Two local wineries were recognized at the Decanter World Wine Awards in June. Sumac Ridge Estate Winery was awarded Silver for its Black Sage Vineyard Merlot, and Bronze medals for its Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Zinfadel, and for their Steller’s Jay Brut.
Lunessence Winery and Vineyard, new to Summerland last year, was awarded silver for its Lunessence Reserve Merlot Icewine, and Bronze for both its Lunessence Sauvignon Blanc-Muscat and Riesling Icewine.
Wicked Wine Tours were recognized in June when they received Wine Tour Operator of the Year for Kelowna from the Luxury Travel Guide Holiday and Tour Specialist Awards.
The Luxury Travel Guide is an exclusive resource for worldwide Corporate LiveWire users and subscribers.
La Punta Norte Guest Inn received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence at the start of June.
The achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year.
This recognition helps travellers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service.
New members
In June we welcome new businesses to help in your home or business, restore your body, delight your taste buds, or host your visitors.
Relocating from Kelowna, KelTec Design and Drafting offers contract architectural services on residential, commercial, retail and industrial building projects for architects, contractors, developers and home owners.
Plateau Painting provides both indoor and outdoor commercial and residential painting to give your house or business a lift.
From general house cleaning to disaster clean up, Clean Rite cleaning services delivers their motto “Cleaning right the first time.”
We welcome Happy House Chinese Restaurant’s Chinese and Western cuisine to downtown on Main Street.
With a mix of beautiful and fun products for both locals and visitors, Barn Owl Gifts opens on Main Street on July 1.
For a convenient camping location, Hoofbeat Ranch RV Camping offers 10 spacious RV sites located right off Highway 97 close to the Visitor Centre.
This month Parker’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep, a family owned and operated vehicle dealership in Penticton, joined us as a new Corporate Member.
Lunch menu
In June, Evolve Cellars launched their new dining venue, E, with a lunch menu based on fresh ingredients sourced from local farms and other food producers in British Columbia. The winery culinary team is headed by winery chef Matt Faucher.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. there is full service dining available in the dining room and limited picnic style self-serve dining available on their ground level patios.
Anniversaries
June 1 marked the sixth anniversary of The Bead Trails, created by Madams Jewels proprietor Karen Griggs, an artist and designer.
The popular Summerland attraction encourages people to visit individual businesses to collect unique beads, which benefits Summerland businesses by attracting visitors to Bead Trails participants and neighbouring businesses.
On July 16 and 17 the Summerland Ornamental Gardens will celebrate their 100th anniversary with 100 Seasons in the Sun a day of food, music, history and more.
The upcoming celebrations were recently featured in Okanagan Life magazine.
Congratulations also to the Friends of the Summerland Gardens who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.
Products and services
Granny’s Fruit Stand has used their iconic truck as the focus for a new range of t-shirts and tanks.
The merchandise complements the farm markets traditional fare of fresh, local fruits and vegetables, soups, sandwiches, pies and other baked goodies.
Okanagan Crush Pad launched their new Canadian merchandise selection in June, featuring exciting products including spice mixes, dressings, jams and gourmet cotton candy.
The new look, put together by culinary tourism company Edible Canada, highlights Canadian cuisine.
New location
Beltone Hearing Clinic moved on May 30 to 17-13604 Victoria Road in the Sungate Plaza.
The bigger office will help provide better service to their clients.
Gaining exposure
Okanagan Crush Pad has been gaining exposure from the Lower Mainland to overseas.
First they had a cover feature in The Westender at the end of May and then Christine Coletta was interviewed in The Buyer about bringing their wine to the UK.
Fellow Bottleneck Drive member, Summerland Heritage Cider Co., was recently featured in SIP Northwest Magazine with a review of their Porter’s Dry traditional cider.
Saxon Estate Winery talked to Business in Vancouver at the start of June about how their sales had tripled over the last year since supermarkets started selling wine.
One of our corporate members, Total Restoration Services, also got a great seven-minute feature on Shaw TV Okanagan talking to hosts Doug Brown and Diana Stirling about disaster clean up.
Vicky Jones is the communications and membership coordinator at the Summerland Chamber of Commerce.