“We say that we live in a little bit of God’s country,” says Annamarie Klippenstein, co-founder of Cawston-based Klippers Organic Acres. Attracted by the area’s manageable parcels of land — sold in approximately 2.02-hectare (or five-acre) plots — and its strong reputation for organic farming, Klippenstein and her husband settled here in 2001, launching Klippers the same year. What started as a modest project has since expanded to nearly 24.28 hectares, now home to a certified organic farm with an onsite restaurant, cafe-bakery, and cidery.

Klippenstein credits the valley’s steady mountain winds and hot, dry summers with naturally keeping pests at bay. And unlike lake-adjacent growing regions such as Kelowna and Osoyoos, Cawston’s inland setting means overnight temperatures remain relatively warm, allowing for a long growing season that supports everything from tomatoes and melons to eggplants and apples.

For visitors, Cawston offers a rich, unwavering dedication to the land and its bounty — a food-lover’s paradise once the weather warms.  “It’s a beautiful, unique valley,” says Klippenstein, “where we have views from every window.”

Here’s how to spend a few days in this fertile place.

6:00 p.m. | Farm-to-table feast

The best example of Cawston’s vibrant crops is Row Fourteen, the farm-to-table restaurant run by Klippenstein’s Klippers Organic Acres. In a true expression of the land, the menu here changes often based on what’s in season, but may include delights such as smoked beets with ricotta and apple; BBQ carrots with smoked sour cream and whey-hoisin sauce; and zucchini cake with apple whipped cream. Wash it all down with a glass of Untangled cider, made onsite from Klippers’ own organic apples. The restaurant’s interior features an open-plan kitchen and plenty of cozy farmhouse-style decor, but if it’s not too hot, take a seat on the patio to soak in the mountainous surroundings as the sun goes down.

DAY TWO

7:00 a.m. | Get those steps

Start the day off on the right foot with a short hike up to the Mount Kobau Lookout, where 1.3 kilometres of trail dotted with sagebrush and wildflowers result in sweeping views of the valley below. Look closely: the area is known as home of the elusive Brewer’s sparrow. To cool down, head to Bromley Rock Park along the Similkameen River for a post-hike dip. This small park and popular camping area features a picturesque rocky bluff; pack a picnic of fresh fruit and bread to enjoy in the sun while you dry off.

3:15 p.m. | Taste the terroir

Located down a quiet residential road, Little Farm is a true hidden gem of the region. This natural, low-intervention winery is known for its organic chardonnays and rieslings, marked by good minerality and a healthy dose of funk. Little Farm’s small-batch wines are pure Cawston terroir, helmed by owner Rhys Pender, who is one of only nine Masters of Wine in all of Canada. There’s no formal tasting room here — just an open garage door, a few chairs along the driveway, and a cheerful staffer who’s happy to pour. It’s all part of the charm.