Attending the annual Harvest Dinner, now in its 7th year, at the family-run Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery is like coming home. Meander en route to drop into some of the farm gate producers of Oliver and load up on fall’s bounty such as buttery yellow corn, heritage tomatoes, purple prune plums, crisp red apples, and plump pumpkins. American poet William Cullen Bryant called, “Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” How true are those words as the Quinta Ferreira team takes a breath after a successful summer and warmly invites you to join them. What better way to celebrate the Harvest than with a four-course wine-paired dinner, 6:30 pm, October 3rd? Prepared by the talented Chef Neil Schroeter (pictured) of Okanagan Street Food, the dinner is always a sell out so you’ll want to purchase your tickets soon to avoid disappointment. (Tickets are $135 all inclusive.)
Even if you can’t make the dinner, autumn is a wonderful time to visit. Enjoy the reddish and golden hues of the foliage gleaming in the vineyards and surrounding orchards. Linger on the pretty patio over wine. You can pick up meats and cheeses from the tasting room’s deli fridge. Or request a specially prepared snack tray that includes bread, cheese, olives, spreads, and meat for $15. Browse the fine art images of family member Carmen Tomé and perhaps add some of her latest works to your collection.
This, too, is a great time to stock up on your winter wines as the new reds are released in early September. Purchase your supply in the tasting room – open daily 10 am to 6 pm, at select stores or online at quintaferreira.com.
~ Roslyne Buchanan