Juicy fruit it’s gonna move ya!  Oh, that’s a jingle for gum but really we get so excited about spring in the Okanagan.  It’s that special time of year when vast landscapes of fruit tree orchards are showing off their spectacular blossoms.

Summerland Resort provides you with the perfect base to enjoy the weather, summer activities and luscious fruits of the Okanagan valley inBritish Columbia,Canada. You can be as busy as the proverbial bee or just soak up the luxury of the summer sun while you stay here – the choice is yours. However, no harm in knowing what you can do here during the exciting summer days.

The weather in Okanagan valley during the summer months can be described as perfect; a warm welcoming change from the wintry days just gone by. This semi-arid topography has an incredible low temperature even in the warm months; the mercury does not rise above 28 degrees Celsius. With such fantastic weather it is natural you would wish to savor as much of the open as possible after having been confined indoors during winter.

The Okanagan valley has ideal weather for agricultural fruit production, something it has been doing for ages. History has it that the first settlers were the aristocratic British, and then came the Japanese, Chinese, Doukhobor and finally the Portuguese. And there were the five ethnic groups who also inhabited this part of the British Columbia region in Canada. From the 1880s the British residents turned to fruit growing and the ethnic groups were willing laborers; and ever since then Okanagan valley has been a sprawling fruit orchard.

The summer activities in Summerland BC are varied and many; among them are the fruit adventures where you see the harvesting of your favorite fruits and even taste some fresh off the tree! Late June is time for harvesting of cherries; July is abundant with peaches and apricots, August is time to pluck the prunes, more peaches and a special variety of pears. Relish the sight of colorful grapes, pears and apples in September, and October presents you with more and more harvesting of those juicy grapes. And if vegetables are your interest watch the Okanagan valley farmers harvest ripe tomatoes and onions during the summer season.

At the Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa there is so much to do at the Resort as well as in Summerland.  Water sports, lounging by the pool, a refreshing swim, a walk along the boardwalk to take in the natural wetlands are a few of the fun activities within the property.  You get to avail a different adventure everyday of your stay here. Go for a  boat ride, water skiing, kayaking or wakeboarding on the Lake Okanagan, or maybe experience British Columbia’s wine first-hand at the wineries spread all over Okanagan valley. Or, simply relax on your balcony, sip on your delicious favorite drink while you gaze at the rippling water of the lake stretched out in front and listen to the merry chirping of the numerous birds in the wetlands area.

Okanagan valley has many festivals to felicitate the summer and you can join in the fun and fiesta when you come here. The weather, the activities in summer, the delicious fruits and the diverse landscapes makes Summerland Resort a supreme place to be in during the summer months.

The Okanagan wineries are known for being the home of vintners and also a vibrant community as well. The Okanagan Valley is well known for its wine production and for having over 100 different wineries. BC wines are always ranked among some of the best wine in the entire world during many international competitions. BC wine was also given over ten different prestigious awards in other major renowned international competitions.

You can go on a variety of wine tours at Summerland whether you are an experienced collector or a beginner in the subject, you will be delighted by BC’s produce and landscapes. Make sure that you go on these wine tours with your spouse, as it will be memorable for both of you. You don’t need to worry about your children getting bored while you go on these tours, as there are many things they can do. Summerland has boat rentals, skiing, golf, water sports and lots of local events. If they are joining on your wine tour, wineries often have non-alcoholic wines which will get the kids involved and feeling very “grown-up”.

Attending wine tasting events can be a great experience and a lot of fun, although a lot of people choose not to attend out of fear – or not knowing what to do or what to expect. Here are some quick tips that can help you get going:

• At wine tastings, you’ll need to look at the wine, smell it, then after swirling it around in the glass – taste it.  Once you have smelled the wine, you should allow a few moments to take in the smell and think about the wine that you are smelling. When you put the wine in your mouth, you should always swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds, and allow the flavors plenty of time to dance on your palate.    After swallowing the wine, the aftertaste that remains in your mouth should give you even more of an idea as to the type and flavor of the wine.
• Although acidity is great with wine, too much of it will leave a very sharp taste, so be prepared.  With the right levels, acidity will bring the flavors of the grape and fruits alive in your mouth – providing you with the perfect taste.
• Another effect of flavor are tannins, which are the proteins found in the skins of grapes and other fruits.  If a wine has the right amount of tannins, it will give your tongue a great feel, and bring in the sensations of the other flavors.  Once a wine starts to age, the tannins will begin to breakdown in the bottle, giving you a softer feel to the taste.  Tannins are essential for the taste of wine – providing the wine has been properly aged.

Making wine and understanding wine can certainly be complex but finding a wine you love doesn’t have to be.  Great wine does not have to expensive or exotic, it just has to be delicious to you.  So keep in mind that nothing accounts for taste.

Savour your next great wine at the latest, most exciting discovery in Okanagan wine at Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive. Experience spectacular wineries and the rolling hills of the surrounding agricultural landscape with Summerland Resort’s Bottleneck Drive Wine Tour Package – coming this summer 2012.   The Okanagan’s Spring Wine Fest is just around the corner running May 03 – May 13 – stay tuned to our blog for updates and tips on some hot Wine Fest events.

When you think of a Canadian winter a few images come to mind – blizzards, snow shovels, toques and hockey.  While most of us like the sight of big fluffy flakes lazily falling to the ground and images of powdery white ski hills, we are not very enthusiastic when winter hits.  We will admit that in Summerland we don’t feel the sharp winters that our fellow Canadians do. In fact it rarely drops below minus 5 – the operative word being “rarely”.

So when we are typically known as the place with the sought-after sun laden days of summer it is hard to confess that yes, winter happens in Summerland.  Last week was one of those “rare” times when the temperature dropped.  Just down Lakeshore Boulevard at the neighbouring park we saw the “rarest” of things – a crust of ice that met with the beachfront, granted it was snow covered too.

So this brought to mind that Summerland’s winter season is often overlooked.  Summerland still averages great winter temperatures and the mountain areas that surround receive a hearty helping of snow.  In fact, Apex Mountain Resort in Penticton has had 30 cm in the last 7 days contributing to a base of 175 cm.  If skiing isn’t your favorite winter activity Apex has an outdoor rink, 1 kilometre ice skating loop which is lit at night, and a tube park.  Another favorite winter activity is yes, you guessed it, savoring fine BC wine.  Local wineries remain open year round and the off season often avails the opportunity to meet the Winemakers.

At the Summerland Waterfront Resort you can be as busy or as relaxed as you like.  Getaway with the Couples Escape package including spa and dining.   With rates starting from $69 per night it’s a great way to start the year and to celebrate winter.  As much as we Canadians like to complain about winter, there are some great ways to enjoy it.