Photo courtesy Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery

The way the story goes, back in 1888 a cattle rancher named Isadore Boucherie settled on the slopes of an extinct volcano in what is now West Kelowna, where he raised cattle, grew grapes and entertained the local citizenry, including Father Pandosy, founder of the local mission. When Boucherie boasted that the cowboy steak dinner he’d hosted was “the greatest meal this Valley e’er seen,” the priest wryly shot back: “Well, aren’t you the modest butcher?”

Now the Modest Butcher is making a comeback as the new restaurant at the winery named for that long-ago rancher, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery.

It’s located in a stunning new facility that marks a dramatic evolution for one of British Columbia’s oldest winery operations, which began as a grape-growing business in 1968, and was among the first to plant vitis vinifera in the valley. Those familiar with the small rustic cabin that housed the former tasting room will be wowed by the 15,000-square-foot tasting area in the dramatic new structure designed by Vancouver’s Ciccozzi Architecture to pay homage to the Mt. Boucherie volcano.

The new Modest Butcher Kitchen + Market at Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery in West Kelowna will feature steaks and casual wine country fare. Photo courtesy Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery

The Modest Butcher Kitchen + Market, which opened with a limited menu in early June, will specialize in premium steaks and chops (fittingly so—boucherie in French means butcher shop) and casual wine country fare with a heavy emphasis on local ingredients. Leading the kitchen is chef Dan Carkner, who previously worked at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and Mission Hill Family Estate just up the road. The wine list features labels from Mt. Boucherie and its sister winery, Rust Wine Co., and promises to include international wines as well.

For info and reservations, visit modestbutcher.com.

Joanne Sasvari

Joanne Sasvari is editor of Vitis and The Alchemist magazines. She also writes about food and drink for WestJet and Vancouver Sun, and is author of the Wickaninnish and Vancouver Eats cookbooks.