Twenty minutes north of Osoyoos, the Black Sage Bench sits on top of sandy soil that can run up to 300 feet deep. The area is a protected ecological habitat that preserves antelope-brush, bunchgrass, sage and prickly pear cactus. These plants are critical habitat for the survival of several animal species, including the burrowing owl, tiger salamander, sage thrasher, night snake and badger.

The Osoyoos Bench is also within the Sonora Desert and overlooks Osoyoos Lake. Visit the Nk’Mip Desert & Heritage Centre for self-guided tours that take you through fifty acres of sage grasslands and ponderosa pine forests with interpretive displays that bring this unique Canadian desert to life.

From Oliver, take 97TH ST/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 N to visit Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate.

Jackson-Triggs crafts its wines from a 410-acre site on the Osoyoos Lake Bench. The land is divided into two vineyards: the Bull Pine Estate Vineyard and the Bear Cub Estate Vineyard. Both vineyards grow varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc for award-winning wines. But, the Bull Pine Vineyard grows Shiraz, the wine that captured Shiraz/Syrah of the year at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition - a first for a North American winery.

From Jackson-Triggs, continue SOUTH along BLACK SAGE RD. to visit Le Vieux Pin.

Named for an old pine (vieux pin) in the northwest corner of the vineyard, Le Vieux Pin’s winery takes its inspiration from an old French railway station. Their wine-making practice also borrows from the traditions of the French in that they take extraordinary care to bottle wines representative of their terroir. As testament to this commitment, Le Vieux Pin’s labels give a complete picture of the journey from grape to wine including: soil type, harvest date, brix at harvest, oak usage, vine yield, vineyard manager and winemaker.

From Le Vieux Pin, return to BLACK SAGE RD. and continue SOUTH to Oliver Twist Estate Winery.

Oliver Twist is 17-acre family estate vineyard producing two tiers of wines from varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot and Syrah. Their “Twisted” wines are premium wines produced every vintage while their “Reserve” wines are only produced from smaller lots, aged longer and in some cases only produced in the event of an exceptional vintage.

From Oliver Twist, return to BLACK SAGE RD. and continue SOUTH to visit Desert Hills Estate Winery.

Desert Hills is a 24-acre family estate winery that was an orchard when first purchased in 1988. In 1995, the orchard was replaced with vinifera grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Gamay, Malbec, Merlot and Pinot Gris.

From Desert Hills, return to BLACK SAGE RD. and turn RIGHT to visit Burrowing Owl Estate Winery.

Burrowing Owl produced its first vintage in 1997 from its 140-acre vineyard site. Burrowing Owl’s name pays tribute to the native burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) currently being reintroduced into the Okanagan Valley. The Valley's grasslands and sagebrush plains are the bird’s breeding area.

Stop at Burrowing Owl for lunch or dinner in the winery’s restaurant--The Sonora Room. The restaurant has a patio with fantastic views of the vineyards. Note: The Sonora room is currently only open early spring to early autumn. Call ahead to be sure.

After lunch, finish your tour at Nk'Mip Cellars in Osoyoos. Nk'Mip (pronounced "ink-a-meep") is North America's first aboriginal owned and operated winery and a joint venture between the Osoyoos Indian Band and Vincor International.

From Burrowing Owl, return to PROVINCIAL ROUTE 97 S and continue for 20km to OSOYOOS. Turn LEFT onto CROWSNEST HWY/MAIN ST./PROVINCIAL ROUTE 3 and continue EAST. Turn LEFT on 45th ST. Follow the WINE ROUTE signs to visit Nk'Mip Cellars.

Nk'Mip is located on a bench of land with spectacular views overlooking Osoyoos Lake and currently produces Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot using estate-grown grapes only.

Finish your tour next door to Nk'Mip Cellars at the Nk'Mip Desert & Heritage Centre, for an understanding of the natural and agricultural heritage of the region and a look into the cultural history of the Nk'Mip peoples.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME (ONE WAY): 1.5 HOURS
RECOMMENDED TOUR TIME: FULL DAY

*your tour can include Black Hills Estate Winery, but only by appointment. Call ahead to 1-250-498-0666 to arrange a tasting. Their wines are available in small quantities and routinely sell out, so feel fortunate to discover they have wine ready to sample and sell.

Opened in the spring of 2001, Black Hills is located on 34 acres on the Black Sage Bench and is a limited production winery. Black Hills has expanded their product line from a red Bordeaux-style blend called Nota Bene, a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc called Alibi and Semillon and a late harvest wine called Sequentia to include a Carmenere and a Chardonnay.

On the above tour, Black Hills is located on BLACK SAGE RD. between Oliver Twist Estate Winery and Desert Hills Estate Winery.