The Okanagan Valley is well-known for its exceptional, award-winning wines crafted by highly skilled winemakers throughout the region. Between Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country, there are nearly 40 wineries to visit, including numerous organic wineries. Read on for tips on making the most of your wine touring, no matter the time of year, as well as an overview of each region—travelling East to West. 

Guided Wine Tours

^{Volcanic Hills Estate Winery. Photo by: Shawn Talbot Photography.}

Booking a guided wine tour is the easiest way to tour the wineries in and around Kelowna. The seasoned professionals at the region's guided wine tour companies will handle all the logistics for you so the wineries are ready for your arrival. You won't have to worry about a designated driver, and you'll get firsthand knowledge from the guide you'd otherwise not get on your own. Learn more about Kelowna's guided wine tour companies here or connect with Tourism Kelowna's team at the Kelowna Visitor Centre to find out more or get assistance booking your tour. 

Wine Touring Tips

^{Off the Grid Organic Winery. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

If you've decided to tour the wineries in and around Kelowna on your own, the main thing to consider is how you'll travel from one winery to the next, so make sure someone in your group is a designated driver. It's best to check with each winery to see if advance bookings are required, especially during the peak summer season. Many of the region's wineries are open year-round, but it's always recommended to double-check hours and seasonality while you're planning your tour. 

Find more wine touring tips here.

Lake Country

^{Arrowleaf Cellars. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

The wine trail in Lake Country is named the Scenic Sip for good reason—each of the area's wineries offers something special that will wow you. The region is particularly known for its crisp whites and light-bodied reds. While you're touring in the area, you can also plan to dine at one of several winery restaurants: BLOCK ONE at 50th Parallel Estate Winery, CHAOS Bistro at Ex Nihilo, Peak Cellars Garden Bistro, and The Lookout Restaurant at Gray Monk. During the warmer months, you can picnic lakeside at Arrowleaf Cellars with their deli selections menu (and savour cream puffs on the weekend), while at Ancient Hill Estate Winery, you can enjoy cheese and crackers with your wine on the peaceful outdoor patio.

Learn more about these Lake Country wineries here. 

Kelowna

^{SpearHead Winery. Photo by: Kylie Mae}

As the birthplace of BC wine, it's no surprise that Kelowna's wineries offer a variety of experiences. In the city centre, you can find the urban gem, Sandhill Winery, which was established as Calona Wines in 1932, making it BC's oldest continually operating winery. Winding along Lakeshore Road, you can make stops at Tantalus Vineyards, with its historic vineyard and state-of-the-art LEED winery, as well as Summerhill Pyramid Winery, which has used organic winemaking practices since the mid-80s.

From there, you can explore the winding roads of southeast Kelowna to discover several wineries: Priest Creek Family Estate's boutique-style wine shop and vine-covered patio; SpearHead Winery's cozy tasting room and sunny outdoor space; The Vibrant Vine's lively and colourful tasting room, full of 3D art; and The View Winery's quaint tasting room, housed in a vintage apple packinghouse. Nearby, you'll also find Meadow Vista Honey Wines, where you can try handcrafted mead and go on a self-guided (or guided) farm tour to learn more about its bees.

Click here to find out more about these Kelowna wineries. 

West Kelowna

^{Quails' Gate Estate Winery. Photo by: Ken Hagen}

The wineries and vineyards in West Kelowna offer both natural and architectural beauty. As you explore the Westside Wine Trail, travelling southwest along Boucherie Road, you'll first encounter the expansive Grizzli Winery, well known for its Icewine—the winery's new onsite restaurant, 31 Charkay, is set to open May 3. A short drive south, with Mt. Boucherie standing tall along the west side of the road, will find you at Volcanic Hill Estate Winery, where you can savour wines in their spacious tasting room. Situated alongside Okanagan Lake, Quails' Gate Winery has beautiful vineyards to explore—you can even dine amongst them in the summertime. From there, travel up Mission Hill Road to visit one of the area's most recognizable and well-known wineries, Mission Hill Family Estate. 

Discover more about these West Kelowna wineries here. 

Booking Your Wine Tour

^{CedarCreek Estate Winery. Photo: Ken Hagen}

The Central Okanagan is home to many great wine touring companies, each offering unique experiences. Visit our website to explore companies that specialize in specific varietals, hidden gems, or even include delicious local lunches. Book yours today and get ready to sip, savour, and celebrate in style! Happy wine touring!

_{Header image: Priest Creek Family Estate Winery. Photo by: Ken Hagen}