South Boucherie

The landscape here is defined by geology. An extinct volcano leaves behind rich, rocky soil that dictates the layout of the streets. Boucherie Road winds along the contour lines, acting as the main artery for locals moving between acreage properties and rows of Pinot Noir vines. You will see tractors sharing the asphalt with cyclists training on the hills.

Daily life revolves around the outdoors and the agricultural calendar. In the fall, the air smells of crushed grapes. During the summer, residents take advantage of the quiet lanes branching off Gregory Road to walk their dogs before the afternoon heat sets in. The lots are large enough to keep horses, and wooden fences line many of the residential driveways.

The neighbourhood remains distinctly separate from the commercial retail strips of Westbank. Instead of strip malls, the architecture consists of farmhouses, modern estates, and low-slung winery buildings. The lack of through-traffic keeps the ambient noise low. You hear the wind coming off Okanagan Lake long before you hear a car engine.

Access to the water shapes the weekend routine. Trails at Kalamoir Regional Park cut through the sagebrush right down to the rocky beaches. Locals head down the hill to launch paddleboards or meet friends near the Gellatly Nut Farm. It is a rural pocket that manages to hold onto its agricultural roots while sitting right on the edge of the city.