I spent my youngest summers in the Okanagan. My inom’s a local and every summer my parents would fill the back of the station wagon with us three kids, bathing suits, sand pails and floating air mattresses and we'd head east to visit relatives. We'd squah- ble over back-seat territory, play road games, hit a few fruit stands, and then we were there — and I'd ger to spend the summer with sand both in my bathing suit and drying between my five-year- old cos. I still love the dusty hills and the deep blue iakes — and my appreciation f valley has only grown sinc started learning about wine. The Okanagan is the largest and oldest wine-producing region in B.C. There are now about 40 wineries scattered throughout the vailey with more than 3,000 acres under vine, from south of Oliver to Vernon at the north end. More plants and new wineries are added every year. And these days, it isn’t just cheeky North Shore kids look- ing to float down the canal in Penticton or ride ¢ i Westbank that show up for high season. Winery v tours are a booming business — more and more visitors are discovering the simple pleasure of warming in the sun, view- ing long rows of leafy vines as they stretch down to Okanagan Lake and sampling a crisp pinot gris. And it’s a whofe fot cheaper than a trip to France. But smart winery proprietors know there are only so many tours and so many tasting rooms that a single tourist can take in — and like those in its giant wine- growing neighbour to the south, Okanagan wineries are adding restaurants, ampithe- atres and concert series to the summer menu. One of the largest and oldest wineries in the region, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery was also the first to open an on-site restaurant -~ the Cellar Docr Bistro. In 1999, Quail’s Gate Estate Winery, across the lake from Kelowna, followed suit and added the Old Vines Patio restaurant to its summer oper- ations, Open daily from 11 a.m. to dusk, it features fresh ‘Okanagan produce and dairy products. Kenn and Sandy Oldfield, owners of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, south of Oliver, nozched an amphitheatre into the . hillside next to their winery about a year and a half ago. _ Those who take in the monthly Golden Mile Concert Club serics this summer will relax on its grassy seats that spill down towards the valley — and if the music isn’t satisfying them, Counter Culture THE new amphitheatre at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards will host the Golden Mile Concert Club this summer. - Win two tiekets on the Starlight train BC Rail's Pacific Starlight Dinner Train is back on track this season for another summer of elegant dining. The train operates Tuesday to Sunday through October. . . Forachance to win two tickets on the train in July tell us the name of 2 jazz band performing at this © ~- year’s du Maurier international Jazz Festival. The winner will be chosen in a random draw. Send your entries fo Starlight Dinner Train Contest, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H4. Attn: John Goodman. You can fax entries to 985-2104 or e-mail tc . Deadline for the contest is Wednesday, July 12, 5 p.m. Winners will be telephoned. Morner EnNpiA Tase our Fooos & * 2 for * 5-16 pm 7 days/week 900 W. 16th, North Van. Pn: 985-8860 Fax: 986-5546 t Westlynn Bakery 1198 LYNN VALLEY AD., LYNN VALLEY CENTRE NEWS Deana Lancaster TINHORN Creek winemaker Sandra Oldfield shares winemaking secrets with visitors to the winery. the view will. The next in the series is tomorrow, Saturday June 24, when rhythm and blues band Phat Betty takes the stage; on July 15 it’s Afro-jazz musician David Thiaw; country music singer Kenny ‘Hess performs August 25; and the final in the series will feature hard rocker turned jazz diva Lee Aaron on September 23. Call 1-888-484-6467 for more informa- tion. And in July and August, Broadway in the Vineyard hits Gray Monk Estate Winery at the other end of the valley. Local musical theatre performers and singers take centre stage as the sun scts over the winery’s famous deck on July 27 to 29 and during August 4 to 12. Call (250) 860-1470 for information. Q200 Interested in trying wines from some of the Okanagan’s newest wineries? Edgemont Village Wines is now carrying bortles from Prpich Hills, which was only licensed in the spring. This Sunday at 2 p.m., the winery’s local rep will be in the store pouring the linc. 'Be sure to try the 98 gewurtztraminer, it’s pale in colour but stick your nose in the glass — it’s full of aromatic fruit and floral notes. He’ll also be pouring the pinot blanc, chardonnay and the cabernet merlot, which is sched- uled to arrive as stock that day. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., the store is pouring tasters from Peller Estates and those who stop by will be entertained by Carson Graham secondary school’s vocal jazz group. The store js at 3050 Edgemont Blvd. ° THIS: WEEK Ss BEST BUY 4 | VEGETABLE BEEF PIE, baked or ay o5 set reg. $5. 95 - 985-1622 Offer valid June 22 - June 28 | 20005 SENIORS DAY_ Every Wednesday * Seniors receive 15% of regular dine-in menu items (excluding alcoko!) Lovers Nocth Vancouver oaly, r Marise Drive & Pemberton (Behind Shell} Not valid ‘with ony other prometichal offer. UNDER NEW MANAGHENT EVERYDAY DINNER BUFFET SAMBOO” LUNCH BUFFET . GARDENS ..... 988-7378 ‘10 off Dinner ° When 2 entrees are purchased * with this cou * not valid on holidays or with early bird special (Offer valid until July 8th/00) wre) 373 Marine Dr. Van. Chez Michel XNai3 Come AND ENJOY OuR: Sunpay BRUNCH WITH A SPECTACULAR View 16:30-2:30 . neh 11:30-2:30 Mon-Fri - Dinner 5:00-11:00 Everyday - . Entranes on Semisch 224 W: Esplanade Ave., W. Van 924-4913 Fax: {Z.stro LS Michel Summer Fresh | from the Garden . Introducing our New Salad: Menu featuring: . : The: break + OUT. = ~The food: ;