“May I interest you in our Whites? Reds? Ice Wines?” she asked me. I replied with, “Yes, please. Let’s start with your Ice Wines.” And that my friends, is essentially how my days started this past week. The Okanagan Valley in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Summerland, Kelowna, Namarata and Penticton, BC. All ‘must-visits’ on our Canadian wine tour. Simply, glorious. The rolling hills filled with immaculate, and meticulously kept, grapes. Apple and peach orchards impeccably taken care of. Picturesque, really. I imagined myself taking an afternoon and simply painting all the beauty I saw. Unbelievable. Peaceful. Quiet. For once, in a very long time, I felt completely removed from the busy, hustle & bustle world, that I’m accustomed to. I stood there, in the middle of these orchards, in the middle of all these glorious rows of grapes, and just closed my eyes. I listened. I smelt. I felt. Among nature. Among beauty. I was mesmerized. A true honor to let nature embrace me.
But what about the wines, you ask? They were simply divine. I found myself repeating the same sentence, over and over, “I never tasted anything like this.” Fruity, oaky, robust, rich, spicy, delicate, full-bodied, dry and zesty, all came to mind. And what about the fruits? The peaches? They were possibly the best tasting peaches that I have ever had. Such a delight to pick them off their trees and bite right into them. Sweet, juicy and absolutely perfect. Their texture, color and taste. Such a pleasure, such a joy. As I experience these moments, I remember to hold on to them. To savor, and to appreciate. It’s these moments that I am thankful for. To have these opportunities, these experiences. Living life to its fullest. Experiencing greatness. Always, and forever. With that dear friends, I raise my glass to you and say, “Cheers.”
Warmly,
Kathryn K.
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