Oliver, British Columbia, Canada - Wine Capital of Canada, home of the Festival of the Grape, and the Half-Iron Triathlon

Monday, 22 November 2010 11:44

Visitors come from around the globe to attend these annual events in Oliver, which is located in western Canada, in the southern part of the Okanagan Valley between Osoyoos and Penticton.

Where do they stay during their visit to Oliver? 
The area abounds with quaint Bed and Breakfast accommodations, Guest Houses with magnificent views overlooking mountains and vineyards, and Motels along highway 97 leading through Oliver, B.C.  The local owners of these vacation accommodations know the Oliver area well and can assist visitors in planning their tours to the many award winning wineries – as well as share stories about Oliver’s rich history, including the infamous Fairview Gold Mine.

Athletes come to Oliver in large numbers each year to compete in the Persona Half-Iron, which is a Half-Iron man distance competition consisting of a 2 km swim, 93 km bike and 21.1 km run (1.2 mile swim, 57 mile bike and a 13.1 mile half marathon run). This endurance race ends with a 2-loop run through a quiet residential neighborhood and along the banks of the Okanagan River. Spectators come to see the action, and assist as volunteers.

Wine lovers come for the wine and the annual Festival of the Grape. The event starts with a parade of celebrities led by Bacchus, the Greek God of Wine, and a Portuguese drumming band.  This parade precedes the opening ceremony, and the “Blessing of the Harvest”.

Sample the variety that is the Wine Capital of Canada:
Oliver offers visitors a distinct blend of agriculture, outdoor recreation and quality vineyards to occupy the discerning traveler. With over 2000 hours of annual sunshine Oliver boasts over 400 farms and 102 vineyards. From ‘vine to wine’, the region produces more than a third of British Columbia’s wines and supplies quality local produce readily available at farmers’ markets and roadside fruit stands.

Home to 10 percent of the Canada’s wineries, Oliver can proudly call itself the Wine Capital of Canada. Vineyards dot the landscape and provide the necessary ingredients to produce some of the finest vintages in all of Canada. More than 20 of British Columbia’s licensed, internationally recognized wineries are located in Oliver. The “Golden Mile” on the west bench is recognized as a distinctive viticulture area that is rich with glacial deposits formed from the ice age. Other wineries located on the "Black Sage" east bench have equally unique growing climates with deep sandy deposits. Winemakers assert that different soil conditions, known as terroir,  (Terroir (; terruño, pago) was originally a French term in wine, coffee and tea used to denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed upon particular varieties).

The selection of vintages available directly from the wineries or local retail outlets in Oliver, B.C. is second to none. Every style and flavour, including reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and ice wines are available. Wineries of every type and size are willing to open their doors and let wine enthusiasts visit their operations, and taste their best wine. Be sure to pair a vintage with specially crafted dishes at a winery restaurant, or with local artisan cheese and nibbles for an impromptu picnic on the winery grounds. The views are as beautiful as the wines.

Oliver, B.C. is ideally situated as a base for country drives through Okanagan Valley wine country. Most wineries are open year round, seasonally or by appointment. Come and enjoy the spring and fall wine festivals in Oliver.

Dining Out:
After a long day of touring the countryside, relax and enjoy a wonderful meal at one of our many restaurants. See our dining out section for a complete listing.
Experience local artisans, restaurants, bistros and tea-houses year round. A schedule for markets, festivals and performances held  throughout the year can be found on the Wine Capital of Canada web site.

Outdoor Recreation and Adventure:
Whether you are a soft or extreme sports adventurer, Oliver is a nature lovers’ paradise. The geography of the South Okanagan is unique and thus, many types of recreation suit the natural features and the fabulous climate. Lakes are plentiful and rivers carve the landscape. Enjoy fishing, canoeing, and windsurfing on nearby Lake Tuc El Nuit, or take the family for a float down Okanagan River. Take in a winter day with skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing at Mt. Baldy, play a round at one of two championship golf courses, or revel in the beautiful, rugged terrain by hiking or biking one of the many trails. Oliver boasts high-country, valley floor, productive terraces and desert vistas, perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. Bird watching, hiking, biking and country drives are favorites among tourists.

Arts & Culture:
Oliver’s backdrop offers a creative inspiration for the arts; from painting to fibre arts and everything in between. Festivals, local galleries and studios showcase these fantastic handworks throughout the area. If your interests turn to theatre and music, Oliver has plenty of performances throughout the summer at several desirable outdoor locations. Learn more about Oliver’s unique multi-cultural history by visiting the Oliver and District Museum to find out about the origins of this arid town-site and surrounding agricultural area or pick up a brochure and take a self-guided tour of Oliver’s historic buildings.

Agri-tourism:
Cherry, apricot, peach, plum, apple and pear orchards along with farms and vineyards are scattered along the countryside. Be sure to stop and enjoy many of the roadside stands or visit the Oliver, B.C. farmers markets held throughout the growing season.

If you are looking for the perfect blend of outdoor recreation, fine wines, fresh produce, the arts and festivals, Oliver is the place to be. No matter what time of year you will be visiting, there is always something fun happening. You will find plenty of entertainment waiting for you in this South Okanagan town.