Make some pour decisions: You should visit British Columbia on your next wine-tasting trip

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KELOWNA, BC, Canada ― If the point of travel is to expand your horizons, there are worse places to wind up than the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada.

It’s part of the broader Thompson Okanagan region that’s likely not on many American tourists’ “must-see” lists, but it should be.

With warm fall days, hundreds of vineyards to explore, close access to ski slopes during the winter, outdoor activities on the lakes and in the mountains the rest of the year and a year-round foodie culture, the Okanagan has something for all types of vacationers.

“We pride ourselves on having something for everybody," Jenna Labossiere, marketing, media, and communications manager at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, told USA TODAY. “Each person is able to find an activity that is suitable and exciting for them.”

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An exchange rate that favors visitors from the U.S. and the same plug sockets don’t hurt, either.

Michael J. Ballingall, a.k.a. Michael J, the voice of Big White Ski Resort, told a group of reporters on his personal boat earlier this fall that he once ran an ad that said, "If you buy a burger and a beer at lunch and give us $20 American, we’ll give you $20 Canadian back.”

(The exchange rate as of Nov. 1 was $1.39 Canadian to $1 U.S.)

Here’s why the Okanagan is an excellent getaway for American tourists for a long weekend or more.

Cheers to exploring

One of the main highlights of a visit to the Okanagan is its wine culture. The Okanagan Valley is historically one of Canada’s top fruit-producing regions, so it’s perfect for growing all kinds of grape varietals. British Columbian wine doesn’t often get exported out of Canada, so the best way to try these unique vintages is to go straight to the source.

Around 250 vineyards dot the valley, producing everything from Pinot Gris to Pinotage, and many overlook Okanagan Lake, meaning your tasting will come with stunning views on the house.

"What we have that’s unique is the fact that we do have the lake. We can’t have these huge tracts of vineyard. It’s always going to be pretty. It’s always going to be a patchwork,” Kathy Malone, winemaker at Hillside Winery in Naramata, told USA TODAY. "Grape vines like what people like. They like to be on a hill, they like a nice view, they like to be near water. It makes it a really pretty place to be.”

Okanagan vineyards have had some struggles in the last few years, though. Wildfires and unexpected cold snaps have affected the crops, so some vineyards have been forced to cut back on production or replant some or all of their acreage.

Malone put a positive spin on the changes.

She said that after a few hard years, she feels invigorated by a chance to innovate with new grapes from retrained or replanted vines and that the rebound could provide the region with an even greater renaissance.

“I’ve never worked with fruit from old roots, old well-established roots, but new trunks,” she said. “I think it has the potential to be really exciting."

For visitors, it also means you can feel good about your intake: every glass of wine is helping the vineyards recover. Malone added that Okanagan wine is especially known for its quality, so you can be sure you're drinking the best.

“We aren’t able to compete with international wines competitively price-wise. The understanding has always been in the valley that we need to produce the highest quality wine we possibly can and compete on quality," she said.

Outdoor adventures

If wine tasting isn’t your thing, the Okanagan still has plenty of other options. Vernon, near the valley's north end, was recently named the trails capital of British Columbia.

The whole region is crisscrossed by hiking and biking trails, including a section of the nearly 400-mile-long Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The part near Penticton in the valley's southern section passes by various wineries and breweries and has numerous scenic overlooks where visitors can take in unblemished views.

The Okanagan also has great spots for rock climbing and all sorts of watersports on its lakes.

In the winter, mountains, including Big White, Revelstoke and SilverStar, are all easily accessible by road.

How to get there

Kelowna is the main city and airport in the Okanagan Valley, although Penticton and Kamloops also have air service from Vancouver and Calgary.

Most U.S. visitors will need to book a connecting flight to reach the region, though there are some nonstops to destinations in the Western U.S., including Seattle and Los Angeles. Service to some other U.S. cities may operate seasonally.

Experts from the region’s tourism agencies recommend renting a car during your stay.

Where to stay

The Okanagan Valley offers various options at different price points, from motels and B&Bs to luxury resorts.

Those looking for ultimate serenity should consider Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa, an adult-only (16+) property in Vernon initially built by the Swarovski family. The property has around 3.5 million of the namesake crystals throughout and stunning views of Okanagan Lake.

At the other end of the valley, the Naramata Inn is a small luxury boutique hotel known for its in-house restaurant’s dinner service.

What can you expect from visiting the Okanagan?

A trip to the Okanagan is what you make of it.

If you want to focus on food and wine in Canada’s historic fruit-growing region, there are plenty of options.

If outdoor activities are more your speed, you won’t be disappointed, either.

If you want to totally unplug and unwind, the region’s spas will give you what you need.

Really, you can’t go wrong in the Okanagan, and since it’s relatively easy to get to from most of the U.S. – but not so easy that it’s high on the list for Americans – it’s a perfect getaway for a long weekend or more. It’s especially worth considering in the shoulder season after the summer when the days stay warm, but the nights get cooler, and the crowds on the lake dwindle.

"It’s a locals’ favorite time of the year to explore the region,” Labossiere said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wine down in the fall at this British Columbia gem