The 2023 peak season has arrived in the blink of an eye and many visitors will soon be arriving in Osoyoos for what is bound to be the most memorable vacation of their year.
There is no shortage of things to do in Osoyoos that many visitors will be familiar with, but, you may ask, has anything changed over the offseason? The answer is most certainly yes.
Well, whether you are a first-time guest, making a triumphant return for your annual trip, or settling in for an extended seasonal stay, we’ve compiled a list of highlights that will be new for you to try in Osoyoos during 2023 and beyond.
Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock
It isn’t hard to convince most people to go check out a brand-new winery, especially one with the aesthetic of a barn, but this is “no ordinary barn,” according to the property itself.
Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock has recently opened its doors to the public and they are hoping to disrupt the norm — suggesting they do things differently because “following traditions isn’t as fun as breaking them.”
Red Barn says they strictly ferment and age their wines in concrete vessels, building overall mouthfeel and flavour profile as part of their winemaking process. They also work with up-and-coming street artists to design expressive labels.
“There is no such thing as a convention at Red Barn. There is no uniformity.”
Red Barn Winery is located at 4305 Black Sage Rd. in Oliver.
Unity’s Must-See Store Expansion
Unity Clothing — a fan-favourite local clothing brand since 1997 — recently purchased the unit next door to its downtown store location (8519A Main St. Osoyoos), knocked down the walls and made some incredible upgrades and additions that you don’t want to miss this season!
While the store is still entrenched in skate culture and has all the latest Unity gear, it’s added some new installations that serve almost like exhibits at a museum — features that pay homage to Osoyoos’ history while also taking you on a walk down memory lane to those vintage “good old days” you might fondly remember.
From an homage to a 60s Motel lobby to a recreation of a historic local cafe to a Japanese hearse and much more, each exhibit offers a unique story and brings an extremely unique experience to this new store.
To read more details about the new Unity Store, click here.
Queen of the South Charcuterie
A new soup and sandwich rockstar has entered the Osoyoos chat. Introducing Queen of the South Charcuterie.
This quirky and fun shop offers a collection of homemade goods, decor, local gifts and most importantly food that is to die for.
A full roster of awesome sandwiches and soups await lunch-goers, complete with locally made buns, delicious sauces and fresh ingredients.
They also have charcuterie boxes to go, some that pair perfectly with a day of wine tasting, and others that are meant for the complete picnic experience. You can even buy a birthday charcuterie meat box.
Queen of the South Charcuterie is located at 10901 115th in Osoyoos, at the Industrial Park.
Sparrow Scooters
A new form of transportation is soon to launch in Osoyoos and will be available for locals and visitors during the summer season.
Sparrow Scooters, a company that has launched in both Penticton and Oliver, is expanding its operations into Osoyoos imminently.
These electric scooters will be parked at charging hubs, called “Nests,” located around the town. Like other ride-sharing services, riders will use an app to access them and then ride them as a sustainable and cost-effective way to go exploring.
The scooters are required to be returned to a nest in order to end the ride.
This service has not yet launched in Osoyoos, however, more information will be available soon.
Hem’z Old Skool Café
Osoyoos has added a new place to get a morning cup of joe that is well worth your while checking out in 2023.
Hem’z Old Skool Café is a warm and welcoming eatery serving up classic comfort food infused with Indian flavours.
Named after the owners’ mother, this new café specializes in hearty burgers, sandwiches, breakfast dishes, and sides made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
They of course also offer a variety of coffee and beverages, including Indian Masala Chai!
You can find Hem’z Old Skool Café at 8523 Main St in Osoyoos.
Friday Briskets at Tumbleweed Distillery
While the Tumbleweed Distillery has been an Osoyoos staple for a handful of years now, the tasting room is getting an upgrade this season, which is something worth seeking out.
Osoyoos’ only craft distillery is going to be making a brisket every Friday and offering a handful of menu items to go along with it.
Whether you are stopping in to try the brisket sandwiches or the brisket nachos, you won’t be disappointed.
Of course, you can always try one of their cocktails with Tumbleweed Spirits vodka — a vodka that just won a Gold Medal from the Artisan Distillers of Canada’s Spirits Awards as the best craft vodka in Canada for 2023.
Tumbleweed Distillery is located at 6001 Lakeshore Dr, Osoyoos.
Sessions Outdoor Sports Store & Group Activities
One of the big draws for visitors coming to Osoyoos during the summertime is outdoor sports and recreation and now there is a new spot to find all the equipment, gear, and tools you need to enjoy all the outdoor sports that you love!
Sessions Outdoor Sports is a new retail space that opened up, catering to the active types and adventure seekers.
From mountain biking and road bikes to paddleboards to trail running and of course, pickleball, Sessions Outdoor Sports has you covered. The shop also offers bike repairs for those needing a tune-up on their two-wheeler.
The new Sessions store location is also aiming to become a community hub for group activities throughout the summer months. The store currently offers morning road cycles for elite riders, leisure rides, morning runs, mountain biking shuttles and upcoming “Learn To Pickleball” lessons. A more detailed schedule can be found here.
For people interested in trying out pickleball, Sessions Outdoors Sports also has demo paddles available for trial.
Sessions Outdoor Sports is located at 7214 97th St in Osoyoos.
Ward’s Wine Country Kitchen at District Wine Village
Canada’s first-ever wine village has gotten an upgrade ahead of this season.
While taking in the sunshine and sampling wine from the 13 different vendors at District Wine Village, visitors can now indulge in a brand-new food option.
Ward’s Wine Country Kitchen is a casual, fully-licensed, full-service restaurant, serving approachable, fresh, & addictive food. The menu — spearheaded by Chef Ian Stillborn — includes items such as nachos, flatbread pizzas, appetizers, burgers, salads, poke bowls and more.
Ward’s will be taking over the food operations from Trading Post Eatery, which left the Village in 2023.
Along with covering the food, Trading Post was the lone craft brewery on-site, however, guests have been assured they will still have craft beer options with the new tenant. Ward’s will also offer a selection of signature seasonal cocktails, along with a varied selection of wine.
Re-imagining of Sonora Desert Winery
While the name isn’t quite new to people who are familiar with wineries near Osoyoos, Sonora Desert Winery is now under new management and will be undergoing a series of changes as the summer goes on.
They’ve revamped their tasting room and are currently renovating an outdoor patio space that will allow for picnic lunches and larger-scale group events.
With a re-imagining of the new business, comes the new flow of ideas and the winery has big plans for new products. The first one launched, which is now available, is “Vine Vodka” — the first offering in its upcoming range of unique and interesting farm-to-table artisanal spirits. This year’s plans also include an estate wine brandy and a mid-summer harvest from the winery’s walnut trees to make the first batch of Nocino walnut liqueur.
