Crescent Valley)
One of the region’s newest offerings, Tonik Distillery found a cozy home in Crescent Valley. Join them in their tasting room for pizza.
A true community venture, 13 local business partners joined together to create a space for the town to enjoy a craft-brewed pint. Try the aptly named Trail Ale in their 75-seat tasting room and take in a slice of local history and flavour.
Valley of the Springs Winery (Nakusp)
The long sunny days and cool nights of the Nakusp area help Valley of the Springs Winery produce tasty, aromatic wines. Stay at their Bed and Breakfast for the whole experience, complete with private tours, hiking opportunities, and of course, plenty of wine.
Wild North Brewery Company (Creston)
Long known as the home of one of Canada’s major beer brands, Creston now has a craft brewery of its own. Watch for Wild North Brewing Company opening May 2021.
William Tell Family Estates (Creston)
RD Farms in Creston is an ideal area and property to grow wine grapes along with mixed orchard fruits. William Tell Family Estate are producers of sparkling wine, hard cider, perry, old fashioned sparkling apple and pear cider, fruit spreads, cider vinegars and drinking vinegars. Open by private appointment only; products available in a number of local establishments.
Wynndel Craft Distilleries (Wynndel)
The Creston area grows far more than just grapes. In fact, it’s famous for an abundance of fruit, from cherries and strawberries to peaches and apples. Wynndel Craft Distilleries makes the most of the local bounty, crafting Apple Brandy, Cherry Schnapps, and Floral Gin, among other liquors.
TOURS
The Creston Valley Tour Co. will be offering two tours in 2022. The Wine Tour includes stops at: Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard, Wynnwood Cellars Estate Winery, and Red Bird Estate Winery. While, the Creston Booze Tour stops at the Wild North Brewing Co. Columbia Brewery, Wynndel Craft Distilleries, William Tell Family Estate, and a winery of your choice. Both tours include: tours tastings, transportation, & snacks.
Know Before You Go – Plan ahead so you can travel safely and responsibly. Familiarize yourself with weather, road conditions, general alerts for travellers and provincial health orders & recommendations.
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Top/cover photo of Creston’s vineyards, photo by Kari Medig.
Words by Mark Locki. Mark is a photographer and writer based in Kimberley, BC. An avid traveller throughout the Kootenays and abroad, he enjoys exploring the natural world, camera in hand, seeking out compelling stories. He’s often found deep in the backcountry, running, climbing or on skis, challenging himself to discover new scenes and viewpoints.
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