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Now That's Golden

posted by Lesel, CEO at , Aug 26, 2011

We skipped work last Friday and took a mini staycation. We piled in the car and went to visit some wineries in Langley. We first made a quick stop at Township 7 where we snapped up several bottles of their Semillion. This lovely summer wine is the perfect patio sipper with scents of melon and rose, a subtle spice and crisp citrus notes.

Next we travelled down the road to Vista D'oro where you feel like you're visiting a family friend or a neighbor's farm.

At Vista D'oro, Proprieters Patrick and Lee get the most out of their land by growing grapes, apples, tomatoes and herbs. As with any farm, this is a work in progress and a labor of love. But be warned: at Vista D'oro you will not find your grandma's jam - their preserves come in exotic flavours like Turkish Fig & Walnut Wine, Apricot Tarragon & Riesling, and Green Tomato with Garam Masala.

On weekends, Vista D'oro stocks a selection of picnic ready foods that can be enjoyed in their garden or on the patio adjacent to the tasting room. We lounged on the patio and indulged in charcuterie and a selection of artisan cheeses from Farmhouse Cheese in Agassiz with breads and crackers from Terra Breads. These were accompanied by D'oros delicious preserves and their own farm fresh potato salad with a hint of tarragon - some of the best we've ever tasted.

We mixed our wine tasting with our lunch and sipped on Gurwertztraminer (unfiltered, delicious and refreshing) and the Pinot Noir. They also sell these by the glass, so we made sure to linger long enough to enjoy one.

As we gazed over the vineyard and farm, Winemaker Patrick Murphy came by for a visit. He told us how Vista D'oro came to be and their philosophy of value added products - getting the most out of every ingredient they grow. Our favorite example are the walnuts. There are huge Walnut tress on the Vista D'oro property from which they make several products including their Pinot Noix; the prized D'oro - a fortified walnut wine; and the Green Walnut and Grappa preserves.

After our lunch, Patrick took us on an impromptu and thorough tour of the vineyards. They started growing their own grapes about five years ago and the newest vines are just babies. It was great to witness history in the making.

Next we went onto the barrel room and wine cave where Patrick showed us the walnuts soaking in the soon to be Pinot Noix. Amazing smells abound.

On our way out, we made a quick stop to see the resident horses. We spent the better part of the afternoon at Vista D'oro, so we're saving our visit to Domaine de Chaberton for next time. --LR

Township 7
21152 16 Ave, Langley

Vista D'oro
346 208 St, Langley

Labels: Farms, Food, Langley, Wine

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Pick of the Crop

posted by Alicia Olive at , Aug 23, 2011

Nothing says summer quite like a farmers market. Lucky for us, Metro Vancouver is home to a number of them in the warmer months. One of our favourites is at the Lonsdale Quay; something about fresh food right on the ocean just speaks to us and we find ourselves going back week after week.

While there are many great vendors, one we visit every time is Glen Valley Organic Farm. Growing some of the most flavourful veggies we've ever tasted, Glen Valley are a permanent fixture at the Quay's farmers market, making an appearance every Saturday. From their butter potatoes (which do taste buttery) to their flawless collard greens, succulent lettuce, and more, you can buy a weeks worth of veggies at their stall alone. If they don't have what you need, check out some of the other vendors who bring the best of the Lower Mainland's produce with them.

If you're looking for a treat, there are a few bakeries that frequent the market. Whether you're looking for cupcakes or doughnuts, there's something here that will catch your eye. This past week we tried a coconut lime cupcake and a ginger and lemon cookie sandwich from Sweet Delights that blew our minds. Another great baker is the aptly-titled Baked, who carries regular, vegan, and gluten free goods so everyone can enjoy.

So get up early this weekend and check out a farmers market! The Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market runs from 10 am - 3 pm every Saturday from May to October. --AO

Labels: Farms, Food, North Vancouver

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At The Barre

posted by Alicia Olive at , Aug 11, 2011

We believe fitness and fun should go hand in hand. So when we want to get a great workout with stellar music and fabulous people, we head to Barre Fitness. Located in trendy Yaletown, Barre Fitness offers several different classes based on ballet, pilates, strength and flexibility training in a slick and modern studio space.

From our first class, co-founders Ella Jotie and Michele Murgel have been nothing but wonderful, creating a relaxed and inclusive studio atmosphere. Their top notch instructors follow suit, making sure everyone is working hard, performing the exercises safely, and having a good time.

Classes range from Classic Barre, which is great for beginners, to the fast-paced and high intensity Barre Bootcamp. Our favourites are Barre Fitness, an energetic class for total body conditioning, and the slower-paced Barre Flow, which focuses on breathing, balance and flexibility. Also offered are Xpress Barre for a lunch time workout, Power Barre for advanced Barre Belles, and even pre-natal classes. On Sundays, Barre Fitness gives back with their Raise the Barre classes that donate 100% of the proceeds to charity.

If you're looking to get long, lean, and toned muscles without the boredom of going to the gym, Barre Fitness is for you. It's also a great workout for those with injuries, as classes are high intensity, but low impact, with a focus on proper posture to protect your joints. No previous dance experience is necessary, but you may leave feeling like the ballerina you dreamed of being as a little girl. --AO

Labels: Ballet, Fitness, Yaletown

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The Great Outdoors

posted by Alicia Olive at , Aug 9, 2011

Seeing as summer has finally arrived, we decided to enjoy an afternoon getting in touch with nature and there's no better place to do that than Lynn Canyon Park. Located in upper Lynn Valley, the park is a beautiful slice of pristine wilderness mere minutes from civilization. The cherry on top: it's completely free, with no need to pay for parking or admission.

To fuel ourselves for the hike, we stopped at the Lynn Canyon Cafe for veggie burgers, onion rings, and cups of the Cafe's famous siphon coffee. Using vacuum pressure created between two glass chambers, siphon coffee is strong, rich and syrupy. Flame grilled to perfection and topped with a tangy BBQ sauce, the monster veggie burgers had great flavour and were nicely offset by the crispy - but not too oily - onion rings. Our lunch was accompanied by a groovy collection of 50s and 60s hits that gave the whole experience a retro diner feel.

Then it was time to walk off our indulgent lunch by taking a trip over the suspension bridge, past the 30 ft. Pool, and all the way to the Varley Trail, where we envied the people lucky (and rich) enough to live in such a beautiful area. We capped off our 2 hour+ walk by returning via Lynn Valley Road to the end of the Canyon Trail. Once back at the Cafe, we picked up some Okanagan berries and headed home to put our feet up.

We're already making plans to walk the trails again and you should do the same before Mother nature decides to pull the summer rug out from under us... --AO

Labels: Adventure, Hiking, North Vancouver, Waterfall

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