Sea to Sky Gondola Presents Inaugural Winemaker’s Dinner Featuring Desert Hills Estate Winery

August 19, 2014

If you’ve not yet had the chance to experience the Sea to Sky Gondola with its tremendous views, now’s your chance! On Saturday, August 30, an inaugural winemakers dinner will take place at the top of the gondola, in the Summit Lodge’s Diamond Head Room. This promises to be a special night with views over the Howe Sound at 887 meters high!

The Sea to Sky Gondola is located between the Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls. Come early and take in the incredible scenery. There’s also a 100-meter suspension bridge to enjoy, just off to the side of the lodge.

The five-course dinner will feature BC’s Desert Hills Estate wines, a family-owned boutique winery located on Black Sage Bench (outside Oliver), some of the most sought-after Okanagan terroir.

Sitting on 24 acres of some of the finest vineyards on the Bench, the Okanagan winery is located between Black Hills and Burrowing Owl wineries – an ideal source for the grapes. Winemaker George Phiniotis has gradually taken over winemaking from his father, Elias Phiniotis, PhD, for the Toor family. With over three decades of wine-making learned from his Dad (in addition to having worked at Domaine de Chaberton), George produces award-winning wines.

“The best grapes in BC are the ones right outside this window,” adds Phiniotis, pointing to the vineyard beside the wine shop. “The incredible grape growing conditions at DH’s Black Sage Bench vineyard play an integral role in the wines’ quality but great attention to the craft, like precision blending and patient cellaring is equally important. Details like these are what have garnered the winery two Lieutenant General Governor of Canada Awards”.

The menu

Upon Arrival
Rose ‘Helena’ 2012
Smoked albacore tuna with melon salsa

First Course
Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
Herb goat cheese tart topped with an apple pear salad

Second Course
Gewurtztraminer 2012
Seafood Thai green curry with jasmine rice

Third Course
Gamay 2012
Grilled lamb leg with sauce verte accompanied with roasted summer vegetables

Dessert
Mirage 2008
Dark chocolate torte with a blackberry compote

Desert Hills Estate Winery Winemaker’s Dinner

Date: Saturday August 30, 7 pm 
Venue: Diamond Head Room in the Summit Lodge, Squamish 
Tickets: $89 + taxes and gratuity (note price does not include gondola access. Special event pricing for gondola tickets available with dinner purchase.