In all our trips to the Okanagan we have never been to Nk'Mip Cellars. Not sure why. This trip our goal was to visit different wineries. Our first stop? Nk'Mip. Nk'Mip is pronounced In-ka-meep. It is the first Aboriginal owned and operated winery in North America. The Osoyoos Indian Band, who operate Nk'Mip, own approximately 32,000 acres of land. Including the Nk'Mip Resort -consisting of the winery, golf course, interpretive centre, spa, restaurant and accommodation.
I throughly enjoyed the time we spent here. The tasting room is huge and light and airy with stain-glass windows, sculptures, and artwork. The tasting staff were very friendly. They didn't make you feel stupid and they answered the same questions over and over again. Wine tastings are free, there is small fee for tasting the premium wines, it was $2.00 I think, don't quote me on that though. There is also a free winery tour, we missed it by about 10 minutes and didn't wait for the next one (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm). We'll do it next time, I think it would be very informative.
We tasted about 5 or 6 wines, and they were generous servings. We were particularly partial to the 2009 Reisling and the 2007 Merlot from the Nk'Mip range. All $20.00 or under. Pretty good. From the premium line, Qwam Qwmt, we both liked the 2007 meritage ($30.00). I'd quite happily serve any of the Nk'Mip wines to family and friends.
Down the road short ways is the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre. A real short ways, you can easily walk there in a couple of minutes. We didn't stop, Hubby was not a museum/cultural centre mood. I think it would be worth it. From the website "Extensive indoor and outdoor exhibit galleries create a fun, interactive learning environment with hands-on displays, education stations and two multi-media theatre experiences."
And I am definitely coming back to spend a night or two at the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa. Breakfast sitting on the balcony of a room overlooking the valley, the morning at the Desert Cultural Centre, a bike ride and a picnic lunch, the Desert Bliss Body Polish or Luxury Lavender Body Treatment at the Sonora Desert Spa, a nap, ending with dinner at the Passa Tempo Restuarant. Next morning I'd have eggs benedict at the restaurant, tour the winery, taste some wines, buy some wines and then head home. Hubby are you paying attention - this would make a good birthday or anniversary gift.