Anthony Gismondi: Okanagan's District Wine Village a must-visit destination for tourists and locals

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District Wine Village is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live music Friday through Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. It’s well worth a visit to experience the vibe; event details at districtwinevillage.com.

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Weekend wine picks

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Chronos Pinot Gris 2025, Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

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$24.99 I 89/100

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UPC: 696852016223

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It is a richly floral white with scents of fresh strawberry and Granny Smith apple, plus a hint of wet-stone minerality. The palate is more of the same, with candied apple and pear notes that linger long. At just over five grams per litre, the sugar level doesn’t mask the fruit’s ripeness. Well made and clean, it is a refreshing Pinot Gris with enough gravitas to pair with richer dishes such as halibut or chicken. The fruit is Summerland-based, grown at Dragon Mountain Vineyard — a real patio pleaser.

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Roche Artist Series Pinot Gris 2025, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

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$27 I 90/100

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UPC: 724901649068

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Grown in Okanagan Falls with a southwest exposure, the Artist Series Pinot Gris is a lovely, rich Gris with a pleasant blend of pitted orchard fruits, ginger spice and beeswax. All of that spills onto a creamy palate, stoked by just the right amount of acidity to keep the balance through the finish. Honouring the French tradition of supporting the arts, the Roche family has collaborated with Canadian artists to create the Artist collection, and the 2025 label is by Marina Billinghurst of Penticton.

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Blue Grouse Pinot Gris 2024, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

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$30.99 I 90/100

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UPC: 696852117401

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A little-known fact is that Blue Grouse Estate is home to some of the oldest Pinot Gris vines in British Columbia, and that portion of the blend is responsible for the intense minerality that runs through the wine. The nose opens with sweet notes of acacia and candied melon, while the palate is dry and lively, with a wealth of citrus rind and bright acidity that dances across the finish. It pairs with shellfish, fresh fish, fish cakes, and fish soup — it can handle it all.

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Solvero Pinot Gris 2023, Garnet Valley, Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

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$25 I 90/100

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UPC: 627987248425

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The team at Gismondi on Wine enjoyed this Gris sourced from the Kozuki Family Vineyard on the Summerland Bench. The style is more restrained and elegant, showing a classic pear-and-green-apple/orchard-fruit spectrum. The palate carries the variety’s hallmark waxy, beeswax-like texture, with a more phenolic edge that adds balance and complexity. Overall, it’s crisp; it offers good texture, concentration, and a persistent, subtle spicy character that lingers at the end. Drink or hold; there is no rush.

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Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold, France

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$32.99 I 89/100

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UPC: 3514123120189

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Orange Gold is Bertrand’s modern homage to an ancient wine. That said, Bertrand is not a fan of overt bitterness, and this version gets only minimal skin contact, leaving Orange Gold with an enticing nose, to say the least. The blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac, Muscat and Clairette is partly carbonically macerated in stainless steel before the wine finishes in barrel. Look for a wealth of tangerine scents and white grapefruit dusted with garrigue. Rich and ripe enough for a favourite spicy dish, with a favourite curry in the lead. Be curious.

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Calendar items

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• SUYO Modern Peruvian revives its acclaimed SUYO con Amigos series on June 18, with a one-night-only dinner featuring chef Billy Nguyen of Victoria’s Rabbit Rabbit. The series brings guest chefs into the SUYO kitchen to cook alongside chef Ricardo Valverde, whose restaurant was recently named best Latin American at the 2026 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. The dinner will feature an eight-course tasting menu, with dishes alternating between the two restaurants, and paired with wine and cocktails. Seatings are at 5 and 8 p.m., with just 40 seats available per sitting. Tickets are $269 per person, including pairings, and reservations can be made through OpenTable.