What will you be sipping at precisely 7:42 pm this evening?
I ask because that's when the Earth's tilt toward the sun is at its maximum, triggering the astronomical start of summer.
It's the longest-day-of-the-year reason to rejoice and there's no better way to celebrate it than with a glass of Okanagan wine.
Summer solstice has been marked with holidays, festivals and rituals since the Neolithic era began 12,000 years ago.
Keep your own ritual rolling into modern times by welcoming summer with a crisp Rose, luscious white or smooth red.
I've picked six summer-perfect wines suitable not just for the solstice, but all season long as you hang out on the patio, picnic, boat, beach, barbecue and gather with family and friends.
- Mission Hill 2024 Reserve Rose ($26)
Made by the West Kelowna winery of Pinot Noir grapes from a vineyard bathed in cool ocean breezes in Sonoma, California.
It's alluringly pale and over-delivers for the price with a fresh and delicious profile of strawberry and watermelon and a hint of sweetness on the finish.
In fact, it's my favourite Rose of the season.
Mission Hill's senior estate manager Charlie Drummond is calling this the summer of 'savoir faire' for the winery.
Translated from French, 'savoir faire' is know how or skill, a capacity for appropriate action, a polished sureness.
Applied to Mission Hill and this season it's a confidence to do what's right in extenuating circumstances and a mindset to always strive for better.
So, when Mother Nature dealt the Okanagan a harsh blow of extreme cold in January 2024 leading to the wipe out of the 2024 grape harvest, Mission Hill quickly adapted, sourcing grapes and juice from friends in Oregon, California, New Zealand and Germany to make 2024 vintage wines.
The exceptional 2024 Reserve Rose is a prime example of 'savoir faire' and a pivot done well.
Drummond also touted other changes and seasonal offerings.
Foremost, Mission Hill has moved to reservation-only for all of its experiences, be it a tasting, tour or dining.
Same-day reservations are possible when space is available.
The system is meant to preserve the peacefulness of the estate and ensure every guest has a good time.
Check out all the experiences that can be reserved at: https://www.missionhillwinery.com/.
- Nk'Mip 2024 Rose ($26)
Made by the Osoyoos winery of Washington state grapes.
Again, pale and mouth wateringly good.
- Nk'Mip 2022 Dreamcatcher ($27)
Named after a symbol in Aboriginal culture and a nod to Nk'Mip being the first Indigenous owned-and-operated winery in North America (by the Osoyoos Indian Band).
Dreamcatcher is aromatic, lush and exotic thanks to its unique blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and rare Ehrenfelser.
An ideal pairing for the patio, German sausage or Asian food.
- Noble Ridge Vilicus 2024 Viognier ($21)
Made by the Okanagan Falls winery of grapes from Washington state.
Viognier is also aromatic and exotic with heady aromas and flavours of sun-warmed nectarine, orange peel and honeysuckle.
- Fort Berens 2022 Small Lot Merlot ($33) from Lillooet
Summer means barbecue, so when the steaks come off the grill pair them with this smooth red, bursting with aromas and flavours of plum, cherry and black pepper.
- Black Sage 2022 Cabernet Franc ($33) from Oliver
Another prime barbecue wine to go with steak, burgers or pork tenderloin.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
