Cottonwood Estate, where Forgotten Hill Bed & Breakfast is located, is a large family-owned 60 hectares (148 acres) property that is spread out on the hill directly above the village of Naramata. The situation of the estate allows it to offer commanding views over this beautiful part of the South Okanagan.
Cottonwood Estate itself is named after the tall twin Cottonwood trees, located in a hollow by the entrance, that greet visitors as they arrive. Quite possibly, these tall twin trees are the grand-parents of the many cottonwoods that can be found throughout the property.
Fully fenced – over 3 km along the estate perimeter – Cottonwood Estate offers seclusion, privacy, and a truly unique natural environment that feels at once remote and yet connected to its surroundings as it lies a stone’s throw from the heart of the village of Naramata and the 20+ wineries of the Naramata Bench.
The topography of the estate makes it relatively easy to explore on foot as over 80% the land consists of gentle slopes and generally flat benches. A few large granite outcrops, easily walked to, offer extraordinary wide views of the lake and its surroundings. One of these outcrops provides a panoramic viewpoint that stretches from Peachland in the North West, to Okanagan Falls, in the south.
The property encompasses countless deer paths and nearly 5 km (3 miles) of dirt or gravel roads that can be walked or ridden with an all-terrain bicycle. Most of the estate has been left in its natural state, and consists of a mix of Ponderosa pines, Saskatoon berry bushes, grasses, wild flowers and the occasional Douglas fir. Cottonwood Estate also houses a number of animals, ranging from deer, bear and marmots, to hawks and hummingbirds as well as many insects and Monarch butterflies.
From the property gate, approximately 600 m (1970 ft.) of paved road leads to Forgotten Hill Bed& Breakfast. It sits at the south west corner of Cottonwood Estate, and overlooks the south end of the 135 kilometer long Okanagan Lake. The views from Forgotten Hill include the city of Penticton, to the South, Trout Creek to the West and Summerland to the North West. Moreover, views extend up more than 40 kilometers (30 miles) to the South West and North West.
The west side of Cottonwood Estate is bordered by the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway) trail which occupies the former rail bed, and is now part of the Trans Canada Trail. Forgotten Hill Bed & Breakfast is set directly above the KVR. A gravel road leads from B&B right down to the KVR trail.
Okanagan Lake has an average elevation of 342 m (1,122 ft.), and Forgotten Hill is situated at an elevation of 600m (1960 ft.), an ideal viewpoint. The rest of the property climbs gently to a height of 778 m (2550 feet) at its North East corner.
Cottonwood Estate has a working 4-acre vineyard, located directly above the first house as one enters the property. The vineyard produces mostly Pinot Gris grapes and a bit of Pinot Noir.
Further details about the property are available in the Room Information packages found in each guest room at Forgotten Hill Bed & Breakfast.