After getting home from our family trip to Ol’Ireland, I was struck by the beauty of what was lying right there, in front of my back door. Although the next trip is always on my mind, it’s also important to appreciate what you take for granted and be a tourist in your own town.

We own a small vineyard on a west facing hillside in the B.C. desert town of Osoyoos. Once dominated by orchards and abundant fruit, The South Okanagan is fast becoming Canada’s next Napa Valley. Surrounding a beautiful lake, the community of Osoyoos is a vacation hotspot for summer tourists and wine lovers.

Fall is also special because the season of grape growth has come to an end and the harvest brings an air of excitement. Mexican workers make short work of picking the crop, likely looking forward to returning to their families after a seasons working on farms.