Sunday, May 17, 2015.
Eric and I arrived Saturday, half an hour before check in, but we just couldn't stall at the pub any longer. After a whirlwind trip from Burnaby to Kamloops to Revelstoke to Naramata via the old Westside Road (highly recommended, but that's another story), we were excited to lay down roots for a couple of days in a B&B we found on an Internet search. A slow drive up the winding mountain road towards Chute Lake led us to the closest place to Heaven we have ever been.
We were greeted at the door by Maya, her smile welcoming and her eyes aglow. A beautiful welcome! She gave us a tour, explained that we simply had to ask if we needed anything, and encouraging us to take all that is offered in their beautiful home. After being on the road for 7 hours, we had stopped to get supplies for a picnic supper with a stop to Poplar grove for the triple cream Camembert. It went perfectly with the Cottonwood Estate wine chilling in the fridge for us. We enjoyed our meal on our balcony overlooking Okanagan Lake, with views from the mountains through Penticton with Skaha Lake beyond over to Summerland. We stayed in the Garden Suite. A huge canopied king size bed that was perfect - covered in lush sheets, a fireplace that could be ambience or heat, a fridge to keep the wine cold and a deep soaker tub, two wingback chairs and a patio with the most amazing views blew us away when we entered. I met Ben as he was playing with their darling daughter in the garden. He was just as friendly and welcoming as his lovely wife. We enjoyed a glass of wine on the andorondak chairs overlooking the lake and life was good.
We woke the next morning and received our breakfast at the requested time. A delicious rolled cheese and spinach omelet, perfectly cooked butcher bacon, a half mango and Pain du Chocoat for me and a croissant for Eric as he has a special diet, coffee and OJ. We headed out to do the wineries, but decided to get in some supplies and sit on the andorondak chairs and watch the lake instead. (we did hit our favorite wineries on way the way back though, as well as Upper Bench for more great cheese (Grey Baby) We enjoyed the afternoon and evening, another picnic supper and some fine Bench wines. We saw quail, mountain goats and a lot of deer poop, but alas, no deer. We wandered the pathways, took a ton of pictures, and found the ONLY place we will stay in Naramata from now on. I can't wait to see what breakfast brings tomorrow. It will be hard to say goodbye, but I will highly recommend this to everyone I know. read more