Mt. Lehman Sojourn in the Country

The rain shall not hinter our enjoyment of what beautiful British Columbia has to offer. On Saturday Dec 2 Barbara and I ventured out to the Mount Lehman ( a little north west of the city) region of Abbotsford. This is horse country, and rapidly becoming wine country. Here you can find Christmas tree farms, Cheese farms and other exciting places to visit. We joining the new (and hopefully an annual event) Mt. Lehman Sojourn in the Country.

Our first stop was Tuscan Farm Gardens. The parking lot was full, but we managed to find a spot at the back of their shop. Tuscan Farm Gardens is a family run organic lavender farm. The rain did not stop me from taking a walk with Oreo ( we are dog sitting) around the their beautiful gardens. Barbara browsed their shop featuring handmade soap, rich and nourishing hand and body lotions, muscle soaks and body polishes, organic salves and balms, including a specialty line for Sensitive skin. They sold coffee and other edibles. They offered their guest samples of Lavender Ice cream, very delicious.

Onward to Singletree Estate winery owned by Garnet Etsell and his wife Debbie. Despite the crowed tasting bar we were fortunate to have Debbie guide us through our tasting. She is one of the founders of this event. They have quite the cellar of wines. Andrew Etsell is becoming a very accomplished winemaker. I really enjoyed the 2016 Pinot Gris. They now have a line of wine jellies. The 14 acres of estate vineyard awaits you to enjoy quality, award-winning BC VQA wines. All in all a most enjoyable visit.

You cannot venture into the Mount Lehman region without visiting Seaside Pearl Farmgate winery. Where hospitably is King, actually queen as co owner Allison Zimmer is in charge of the tasting room. They had cookies. I love cookies. Please read about our previous visit to the winery.

The tasting room upper level had a display pearls a field of expertise for Allison. The charming tasting room was full and the door continued to open. Among the guest was Laura Preckel from Singletree. Here we also met Chris and Sandi Innkeepers from the fabulous Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel at Pepin Brook Vineyard in Abbotsford. They recently bought South Fraser Shuttles and Tours, a small Wine Tour company and are transitioning it to Brookside Boutique Tours Inc. which will focus on Wine, Beer, Agriculture, and Custom Tours in the Fraser Valley.

It was now time to visit Mt Lehman winery, the original regions winery owned by Vern Siemens . In 2014 they received the prestigious B.C. Lieutenant Governor Award for the 2010 Viognier Reserve.

We spent most of our time here chatting with Vern. We managed to taste a few good wines. Separate from the tasting room in the barn with its Christmas lights and wine barrels Brawny Tawny was been served.

The Tawny was excellent. There was cheese from a local farm, Mt Lehman Cheese Company and chocolate to enjoy with it.

Our schedule did not provide time for us to visit others participating in the Mt. Lehman Sojourn in the Country. Sorry to say we had to pass by Glenda's Christmas Cottage and Tanglebank Gardens. We were off to visit new friends at the Brookside Inn.

The inn owned by Chris Bus and his partner Sandi is a three story Tudor style Boutique accommodation facility featuring crown molded 9-15 ft ceilings throughout, giving it a stately yet warm feel. Paving stone driveways and parking area, beautiful landscaping and retaining walls and wonderful views of Mt Baker, Pepin Brook Vineyard and the surrounding countryside. We took the grand tour. Impressive

Their luxury accommodation features six individually decorated movie/book theme suites; "Roman holiday", "Thomas Crown Affair", “A Good year in the Vineyard”, “The Secret Garden”, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, and “Midnight in Paris”. We serve a full breakfast each morning in the ” Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Dining Lounge.

Following the tour we relaxed in their living room enjoying a glass of wine.