Travel Close to Home – The Good Life in South Okanagan
Just minutes away on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, BC, The Residences at Spirit Ridge are a new and exciting addition to the acclaimed Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa. With breathtaking views and embodiment of the South Okanagan lifestyle, this was our focal point for our atHOME summer feature on Osoyoos living. Highlighting on local culinary talent and the luxurious lifestyle amenities that are accessible within the area – we hosted a 
dinner party for 8 in one of the three bedroom grand villas at Spirit Ridge. We brought in local culinary experts – Derek Uhlemann, Winery Sales Manager and Farm Chef at Covert Farms Family Estate and Chris Vanhooydonk, Owner and Chef of Backyard Farm Chef’s Table to cook for our guests and showcase the expertise and talent available in Osoyoos with the stunning scenery at Spirit Ridge.
Starting on the patio, Vanhooydonk and Uhlemann brought out 
charcuterie boards and our eight dinner guests mingled while soaking up the resort life in the most desirable climate and desert landscapes. During dinner prep, our Editor in Chief, Tracey Drake and Ingrid Jarrett, General Manager of Watermark Beach Resort dove in to get a hands-on demonstration from Chris Vanhooydonk on how to make the perfect ricotta gnocchi.
As Vanhooydonk and Uhlemann finished platting dishes, our guests: Glen Harris, Rudy Tomazic, Ingrid Jarritt, Tiffany Soper and atHOME team – Tracey Drake and Steve Drake sat down to 
enjoy some delicious wine from Covert Farms and Nk’Mip Cellars.
The first dish consisted of delicate flowers on a bed of fresh arugula and yellow thinly sliced beats. The flavours, the 
conversations and the company – the dinner party was a major success bringing everyone together with a sense of being at home in The Residences at Spirit Ridge.
On our last day in Osoyoos we took the day to tour Nk’Mip Cellars only minutes away from the Spirit Ridge Residences.
FACT: “NK’MIP” in the Syilx language refers to the area at the 
north end of the lake where the mouth of the lake meets the Okanagan River.
The wondrous vineyard offers blissful views surrounding the winery with a full menu patio restaurant perfect for unwinding and enjoying a glass or two of the finest local wines.
A true South Okanagan experience with unlimited activities and the utmost incredible scenery. Make sure you stay tuned for our upcoming summer issue for this feature inside the glossy pages of atHOME Victoria.
Special thanks to:
The Watermark Beach Resort where we stayed for our duration of the trip in Osoyoos. Thanks to Lacoste and Hudson’s Bay for partnering with us for home décor pieces for styling the villa. Thank you to Chris Vanhooydonk, Owner and Chef of Backyard Farm Chef’s Table and Derek Uhlemann, Winery Sales Manager and Farm Chef at Covert Farms Family Estate for the incredible foodie experience. Thank you to Area 27 for bringing another lifestyle component into the feature by bringing a few cars to the Residences. Thanks to Nk’ Mip Cellars for the fantastic full tour of the winery.
