Craving a closer-to-home adventure this summer? Perchance it is time to rediscover the Osoyoos wine country.
Assuming like mine, your superpowers won鈥檛 allow for you to visit more than one winery at a time, you鈥檒l want to stay at least a week, immersing yourself in all that Osoyoos area wineries offer.
You鈥檒l need a starting point. We loved the . Centrally located on the shores of Osoyoos Lake, it鈥檚 within easy reach of many of the southern most Okanagan wineries.
Sitting picture perfect across the lake, is . The Nunes and Farinha families, the winery鈥檚 founders, having recently retired entrusted Adega on 45th to the very capable Christa-Lee McWatters (a family name familiar to B.C. wine devotees) and award-winning winemaker Karen Yeung.
鈥淲e see ourselves enhancing the experience for devotees of Adega wines.鈥� said McWatters. 鈥�Looking ahead we鈥檙e planning patio updates to enhance the guest experience (food trucks, perhaps live music) depending on timing and weather.鈥�
McWatters tells me Yeung has recently bottled the first of her Adega vintages, including the 2024 whites and Ros茅.
"Karen has stayed true to the Adega style, with some subtle refinements. Her background in cool-climate winemaking shows up in the balance and freshness of the wines.鈥�
Yeung is happy to report the vines in their vineyard are healthy and they are looking forward to a great 2025 growing season.
I鈥檓 looking forward to her take on Adega wines. Among my favourites now in the wine shops are their 2019 Quarteto Tinto. Sixty per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, the quartet of wines includes equal parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. With blueberries, espresso, spice and vanilla on the nose and pallet, this blend is everything you could want in a red Meritage. Already delectable, it will only get better if put it away for a couple more years. Pair it with grilled beef or lamb, mushroom risotto, or a spicy tomato-based recipe.
Adega鈥檚 2021 Syrah will pair nicely both with a charcuterie board of blue cheese, black olives and your barbecued bacon wrapped chicken. Medium-bodied, leaning towards full-bodied, it opens with florals on the nose, blackcurrants and spice on the palate and an earthy yet smooth finish.
Available in their tasting room or to order online, the complete line up of Adega wines includes lovely white wines including Reisling, Viognier, Pinot Gris and Felicidade. The latter an ode to the first generation of the Farinha women to venture from their home in Portugal.
Learn more about Adega on 45th wines and their summer plans at or for more about Osoyoos and local wineries visit,
A resident of Qualicum Beach, Chris Herbert is a wine enthusiast who enjoys sharing everything that B.C. wines have to offer. He looks forward to hearing from you with your questions and comments via email at spillthatvino@gmail.com.
