Big White Ski Resort – A Destination for Skiers and Wine Lovers Alike
With approximately 100 unique local wines available at the Kettle Valley Steakhouse, guests can not only drink a bottle suited to their personal palate, but also indulge in it knowing the grapes were grown and fermented locally.
Big White doesn’t simply feature Okanagan Valley wine because it’s close – but because of its quality. The region is located north of the 50th parallel – or more specifically, at the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert – meaning the area has a short but hot growing season. As a result, the region can produce very ripe fruit that translate into rich, full-bodied red wines with a unique structure and backbone. The long days in the summer, along with the cooling influence of the Okanagan Lake at night, make for a wide diurnal temperature swing, producing wines with crisp acidity.
Big White’s premier wine tasting event, Big Reds at Big White, is a two-day affair, offering guests a cross section of wines from a collection of the best winemakers in the Okanagan Valley. “This tasting attracts many vendors based on the access to a well-educated and informed audience,” says Trevor Hanna, Vice President of Hospitality at Big White. “The consumers are always interested in understanding the quality of the new releases, food pairings and where to look for their next favourite bottle.”
And they can often find that favourite bottle in the lower level of the Village Centre Mall, at the Big White Beer & Wine Store. Hanna, a certified sommelier himself, says the resort cross promotes wherever possible, and is fortunate to have relationships with winemakers and owners that allow Big White to offer exclusive wines normally only available in wine clubs.
“We understand that at 1,700 meters, in a winter wonderland, certain wines have more appeal,” Hanna says. “We do not expect our guests to be asking for a delicate Rose. A heavier red might be more appealing along with white varietals with more texture and phenolics like Viognier, Roussanne/Marsanne and barrel-fermented Chardonnay.”
Big White narrowed in on that idea with its very own label, Hidden Hearth, a 2015 meritage blend with notes of cherry, raspberry and violets, and a long, soft, smooth finish. The name Hidden Hearth was inspired by a hidden fireplace behind a section of wall in the Kettle Valley Steakhouse. The Steakhouse underwent significant repairs after it suffered water damage in November 2014. The winter season had already commenced and in the haste to open the Steakhouse to guests there was not enough time for the original fireplace to be restored – thus giving birth to Hidden Hearth.
Another great way to sample some of the Okanagan’s best is with Big White’s Walk, Dine & Wine culinary tour. Meander through the resort’s picturesque Village, dining at three different restaurants, and sipping three different Okanagan Valley wines. One of the stops along the way, Globe Cafe & Tapas Bar, boasts a wine list of around 40 wines, with 75% of those sourced locally from the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson Nicola – the others mainly from Spain and Italy to compliment the restaurant’s mediterranean-style food.
“Supporting local vineyards results in strengthening the local economy and building healthy competition throughout the region,” says co-owner Jude Brunt. “When a winemaker or winery owner drops by for a visit between powder runs, it’s great for them to see their labours of love featured on a great local wine list!”
Globe Cafe also hosts Wine Lovers Wednesdays. Every Wednesday from late December to mid April, enjoy an Après Ski wine education and tasting session, hosted by a local wine maker or wine educator, and paired with six to eight Tapas Taster Bites. The wines are chosen along a different theme each week and may feature one varietal from up and down the Okanagan Valley, or might compare and contrast terroirs across both Old & New World varietals.
At Big White, guests may come for the snow – but we know that after a glass or two of an Okanagan red, they’ll be back for the wine.