Lunch at the Iconic Liquidity Winery
Climbing up Oliver Ranch Road in Okanagan Falls, we pass through the gate and up the landscaped drive - this is swanky.
At the Liquidity Winery restaurant and tasting room, you’re at the top of the hill looking south over Vaseaux Lake, the McIntyre bluff, and estate and neighbouring vineyards - Noble Ridge, Wild Goose, and more. Across the valley at altitude sits See Ya Later Ranch.
Guests are greeted with a VIP reception - a glass of 2023 Pinot Noir rosé as one walks in the door. We’re led to our table - it’s outside on the stunning patio with the best view in Okanagan Falls. Clean, modern, elegant, simple. What a classy experience.
I thought we were just going for a tasting, followed by lunch. My expectations were soon to be exceeded!
I learned that Liquidity offers a wine paired lunch completely designed around the wines. Each dish’s components were thoughtfully constructed to pair with a specific wine. The 3-course menu features 2 choices per course. If you’re dining with someone and want to maximize your experience, you can do what my wife and I did and try all options and their wine pairings.
Highlights:
The 2022 Estate Viognier by itself was a knockout of a wine. Together with smoked cod, potato, and rutabaga, leek emulsion and lemongrass (a fabulous dish on its own), this pairing was sublime.
Their 2021 Estate Chardonnay was expertly paired with a dish of sweet potato gnocchi, saffron braised fennel, and fresh peas. When the acidity, intensity, and body of the wine and food complement each other, it hits on that metacognitive level.
My wife’s dessert pairing similarly took me out of my own mind for a moment. The same rosé we were greeted with was matched with olive oil gelato, blood orange, lemon cake and granola.
The most outstanding dish of the sitting was the Fraser Valley chicken ballotine, over coffee lentils, broccolini, morels, sauerkraut purée, and black apple jus. That’s the best chicken dish I’ve had in a while. It doesn’t matter what you pair it with - this plate is the star.
After lunch I was shown the private outdoor event rental space with overhead patio lights and that same million dollar view. Just above that sits a gorgeous and luxurious two bedroom rental suite (both with ensuite bathrooms). The full kitchen is a showstopper and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.
This outstanding wine paired lunch experience is just $75 per person. The quality of service, the incredible attention to detail and execution of the menu, the delicious wines (that Viognier is one of my favourite wines so far for 2024), and the view make for an unforgettable experience. Be sure to book your experience today!
This blog post was written by our contributor: Matt Tinney.