It would seem pretty obvious if you are visiting a winery that you expect to do some wine tasting. But is there anything else that might bring you to the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery?
We suggest you consider all that Burrowing Owl has to offer. Maybe you didn’t know, or hadn’t really thought about it, but many wineries offer a guided tour. It can be very interesting and quite entertaining to tag along with one of the Winery Hosts.
On our most recent visit we tagged along with Burrowing Owl’s Brand Ambassador Stephen Neumann. I was amazed at how much there was to learn about Burrowing Owl, from their beginnings to the family legacy it was a fascinating tour.
We started way up on the Observation Deck which gives you an almost 360 degree view of the Burrowing Owl Estate and Vineyards as well as far reaching views of the surrounding area. Neumann is so knowledgeable and his talks are both interesting and informative.
We learned the background story of the actual burrowing owls and how the family and winery became advocates and supporters of the initiative to save these adorable little birds from extinction. Did you know your tasting fee and tour fee goes directly to support the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia (BOCS)? Read more about the history and present day efforts to save the owls here.
Some family and winery history featured in a pictorial on the walls of the stairways of the winery.
Tours can also include a vineyard walk, or a private cellar tour. The winery offers a number of different choices.
On a previous visit in October of 2018 we experienced a private cellar tour and curated tasting. Read the review of that experience here.
Private Experience Program
Private Experience Program for 1 to 12 people
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is pleased to offer private tasting programs for guests looking for a relaxed, educational and enhanced wine tasting experience.
Led by Burrowing Owl Winery hosts, our private tour and tasting experiences run anywhere from 45 – 120 minutes in duration, and offer a unique opportunity to sample our wines in a private setting.
Reservations are required for Private Tastings and these must be booked 72 hours in advance to ensure staff availability.
All prices include a $5 per person contribution to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society.
Private Tour and Tasting Experiences:
The Connoisseur Tasting:
This extended tasting is an opportunity to understand how each of our wines expresses the unique style of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery.
- Tasting of the portfolio (5-7 wines)
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Cost: $30/person plus tax
- For large groups of 9 – 25 people, we offer The Connoisseur Tasting in a private setting for a flat rate of $250 plus applicable taxes. Advance reservations are required.
Private Vineyard Walk and Tasting:
Let’s walk in the vineyard and talk about the biology of the vine, its growing cycles, the concept of terroir and viticultural practices at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. The walk is followed by a wine tasting that will underline the main concepts seen previously. A moderate level of fitness is required. Please dress for the outdoors: closed-toe shoes, sunhats, sunscreen, a water bottle and sunglasses.
- Tasting of 5-6 wines
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Cost: $40/person plus tax
Private Cellar Tour and Tasting:
Available on weekends only. Let’s tour the cellar and talk about winemaking techniques and equipment at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Among the unique features of the winery, discover the benefits of the gravity flow cellar and the underground barrel caves. The tour is followed by a wine tasting that will underline the main concepts seen previously. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.
- Tasting of 5-6 wines
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Cost: $40/person plus tax
The Ultimate Tour and Tasting:
Available on weekends only. This tour combines a walk in the vineyards and a tour of the cellar, followed by a tasting. A moderate level of fitness is required. Please dress for the outdoors: closed-toe shoes, sunhats, sunscreen, a water bottle and sunglasses.
- Tasting of 5-6 wines
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Cost: $65/person plus tax
Themes:
While our focus will be on Burrowing Owl Estate Winery’s approach to vine growing and winemaking, we are pleased to help customize your experience and quench your thirst for knowledge.
Please let us know in advance if there are any specific themes that are of interest to your group and your host will be happy to speak about them during your visit.
- From seed to grape: the cycles of the vine
- From grape to wine: the steps of winemaking
- From bottle to table: storing, opening and serving
- The major wine grapes grown in BC and in the world
- How geography has affected the terroir of the South Okanagan: moraine, lake effect, soils, aspect, rock formations, rain shadow
- Why are barrels so important?
- Wine and Food Pairing: basic principles and common myths.
- What happens at harvest?
Click here to book your private tasting.
Private tastings are available in the winter months from November 1 – March 31 by appointment only. Please contact our Tour Coordinator : tours@nullburrowingowlwine.ca
Cancellation Policy:
24 – hours notice is required to cancel confirmed private tour and tasting experiences. Cancellations received less than 24 hours prior to confirmed time are subject to the full amount of the private experience charge, plus a $20 administration fee.
Book online or contact our Tour Coordinator at 1.877.498.0620 ext. 5 or tours@nullburrowingowlwine.ca .
Wines are available to purchase in the Burrowing Owl wine store or online
When visiting BC Wine Country before you go: Do your homework and a bit of research about the wineries you wish to visit. Check the winery website to find out their months, days and hours that their Tasting Room is open. Know if you need to book your tasting in advance of your visit. Many wineries are now so busy there may be times that they are unable to accommodate you. It will be a much better visit if you have a confirmed appointment. Be on time. Expect to pay for your tasting, some, but not all wineries refund all or a portion of the fee if you purchase wine. Plan ahead for a designated driver or use the services of a wine tour company. Limit the number of wineries you visit in a day. A more leisurely timeline will increase your enjoyment. For the best overall experience, I like to limit my daily visits to three, maximum two wineries if a winery lunch is on the agenda.
Thanks to Ford Canada for the use of the Ford Escape.
We enjoyed a tour with Stephen Neumann while we were staying at the Guest House (review to come) and would recommend a private tour or experience for your next visit. Our tour ended in the Tasting Room where we sampled the wines that were open on that day for a cost of $5. each. The money collected in the Tasting Room goes to the BOCS. We purchased two bottles of wine. All images, except as noted, MyVanCity.
[wdi_feed id=”2″]
