Father's Day Dilemma Solved! Head to Nighthawk Vineyards for Great Blues and BBQ
It’s June and time for the next big question—what to do for Father's Day on June 15, 2025? Don’t worry; Nighthawk Vineyards has the perfect solution. The acclaimed Okanagan Falls winery is hosting the annual Blues in the Vineyard event again this year, paired with fabulous BBQ menu options and the exceptional wines of the Okanagan Falls/Skaha Lake Winery Association.
"You can't go wrong with the vibe of great blues and BBQ in the vineyard!" winery owner Daniel Bibby tells us when we call him to ask about events this spring. He's not wrong, either; something about live blues music just blends perfectly with smoky BBQ offerings.
Live Blues With Okanagan Blues Legend Pappa Dawg
Nighthawk Vineyards will be sizzling with some first-class live Blues on June 15; Daniel and his wife, Christy, are bringing back the much-loved Kelowna's blues legend Pappa Dawg (AKA Rick Halisheff), who burned up the blues for Nighthawk’s 2024 Blues and BBQ Fathers' Day Bash.
Halisheff's iconic baritone blues will be filtering through the vines as he belts out classics like "Deepest Shade of Blue," along with the soul-satisfying 12-bar chords that Pappa Dawg is famous for. This signature event is also a great way to check out the twelve award-winning wineries of the Okanagan Falls/Skaha Lake region, all pouring wine samples for this special Father's Day event.
Voted “Best Outdoor Dining Experience”
Nighthawk’s fine food is also key to bringing this Father's Day bash together, and they definitely have the food part dialled in. Long respected for their world-class wines, Nighthawk has also been quietly cementing itself as a must-visit food destination. For the last four years in a row, their patio restaurant has claimed the title of "Best Outdoor Dining Experience in BC" by the prestigious Lux Life magazine. "This year we have been very honoured to be voted the Best Outdoor Dining Experience in Canada," Daniel tells us. The award comes from Canada Global-100, and has built a fan club right across Canada for Nighthawk’s Vineyard Kitchen & Patio.
Daniel is very modest in his acceptance of the award, since the Vineyard Kitchen & Patio has actually been racking up accolades since it opened. Chef Carson Bibby is a big part of that success, along with a to-die-for setting. For dinner, guests can soak up the mesmerizing valley sunsets and vineyard views from the new patio and pergola.
The Vineyard is starting up their seasonal dinner menu again on June 12th, and they will be open for an additional dinner service from 5pm to 7pm, Thursday to Sunday, this summer. "People love the intimate setting of our log pergola, the views overlooking the Nighthawk vineyard, and our stunning Okanagan sunsets make such a great combination," Daniel comments. The popularity of their tranquil dinner setting makes reservations a necessity, a small price to pay for the great successes they have had.
Planning For Sunday Brunch in the Vineyard is Easy
Basically, if you can't make it to the Father's Day Bash, don't worry; Nighthawk has plenty of other ways to help you celebrate. In addition to wood-fired pizza lunches and gourmet dinners, the Nighthawk team is doing something new this year—a faux-brunch called "Waffles and Wine." Sundays from 10am to 1:00pm, guests can choose from delicious combos such as "Blueberry Fields Forever," a delectable combo of buttermilk waffles, fresh blueberry compote, whipped cream, and lemon zest. Another crowd pleaser is the "Chicken and Waffle Tango," which is recommended paired with a "Made in Canada" Mimosa.
Nighthawk’s Luxury Eco-Tents Open For the Season
Interested in making your celebration a weekend getaway? This could be the year to stay local and book a nature experience at Nighthawk—luxury tent eco-accommodations, nestled into the hillside. Enjoy a fabulous dinner on the vineyard patio, sipping wine as the late summer sun washes over the hillsides. Then, wake up surrounded by the quiet sounds of the forest outside your own private eco-home, and enjoy a morning coffee with an unparalleled view over the Green Lake Valley.
As for what wine to sip on the patio, Daniel has a suggestion. "We are just about to release our 2023 Chardonnay, a nice complement to our warm summer evenings." Nighthawk Vineyards is well known for Chardonnays, typically crafting an oaked, buttery-but-balanced Chardonnay that has a cult following.
As we wind up our conversation so that Daniel can get back to running the boutique vineyard, the topic of puppies comes up. The team at Nighthawk loves supporting local causes, and we heard that they recently had something called a "Puppy Party," and Daniel explained it to us. "The Puppy Party is a fundraiser for Paws it Forward," He laughs, "And they are a cause near and dear to our hearts." Dog fashion shows, great wine and food; note taken: Plan to attend next year's Puppy Party.
For any of the Nighthawk Winery events or information about tickets to the Father's Day Bash, check the Nighthawk Vineyard website or call (250) 497-8874. Wondering about driving? There is also a shuttle offered for guests, running from Okanagan Falls up to the Vineyard and back.
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