Exquisite Sips And Amazing Savors At The Phantom Creek Estates’ Restaurant

All you need to know about Phantom Creek Estate Winery and its restaurant

Phantom Creek Estates is one of the latest entrants into the already busy winemaking scene of the Okanagan Valley. Situated along the Osoyoos Black Sage Road, a well-known section of British Columbia’s wine trail, this winery finds itself amidst a cluster of both new and well-established vineyards and wineries. Phantom Creek Estate boasts an impressive array of amenities, including an events room, tasting rooms, winemaking facilities, an amphitheatre, and a restaurant.

In the past, we would often drive past the construction site of what is now Phantom Creek Estates on our way to Burrowing Owl Winery. It seemed like an endless project, but in the spring of 2022, we were amazed to see the completed building standing tall. It resembled a concert hall and exhibited a sense of grandeur. Among the new wineries in the area, this one stands out, not just because of its immaculate and impressive facilities but also because of its impressive wines.

This is why we picked Phantom Creek Estates for this visit

When we had our wine tasting at the winery in 2022, we didn’t get a chance to visit the Restaurant at Phantom Creek. As much as our last visit was a memorable adventure, full of good wine and misdirected royal treatment, we felt that the visit to the winery restaurant was due for us to build a complete picture of the Phantom Creek Estates. And to be fair, as we’ve heard stories of their chef’s remarkable culinary mastery, we didn’t see the upcoming visit as a chore.

As the wheels of our car rolled along the picturesque roads of Osoyoos, Okanagan wine country, a familiar excitement bubbled up within us. The Phantom Creek Estate Winery was beckoning us with promises of exquisite wines and food.

The fine dining at the Phantom Creek Estates Restaurant

The restaurant’s design exudes opulence and modernity, seamlessly matching the grandeur of the overall facilities. The level of customer service is truly impeccable, although some might find elements reminiscent of the dramatic upstairs/downstairs dynamics portrayed in the Downton Abbey to be slightly overdone. However, it is worth noting that some patrons may enjoy the chance to immerse themselves in the “upstairs” experience, finding immense pleasure in such a distinctive dining encounter.

When it comes to culinary creations, Phantom Creek Restaurant can be described as a true work of art.

The presentation of each dish on the menu is visually captivating. So much so that it compels even those who aren’t social media enthusiasts to reach for their cameras and capture these edible masterpieces.

The use of premium ingredients with a focus on sourcing locally whenever possible takes the experience to another level. While we refrain from considering ocean fish or shellfish as locally sourced due to Okanagan’s inland location, we do make an exception for ingredients procured within a four-hour drive, such as those from a port city of Vancouver.

The restaurant has a prix-fixe menu format. A two-course meal can be enjoyed for $50 per person. A three-course culinary journey is available for $70. For an enhanced experience, guests can opt for a wine pairing, which they can add for an additional $30.

When compared to the prices for a similar quality and type of meal in Vancouver, dining at this restaurant delivers good value for the money.

Why enogastronomy matters

We strongly believe that wine is best enjoyed alongside food. When properly paired, the combination of food and wine can create an extraordinary culinary experience that significantly enhances patrons’ perception of the wine’s quality.

A well-matched wine and food combination is crucial, as a poorly paired selection can detract from the flavors of both the wine and the expertly prepared dishes.

It’s no surprise that many wineries in the Okanagan offer food-paired wine tastings among their wine tasting options. Wineries with on-site restaurants have an advantage, as they can craft dishes specifically tailored to complement their wines.

The restaurant at the Phantom Creek Estates has an ever-evolving menu, showcasing the bountiful flavors of the Okanagan region throughout the seasons. Each dish on the menu is meticulously crafted and thoughtfully accompanied by a recommended wine pairing. The patrons also have the freedom to choose wines by the glass.

Now let’s move to the wine tasting notes for the two wines we selected.

Phantom Creek 2018 Kobau Cabernet Franc wine tasting notes and food pairing recommendations

Aged in French Oak, 60% new, for 18 months, this Kobau Cab Franc defies the usual expectations of Cabernet Franc as a medium-bodied wine. Despite this divergence, we found this wine to be highly enjoyable. After three years since its release, the wine has matured gracefully and offers a delightful experience, especially when paired thoughtfully with food.

Speaking of food pairing, we discovered that the 2018 Kobau Cab Franc may not be the best match for lamb. Its flavor profile does not have enough strength to complement lamb dishes adequately.

However, it truly shines when paired with beef. The wine’s smoky character makes it an excellent accompaniment to BBQ beef, such as our Grilled Flank Steak recipe, enhanced by a homemade savory tomato jam.

Phantom Creek 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon wine tasting notes and food pairing recommendations

The winemaking process involved aging the wine in French Oak, with 26% of the barrels being new, for a period of 18 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were sourced from the Estate’s Black Sage Bench vineyard, while the Cabernet Franc grapes came from the Kobau vineyard. Despite the small percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend, its high acidity and tannins contribute significantly to the wine’s overall structure.

Notably, this wine has been internationally recognized, receiving a Silver Medal in the 2022 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.

For us this wine was not as enjoyable as their 2018 Kobau Cabernet Franc. However, it proved to be more versatile when it came to its food pairing potential.

It paired well with pan fried lamb, beef tartar dishes and flavorful mushrooms such as morels.

If you’re looking to create a restaurant-quality dish to pair with this wine at home, we recommend trying our recipe for Beef Tenderloin in Red Wine Sauce.

Conclusion

When we visited Phantom Creek in 2022, we were mistaken for “Mondavi People”. The bizarre case of mistaken identity got us the royal treatment and an opportunity to sample wines far in excess of what was on our wine tasting list. While we certainly hoped for another case of mistaken identity, the lighting didn’t strike twice. What remained unchanged though was the quality of the wines that we sampled during our return visit. Both wines were very enjoyable, although their pricing may make them less accessible to a wider audience.

The winery grounds remained as impeccable as we remembered from our previous visit.

Our experience at the winery restaurant further solidified our belief that Phantom Creek Estates is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting British Columbia’s Oliver-Osoyoos wine country.