Orchard Views

Kelowna Land & Orchard’s e-newsletter
Volume 2 – Spring 2005

Welcome to our Spring 2005 edition of Orchard Views, Kelowna Land & Orchard’s e-newsletter. We have a variety of exciting news to share, including a new management team at our on-site restaurant as well as a new name, new , locally-made products in our Farm Store and accolades for Raven Ridge Cidery.

A New Season Begins
Kelowna Land & Orchard officially opens for the 2005 season on April 23. This year, we’ve added a behind the scenes glimpse of our Raven Ridge Cidery operation. Orchard tours are conducted twice daily, at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm daily. Orchard tours are 45-minutes long and free for children 12 and under; students are $3.00; and adults are $6.50.

We’ve restocked the Farm Store with a myriad of new Okanagan gifts and continue to offer a wide selection of local preserves and wonderfully creative local crafts. Specialty tea blends, honey, candy, ice cream and KLO’s second-to-none, 100% pure apple juice, are also available at the Farm Store, and the adjoining outdoor fruit market sells KLO’s best quality fruit in season. “We’re striving to carry more Okanagan-made products in our store this season and we’re excited about the variety of high-quality merchandise we’ve sourced for our visitors this season,” says Jacqui Bullock.

The NEW Ridge Restaurant Debuts
We are thrilled to announce the opening of The Ridge Restaurant (formerly The Teahouse Restaurant) at Kelowna Land & Orchard, as award-winning chef, Travis Hackl, takes over management of The Ridge. Hackl is a partner in Okanagan’s Finest Foods, which includes full-service catering division and a line of quality, all-natural vinaigrettes. Their Ginger Ginger Soy Vinaigrette, Garlic Herb Vinaigrette and Dill Mustard Dressing are now available throughout the Okanagan as well as in Vancouver.

Restaurant chef, Andy Komori, handles the day-to-day operations at The Ridge. Komori’s terrific personality and flair make him the ideal chef for the restaurant’s open kitchen design.

Lunch is served daily from mid-April through October, and will feature fresh, local produce and an innovative menu. In the evenings, the restaurant, which is able to host up to 100 (or 150 when using the outdoor patio) for a reception or 60 for a seated dinner (or 80 when using the outdoor patio) is available for private group functions. Catering menus are available, or The Ridge staff will work directly with event organizers to customize a menu to a specific group’s needs and budget.

Sunday Brunch at The Ridge will be a very special event, featuring a changing selection of fare based on the Okanagan’s own growing season combined with the creative energies of The Ridge’s culinary team. Surrounded by farms and orchards, the restaurant receives freshly harvested fruits and vegetables in abundance.

For larger groups, The Ridge has a wide array of menu options for continental breakfast, lunch, dinner and reception events. Please see our catering page for details.

In keeping with our name, The Ridge is proud to serve Raven Ridge Cidery products, including our award-winning iced apple ciders and True Sparkling Cider.

May 8 is for Mothers at KLO
KLO has some special things planned for mothers on their special day. Moms ride free on any orchard tours throughout the day, and receive a 10% discount on purchases at The Farm Store.

Travis Hackl has planned a special Mother’s Day brunch at The Ridge, as well. So bring mom up to KLO and let us help you make her feel special. Please reserve for brunch in advance by calling the restaurant at 712 9404, as this is a sell-out day.

Kelowna Women in Business (KWiB) To Meet May 11th at The Ridge
Kelowna Women in Business (KWiB) has a little something different planned for their May dinner meeting. The organization traditionally invites speakers to present different topics on the second Wednesday of each month, but on May 11th, KWiB is inviting women in business to The Ridge to learn a few cooking tips from executive chef Travis Hackl and restaurant chef, Andy Komori. Hackl and Komori will present “live” cooking stations, with demonstrations and opportunities for questions. As well, each guest will leave with a booklet of recipes and cooking tips from the pros.

Kelowna Women in Business is a non-profit organization with more than 120 members. The goals of KWiB are to encourage information exchange that is helpful in furthering women’s careers and to provide social events that allow for business networking opportunities. For more information on KWiB, or to register for meeting on May 11th, please visit the website at www.kwib.ca.

Raven Ridge products join several Okanagan wineries at the Canadian Wine Awards, including Jackson Triggs Okanagan being named the Winery of the Year, with a very impressive second place going to Quails' Gate Winery. A complete list of winners is available online at www.wineaccess.ca, with a more detailed list, including tasting notes, in the December 2004 issue of Wine Access magazine.

Raven Ridge iced apple ciders, which are made in a similar manner to traditional ice wines, sell for $35.95 for a 375 ml or $25.95 for a 200 ml bottle. Also available is Raven Ridge True Sparkling Cider, made in the traditional methode champagnois, which retails for $19.95 for a 750 ml bottle. A tasting room is located at the orchard where guests are able to sample and purchase products, and they're also featured at and McCullough Station Cold Beer and Wine Shop in Kelowna and at select wine shops in the Lower Mainland. Raven Ridge Cider can also be ordered online.

Archived:
Volume 2 – Fall 2004
Volume 1 – Spring 2004