🚂🍷 All Aboard Canada’s Only Wine Train
Plus Tasting Culmina Malbec with Local Bites Only
Imagine sipping award-winning BC wines as a vintage train winds through Summerland’s rolling vineyards, past Giant’s Head Mountain and shimmering Okanagan Lake. Sounds like a dream? It’s real—and it only happens in June. In my latest video, I take you inside the Grand Sommelier Express experience, from where to stay and snack, to the best seats on the train.
With 2025 now offering two exclusive dates, this is your sign to start planning.
🎥 Watch the video now and start dreaming of your own Summerland escape.
What’s new for 2025 on the Grand Sommelier Express wine train?
1. It is now offered over two days in June instead of just one. Now with longer hours for you to actually enjoy yourself. No rush. Just a gorgeous day on the historic Kettle Valley Railway.
2. The event now begins with savoury bites served alongside the Bottleneck drive wines, beers and spirits.
4. Assigned seating! If you’ve been to the wine train event before you’ll know that it got a bit competitive getting an outdoor seat in the open air caboose. If you were lucky enough to score tickets back in winter then you had the opportunity to book the exact seats you wanted without the elbows.
5.Sweet endings…Once your train journey has concluded you arrive back at the station to enjoy a round of desserts and even more pairings.
I think that this event should be even more than 2 days…perhaps monthly during the warmer months as this is sure to get even more popular!
Read the full article here.
Spring Has a New Favourite Pour
We’re calling it now—this spring’s sipping star is the Malbec from Culmina Family Estate Winery, grown on the sun-drenched Golden Mile Bench in the South Okanagan. If you’ve ever thought Malbec only shines in Argentina, this bottle is about to change your mind.
This beauty just took home silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards, and it’s easy to taste why: think lush blackberry, subtle spice, and silky tannins that make every sip feel like a little celebration of spring.
I went to my local cheese and butcher shops to ask what should I pair this Okanagan Malbec with. This is what they recommended.
Perseval & Young Cheesemongers recommended:
Carnist, the Ethical Butcher recommended Côte de Boeuf, Yak steaks or Dutch Beefsteaks. All are BC raised and you can really tell the quality difference!
Finally, for the 3rd course I decided to go with a decadent chocolate cake from Cake For Breakfast. You can find these convenient individual cake containers at Carnist in their freezer section. This was by far my favourite pairing. The chocolate transformed the wine and made the notes of cherry really shine.
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Become a Certified Local at Haywire Winery FOR FREE! Get your card here.
The Certified Local card is free and includes:
🍷 Two complimentary tastings (for two people) per year (March 15–June 15 & September 15–December 15)
🍷 Special rates on additional tastings
🍷 Early access to exclusive events & tastings
🍷 A special gift with their second Haywire Club shipment
🍽️ Dining & accommodation perks at Summerland Waterfront Resort, Zias Stonehouse Restaurant, Summerland Heritage Cider Co., and Flambé At Home