“Be Surprised in Oliver” is a new collaboration between Castanet and Visit Oliver, inviting readers to discover hidden gems and seasonal highlights in a town full of unexpected delights. Follow along on Friday mornings. Oliver Uncorked: Sips, Stories and Surprises Beyond the Vine Sure, Oliver is famed for producing world-class wines but its appeal goes far beyond the vineyard. Nestled in the sun-soaked South Okanagan, this town is a hidden gem for craft beverage lovers, foodies, and curious travellers looking for something authentic. Whether it’s sipping lager in the basement of a historic fire hall to tasting orchard-fresh cider along the Golden Mile Bench, or breaking bread with an artisan French baker in the District Wine Village, Oliver is where tradition meets innovation—and every stop tells a story of this town and its people. Beer Meets History at Firehall Brewery Founded by father and son Jim and Sid Ruhland, Firehall Brewery has been pumping out artisan ales, lagers and stouts since 2012. Located in the basement of Oliver’s historic fire hall (built in 1948), this family/pet friendly brewery blends rich local history with bold, flavourful brews, including their Kick Axe Lager that won top honours at the Okanagan Fest of Ale. Tucked beneath Pappa’s Firehall Bistro on Main Street, the cozy taproom delivers food via an old-school dumbwaiter, adding to its quirky charm. “Customer experience is our top priority—second only to our love for great beer,” says Sid. “We brew with B.C. hops, locally-malted barley, and Oliver's famously mineral-rich water.” Visiting in September? Firehall Brewery has been instrumental in growing the Cask and Keg event which is part of the 3-day Wine Capital Weekend and the iconic Festival of the Grape. Held Sept. 20 at Oliver Community Park, the Cask and Keg features tastings from 20+ craft beverage producers, live music, and the always-hilarious Beer Olympics—a Firehall original featuring keg rolls, beer tray-balancing relays, and more. Get your tickets here. From Orchard to Bottle: Okanagan Apples Pressed into Perfection Set on the scenic Golden Mile Bench between Oliver and Osoyoos, Orchard Hill Estate Cidery & Fruit Stand is a charming, family-owned cidery known for its handcrafted ciders and fresh local produce. “Our cider is only made from dessert apples that are grown right here on the property,” says Ravi Dhaliwal who along with his wife Jasmeen run the cidery and farm. “The apples are hand harvested at the perfect time to ensure we get that near perfect cider taste. We only have one chance a year to make the darn best cider that we can, so we put a lot of care and love into our trees that are grown on our site.” The orchard and fruit stand are situated on 14 acres of high-quality fruit trees, where the sun frames the property early in the morning till late in the evening. Their signature Red Roof Apple Cider is light, crisp, and available across B.C. Also on tap: a traditional Extra Dry and the festive, fruit-forward Okanagan Bubbly. Visitors can sip in the tasting room and then shop at the on-site fruit stand while soaking up the view. It's a true taste of the Okanagan. Sourdough Stories at La Levainière Bakehouse Nestled inside the District Wine Village, La Levainière Bakehouse is a French-inspired artisan bakery with South Okanagan soul. Founded by Audrey Enixon (originally from Bordeaux), the bakery has become a quiet sensation thanks to Audrey’s signature sourdough loaves—naturally fermented, yeast-free, and crafted with care. “My sourdough starter is like a business partner,” she laughs. “I feed it, listen to it, and it teaches me things.” Audrey’s artisan breads are made naturally and slowly and are a true reflection of the South Okanagan way of life. Visit the quaint Bakehouse and expect artisan loaves, espresso-chocolate batards, pillowy brioche, and edible-art focaccias—each baked with intention and inspired by local ingredients. In the winter she offers sourdough workshops. Audrey's sourdough has gained a following both at the Osoyoos Farmers’ Market and online on her TikTok channel @artisansourdoughbaker with over 74K followers. “This bakery reflects who I am—rooted in natural fermentation, simplicity, and community.” Come Enjoy Oliver’s Unexpected Delights Whether it’s a pint under the fire hall, a glass of orchard cider, or a slice of fresh-baked sourdough, this community serves up more than wine—it offers a taste of something real, handcrafted, and deeply rooted. Oliver doesn’t just pour world-class wines—it serves up charm, flavours, and a whole lot of delicious surprises.