Io Saturnalia! Happy Sol Invictus!

I’m well aware that these aren’t the happiest times, with rising worldwide numbers and strict lockdowns. Still, we can do our best to channel the ancient Roman festivals and revel in life’s good things… rather than being The Grinch.

In the spirit of Dionysus / Bacchus, the god of wine — let’s take a tipsy walk back in time to last autumn, when I was able to do a safe local trip from Vancouver to Kelowna, BC.

This view says it all: British Columbia’s Okanagan has become one of the foremost destinations for wine tours. Read on to see what I experienced and three of the most creative BC wineries: Vibrant Vine, Blind Tiger, and Tantalus (above). 

Instead of driving six hours east from Vancouver, I took a less than 60 minute flight to Kelowna on Flair Airlines. (Note that I flew in early October; check your provincial guidelines for current travel recommendations.)

Flair, a Canadian airline, offers low-cost tickets to destinations all over the country. I was impressed with their safety procedures (seamless check-in behind plexiglass, required face masks, and distancing including the option to purchase an empty middle seat for $49). I felt relaxed throughout my Flair flight, and before I knew it, I had touched down.

Everything about my trip was relaxing and seamless. I had a cozy stay at Hyatt Place Kelowna — the hotel just opened this year, so all the furnishings and amenities are bright and new.

Loved getting to know the front desk staff, who were happy to share local tips and quickly deliver any items needed, such as extra towels.

I was rollin’ through Kelowna in style, thanks to Okanagan Executive Rentals & Concierge. Owner Jeremy Giroux offers a sweet fleet of luxury and exotic rental cars. You can also hire him as an experienced driver and guide in Kelowna — well worth it, especially if you plan to hit multiple wineries in a day.

My Kelowna trip wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable without Jeremy’s guidance. He took me to outstanding local wineries in style, in this black Lincoln Navigator. I also rented a Range Rover from him, to drive on my own — much fun!

Jeremy even organized a helicopter ride that landed in Kitsch Winery; see my first post for the aerial adventure. You can find out more about his Okanagan BC rental cars and services on his site.

First stop on this beautiful October day — The Vibrant Vine Winery in East Kelowna. The bright psychedelic colors and flowers give a hint at what’s inside.

The Vibrant Vine is run by the Lewis family, and combines their love of creative drinks and art. Everyone who enters receives a pair of these goggles… because this is a 3D winery! 

The entire space is filled with groovy, psychedelic art — including giant paintings on the ceilings. Artist Phil Lewis was already creating eye-popping art — but one day, he viewed his works while wearing 3D glasses. To his surprise, many of the lines seemed to pop out towards him!

Today, he creates paintings like this owl with the help of a computer, using color and textures to bring out the three dimensional elements.

Put on the 3D glasses, and look around… the dragons and leopards will seem to be lunging out at you! 

As you can see, Phil Lewis’ colorful art covers The Vibrant Vine’s bottle labels  — making them a treat for the eyes, as well as the palate.

I sampled wines with the guidance of a staff member, and it turned out to be one of the most informative tastings I had on this trip. He described Okanagan, BC as being a bit of an experimental “Wild West.” For instance, Vibrant’s smooth and peachy rose blends Pinot Auxerrois and Gewurztraminer, with a blush of Merlot — a technique that isn’t allowed for roses in Europe.

I loved the story of The Vibrant Vine’s signature “Woops” blend. The label was accentually reversed on the bottle — so they just went with it, and continued to produce an upside-down release called “Woops!” The seven-varietal blend was also unknowingly entered in a prestigious Geneva contest, and won “Best White Wine in the World.” (Oops they did it again.)

This vineyard does it all — from a bubbly Vibranté Classique, to a crisp Pinot Grigio with notes of citrus and stainless steel. Vibrant focuses on the underdog, such as a fruit-forward Gamay Noir. With flavors of blackberry, violet and red currant, this red wine is perfect with both Thanksgiving turkey and dim sum.

Merlin’s Merlot celebrates art and family, with a snuggly portrait of the Lewis’ golden retriever. This cool climate merlot is aged in oak, and tastes like cherries, plums and figs. (A portion of sales from Merlin the Dog’s wine go to the SPCA animal charity and United Way.) I ended my tasting at The Vibrant Vine with a Riesling ice wine with a bite of dark chocolate — perfection.

Another Lewis brother, Tony, also runs an imaginative winery that uses music to affect the settling of the sediments. You can read about my inspiring visit to Frequency in the previous post.

Now, let’s honor the wine-loving Greek gods at Tantalus — the oldest continuous vineyard in Kelowna. This winery is named after Tantalus, the unfortunate Greek who was sentenced to eternal punishment. Try as he might, he could never quite reach a handful of fruit or sip of water to quench his hunger and thirst.

In ironic contrast, this 72-acre vineyard has been successfully producing grapes since 1927. In 2010, Tantalus Vineyards built this modern-minimalist green building, and opened to the public for tastings.

On these spectacular grounds, Tantalus grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Meunièr. The vineyard is committed to sustainability: everything is farmed naturally without pesticides, and the vines are hand-tended.

I’ve grown increasingly interested in wine over the years, and was fascinated to see the vinification process firsthand from start to finish. Wouldn’t you like to dive into this juicy bin of Pinot Noir grapes, like Scrooge McDuck?

Tantalus took me on a behind-the-scenes tour, and let me peer into the enormous stainless steel tanks filled with wine in various stages.

I got to try “grape juice” that had been fermenting for different numbers of days. Fascinating to taste the difference in yeast, fizziness and sweetness, as the “nectar of the gods” transformed into wine over time.

In the barrel room, I learned about the next stages of aging the wine. Some of Tantalus’ varietals undergo malolactic fermentation in French oak. In this process, bacteria convert tart malic acid to lactic acid, creating a richer and creamier texture.

Tantalus has indoor and outdoor tasting spaces — how beautiful is the natural wood architecture? Fittingly for a BC wine, Tantalus’ labels feature First Nations masks by Dempsey Bob, a woodcarver / sculptor of Tahltan and Tlingit (Northwest Coast) descent.

I contrasted Bear, the young and lightly oaked chardonnay, with their signature version — which had a darker honey color, and flavors of lemon curd and creme brulee.

Then, I got to taste the differences between the Maija and flagship Tantalus Pinot Noirs. The first is warm and juicy, with plum and dark cherry flavors. The second has Tantalus’ signature minerality, with floral aromas and surprising hints of cocoa, earth and mushroom.

As the sun started to set, and I sipped wine while looking out at these fields, I felt as if I was in Elysium. Thanks Tantalus Vineyards for the unforgettable views and lessons in viticulture (wine growing).

Finally, Jeremy drove us north to Lake Country, BC to visit a certified organic vineyard. Blind Tiger is a small, family-run operation — and their down-to-earth warmth shines through as soon as you enter the tasting room.

Blind Tiger’s young, alternative attitude is reflected though its name. In the days of Prohibition (1920-33), bootleggers set up illegal blue collar speakeasies known as Blind Tigers.  Many had a tiger statue at the entrance. If it wore a cover over its eyes, then come in and party. But if the blindfold was off, the police was watching and you should stay away! 

Co-owner Jerry Wowchuk treated me to a flight of Blind Tiger’s organic wines. I was delighted by Giggle Water, a light sparkling blush of chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir (fizzy, with hints of apricot). 

Then, I tried something made for an alien like me… a green-colored wine! Blind Tiger’s 2014 Riesling experienced “noble rot,” or a fungus that turned it green and made it unsellable. However, it’s safe to drink and turned out to be delicious. It was my first time trying this unusual wine — one of the many perks of doing a tasting at an indie winery. 

Blind Tiger’s Pinot Noir ice wine was one of the tastiest I’ve ever tried. Harvested from -10 degree frozen grapes, this sweet dessert wine has Asian fruit flavors like lychee, along with mango and apricot. 

Their Riesling is wonderfully tart, with green apple and a touch of petrol on the nose. I highly recommend coming in to Blind Tiger for a tasting, and picking up bottles to take home — as you won’t find their wines at large retailers like BC Liquor. 

I snacked on charcuterie as I sampled wines. In the summers, Blind Tiger offers authentic woodfire pizzas and live music on the patio, which draws in a fun young crowd. I’ll have to come back for a bite. 

I feel fortunate to have been able to visit Kelowna in early October, right before the end of wine season.

However, Okanagan Executive Rentals & Concierge can take you on winery tours at any time, as some are open year-round. In the winter, Jeremy offers luxury car rentals and shuttles to ski resorts, spa, and more. 

Thanks to Hyatt Place Kelowna for the fab stay. Their accommodations are comfortable, modern and close to everything in the city — such as the downtown district known for its waterfront walk and restaurants. 

And thank you Flair Airlines for the safe and smooth journey through the skies. 

For more Kelowna travel guides, please see my first article about wineries and a private helicopter ride. Coming up in the third and final installment, I’ll explore Naramata Bench. 

PS: I wanted to share one of my recent travel articles for Home in Canada magazine. I wrote about testing out a telepresence robot… and going on a virtual tour of the Mass MoCA museum!

Even if we can’t travel to different countries, we can visit museums from a distance by using innovative, remote robotic technology. 

I beamed into a GoBe Robot, using their app on my laptop. The video conferencing puts me “inside” the robot, which is in the Massachusetts art museum. Using remote controls, I could move it through the exhibits as if I were there. 

That’s me inside the GoBe telepresence robot! It truly felt as if I were exploring the Mass MoCA in person, and chatting with my guide about Sol LeWitt’s colourful murals. 

“Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto” for letting me travel via AI.

Read my article about telepresence robot art tours here, and see a funny video on @lacarmina TikTok and Instagram Reels.

More travel articles and devilish filming projects coming up soon… I’m keeping busy, and finding creative ways to do things remotely. Domo arigato to all of you for your support over the years — I love hearing from those who have known me since my MySpace days! 

“Masks are required…” As they should be, whether you’re at the airport or not!

Oh, how it felt exhilarating to board an airplane for the first time since late February. Let me assure you straight off the bat — this was a short and safe local flight with Flair Airlines, within my province of British Columbia. My mission: to report on the outstanding wine region of Kelowna, in the Okanagan. 

(Note: I traveled with Flair in early-mid October 2020, when BC was in Stage 3 of re-opening and greenlighted mindful local travel. Keep in mind that guidelines may always change, so please be diligent when planning  trips). 

Did you know that British Columbia, Canada has a world-famous wine country, located under an hour’s flight east from Vancouver?

Read on to see what I experienced at two of the the coolest indie vineyards, Kitsch Wines and Frequency Winery. (I couldn’t resist posing amidst the grapes, in a Towers Swimwear top.)

(And I’ll share my honest experiences with flying on Flair Airlines… along with a 25% off code [LACARMINA25] that you can use on future flights!) 

This trip wouldn’t have been nearly as seamless and stylish without Okanagan Executive Rentals & Concierge. The wonderful owner, Jeremy Giroux, has a fleet of luxury and exotic cars that you can rent, or hire him to drive.

Thanks to Jeremy’s kindness and expertise, I got to visit off-the-beaten-path vineyards in Kelowna — and even take a helicopter ride! (Keep reading to see my epic landing at Kitsch Winery.)

But let’s begin at Vancouver Airport (YVR). I haven’t flown in eight months, which feels like a lifetime for a travel writer who usually averages a trip per month. To my relief, the airport felt empty, and had all the precautions in place (Plexiglass, distancing, hand sanitizer, etc). 

It was my first time flying with Flair Airlines, a Canadian company that offers domestic flights at low prices. As the cheeky sign indicates, they “fly to (too many destinations within Canada to fit on this thing) for less.” These cities include Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Calgary.

After a smooth check in and zero lineups, I boarded this aesthetically-pleasing Flair jet. The flight from Vancouver to Kelowna takes less than an hour — yet it brings you to a very different region of British Columbia, filled with dozens of top-notch wineries. 

As you can see, Flair’s modern interiors gave me plenty of room to distance. Masks are required for all passengers, and everyone on board was great about wearing one. (I researched HEPA filters and circulation, and was reassured to hear that the air on planes actually tends to be cleaner than in restaurants and stores.)

Flair Airlines also gives passengers the option to keep the middle seat next to them empty for an extra $49. 

I settled into my seat, and enjoyed the view from the wing. I felt relaxed throughout the entire ride, and before I knew it, I had landed in Kelowna. 

Flair Airlines already offers low fares, but they’re letting me share a promo / discount code that brings prices down even further. ** Enter “LACARMINA25” when booking a flight on their site, and you’ll receive 25% off the base fare. (This promotional voucher is valid for all Flair flights for booking and travel until Dec 15, except between Nov 6-15.)

Kelowna is a small and laid-back destination, so it only took 10 minutes to go from the airport to Hyatt Place Kelowna. The hotel opened up a few months ago, and the location is perfect — close to all the major Kelowna wineries, and within walking distance to excellent sushi. I was delighted with the Hyatt’s spacious rooms and modern amenities, including a pool and gym that guests can book in advance, to keep within safe capacities. 

Above all, the Hyatt Kelowna staff was wonderful. I loved getting to know the front desk team, who gladly brought up extra towels and packets of Tazo tea. And how lovely to find this gift in my room: reserve chardonnay from local producer Mission Hill, and a bouquet of flowers. 

The Hyatt was excellent at following safety guidelines and maintaining a clean environment. For instance, every morning, guests could take up a packaged hot breakfast box to eat in their rooms. I’ll be staying here again the next time I visit Kelowna. 

Kelowna doesn’t have Uber, and driving yourself isn’t recommended if you’re planning on doing wine tastings. The brilliant solution: Okanagan Executive Rentals & Concierge! Owner Jeremy Giroux can drive you to multiple vineyards in a day — in a luxury car — meaning you can simply relax and enjoy (and imbibe).  

Jeremy knows all the best local spots, and offers concierge services to help you plan a ski trip, spa getaway, wine tour, and other experiences in the Okanagan. His fleet of luxurious vehicles (for rent or car service) include a Range Rover, two Porsches, and Lincoln Navigator.

Jeremy is able to make special arrangements for his clients — including a helicopter ride above Kelowna! In partnership with Private Sky Aviation, he made it possible for me to experience a short tour of the skies with Coldstream Helicopters.

Coldstream Helicopters is a Canadian company with a wide selection of aircraft — from the large red Airbus Super Puma (Firecat), to a small Bell 4-seater. Whether you’re traveling with a group or alone, for pleasure or for business, they’ll have a rotorcraft for your needs. 

As soon as I met chief pilot Albin Neururer, I knew I was in expert hands. He has over 15 years of flying experience, and it shows in the calm and clear way he taught me how to safely get in/out of the copter, what to expect, and ways to be aware at all times.

A smooth liftoff later, I was taking in these spectacular views of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. Albin pointed out notable sights, such as a Swarovski spa resort and new housing developments by the water.  

Top Gun vibes, anyone? This aviation headset let me communicate with the pilot, while cutting out noises. (My updated pink face-framing dyed hair is by Chad Evans of BlameChad in Vancouver.)

Such a delight to watch Albin work the controls with ease. I think these views are enough to convince you to add a helicopter ride to your Kelowna bucket list. 

After about 40 minutes in the air, we landed in style. Touching down in Kitsch Winery, I felt as if I were one of the ritzy characters in the HBO “Succession” TV show. 

The helicopter’s descent was so smooth that I didn’t even notice when we were on the grass. (This is the lawn right by the Kitsch manor — what a way to make an entrance!) 

A wave goodbye to Coldstream Helicopters. Jeremy can arrange a journey like this for you too, which can land at nearby ski slopes or resorts.  

I was greeted with a smile by Ria Kitsch, who runs Kitsch Wines with her husband Trent. They’re successful entrepreneurs that also founded underwear and cannabis businesses — and they’ve brought their signature edgy fun to their namesake winery. 

Kitsch is a local family business throughout, with Okanagan roots that go back to 1910. When the helicopter landed, Trent and Ria’s two children ran over and brought pink flowers as a greeting! 

I was thrilled to do a private “moke” vineyard tour at Kitsch (which anyone can book, for an in-depth and personal experience). This 90 minute VIP tour let me explore the grounds and taste various wines, with expert guide Katie (@katies.wine.life on Instagram).

Kitsch specializes in small batch, sustainably-grown wines — and they’re known for their playful and non-elitist attitude (they love to blast 90s hip hop, for example!). Their patio attracts a young artsy crowd in the summer, and the family plans to expand their operations to include other creative experiences. 

Let’s taste. As a Chablis lover, I was a fan of their natural oak chardonnay. I also loved the Maria’s Block Riesling, which has sweeter citrus notes.  

Katie drove me around Kitsch’s grounds in this Moke, an electric front-wheel drive recreational vehicle favored by California surfers. What a treat to see the process from grape to glass, and take in these gorgeous views.

She taught me that pinot noir is known as the “heartbreak grape,” since it can be delicate and difficult. I sampled the dark grapes on the vine, followed by the silky wine that reflected East Kelowna’s unique terroir. 

Cheers to Kitsch’s Blanc de Blancs chardonnay champagne, a joyful glass of barely-there bubbles.

Kitsch’s tasting room is closed for the winter season, but they’ll be back in spring 2021. Until then, you can pick up bottles of wine from their web shop.

Kitsch grows Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. I got to walk through the fields and try grapes straight from the vines — something that most vineyards don’t offer. (Unlike grocery store grapes, these fruits are small with seeds, and full of deep flavor.)

You won’t find any snootiness at this vineyard. Kitsch’s staff is young and energetic, with a genuine passion for wine.  

I went at the tail end of the season (in October), which let me avoid the high heat and crowds of visitors that congregate in Kelowna in the summertime. (Wearing a skeleton print surf top from Towers Swimwear.)

I wish I could have taken more bottles home in my suitcase! (If you can only choose one, the pinot rose is a universal pleaser.)

Before you go, be sure to take photos in front of the impressive manor. Thanks Kitsch Wines — I think you can tell I learned a lot, and had fun on their tasting tour.

Jeremy was stationed and ready to whisk me off to the next vineyard. His company provides exotic car rentals and shuttle services, with outstanding customer service. As a long-time local, he has a wealth of knowledge about local spots, and can tailor the trip to best fit your needs. 

Right now, Jeremy has winter pricing in effect (it’s the off-season, so it’s a great time to contact him). He excels in luxury ski shuttle services — he can take you to nearby slopes at Big White, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, and more. Jeremy also does wine tours year-round in Okanagan. 

Very glad I had Jeremy to provide expert advice and take me around, so I didn’t have to worry about directions or logistics. Reach out to Okanagan Executive Rentals & Concierge to learn more about his services — I can vouch that he’ll make your Kelowna trip all the more enjoyable! 

I was keen to feature offbeat and lesser-known BC vineyards, rather than the big-name ones. Jeremy recommended Frequency Winery, which I had never heard of. As soon as I saw the psychedelic bottle labels and Jimi Hendrix art at the entrance, I knew this was my type of place. 

Owner Tony Lewis studied audio engineering, and he combines his love of music and wine in a single space. Frequency has an impressive recording studio, where local artists come to make magic. 

Tony held jam sessions in the barrel room of his family’s vineyard. He noticed that the wine closest to the drums was settling faster than usual, due to the sounds and vibrations. This inspired him to start Frequency, a winery that infuses wine with music.  

Anyone can come in to sample Frequency’s “Thank You” wines. The white is a “supergroup” of seven varietals, which come together in a grassy citrus harmony. The red is a warm and smooth gamay noir — a grape that tends to fly under the radar, much like this winery. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the rose, a floral “fab four” of sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, viognier, and merlot.

I also loved the Grateful Vine sparkling wine, which uses wild fermentation (from native yeast found in the vineyard). The bottle is covered in the names of people who contributed to Frequency. As Tony said, “Here is to letting go of limiting beliefs, and finding gratitude as our permanent attitude.” 

Anyone is invited to help move the wine’s sediments with music of their own. There are several pianos and a drum set that anyone can play… witness my amateur attempt at percussion! As you can see, Frequency is one special place with a unique philosophy. 

A clink of wine glasses to Hyatt Place Kelowna — a welcoming and modern home away from home. 

I’ll forever remember my Coldstream Helicopters ride that landed in a vineyard. A million thanks to Jeremy Giroux of Okanagan Executive Rentals for making all these Kelowna experiences possible.

This is only the “first pour” of my Flair Airlines wine trip to Kelowna… I have much more coming your way, including tastings at Naramata Bench and Penticton.

And I’m eager to fly again with Flair Airlines — if you have any questions about the experience, leave a comment and I’ll be sure to reply! 

Don’t forget, you can book a Flair flight using my promo code at checkout —LACARMINA25 for a 25 percent reduction from the base fare. (Valid for flights for bookings and travel up to Dec 15, except Nov 6-15.)

Have you flown recently? If so, what was your experience like?

(Feels like eons since I did an airport OOTD: Backpack Spiral UK, yellow Minions suitcase Away Luggage, mask by Josie Stevens, crop top Cryptic Apparel, satanic joggers Long Clothing.)

PS, thanks for registering for my upcoming TED Talk — tickets are now sold out! Can’t wait for you to hear my TEDx speech about Goths on November 15, and it’ll be up on the Ted.com site in the months after. Til then, you can see my TED promo video here on @lacarmina YouTube.