Black Swift Vineyards is an offshoot of the hatch. Both are in West Kelowna. The tasting room at Black Swift Vineyards is off the hook! Their outdoor patio and picnic area are definitely going to be places we want to hang out this summer. There are a series of picnic tables, as well as basket and blanket sets, where you can sit on the grass for the tastings! It was dog friendly so we can’t wait to head back with Mia and Louie.
Summer 2020 was supposed to be off the hook. I was going to be training for Ironman Canada, and we were planning on quite a few adventures. Obviously, it hasn’t turned out for anyone. We’ve been extra careful with going out (read: we just don’t go out) and enjoy staying at home.
We’ve been watching Black Swift Vineyards get built for a few years now. Justin has been following their Instagram all along because they had a separate Instagram account from the hatch. He saw an announcement, so we decided to go check them out.
The indoor space is nice, but I forgot to take a picture. Lately, I get anxious any time we have to be indoors with other people who are not wearing masks.
There are tasting areas inside, but you really want to be seated outside. The view is simply stunning. There are a series of picnic tables for tastings, as well as baskets with blankets that can be used to do a tasting “picnic” style. The staff clean the table between every set of visitors, and there is hand-sanitizer on the table.
Unlike wine tasting experiences prior to 2020, and this I prefer, you sit down for your tastings. There is a wine ambassador that will bring you pre-filled glasses with all the wines that you’ll be tasting. Or all the glasses will be on the table, and they’ll come around pouring each type.
We’ll be sure to go back and keep better track of each wine we tasted. Overall, we liked everything we tasted. We always have liked the Black Swift wines when they were being poured at the hatch, so it was no surprise to enjoy them all. The whites have good body. The reds are all awesome, good by themselves, or with food. They were also not too heavy to drink in the height of summer.
There is a separate area with more picnic tables, off to the side of the wine tasting patio/building. They don’t offer tasting at those sets of picnic tables, but it’s great because you can buy bottles and enjoy them with equally stunning views.
Black Swift Vineyards is definitely going to be a new summer hangout because the wines and views are great. They’re dog-friendly, and the patio is built in a way that’s great for access and physical distancing. Who knew this was going to be new criteria we’d be thinking about in 2020. The new normal is interesting, but it’s nice to be able to get out (a little) again despite everything that is happening.
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