There are around 185 wineries in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

When we are not skiing, usually on weekends, we like to visit various wineries for tastings and eating in their superb restaurants.

Aside from the sheer number of them, we can't experience a lot of them because they are not open until late April or early May, well after we have left and returned home. But we are always able to find some that are open. Some we revisit, some are new for us.

Cedar Creek Winery in Kelowna was the first one we visited this winter. Their small plates were excellent, along with their wines. This was our first time there. Ex Nihilo in Lake Country is our favourite because we really like their wines. Interestingly on our last visit we met one of the owners. Small world - she is from Blind River and went to Laurentian University.

1 On another day we visited Crown & Thieves, situated in West Kelowna. We did not know about this establishment.

2 We were introduced to this winery by Ken and Anna, seated at right. Maureen, visiting from Toronto, was with us.

This winery interior was designed to look like a Chicago speak-easy.

3

4 Some wine we liked, others not so much. 5 6

This wine Ken obviously liked very much.

7

We then drove to Frind Estate, located on Lake Okanagan, in West Kelowna.

This was our lunch stop.

8 We all had pizza in Annie's Beach Café.

On another day, Veda and I drove to Penticton. Our first stop en route was for breakfast at Bliss Bakery in Peachland (a great stop that I recommend highly).

9 We stopped in at Upper Bench, not for wine, but to buy some cheese.

They are the only establishment in the Okanagan that produces both wine and cheese.

Then it was on to Poplar Grove Winery for afternoon lunch.

10 Here you see that this winery overlooks Lake Okanagan, a beautiful setting for our pick, small plates with wine.

11 Veda ordered pork belly, while I had rösti with salmon paté.

This past weekend we made the drive with our friends Anna and Ken, to Kelowna.

12 No, this is not a winery. But it is a must stop which Ken and I had discovered the previous week.

13 This is a selection of their pastries. They also make chocolates and fancy French patisseries.

14 After a walk along the lakefront in Kelowna, we crossed the bridge to West Kelowna and stopped to see Grizzli Winery.

15 Another magnificent piece of architecture, as numerous wineries are.

We finished the journey with dinner at Mount Boucherie, just down the road.