Journey to Lake Country, where picturesque vineyards meet tranquil waters, creating an idyllic setting for a vibrant wine experience. Here's your guide to discovering the wineries of Lake Country.
In the heart of the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is the birthplace of BC’s wine industry. The region’s rich viticulture heritage dates back over a century, when the first vines were planted. The area’s first commercial winery, Calona Wines, was founded in the early 1930s, marking the beginning of the Okanagan’s flourishing wine industry.
Today, the region is celebrated for its diverse array of award-winning wineries. There are close to 40 wineries in Kelowna and its surrounding communities, including West Kelowna and Lake Country, many of which have continued to evolve their farming and viticulture practices to be more sustainable.
This year, to celebrate the region and encourage visitors and locals to visit its exceptional wineries, Tourism Kelowna launched the #exploreKelowna Wineries Pass. Through this Guide to Wine Touring Series, we’ll introduce you to the wineries featured through the pass and give you tips to make your wine touring experience memorable, informative, and fun!
Wine Touring in Lake Country
Ancient Hill Winery.
There is a reason Lake Country’s wine route is called the Scenic Sip, with its lake and mountain views, rolling hills, and inviting scenery.
Though technically located in Kelowna, Ancient Hill Estate Winery has been welcomed as part of the Scenic Sip route. The winery specializes in small-lot wines crafted entirely from grapes grown in its own vineyard.
The views from the quaint patio don’t disappoint as you look over vineyards and the mountains surrounding Kelowna. Ancient Hill’s European-style wine shop also offers an assortment of cheese, crackers, and non-alcoholic beverages that can be enjoyed in the shop or on the patio.
Arrowleaf Cellars picnic area. Image credit: Nic Collar Film
Once you’re in Lake Country, the first stop on your tour is Arrowleaf Cellars. The winery’s modern tasting room commands attention, set amongst the trees and with expansive views of Okanagan Lake.
The winery sources 90% of its grapes from Lake Country, with the other 10% from Kelowna. Arrowleaf offers tastings at its bar, as well as more in-depth private seatings. As part of its Fall Wine Experiences, Arrowleaf will be participating in the inaugural Kelowna Apple Fest, and will also be hosting a Wine & Cheese Paired tasting and a Library Wine Tasting & Tour on Thanksgiving weekend.
Ex Nihilo outdoor tasting. Image credit: Shawn Talbot Photography
Across the road from Arrowleaf, you’ll find Ex Nihilo, which has vast vineyards and an unassuming tasting room. Once you enter the beautifully designed tasting room, you can choose between the Signature Tasting or the Memor Vivo Tasting, a longer, seated experience.
Starting at the end of September, Ex Nihilo will launch its Dinner Series, which combines exceptional wines with fresh flavours crafted by Executive Chef Danny Tipper and his team. Tickets are already on sale for the September dinner, an opportunity to savour the tail end of summer.
Gray Monk Estate Winery. Image credit: Shawn Talbot Photography
Next is Gray Monk Estate Winery, established in 1972. The estate’s 75 acres of vineyards overlook Okanagan Lake, and the tasting room is perched at the top of the inclined lot.
The winery offers several tasting experiences and an on-site restaurant, The Lookout, which offers all-day menu items you can savour while taking in the views from the exquisite patio. Through the fall, visitors can sign up for Paint & Sip classes on the patio.
50th Parallel Winery.
To wrap up your tour, you’ll wind your way along the scenic Carrs Landing Road to reach 50th Parallel Estate, set on a 61-acre site near the shores of Okanagan Lake. The expansive tasting room comprises floor-to-ceiling walls, allowing you to take in the surrounding beauty of the vineyards and lake.
You can taste 50th Parallel’s small portfolio of exceptional wines with one of its 5 tasting/tour experiences. The winery’s restaurant, BLOCK ONE, has an impressive outdoor dining space that has won international design awards for its architecture. The restaurant operates year-round, so there is ample indoor seating space. The winery will host an exclusive Christian Louboutin pop-up sale event in mid-September.
Recommended Route for Wine Touring in Lake Country
Ex Nihilo. Image credit: Nathaniel Atakora Martin (@nathanielatakora)
From Kelowna, you’ll want to head north on Hwy 97 toward Lake Country. Take a right-hand turn on Old Vernon Road and head north until you reach Anderson Road, where you’ll again take a right-hand turn. Continue north on Anderson Road (a left-hand turn near Sunset Ranch Golf Course) until you reach Ancient Hill Winery.
To get back on Hwy 97 from Ancient Hill, you’ll go north on Anderson Road, then take a left onto Teather Road, which will take you back to Old Vernon Road. Head north (a right-hand turn) on Old Vernon Road around the airport, and you’ll link back up to Hwy 97.
From there, you can continue your journey to Lake Country. When you enter the community, you’ll want to take a left-hand turn onto Okanagan Centre Road East, on which you’ll head north until you reach Camp Road. Turn onto Camp Road and continue driving until you hit Arrowleaf Cellars. Just across the road and slightly north, you’ll find Ex Nihilo.
When finished at those two spots, continue north on Camp Road, taking a sharp right-hand turn, and wind your way up to Gray Monk. Camp Road then connects to Okanagan Centre Road West, which you’ll take heading north to Cars Landing Road.
The trip from Gray Monk to 50th Parallel Estate is about 14 minutes, taking you along the scenic Cars Landing Road. Be sure to turn onto Terrace View Road at the northern part of Cars Landing Road to access the winery.
Book a Guided Wine Tour to Explore Lake Country
Gray Monk Estate Winery.
To make exploring even easier, why not join a guided wine tour? With expert guides, comfortable transportation, and various pricing options, you can’t go wrong!
Here are a handful of options you can select from to explore the Lake Country wineries mentioned above:
- BARE Wine Tours will take you on a public, full-day tour of Lake Country’s Scenic Sip wine route. All 5 wineries featured above are on the list of possible stops.
- Beach Bum Tours offers half- and full-day tours of Lake Country. The full-day tour includes stops at Ancient Hill, Arrowleaf, and Gray Monk, with an option to also visit Ex Nihilo or the 50th Parallel.
- Carpe Diem Tours takes you to 5 wineries on its full-day tour of Lake Country. You’ll visit Ancient Hill, Arrowleaf, and Gray Monk; again, there is the option to add on Ex Nihilo and 50th Parallel.
- Roots & Vines has all 5 wineries included as possible tour stops on its full-day Lake Country Scenic Sip Wine Tour. A lunch stop is built into the itinerary as with the other full-day tours.
- Sagebrush Tours offers both public and private tours of Lake Country, with half- and full-day options. Pricing for the private tours is on a sliding scale, depending on group size.
- Wine Boss Tours will take you on a full-day tour of Lake Country, where you’ll enjoy tastings at 5 wineries in the area. There is also a shorter half-day tour for those interested.
Get the Free #exploreKelowna Wineries Pass
Arrowleaf Cellars. Image credit: ARK Media
Before you set out to visit the wineries in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country, be sure to sign up for the #exploreKelowna Wineries Pass. Collect points at each of the participating wineries, including those highlighted in this post, and then redeem them for great prizes. All participants are also entered into a quarterly draw for a wine-themed prize pack valued at more than $350.
Header image: Gray Monk Estate Winery. Image credit: Scott Bakken
