Wine column: Tickets still available for Lyle Lovett, Colin James and Dean Brody concerts

Mission Hill Family Estate is ready.

Are you?

We're speaking, of course, of the West Kelowna winery's full-on return to post-pandemic summer with five big-name concerts, Terrace Restaurant open and wine tasting experiences galore.

My wife, Kerry, and I lunched at the Terrace this week.

From the Terrace's pergola-shaded perch, the view of vineyards to Okanagan Lake, mountains and blue sky is sublime, and so are the food-and-wine pairings.

Lunch is a two-course prix fixe, with wine pairings, for $70 each.

Since the menu is regional and based on what's available when, it is always changing.

On Thursday, there were two appetizer choices and two entree choices.

Being savvy orderers, Kerry and I chose one of each and shared so we were able to sample everything on the menu.

That means cod brandade with 2022 Reserve Pinot Gris and Wagyu eye-of-round carpaccio matched with 2019 Legacy Collection Prospectus (Pinot Noir) for starters and pan-seared scallops paired with 2020 Legacy Collection Perpetua (Chardonnay) and chicken ballotine with 2020 Vista's Edge Cabernet Franc as mains.

Our server is Alexandra Jacques, who we know from last summer at the Terrace and winter tastings in the Estate Room.

Alexandra also brings us up to speed on what else is in the spotlight for Mission Hill this summer.

First off, wine-and-music lovers are anxious to see and hear jazz vocalist and pianist Diana Krall (The Look of Love and Cry Me a River) on Friday, July 7 and singer Sarah McLachlan (Angel and Ice Cream) on Monday, Aug. 21.

Both shows are now sold out.

However, there are still some tickets left for the concerts of country star Dean Brody (Bring Down the House and Canadian Summer ) on Monday, July 17; country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (Cowboy Man and She's No Lady) on Tuesday, July 18; and blues rocker Coling James (Five Long Years and Just Came Back) on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Ticket prices are steep at $320 each, a reflection that the 1,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre is a magical setting and some wine is included.

Tickets at www.missionhillwinery.com/events-calendar.

The winery also has a raft of new tasting experiences from 'A Taste of the Okanagan' and 'A Taste of Our Legacy' to 'Patio Picnics and 'Behind the Cellar Door.'

Details and book at www.missionhillwinery.com.

Blasted Church open house

How does sipping pink wine poolside this weekend sound?

If it sounds ideal, and why wouldn't it?, head to the open house of Blasted Church Winery in Okanagan Falls tomorrow (Saturday) from 11 am to 4 pm.

And, even better, it's free to attend.

There will be live music and complimentary wine tasting, including that poolside rose station.

Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. His wine column appears in this space every Friday afternoon.