Vista18 x Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Wine Pairing Dinner

Description

From the first glass to the final course, this dinner is an exploration of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery and the depth of Okanagan wine. During the evening, a four-course menu by Chef Brett Yamashiro will be paired with wines ranging from vibrant Rosé and rich Malbec to the winery’s acclaimed Athene and a final pour of Coruja. With winery ambassador Nitasha Hyde guiding the evening, each glass brings a new story to the table and a closer look at the varieties, vineyards, and winemaking behind Burrowing Owl. It’s a chance to experience one of British Columbia’s longstanding family-owned wineries through a menu created specifically for the occasion, from our Harbour Room above downtown Victoria.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 6 pm
Location: Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge
Price: $175 per person All-in pricing (includes taxes and 18% service charge).

Dinner + Wine Menu
>>Welcome Wine: Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2025

**amuse**
HALIBUT CEVICHE
blood orange vinaigrette, fingerling chip, cilantro
>> Paired with: Burrowing Owl ROSÉ 2025
This pour is predominantly Cabernet Franc with just a touch of Malbec. On the nose, this rosé is quite expressive and showcases notes of peach, nectarine, strawberries, and blood orange zest and on the palate there’s a great balance of body and bright acidity paired with those juicy stone fruit notes.

**starter**
SPICED LAMB EMPANADA
local mushrooms, chermoula sauce
>> Paired with: Burrowing Owl MALBEC 2021
The grapes for this pour were sourced via Osoyoos and reflect that warmer climate on the nose + palate. This pour showcases aromas of ripe blueberries and plums paired with hints of cocoa and espresso. On the palate notes of blackberry balanced with hints of sage brush and paprika to go along with a smooth tannic finish.

**main**
BEEF CHEEK BOURGUIGNON
cippolini onions, carrot truffle purée, puff pastry, glace de viande
>> Paired with: Burrowing Owl ATHENE 2020
This unique pour is a 50/50 co-ferment of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. This unique co-ferment results in an elegant expression of these two varietals. On the nose you’ll notice hints of brambleberry complemented with black pepper, sage and tobacco and on the palate it showcases ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and a savory finish with hints of dark cocoa.

**dessert**
BENEDICTINE BLUE CHEESECAKE
candied pecans, dark chocolate
>> Paired with: Burrowing Owl CORUJA
Coruja is the Portuguese word for ‘Owl’ which is fitting as this pour is a ruby-style, fortified wine made predominately from Syrah grapes. This non-vintage pour is produced via Solera method and creates a wine which showcases aromas and flavours of rich plum, blackberries, dark chocolate, cloves, holiday spice and vanilla. The perfect pour to end an evening!

About Burrowing Owl Estate Winery & Winery Ambassador (host), Nitasha Hyde:
Family-owned since 1993, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery has built its reputation around estate-grown Okanagan wine and a long-standing commitment to the land. The winery owns and manages 210 acres of vineyards across Black Sage, Osoyoos, and Keremeos, while its environmental philosophy extends from vineyard practices and gravity-flow winemaking to more than three decades of support for burrowing owl conservation in British Columbia.
Joining us for the evening is Nitasha Hyde, a Penticton-raised wine professional with WSET Level 3 and ISG Level 2 certifications and more than a decade in wine sales. She’ll share the stories behind each pour, including two wines with recent national and international recognition: the 2021 Malbec, awarded Gold at the 2025 National Wine Awards of Canada, and 2020 Athene, which earned Platinum at the 2024 National Wine Awards. Burrowing Owl’s Athene has continued that recognition, with the 2021 vintage receiving Double Gold at the 2025 Global Fine Wine Challenge.